Netflix doesn't have a good track record when it comes to adaptations, especially the ones based on anime. Everyone still remembers that whole "Death Note" disaster. But, it looks like the streaming service is redeeming itself with "One Piece" as it gets positive reviews from early viewers.
'One Piece' Might Be Good
The show is set to be released this August 31st, but a couple have already seen the first season and they have nothing but nice things to say about it. Based on the posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, the show is not bad at all.
Most of the people who were kind enough to share their thoughts after watching the Netflix adaptation haven't seen the anime it was based on. Some only skimmed through a few clips and episodes, and still, they said that the show had great potential.
X user @WildeePatrol says that after becoming more familiar with anime in the past year, he was "pleasantly surprised to see the series brought to life with so much love," adding that the scale of the show is vast and so much dedication was put into every aspect.
Another user, @mohooosen said that after watching all eight episodes of the first season with minimal exposure to the source materials, the series is "THE show fans of live-action manga and/or anime adaptations have wanted," as shown in Gizmodo.
Based on the trailer itself, the cast looks similar to the anime characters. The acting also aligns with what the anime fans expected. Netflix is finally staying true to its words as it framed the show as being dedicated to following the source material.
People had doubts at first, and they can't exactly be blamed given what Netflix has done with other adaptations, especially with the ones that have been based on anime. We're yet to see if the live-action "One Piece" will live up to the hype.
Netflix's Past Blunders
"The Witcher" seems like a good show for those who haven't read the books or played the games. The fans of the series' source material were happy about the performance of the actors, but not the casting itself (although everyone is glad that Henry Cavill played Geralt).
It took time but people finally warmed up to Anya Chalotra's portrayal of Yennefer, especially since she was more than talented enough for the role. For other supporting characters like Keira Metz and Fringilla Vigo, however, there are still those who refuse to accept the casting.
As for anime adaptations, the biggest flop Netflix has ever done in that genre has been "Death Note," which starred former Nickelodeon actor Nat Wolff as Light Yagami, and Willem Dafoe as Ryuk. The movie has a low 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A critic has called the movie "overdetermined and underdeveloped," with another saying that the movie fails Asian-Americans in "the more mundane way that most Hollywood releases continue to." In a lot of important ways, the movie does differ from the source material.
