It is becoming increasingly clear that Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece may not reach the conclusion found in the beloved manga series, leading to potential complications for fans eagerly anticipating the full narrative arc. Released in 2023, the series made waves by successfully breaking Hollywood’s long-standing curse on anime adaptations. This triumph is largely attributed to its commitment to faithfully translating Eiichiro Oda’s original manga. By the close of its inaugural season, around 95 chapters had been expertly transformed into live action. Nonetheless, with the storyline continuing to evolve, there is a significant journey ahead for the Going Merry on the streaming platform.
At present, One Piece is at chapter #1145. Although Oda has indicated that the finale is on the horizon, Monkey D. Luffy and his crew have a substantial amount of adventure left. Based on the pacing of the current adaptation, Netflix would potentially need to produce over ten seasons to comprehensively cover the entire saga. While the producers aim for a twelve-season trajectory, it remains uncertain whether this would suffice as the manga continues to expand, raising important questions regarding how the live-action series will conclude ahead of season 2.
Possibility of an Incomplete Adaptation
What Fans Should Expect
To mitigate future disappointments, it’s wise for fans to accept the likelihood that Netflix’s One Piece may not extend for decades until all resolutions, such as Luffy’s battles against Kaido or the shocking revelations involving Shanks, are revealed. Even in a best-case scenario where the producers meet their goal of 12 seasons, several variables would need to align perfectly, which is far from guaranteed.
While season 1 enjoyed success, the path to thoroughly adapting the entire narrative poses challenges, particularly given Netflix’s track record of canceling shows. Memorable series like GLOW and Shadow & Bone have faced early termination despite popularity. Even the longest-running Netflix originals have not come close to the run time that One Piece would require, with their lifespan capped at seven seasons for Virgin River, opposed to the more extensive journey of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Moreover, even if Netflix decides to support the adventure across twelve seasons, the show might still come to an end independently. Cast members may pursue other projects, grow older, or the production team might transition, at which point Netflix may prefer to conclude the series while it is still well-regarded rather than face potential decline under new leadership.
For the live-action adaptation to maintain momentum towards completion with the manga, several favorable conditions must be met: Oda concluding his narrative promptly, ongoing critical acclaim and commercial success for the series, an effective strategy to address aging cast members, and the commitment from all parties to persevere for an additional 20 years. These dynamics are unlikely to synchronize favorably.
Option 1: Crafting an Original Conclusion
The Potential for an Inventive Finale
Reflecting on the source material, season 1 of One Piece planted several pivotal storylines that could only be resolved at the culmination of Luffy’s journey. These include significant milestones such as Luffy’s ascension as Pirate King and Zoro defeating Dracule Mihawk, none of which have materialized in the manga to date. If Netflix’s One Piece concludes prematurely, viewers may face frustration from unresolved narratives, particularly those whose experience with the franchise is confined to the live-action series.
While an inconclusive resolution would be disappointing, a poorly executed ending could be even worse. Hence, Netflix might consider crafting a unique conclusion that neatly wraps up major plotlines. For instance, Luffy might reach the Grand Line’s final island in seasons 5 or 6 and confront Shanks for the title of Pirate King, while Zoro could engage Mihawk in an exciting duel, all while Sanji conveniently discovers the All Blue nearby. Such an ending would allow the adaptation to stand alone as a coherent narrative.
In the manga, Dracule Mihawk later becomes Zoro’s mentor, which could be woven into this fabricated conclusion.
Option 2: Adapting Until Its Natural Conclusion
The alternative approach is for One Piece to continue adapting Eiichiro Oda’s narrative accurately until its natural conclusion is met, recognizing that some elements of the story might remain unfinished. A parallel can be drawn with Prime Video’s The Expanse, which concluded after six seasons despite ongoing narrative threads. Netflix’s adaptation could adopt a similar practice, with the challenge being pinpointing an appropriate stopping point.
One viable option might be to conclude the series at Enies Lobby, aligning approximately with season 5. The intense battles against CP9, particularly Luffy’s iconic fight with Rob Lucci, represent some of the most significant combat within One Piece to that point, allowing the adaptation to finish on an impactful note. Moreover, thematically, the scene encapsulates growth and companionship, solidifying Nico Robin’s place in the crew and introducing a new ship to replace the Going Merry, effectively closing a significant chapter.
Alternatively, a more ambitious aim would be to extend the series to seasons 7 or 8, culminating in the epic Summit War. This climactic conflict showcases Luffy, with formidable allies like the Whitebeard Pirates, clashing against the full force of the Marines. Many fans regard the Summit War as One Piece’s pinnacle. Additionally, this storyline transitions into a two-year time skip, providing a neat temporal break within the overall narrative.
Should the adaptation persist long enough to reach the Summit War, it would offer the best possible ending for Netflix’s live-action series. Ending prior to the time skip could also pave the way for a revival in the future, allowing for a new cast to pick up the mantle and bring the latter half of Oda’s expansive tale to a new generation.