Some time ago, the producers behind the live-action series of One Piece revealed how long it would take for the Netflix series to adapt all content from the manga. After the 2nd season, MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes is certain: that is quite unlikely.
Back in September 2023, after the release of the 1st season of the live-action adaptation of One Piece, the executive producers of the series, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, talked about the future.
In an interview with Deadline, they were asked if they were hoping for a 2nd season. Adelstein replied that they hope for 12 seasons. Clements responded that plans are already in place for several seasons, explicitly even 6.
But how realistic are the plans after the 2nd season really, and how could the next seasons be adapted?
Even 6 seasons is a huge number
A series running for 6 seasons, or even 12 seasons, is quite an ambitious project, especially for a lavish series with multiple sets, various costumes, and action-packed fight scenes.
According to unconfirmed sources from Collider, the 1st season cost 18 million US dollars per episode. This would make it more expensive than Game of Thrones or The Mandalorian, which cost 15 million US dollars per episode. If the costs have remained thus, the viewer numbers must naturally also match.
According to journalist Paul Tassi (via Forbes), One Piece season 2 had 16.8 million viewers and season 1 had 18.5 million viewers. This is only a small loss compared to other series. However, if the further seasons attract even fewer viewers than before, that could become a problem. Even series that were successful at the start can be canceled, even if the fan feedback is positive.
A good example of this is the sci-fi series Westworld from HBO. It had a very successful start, but viewer numbers declined and it was canceled after season 4 because the costs were no longer justified (source: The Hollywood Reporter).
Another important point is also the time. 2.5 years passed between seasons 1 and 2. Even if that could be accelerated, 6 or 12 seasons is a long period. Depending on what contracts the actors have, actors could also drop out if they want to consider other options.
Additionally, the actors are also getting older. While this is not as dramatic for adults as it is for child actors, depending on how the story is implemented, it could still become a problem. Even if some actors want to wield swords at 80.
Could everything from the manga actually be adapted in 12 seasons?
Could 12 seasons really adapt everything?
I was somewhat surprised that the 2nd season of One Piece only goes until the end of the Drum Island arc. While some locations and islands were adapted, waiting for Alabasta still felt strange. In my opinion, the following seasons could then be adapted as follows:
- Season 3: Alabasta
- Season 4: Jaya and Skypia
- Season 5: Water 7 and Enies Lobby
- Season 6: Thriller Bark and Sabaody Archipelago
- Season 7: Amazon Lily, Impel Down, Marineford
- Season 8: Sabaody Archipelago 2, Fish-Man Island
- Season 9: Punk Hazard and Dressrosa
- Season 10: Zou and Whole Cake Island
- Season 11: Wano Country
- Season 12: Egghead
As one can see, I estimate that in 12 seasons, they would only get to after Egghead, which is not the end according to the current state. Currently, the Straw Hats in the manga are on another island, and so far there is nothing to indicate a near end.
A second problem: Some things would have to be cut and streamlined for the series. For instance, arcs like Skypia or the Foxy Pirates could be omitted, but arcs like Dressrosa or Wano Country are so long that one season would hardly be enough. For comparison:
- The arc in Alabasta covers 63 chapters in the manga
- The Wano Country arc covers a whole 149 chapters in the manga
In my opinion, the arc in Enies Lobby also makes a very good possible end, as it has many special moments within the manga and also presents a strong finale with the Buster Call.
Honestly: I don’t believe that the Netflix series will adapt the entire manga. There is simply no ending to the manga, and the time to adapt all of it would just be too long. The longer a series runs, the harder it can be to attract new viewers.
Even 6 seasons is a challenging undertaking, which I would very much wish for the series. The live-action adaptation has satisfied many fans, and therefore there should also be a concrete ending, so there is at least some closure.
Therefore, an earlier ending than in the manga would probably be good. Such an ending seems to already exist, as Zoro actor Mackenyu revealed in an interview. According to MeinMMO anime expert Jasmin Beverungen, the Skypia arc, the arc on the Sabaody Archipelago, or the Marineford arc are particularly suitable for that.
