5 Things Netflix’s One Piece Changed for the Better (& 5 for Worse)

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The live-action version of *One Piece* on Netflix is considered a remarkably accurate and well-received adaptation – something that doesn’t happen often. Creator Eiichiro Oda’s direct involvement helped ensure its faithfulness, and the enthusiastic response from fans proves its popularity. The fact that a third season is already being made is further evidence of its success.

I’ve been watching the Netflix live-action version of *One Piece*, and it’s clear they’ve had to adjust things from the original story. Most of these changes seem smart and actually improve the adaptation, but some haven’t landed as well with longtime fans – things like leaving out favorite characters or altering personalities. Regardless, here’s a rundown of all the changes the show has made so far, for better or worse.

10) For Worse: Leaving out Hachi

Hachi, a Fishman who initially appears as one of Arlong’s crew members, might seem like a minor character in the Arlong Park storyline. However, removing him from the live-action adaptation could be a problem later on. Hachi becomes a significant supporting character in both the Sabaody and Fishman Island Arcs, and he’s a fan favorite! While it’s uncertain if the series will reach those arcs, it’s still a shame to see such a beloved character excluded.

9) For Better: Giving Helmeppo’s Hair a Backstory

The live-action adaptation of *One Piece* included a surprisingly funny scene explaining Helmeppo’s unusual bowl cut. This haircut is a defining characteristic of his appearance, and the show cleverly addressed it with a new scene where Zoro gives Helmeppo a haircut in a bar, providing a humorous origin story.

8) For Worse: Not Giving Genzo His Pinwheel Hat and Cutting Out Momoo

One disappointing change in the live-action adaptation was the removal of Genzo’s signature pinwheel hat. While it seems small, this hat actually inspires Luffy to create his ‘Gum-Gum Windmill’ attack. Unfortunately, this also meant cutting Momoo, the sea cow, from the series, leaving fans without a cute character and a fun battle that featured the attack.

7) For Better: Casting a Person of Color as Vivi

Even though some people disagreed with the casting choice, it’s important to remember that Charithra Chandran was either directly chosen or approved by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of *One Piece*, to play Vivi. Plus, casting a person of color as Alabasta’s princess is fitting, considering the region’s inspiration comes from Egypt, the Middle East, and India.

6) For Worse: Combining Arlong Park & Baratie

Even though the live-action series had a lot to cover adapting the source material, it’s strange how Netflix’s *One Piece* combined the Arlong Park and Baratie arcs. The Baratie arc feels particularly rushed as a result, and many of its most important moments don’t get the development they deserve, with the exception of Zoro’s fight with Mihawk.

5) For Better: Introducing Garp Earlier

I noticed something interesting in the live-action adaptation of *One Piece*. They brought in Garp, Luffy’s grandfather and a powerful Vice Admiral, much earlier than the anime does. In the anime, we don’t really meet him until the Alabasta arc, and don’t find out about his connection to Luffy until even later, during Water Seven. By introducing Garp sooner, the show keeps characters like Koby and Helmeppo more relevant and adds a real sense of pressure, as we see him actively pursuing the Straw Hats.

4) For Worse: Not Using Any of the Original Musical Motifs

The music in Netflix’s live-action *One Piece* is strong and effectively conveys the story’s grand scale and adventurous spirit. However, many fans were hoping for music from the original anime, and it feels like a missed chance that the show didn’t include any familiar themes. The original *One Piece* score is iconic, with memorable melodies for each character, and adding pieces of Kohei Tanaka’s work would have made certain scenes-like the journey to Arlong Park-even more impactful.

3) For Better: Giving Usopp a Realistic Nose

The world of *One Piece* is full of incredible abilities, so a character like Usopp having an unusually long nose would actually fit right in. However, the live-action series decided to give him a more typical nose, and that might have been a good choice. Although it removes some of the *Pinocchio* elements of his design, a long nose could have been too much of a distraction for viewers.

2) For Worse: Leaving Out Chouchou & Gaimon

One Piece fans are known for loving even the most minor characters, and Chouchou and Gaimon are two of the most popular. Unfortunately, the live-action adaptation doesn’t treat them well. Chouchou’s role is reduced to a very brief appearance, and Gaimon isn’t included at all. While they seem like just a dog and a man in a chest, these characters actually highlight a central theme of One Piece: that treasure means different things to different people. It’s a letdown that the series missed the chance to emphasize this idea with them. Most sadly, fans were robbed of Chouchou’s touching backstory.

1) For Better: Making Nami’s Clothes Less Revealing

For decades, fans have criticized the way female characters are portrayed in *One Piece*. The new Netflix live-action series addresses this issue, starting with Nami’s clothing. While the live-action still captures the spirit of her original outfits, they offer more coverage, helping to present Nami as a more complex and serious character. The series also shows a commitment to the source material by drawing inspiration from early character designs and artwork from the *One Piece* manga.

Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action One Piece arrives in 2026!

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2025-09-17 03:42