Netflix must write its own solid original ending to its live-action version of One Piece, based on the continuing manga by Eiichiro Oda.
Netflix’s live-action version of the manga One Piece must change its ending. The original manga by Eiichiro Oda has over 1,000 chapters, with no end in sight. Unfinished properties are tricky to adapt, as HBO demonstrated with Game of Thrones. This is especially true for a series as iconic and popular as One Piece, whose fans will have high expectations for the adaptation.
The East Blue saga focuses on the main character, Monkey D. Luffy, and his quest to become the king of pirates by locating a legendary treasure, the titular One Piece. This arc begins with Luffy’s childhood actions earning him the respect of the pirate Shanks, who bestows Luffy with his straw hat. This hat becomes Luffy’s prize possession and a talisman of sorts for him on his adventures – including these early adventures, which see Luffy recruit some primary members of his pirate crew. Focusing on this one story arc makes it possible to remain faithful to the unfinished source material while delivering a distinct, self-contained narrative.
Netflix’s One Piece Needs An Original Ending
Netflix’s One Piece follows source material that is still in progress, making its ending complicated. However, Netflix can still make its adaptation a success if it creates its own original ending to the story. To do this well, Netflix must keep its live-action One Piece close enough to the source material to be recognizable to fans. It must also be original enough not just to rehash the current 20-season anime. For example, a viable ending for the anime and manga would be for Luffy to find the One Piece. However, Netflix is working with a fraction of the source material, so that may not be a possible finale.
The ending should also be a real conclusion that satisfactorily wraps up this piece of the story. Like any adaptation from anime to live-action, this will necessitate significant changes from the original. Since making Luffy pirate king is probably untenable, he might instead accomplish or discover something just as important as finding the One Piece. One good option that would open up future opportunities for Netflix would be for Luffy to discover that East Blue is the safest area in the world and that the rest of the world is more dangerous and exciting. This would allow for sequel or prequel series to explore other regions as well.
How Many Seasons Would One Piece Need To Finish Authentically
The East Blue Saga takes place over the first 100 chapters of the 1000-chapter manga. This translates to about 60 episodes of the currently ongoing anime. If Netflix keeps to its current practice of about ten episodes per season of their original shows, it will take about six seasons for the Netflix live-action One Piece to hit all the major East Blue plot points and satisfyingly end the series.
It is a significant challenge to adapt a sprawling and beloved saga like One Piece without alienating devoted fans. If Netflix hopes to succeed where other adaptations of ongoing series have failed, it must be willing to create a story arc that recognizably reflects the source material but still gives fans a solid conclusion. Writing their own ending in a way that wraps up a key plot point without Luffy becoming Pirate King may be the only way to strike that balance. It will be interesting to see how Netflix attempts to distill the epic anime into a shorter series that can appeal to One Piece fans and newcomers alike.
