"One Piece" Series Sets New Netflix Records
The "One Piece" series, which premiered on August 31, 2023, has broken Netflix's previous viewing records in the first few days after its release, claiming the top spot in 84 countries, surpassing previous streaming hits like the TV adaptation of "The Addams Family" titled "Wednesday" and the fourth season of the popular sci-fi series "Stranger Things," according to BBC News.
The series has been warmly received by fans of the original "One Piece" anime, many of whom have stated that the project has finally "broken the curse" of unsuccessful adaptations of popular anime series. On Rotten Tomatoes, for example, the audience score has reached 96%, while critics have given the show an 85% "freshness rating."
In the past, Netflix has attempted ambitious projects to adapt anime and manga, such as "Cowboy Bebop" and "Death Note," but the response from both the fan community and critics was less than enthusiastic, leading to the cancellation of these shows.
Kaley Donaldson of The Wrap praised how the creators of the show managed to capture the spirit of the original "One Piece" anime:
"The production team has done an enviable job of recreating the anime's vibrant settings and costumes, which include clown pirates, shark-men, multi-colored ships, and punk-esque hair dyes. "It certainly looks gorgeous in a way many anime adaptations chicken out on," she added.
According to most critics, the success of the series could serve as an encouraging signal for Netflix's future projects in the realm of "live-action adaptations" of anime, and audiences can expect more ambitious premieres in the near future.
"One Piece" is a streaming television series based on the manga of the same name by Eiichiro Oda. The roles of the main characters are portrayed by actors Inyaki Godoy, Mackenyu Arata, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, and Taz Skylar.
The series follows the adventures of the young pirate Monkey D. Luffy, who embarks on a perilous journey across the Grand Line Ocean to find the One Piece, a legendary treasure that will make him the new Pirate King. Along the way, he forms friendships and alliances that aid him in his voyage. However, they are pursued by the Marines, and they are not the only pirate crew hunting for the One Piece. Bound by strong bonds of friendship, the Straw Hat Pirates are ready for the journey and the battle for their dreams.
All 8 episodes of the show were released simultaneously and are available for streaming on Netflix.