Beginnings are never easy. The line holds true even for the world’s largest streaming company, Netflix. The streaming giant boasts an excellent repertoire of curated collections to cater to each user’s tastes. Yet, in its quest to stay relevant, it relentlessly works on producing originals. Many of those in-house productions, such as The Witcher, The Crown, and Bridgerton, have gone on to carve and shape their own influence. Then, to serve variety on its platter, it tried its luck with anime live actions which all seemed to fail. That was until the ‘curse-breaker’, ‘One Piece’ entered the scene.

The Eiichiro Oda masterpiece turned over the streamer’s fortunes as it made rapid inroads into untapped subscribers. Now, its director, Marc Jobst, broke down why the ‘miracle’ ever happened.

How Netflix struck gold with its approach to One Piece

Undeniably, letting the original creator Eiichiro Oda helm the creative inputs for the show was a big factor in its success. However, getting a good story still did not settle more important matters at hand. Director Marc Jobst explained to ComicBook, that the reason why many fail in making a successful manga/anime to live-action adaptation is because “it’s very playful.” The source material often has vivid imagination at play and to tone it down with “truth and authenticity” is the challenge.

Holding One Piece by example, he explained that the audience was able to connect and believe in the show’s aspects despite its lead character having “rubbery skills”. In essence, it takes a lot of effort to bring in the visual effects as seen in an anime or manga to real life. The aforementioned two are not limited by figments of realism that live-action is associated with. However, the team behind One Piece figured this out, and the result was an interesting “emotional journey.”

Moreover, the results of the show’s success echoed so strongly that plans are well afoot to have it stretch well beyond a second season.

Netflix has enough material to push the show to 12 seasons

The Straw Hat Pirates managed to sail the high seas with zeal as they effortlessly sailed past records held by Netflix heavyweights. Close on the heels of its grand success, Eiichiro Oda announced the second season of One Piece. Soon after, news came of showmakers having enough confidence to plan the show for a six-season haul, which might even get stretched to twelve if the need ever arose.

As of now, the second season will have Monkey D. Luffy and his pirates explore Baroque Works, Whisky Peak, and several new locations. Additionally, it is heavily expected for the show to take up the Arabasta arc. Finally, several new characters such as Tony Tony Chopper, and probably Dr. Kureha, are also to join the crew.

What are your thoughts on One Piece’s success? Let us know in the comments below.