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Solid live action adaptation of the introduction arc of a legendary manga
Disclaimer : I have not read the entirety of One Piece (-yet) but I have loved what I have read so far and I have even dabbled into watching some of the anime. I have most certainly read much more of the story than what the series is covering and therefore it is very difficult for me to review it without comparing it with the original material.
I think this first season did a great job at building a story made both for people having no knowledge at all on the manga as well as for the ones that are fans of it. The drama manages to introduce all the characters with their various personalities and backgrounds, dreams and aspirations as well as showcasing the budding teamwork as the ship crew forms itself around its captain. The series definitely took some shortcuts with the source material (regarding some of the fights as well as some characters missing) but still respecting the spirit of the introduction arc of this legendary manga.
In terms of cast, I found it quite good overall in making the characters take life on screen. Regarding acting, overall it was suitable and believable, without being too caricatural despite some characters being over-the-top by essence. I particularly enjoyed the acting of Mackenyu playing Zoro as well as Jeff Ward playing Buggy the Clown. I was less convinced by the acting of the kids playing the characters in the flashbacks as well as the actors playing the fishmen.
The production value was excellent. I felt they really managed to bring life to the various places visited by the characters in the manga. The ships were particularly well conceived as well as the costumes, weapons, flags. The specific characteristics and design of the various protagonists are really well done with maybe some minor things that feel a bit too plastic/stiff for the fishmen and that could have been improved in order for their emotions to be better be portrayed. One of the best thing of the series was its soundtrack. A lot of epic music perfectly fitting pirates adventures with even some reference to the anime OST.
I would recommend this to people looking for a series that will take you on the start of an epic journey. It is a this stage more an introduction of an incredible gallery of characters in an exciting universe. Still, it provides a complete narrative arc satisfactory enough for both the manga readers and total newbies. The series took some shortcuts but respected in overall the source material and even if I would have liked some additional scenes to have been shown, I'm still pretty satisfied of the outcome of this adaptation.
I think this first season did a great job at building a story made both for people having no knowledge at all on the manga as well as for the ones that are fans of it. The drama manages to introduce all the characters with their various personalities and backgrounds, dreams and aspirations as well as showcasing the budding teamwork as the ship crew forms itself around its captain. The series definitely took some shortcuts with the source material (regarding some of the fights as well as some characters missing) but still respecting the spirit of the introduction arc of this legendary manga.
In terms of cast, I found it quite good overall in making the characters take life on screen. Regarding acting, overall it was suitable and believable, without being too caricatural despite some characters being over-the-top by essence. I particularly enjoyed the acting of Mackenyu playing Zoro as well as Jeff Ward playing Buggy the Clown. I was less convinced by the acting of the kids playing the characters in the flashbacks as well as the actors playing the fishmen.
The production value was excellent. I felt they really managed to bring life to the various places visited by the characters in the manga. The ships were particularly well conceived as well as the costumes, weapons, flags. The specific characteristics and design of the various protagonists are really well done with maybe some minor things that feel a bit too plastic/stiff for the fishmen and that could have been improved in order for their emotions to be better be portrayed. One of the best thing of the series was its soundtrack. A lot of epic music perfectly fitting pirates adventures with even some reference to the anime OST.
I would recommend this to people looking for a series that will take you on the start of an epic journey. It is a this stage more an introduction of an incredible gallery of characters in an exciting universe. Still, it provides a complete narrative arc satisfactory enough for both the manga readers and total newbies. The series took some shortcuts but respected in overall the source material and even if I would have liked some additional scenes to have been shown, I'm still pretty satisfied of the outcome of this adaptation.
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