No One Saw It Coming, But Netflix's One Piece Managed to Fix Parts of the Anime

Netflix's One Piece live-action adaptation has managed to do something no one expected; it fixed parts of the anime. The expectations were high when the series was first announced, as One Piece has one of the most dedicated fan bases in the world. For years, the anime's charm and over-the-top characters have captivated audiences, but not everything translated well, especially when it came to bringing the world to life in a live-action format. The challenges were significant, but surprisingly, the show managed to make some key adjustments that improved upon the original material.

What made Netflix's adaptation stand out was its ability to modernize certain elements of One Piece without losing the essence of what fans loved about the original. From refining characters to altering plot points, the show made thoughtful decisions that made the story more relatable, the characters more grounded, and the stakes more personal. This was a big challenge, but Netflix's One Piece, surprisingly, made great adjustments that made the story even better and brought new perspectives to the beloved characters.

6 Sanji's Charm Is Re-defined in the One Piece Live-Action

How Netflix’s Sanji Took a More Respectful Approach

In the original anime, Sanji's flirtatious nature is often exaggerated to the point of absurdity. While this trait is part of his character’s charm, it sometimes comes off as crude or borderline disrespectful. The live-action series took a more nuanced approach, dialing down the relentless drooling and awkward behavior, and making Sanji's interactions with women feel more authentic and respectful. His flirtation in the live-action version is still there, but it is tempered with more personality and maturity, which works much better in a live-action context.

By focusing on Sanji's charm and wit rather than his cartoonish infatuation, Netflix allowed the character to retain his essence without making his flirting overwhelming. This change made Sanji a more relatable figure and ensured that his character was grounded enough to fit into the live-action world without losing what made him lovable in the anime. In turn, this alteration made his character development, particularly his backstory and motivations, more impactful as the show progresses.

5 Usopp's Nose Goes From Exaggeration to Realism

Why the New Nose Works Better in Live Action

One of the most iconic features of Usopp's character in the anime is his exaggerated, comically large nose. While this trait worked well in the animated world, it did not translate as effectively to live-action. Netflix’s decision to omit the long nose was a clever move, ensuring that Usopp’s character felt more grounded and realistic in a live-action setting. The live-action Usopp has a far less exaggerated nose, allowing the actor to focus more on his performance and the emotional depth of the character.

By removing the overtly exaggerated nose, Netflix allowed Usopp’s personality to shine through in a more natural way. His insecurities, his courage, and his ambition as an adventurer and sharpshooter became more believable, making it easier for the audience to connect with him. This change also allowed the visual focus to be on his emotional journey rather than a comedic gimmick that might have distracted from the character’s core traits.

4 Don Krieg Is Focused on Less

How Netflix Made Don Krieg More Impactful

In the anime, Don Krieg is a character that gets a lot of screentime, but his arc often feels overblown and unnecessary. The live-action series made the wise decision to scale back Don Krieg’s role, making his appearance more focused and impactful. Rather than being a primary antagonist for a long arc, Krieg is introduced as a more streamlined villain with less emphasis on his exaggerated abilities and more focus on his ruthlessness.

This change in approach made Don Krieg’s role feel more grounded and less like a filler villain. By reducing his screen time and making his arc more concise, Netflix allowed the story to flow more smoothly while still introducing a memorable antagonist. This approach also gave the other characters, especially the main crew members, more room to develop and shine without being overshadowed by an unnecessarily prolonged conflict with Krieg.

3 Garp Was at the Execution of Roger in the Live-Action

Garp's Struggle Between Duty and Personal Ties

One of the most surprising and well-received changes in Netflix's One Piece live-action was the decision to introduce Garp earlier in the story, specifically during the execution of Gol D. Roger. In the anime, Garp’s backstory and significance are built up over time, but the live-action series chose to explore his character in more depth early on. This allowed the audience to see a more complex side of Garp’s character, particularly his connection to Roger and his role in the Marines, which worked well since the live-action is notably shorter than the anime.

Introducing Garp at this important moment gave viewers a deeper understanding of his motivations and set the stage for the tension between him and Luffy later on in the series. It also made his character more impactful, as the live-action Garp is shown to be a man who is torn between duty and personal relationships. This change added depth to a character that is often viewed as a comedic figure in the anime, making him more multifaceted and realistic in the live-action series.

2 One Piece's Live-Action Gives Arlong More Backstory

How Netflix Deepened Arlong’s Character

Arlong, one of the early antagonists in One Piece, is portrayed as a ruthless and evil pirate in both the anime and live-action versions. However, the live-action series takes a step further by giving Arlong more backstory and motivation. In the anime, Arlong’s actions often seem driven by simple greed and power, but the live-action series introduces additional layers to his character, showing his connection to Fish-Man Island and his long-standing resentment toward humans, which the anime only explores a lot later in the story.

By giving Arlong a more developed backstory, Netflix made him a more tragic figure, rather than just a straightforward villain. This change allowed the audience to better understand his motivations, making his actions more personal and impactful. It also added more emotional weight to his confrontations with Luffy, as the stakes were raised by the deeper emotional conflicts at play. Arlong’s backstory not only added complexity to his character but also made him more memorable and raised the stakes of the Baratie, Arlong Park, and Cocoyasi Village arcs.

1 Buggy is More Nuanced in the Live-Action One Piece

Buggy Was Transformed From a Buffoon to a Strategic Villain

In the anime, Buggy the Clown is often shown to be a bumbling, over-the-top antagonist with a tendency to be comically ineffective. While this works for the tone of the anime, it does not translate as well to live-action, where the humor needs to be more grounded. Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Buggy takes a more nuanced approach, making him a more intelligent and calculating figure, even if his comedic side is still present.

Rather than simply being a gag character, the live-action Buggy is given more depth, with his motivations and personality shown in a way that feels more layered. While he still retains his goofy, larger-than-life personality, this new take on the character makes him more believable and allows for greater emotional stakes when he faces off against the Straw Hats. Buggy’s character development is a great example of how the live-action One Piece took a more serious approach to the material without losing the fun and quirky elements that made the character so memorable in the anime.