While we haven’t even seen footage of Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation of A piece yet the streamer announced earlier this year that the series was slated to debut sometime in 2023. That could still happen, but a new update from Eiichiro Oda makes it sound like there’s a chance we power waiting a little longer than expected, which is a bit inconvenient considering that Netflix’s A piece doesn’t even have a set premiere date yet.
In a lengthy update shared on Netflix’s Geeked Twitter account today, Oda shared what it was like to collaborate with Tomorrow Studios and Netflix on A piece and how, while everyone involved in the new series “understands each of the characters”, they also “come from very different cultures”, apparently leading to frustrations stemming from “different codes, skills and goals”.
“If we’re going to do it, I want to be able to manage things while I’m still at it.”
“Sometimes it can be frustrating for both parties,” Oda said. “It felt like, ‘We’re all trying to get to the same place, so how come we’re not on the same wavelength?’ There was even a time when I thought: ‘Is a foreign production even possible?!’”
As worrying as A pieceThe cross-cultural friction of Oda, 48, was once, says now, “every entity involved is working in sync.” He also assured everyone that the entire crew has been hard at work getting the series ready for its debut – something he wanted to be personally involved in as the series creator.
“Given my expected longevity, I think this is the last chance to bring A piece to the whole world,” said Oda. “If we’re going to do it, I want to be able to manage things while I’m still at it. That’s why I agreed to the live-action adaptation of A piece back in 2016.”
Oda has been open about the negative impact his work schedule has had on his physical health and expressed confidence in his colleagues’ ability to perform various tasks. A piece projects where he got sick or died during a production. Speaking of the Netflix show, Oda praised the streamer for the “massive resources” put into its production and for promising that it “will not launch [One Piece] until I am satisfied.”
“The entire cast and crew, spread across different countries, are brimming with love for A piece,Oda insisted. “They are burning with passion and I reminded everyone involved that this should be fun. We are in the final process! Straight away! From finishing all 8 episodes! We will set sail very soon!!”
That’s very nice to hear! But at the same time, if Netflix really agreed to delay the debut A piece until Oda is happy with the finished production – which would arguably be best for everyone involved – that could mean the show might need a little more time before it’s good and done.
Between Obituary And Cowboy Bebop adaptations, we’ve all seen how blatantly Not Great™ can end Netflix’s anime-based live-action projects, even though the creative teams involved clearly mean well. Oda probably doesn’t want to A piece to meet the same fate, and maybe not, even if it still debuts this year. But if the production ends up needing more time to shine, then Netflix’s best bet is probably to just wait.