Netflix’s recent live-action adaptation of the hugely popular anime One Piece has already reached tremendous heights by beating the viewing record previously set by the fourth season of Stranger Things and Wednesday.
During its opening weekend, the new show climbed to the #1 most-viewed series in 84 countries. That’s one country more than the amount previously achieved by the mammoth productions of Stranger Things and Wednesday.
Based on the original manga created by Eiichiro Oda, the show’s official synopsis reads: “As a child, Monkey D. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by listening to the tales of the buccaneer “Red-Haired” Shanks. But Luffy’s life changed when he accidentally ate the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit and gained the power to stretch like rubber…at the cost of never being able to swim again!”
“Years later, still vowing to become the king of the pirates, Luffy sets out on his adventure…one guy alone in a rowboat, in search of the legendary “One Piece,” said to be the greatest treasure in the world…”
Created in 1997, Oda’s series was picked up and published by Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine before becoming a popular anime TV series two years later. A cultural sensation in both Japan and overseas, the anime is still running, making it one of the longest-running series of the genre of all time.
Even before Netflix debuted the first episode, buzz was already circulating about the adaptation after Oda showered unreserved praise on the actors. “As a Hollywood production, the action and VFX are great,” he began.
“Not to mention the performances by the cast. But above all,” Oda continued, “I want to call attention to how perfect the Straw Hat cast are. It’s like you’re watching the real Straw Hats in real life – which I’d love for you to savour.” Watch the trailer below.
