Despite mixed results from previous live-action anime adaptations, streaming giant Netflix is boldly venturing into the world of One Piece. In a first for the franchise, Monkey D. Luffy, portrayed by Iñaki Godoy, and his endearing crew of pirates are set to journey through the Grand Line in search of the mysterious One Piece treasure. This adored anime series continues to thrive, boasting well over a thousand episodes to date. The initial season of the Netflix rendition, however, will focus on a mere fraction of this sprawling narrative, causing fans to watch with both anticipation and concern. Netflix’s track record with live-action anime adaptations, including the 2017 Death Note film and the one-season 2021 Cowboy Bepop series, doesn’t exactly instill a sense of reassurance. Yet, despite the subpar reception and modest viewership of those projects, Netflix’s confidence in a One Piece adaptation appears unwavering, backed by a substantial budget that ranks the forthcoming series among the most costly shows ever produced.
Read on to discover why the upcoming series commands such an enormous budget and delve into a thorough financial analysis of Netflix’s One Piece. Please bear in mind, given that One Piece is still unreleased at the time of writing, part of the information provided herein is speculative.
What Comprised the Budget for the Original One Piece Anime?
Financing an anime series of One Piece’s magnitude is no easy undertaking. Having aired since 1999 and boasting over a thousand episodes, this iconic series holds a spot among the longest-running anime shows in existence. Though costs may have varied throughout its lengthy runtime, the average budget per One Piece episode sits between $90,000-$100,000. With around 1,060 episodes (and counting), this accumulates to a lifetime series budget hovering between $95.4-$106 million. This figure doesn’t account for the numerous One Piece narratives beyond the main series, which includes 20 distinct Original Video Animations and 14 full-length movies, some of which saw theatrical releases. Although the budgets for many of these projects remain unknown, OVAs are traditionally less expensive to produce, often costing under a million dollars. On the other hand, feature films, which entail more comprehensive productions, undoubtedly add millions more to the franchise’s total.
Compared to other anime television productions, One Piece shares a similar budget level with Naruto Shippuden, which also costs roughly $100,000 per episode. While these figures are substantial, they’re slightly less than the costliest heavyweights such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan at $150,000 per episode, and Dragon Ball Super at $160,000 per episode.
Analyzing Netflix’s One Piece Live-Action Budget by Department
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece proudly carries a budget of a whopping $18 million per episode, positioning it among the most expensive shows ever created. To offer some perspective, One Piece surpasses the per-episode budget of The Sandman, See, Game of Thrones, and The Mandalorian, all of which cost $15 million per episode. Only a handful of shows have exceeded One Piece’s budget, including The Pacific and House of the Dragon at $20 million per episode, WandaVision at $25 million per episode, Stranger Things at $30 million per episode, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power at an eye-watering $58 million per episode.
Given that the first season of Netflix’s series will comprise eight episodes, the initial season of the live-action One Piece will total at least $144 million. This sum exceeds by $40 million what the original anime series has consumed in its 20+ year lifespan.
Cast
The main cast of Netflix’s One Piece is primarily comprised of less-known talents entrusted with these iconic roles. This includes Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The key stars were likely compensated between $1-2 million each for their participation in Netflix’s One Piece adaptation.
VFX
A significant portion of the One Piece budget was undoubtedly allocated to visuals and effects, as Netflix has left no stone unturned to render the vibrant world of this renowned anime. In a period dominated by CGI and digital effects, it’s commendable that Netflix’s live-action One Piece employs a hefty amount of practical effects. From expansive sets and ships to anime-accurate makeup for characters such as the clown pirate Captain Buggy (played by Jeff Ward), One Piece’s fantastical universe is being vividly realized. Of course, the series will also feature extensive digital effects, including the colossal sea serpent that Luffy and his crew encounter in the trailer.
Shooting Locations
The live-action One Piece series, according to reports, was filmed in South Africa, Spain, and Mexico. These locations are all proximate to the ocean, a key setting for a series centered around pirates.
Netflix’s Criteria for Deeming the One Piece Live-Action Series a Success
The verdict on the live-action One Piece’s success, and its prospects for a second season, hinges on the number of Netflix accounts that log in and complete the series following its premiere this Summer. Netflix is banking on the anime adaptation becoming a massive hit, evident from the record-breaking sum they’ve invested in the show’s development. Being the second-most expensive show ever produced by Netflix, the streaming titan is undoubtedly aiming for viewership numbers comparable to their priciest show, Stranger Things.
That being said, predicting the live-action One Piece’s success is tricky. As previously mentioned, Netflix’s past attempts at live-action adaptations of Death Note and Cowboy Bebop were less than triumphant, with both series hinting at sequels that never materialized and likely won’t. On the bright side, if Netflix’s live-action One Piece proves successful, they’ll have a nearly inexhaustible trove of source material to draw from for future seasons.
The live-action One Piece series is set to embark on its Netflix voyage on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Join the adventure and see if this high-budget journey can win the hearts of fans worldwide.
