A Well-Deserved Creative Break
Showrunner Matt Owens has decided to take a break from the One Piece live-action adaptation after six years of intense work. This decision stems from his need to prioritize his personal well-being and mental health following the success of the first season.
It's time to focus on my recovery to return with fresh creative energy
Acknowledgments and Gratitude
In his statement, Owens expressed his gratitude to:
- Eiichiro Oda, creator of the original manga
- The production houses Shueisha and Tomorrow Studios
- Netflix as the distribution platform
- The entire technical and artistic team
New Creative Helm
Joe Tracz will take on the role of main showrunner for the second season, marking a new direction in production. Steven Maeda, although he has left his previous position, will continue to be involved as executive producer.
Expanding Cast
The new season will incorporate talents such as:
- Katey Sagal in a role yet to be revealed
- David Dastmalchian as a possible villain
- Clive Russell in a mysterious role
While maintaining the main core of actors who brought the Straw Hat Pirates to life.
Production Structure
The project remains a collaboration between:
- Shueisha (owners of the intellectual property)
- Tomorrow Studios (executive producers)
- Netflix (worldwide distribution)
Technical Excellence
The visual effects that surprised in the first season were created by a consortium of leading studios including Framestore and Scanline VFX, responsible for transforming the animated manga world into a credible live-action experience.