Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece has apparently changed the footwear worn by its main character, Luffy, which is actually a good sign for the show's future. Netflix will look to make One Piece into a big success after the recent failures it has had trying to adapt anime into live-action. One Piece is one of the most successful manga and anime series ever, which should provide Netflix with a solid fanbase from the start, however, One Piece remains one of Netflix's biggest tests.
One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, called the "Straw Hat Pirates," as they seek the world's greatest treasure, known as the One Piece. Luffy, whose body becomes rubber-like after eating a Devil Fruit, is able to do extraordinary things, such as stretching his limbs to unnatural lengths. His abilities allow him to perform some incredible feats that should make for a true spectacle in a live-action format. Luffy's trademark sandals, however, do not seem poised to appear in Netflix's One Piece, after a live-action poster showed Luffy in enclosed shoes.
Netflix's Luffy Changes Hint At Promising Live-Action Stunts For One Piece
While some may have been initially dismayed by the news that Netflix has changed Luffy's signature footwear, it is actually a promising sign of the high-level stunts to come. While it's hard to say how Netflix's One Piece will compare to the original, this news about Luffy's footwear indicates that the Netflix adaptation is committed to converting the anime version's stunts to live-action. It is unlikely that Iñaki Godoy, who is playing Luffy, would be able to perform the same stunts in One Piece if he were in sandals.
This is the reason cited by Netflix's One Piece co-star, Emily Rudd, when asked by a fan why Luffy was not wearing sandals. Rudd also suggests, in the same social media post, that the stunt work done both by the cast and its stunt doubles, was outstanding, and a major focus throughout production. This is a good sign because stunt work will be an extremely important part of Netflix's live-action One Piece, and by extension, future anime to live-action adaptations.
Why Netflix's One Piece Needs Some Fantastic Stunts
One of the most difficult parts of converting anime to live-action is translating the stunts and spectacles that are easily animated into real feasible stunts. The cost can be enormous, and it can be very dangerous, however, Netflix's One Piece needs to focus on creating some epic stunts. Not everything that happens in an anime can be converted to live-action, which is why it is important to do well on the few things that can be adapted.
If Netflix's One Piece wants to replicate the spectacle of the anime version, it will need some seriously impressive stunts. One Piece season 1 will need to compensate for the restrictions of its medium by crafting some jarring stunts that convey the same sense of jealous awe that one gets when watching the animated version of One Piece. This is the challenge of converting anime, as Netflix has already seen, but the fact that Iñaki Godoy is unable to wear sandals for shooting is a promising sign that Netflix has learned this particular lesson.