The visual effects studio Ingenuity Studios has detailed its work for the second season of the One Piece live-action series. Their main focus has been to revisit and expand the iconic Loguetown, the city where the East Blue saga ends. The team did not just recreate what was seen before; they expanded the scale of the setting and enriched its atmosphere to give it new life in this phase of the story.
Building a Narrative Setting Through Digital Techniques 🎨
The process started from the assets and designs established in the first season, but with the goal of showing a more complete and inhabited city. The digital backgrounds were expanded, adding depth and new districts visible in the distance. Work on the atmosphere was key, integrating lighting, smoke, and particle effects to reinforce the feeling of a bustling port steeped in history. This allowed for more open shots and greater immersion in the crucial moment that unfolds there.
When the Digital Set Needs More Extras Than a Concert 👥
Making Loguetown look like a busy port required an army of digital characters. While only a few extras walked the set during filming, the VFX artists later multiplied that presence a hundredfold. One wonders if any of those CGI citizens had to pay virtual rent for living in a close-up, or if they are just lost souls wandering eternally through the background renders. At least they didn't have to be fed from the catering.