#OnePiece #OnePieceLiveAction #Netflix
I just watched the new One Piece Live Action series on Netflix and found the show to be quite enjoyable, but I wanted to jot some opinions down. On Saturday evening, I watched until episode 5 and then the rest on Sunday afternoon.
Out of 10, I rank the show 6/10. It was originally 7, but the rest of the episodes changed my mind. And now, here's why:
Luffy is really hard to translate, although the actor did a good job and did his best. However, the portrayal was still hard to get used to. Luffy awkwardly smiled throughout the show in moments that didn't make sense, was profound and articulate even though manga Luffy is considered similar to a "complete idiot with no thoughts", and his fighting choreography was choppy (i.e. punching slow because of the cgi)
Zoro's actor is handsome....and also portrayed Zoro as rather boring. As opposed to stoic and quiet (as i believe he intended), he came across as cold and bland. I appreciate the actor's efforts, but in episode 3, watching Zoro struggle to climb out of a well for over 30 mins...I just couldn't find myself enjoying his scenes (especially because I kept thinking: "isn't Merry's body next to him?")
Sanji wasn't on screen long enough, and respectfully, the chemistry between Sanji and Zeff was lacking. And, there was no build-up with Patty or Carne (who I didn't see), so it made the goodbye scene lack luster. Keeping in mind that this is different from the anime (I understand), the fact that Sanji didn't watch Zoro's fight with Mihawk (something that changes Sanji's mind when he originally refused Luffy's offer) is a little disappointing.
I unfortunately hate Garp (not the actor). Garp being Scottish while Luffy is Brazilian is an odd choice (lol) because they look nothing alike. His obsession with capturing Luffy to "tell him no to being a pirate" is very un-Garp like. And his outbursts and ramblings seemed so unhinged. (Also, am I the only one who freaked out when Garp said he likes his meat "more rare"? Lol I kept thinking he's a cannibal).
Koby is awful--he didn't seem to know what he wanted. The close-up of his wide-eyed spooked face was bizzare. He consistently looked sick lol. Surprisingly, Helmeppo was better, which is nuts.
The hyper-fixation on Zoro's wounds after the Mihawk fight; yes Zoro was injured in canon, but he was strong and recovered pretty well, so him being in a coma was off putting.
The Fishmen! Oh my goodness, they were bad. I understand it is cannon that the Fishman were an allegory for African-American people and their history of slavery but production NEEDED to put hip hop music and sweatshirts/sweats, dreads, etc everytime a fishman showed up on screen? I preface that I hope the actors were properly paid for their hard work, but this was rough. The outfits, the make-up...it just wasn't good. I am sorry.
The things I did enjoy: ~
Sanji's cooking skills and fighting choreography was great to watch and was as close to the material as possible.
Usopp was sassy and funny. Watching him be drunk was not what I thought I needed!
Nami was very true to the character
BUGGY!!!!! Buggy was fantastic. It was a fantastic interpretation of canon Buggy and I am so glad he was nailed and then some! He was intelligent, I liked the changes to Orange Town; he needs to come back! (Just wish ChouChou could have been there)
That is pretty much it. I will support Oda and his dreams by watching more projects he approves. But unless Netflix starts making HBO money, I gotta settle for cuts and changes (and a little dilution). I hope others have enjoyed it. I am so proud of all people who worked hard on it and foe One Piece to break the curse of poor adaptations! Yayayay!!
