Published May 21, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT
An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
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Netflix's success on its live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga was truly unprecedented in terms of both scope and reception. The series, despite plenty of reasonable doubt given the dubious history of live-action and anime properties, particularly from the home of 2017's Death Note and 2021's Cowboy Bebop, seemed like an unreasonably tall order. But beyond even the dedicated portrayals by an increasingly expansive cast of talent actors, the production staff behind Tomorrow Studios, from costumes, to set design, to hair and makeup, and to editing as well as visual effects and more, it's been an impressive success with viewership to back it up.
But One Piece is far from the only Shueisha property worthy of a live-action adaptation. Beyond the productions of series like Naruto and My Hero Academia staying continuously shrouded in mystery, one series uniquely bound for streaming on Netflix. With both critical acclaim and a similarly challenging visual aesthetic to its name, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure already had multiple live-action treatments, primarily for its Diamond Is Unbreakable and Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan stories. While a difficult task, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure getting a live-action adaptation, on Netflix of all places, is shockingly more conceivable than even a few years ago.
One Piece's Live-Action Success Makes One Shonen Jump Classic A Solid Successor
MovieStillsDBWhile JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is different from One Piece in that it has already got multiple live-action treatments domestically in Japan, that shouldn't stop the series from telling as much of its stories for live-action audiences as possible. The series is arguably just as weird as One Piece was to envision in live-action, despite having a film directed by Takashi Miike, with JoJo's vibes and wild fashion certainly being challenging to envision. But if there's one thing to be learned from 2023's One Piece, it's that a dedicated team loyal to the source material and upholding the franchise's artistic vision is no longer a pipe dream.
After all, One Piece effectively upholds the aesthetic, character designs, and even color palettes present in its numerous Color Walks. Admittedly, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a different level of challenge, admittedly, especially with Araki's work featured at the Louvre Museum with his special exhibition featuring Rohan at the Louvre. But this same body of work is readily available for the right team of set designers, costumers, hairstylists and makeup professionals to nail the look, with resources like JoJo A-Go! Go! as a bible, much like Color Walks clearly was for One Piece. It's always been an available option, and now, with more fans of the medium in positions like this, it's far more doable than it once was.
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Plus, with the pop culture melting pot of music and fashion that is JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, it'd be an opportunity to capture the wide range of ethnicities already represented in the original manga and anime. However, it's not without its challenges: much of JoJo's charm comes with its aggressive color palettes, which might look more like an art film or music video in live-action; Stands pose the age-old debate over use of CGI and whether it'd be too uncanny; and the series basks in wonderfully weird surrealism, making it difficult to envision with realistic visuals. This especially becomes the case from Battle Tendency onward, with multiple angles to consider for its starting point.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Has Multiple Worthwhile Live-Action Starting Points
While telling the entire JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise in live-action might be desirable, at least for consistency's sake, there are multiple points to consider here. Following Part 6, Stone Ocean, the series took on a separate continuity, begging the question whether such a creative decision would translate well for live-action viewers. Part 1, Phantom Blood, is a perfectly logical starting point, but also doesn't feature much of what makes JoJo's Bizarre Adventure iconic, its Stands. It'd be reasonably doable as a live-action adaptation, and could paint over some of the flaws of the 2012 anime, primarily for issues like imperfect visual aging and pacing issues.
But for those who have followed JoJo's Bizarre Adventure for a long time and would settle even for an individual saga rather than the entire manga from start to finish, multiple other options exist. Perhaps most attractive, amusingly enough, is the saga of the Saint's Corpse as seen in Parts 7 and 8, Steel Ball Run and JoJolion, respectively. The series moves on from typical battle shonen formulas into territories like western genre storytelling, mature seinen plotlines fitting of its move to Ultra Jump, and JoJolion's particular blend of mystery and thriller elements. While these stories might be less accessible in some ways, the thriller aspects would be gobbled up given Netflix's proven popularity with the genre.
However, in addressing the idea of a live-action adaptation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Netflix would obviously need to properly reckon with how it's handled the franchise so far, especially if it were to try and market to the fans. Adapting Steel Ball Run in live-action, which would almost certainly result in every episode dropping immediately, would be tough to take for fans so disappointed with the ambiguous release schedule. One massive bullying campaign later, the fans got what they wanted with weekly future episodes in the Fall 2026 season. There would be certain pitfalls to avoid if Netflix tries a live-action rendition, and they wouldn't dare make such a mistake again.
The Ultimate · Straw Hat Challenge Set Sail for Trivia “I’m gonna be King of the Pirates!”
⚕CrewNakama!
🌊SeasEast Blue
🍋Devil FruitsGomu Gomu!
☠VillainsFear the sea
🏆DreamsOne Piece!
SET SAIL →
01
Monkey D. Luffy accidentally ate a Devil Fruit as a child, giving him rubber-like abilities. What is the name of that fruit?
AFlame-Flame Fruit BChop-Chop Fruit CGum-Gum Fruit DSmoke-Smoke Fruit
✓ Correct! The Gum-Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi) turned Luffy’s body into rubber. He ate it from Shanks’ treasure chest as a kid, gaining stretchy powers but losing the ability to swim forever.
✗ Overboard! The answer is the Gum-Gum Fruit. The Chop-Chop Fruit belongs to Buggy, the Flame-Flame Fruit to Ace, and the Smoke-Smoke Fruit to Captain Smoker — but Luffy’s rubber powers come from the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
NEXT →
02
Luffy’s iconic straw hat was given to him as a child by a famous pirate who inspired his dream. Who gave Luffy the hat?
AGold Roger BMonkey D. Garp CDracule Mihawk DRed-Haired Shanks
✓ Correct! Red-Haired Shanks entrusted his straw hat to young Luffy in Foosha Village, telling him to return it when he becomes a great pirate. That promise drives Luffy’s entire journey.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Red-Haired Shanks. While Gold Roger originally wore the hat, it was Shanks who passed it down to Luffy after saving his life from a Sea King — a defining moment in the series.
NEXT →
03
Before joining the Straw Hats, Sanji works as a sous chef at a floating restaurant on the ocean. What is the name of this restaurant?
AThe Galley-La BThe Baratie CThe Sea Rat DMakino’s Tavern
✓ Correct! The Baratie is the ocean-going restaurant run by Chef Zeff, Sanji’s mentor. In the live-action series, it’s one of the most stunning sets — a fully realized ship-restaurant on the open sea.
✗ Overboard! The answer is The Baratie. Run by the legendary pirate-turned-chef “Red Leg” Zeff, this floating restaurant is where Luffy recruits Sanji as the Straw Hats’ cook.
NEXT →
04
Roronoa Zoro is famous for his unique sword-fighting technique. How many swords does he wield in his signature style?
AOne BTwo CThree DFour
✓ Correct! Zoro uses Three-Sword Style (Santoryu), wielding one sword in each hand and a third in his mouth. His dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman by defeating Dracule Mihawk.
✗ Overboard! The answer is three. Zoro’s iconic Three-Sword Style places one blade in each hand and a third clenched between his teeth — a fighting technique unique to him in the One Piece world.
NEXT →
05
Each Straw Hat crew member has a personal dream. What is Nami’s ultimate goal that drives her journey?
ATo find the One Piece treasure BTo become the greatest navigator CTo draw a complete map of the world DTo defeat every pirate on the Grand Line
✓ Correct! Nami’s dream is to draw a map of the entire world. Her cartography skills and navigation talent make her indispensable to the crew, and her passion for mapmaking was nurtured by her adoptive mother Bell-mère.
✗ Overboard! The answer is to draw a complete map of the world. Nami is a gifted cartographer whose dream goes beyond just sailing — she wants to chart every sea and island so no one is ever lost again.
NEXT →
06
A powerful Marine Vice Admiral is revealed to have a surprising family connection to Luffy. Who is this high-ranking Marine?
ACaptain Smoker BAdmiral Akainu CCaptain Morgan DVice Admiral Garp
✓ Correct! Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather. Known as “Garp the Fist,” he’s a Marine hero who wanted Luffy to become a Marine — not a pirate. Their family dynamic is a major subplot in the live-action series.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Vice Admiral Garp. Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather and one of the most legendary Marines alive. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, their bond runs deep.
NEXT →
07
Usopp is recruited into the Straw Hat crew after the pirates help defend his home village from Captain Kuro’s Black Cat Pirates. What is the name of Usopp’s village?
AFoosha Village BShells Town CSyrup Village DCoco Village
✓ Correct! Syrup Village is Usopp’s peaceful hometown where he was known for telling tall tales. It’s also where Kaya lives, and where the crew acquires the Going Merry from her estate.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Syrup Village. Foosha Village is Luffy’s hometown, Shells Town is where Zoro was held captive, and Coco Village (Cocoyasi) is Nami’s home — but Usopp hails from Syrup Village.
NEXT →
08
The Netflix live-action adaptation was praised for its casting. Which actor plays Monkey D. Luffy?
AMackenyu BTaz Skylar CIñaki Godoy DJacob Romero Gibson
✓ Correct! Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy won fans over with his infectious energy and earnest portrayal of Luffy. Mackenyu plays Zoro, Taz Skylar is Sanji, and Jacob Romero Gibson plays Usopp.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Iñaki Godoy. The young Mexican actor perfectly captured Luffy’s boundless enthusiasm. The other actors all play Straw Hat crew members — but Luffy is all Iñaki.
REVEAL MY SCORE →
Voyage Complete Your Pirate Record
⚕
/ 8
Are you King of the Pirates — or lost at sea?
↻ SET SAIL AGAIN
Simply put, it'd be a high-profile disaster if Netflix similarly mishandled the live-action show. From what's been shown in terms of companies like Tomorrow Studios and their amazing work in South Africa, some truly ambitious sets, even for the smallest of scenes, have been intricately crafted out of love for the source material. One Piece defied the odds, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, beyond nailing the poses and insane visual style, could reasonably try to match this energy.
120 million copies worldwide indicate a widespread fandom who hold the series dear to their hearts, and while it's a longshot in bringing to live-action, One Piece's success proves JoJo's Bizarre Adventure getting more stories adapted isn't such a far-off possibility.
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Created by Hirohiko Araki
TV Show(s) JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Character(s) Will A. Zeppeli, Jonathan Joestar, Giorno Giovanna, Jotaro Kujo, Joseph Joestar, Jolyne Cujoh, Johnny Joestar, Josuke Higashikata, Gyro Zeppeli
Video Game(s) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Hirohiko Araki. It follows the adventures of the Joestar family, spanning generations, each with unique abilities and battling supernatural enemies. Known for its eccentric characters, distinctive art style, and creative battles, it includes manga, anime, games, and merchandise.
English (US) ·