Eiichiro Oda, the Japanese manga artist behind One Piece, has dedicated the last 26 years to crafting this immensely popular series, making it not just a profession but a way of life.
Within this span, Oda has breathed life into the beloved pirate character, Luffy, who aspires to become the Pirate King and sets off on a quest for the legendary treasure known as One Piece, accompanied by his loyal Straw Hat crew.
Since its 1997 debut, One Piece has become the best-selling manga series ever, with over 500 million copies sold worldwide. Given its immense popularity, it’s no surprise that Netflix chose to adapt it into a live-action series, now available for streaming.
With each episode estimated to cost around $18 million, the live-action adaptation of One Piece is a substantial production, featuring a cast of rising stars embodying the beloved characters and a high-caliber team behind the scenes dedicated to ensuring the project’s excellence.
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Emma Sullivan’s Primary Focus Was to Stay Loyal to Eiichiro Oda’s Vision
Director Emma Sullivan, known for her work on shows like Doctor Who and Call the Midwife, played a key role in bringing One Piece to life, from manga to screen. She was committed to honoring Eiichiro Oda‘s vision, and Oda himself remained deeply involved in the adaptation process, staying connected to his created world.
In an interview, Sullivan shed light on just how hands-on Oda was during the process of transforming One Piece into a live-action adventure, underscoring the manga creator’s dedication to the project.
While Emma Sullivan may not have been well-versed in the One Piece manga before her role in the Netflix adaptation, her dedication to aligning the series with both fans and Eiichiro Oda was unwavering. She collaborated closely with showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, who co-wrote several episodes.
“First priority was to stick to Oda’s vision, and to make sure that we have fulfilled what he would want for the show … That’s the most important thing: to get Oda’s vision correct.”
Sullivan explained that she maintained a strong focus on accuracy, emphasizing that their collective top priority was to remain faithful to Oda’s vision.
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Emma Sullivan Expressed Strong Desire to Meet Eiichiro Oda
Emma Sullivan highlighted showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda’s ongoing communication with Eiichiro Oda during the adaptation process.
While some aspects of the live-action adaptation naturally differed from the manga, their primary concern was ensuring that Oda was content with the alterations and that his vision was faithfully represented. As Sullivan emphasized, “The main thing is making sure Oda’s happy.”
Despite Eiichiro Oda’s absence on set, his influence was deeply felt throughout production, and his approval was crucial for any element in the final cut. Emma Sullivan explained that if Oda had reservations about scenes, they would re-shoot to align with his vision.
Oda’s guiding force was invaluable in keeping the live-action adaptation true to the essence of One Piece. While she worked farther down the supply chain, she expressed a strong desire to meet him, saying, “I’d adore to meet him.”
She said:
I’d also be quite nervous … because [his work] means so much to the fans. They’re so passionate about it … Hopefully, [this series] will [attract] new fans, and I hope that the millions and millions of fans that it already has will approve of what we’ve done.
Sullivan pointed out that Owens and Maeda traveled to Japan to converse with Eiichiro Oda in person.
Season 1 of One Piece is available for streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Netflix’s One Piece Season 2: Who Will Return And Who Might Play [Spoiler]?
Source: Looper
