With the arrival of the One Piece live-action series on Netflix, all the worries that Eiichiro Oda had about its adaptation melted away like mist in the morning sun. It not only met but exceeded everyone’s expectations, which had been somewhat pessimistic because of a history of disappointing Netflix live-action adaptations. In a matter of days after its release, the series climbed to the number one spot while also outshining fan favorites like Wednesday and Stranger Things. Is there anything more one could wish for?

Fans of the One Piece manga were hoping for a faithful adaptation that left nothing out. However, a crucial element was omitted in the adaptation. The question is, why did they choose to do so?

Why did the One Piece adaptation leave out a key element?

With the One Piece adaptation on August 31st, fans noticed a significant absence—the Loguetown Arc from its East Blue Saga. This arc is essential because it is where the Straw Hat Pirates made a crucial stop for supplies, triggering memories of Gol D. Roger, a legendary pirate born and executed in Loguetown. This connection set the stage for Gol D. Roger’s vital role in the story. In an interview with Scrrenrant, showrunner Steven Maeda explained that while he wanted to include the Loguetown Arc, time constraints made it impractical. He believed the arc deserved more breathing room for proper development.

With just 184 minutes of screen time for the entire season and budget constraints, fitting the Loguetown Arc would have felt rushed. Adapting One Piece’s vast world from a manga with over 100 volumes was a monumental task. So, the first season focused on the East Blue Saga, where viewers witnessed Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates embarking on their quest for the legendary treasure, setting the stage for future adventures and pirate clashes.

There is more to the story – the live-action adaptation also took a different path, diverging from this particular storyline.

Plot twist: One Piece live-action took a different route

Netflix’s One Piece has hit the bullseye, providing the streaming platform with the success it long yearned for. Netflix’s secret sauce for success? Staying true to the source material, delivering a narrative that remains faithful and engaging. Yet, in this journey, there is a subtle divergence from the anime in one storyline, with Zoro at the forefront. While its immediate impact may not be evident, it represented a nuanced shift from the familiar anime narrative.

Zoro, known as “the world’s greatest swordsman,” confidently asserted his skills in One Piece and delivered some of the season’s standout moments. However, his path to mastery differed slightly in the live-action adaptation, with a mysterious accident cited as the cause of his childhood rival, Kuina’s, demise, in contrast to the anime’s narrative. Despite these deviations, the guiding hand of Eiichiro Oda himself assured fans that the essence of One Piece remains intact.

What do you think about this critical element being missed out? Share your thoughts in the comments below.