Netflix has a new number 1: The live-action adaptation of One Piece topples the previous records of Wednesday and Stranger Things!

Who would have thought that a live-action adaptation of a popular manga/anime, of all things, would become the most successful Netflix series ever? Because usually only a few exceptions can win over their fans and at the same time attract a completely new viewership.

Fair enough, though, One Piece was already a huge thing before the Netflix series. The popular manga by Eiichiro Oda started back in 1999 and is still running! We are now at more than 1,058 chapters and One Piece could hardly be more popular.

As data from (FlixPatrol) shatters One Piece on Netflix, a worldwide record: Neither Wednesday nor Stranger Things is the reigning number one, One Piece has clearly taken the top spot as of late.

The live-action series is currently in first place in a total of 84 countries where Netflix is available. For direct comparison: the previous frontrunners Wednesday and Stranger Things came only to this position in 83 countries.

The One Piece Live Action has reached top concurrent viewership in 84 countries, more than any show in Netflix history pic.twitter.com/oZvEqw5zOR

– Artur – Library of Ohara (@newworldartur) September 3, 2023

Why is One Piece so successful?

Of course, the popularity of One Piece itself has probably helped a lot. But the new Netflix series has also received surprisingly positive reviews from critics: At (RottenTomatoes) One Piece, for example, comes in at a strong 83 points on average, with viewers even pulling out the 96!

The Netflix adaptation is praised for its love and faithfulness to the original (which is almost certainly thanks to Eiichiro Oda’s personal involvement in the series), while charismatic actors such as Inaki Gody, Mackenyu or Emily Rudd breathe new life into the well-known and beloved characters Ruffy, Zorro and Nami.

 

With that, there must be a season 2 coming…right?

Better get excited careful: However, even considering this groundbreaking success of One Piece, a season 2 is not guaranteed. Because the live-action adaptation is one of the most expensive TV series ever and, with a cost of 18 million US dollars per episode, even outperforms Game of Thrones in this category.

In addition, the ongoing Hollywood strike should at least take the wind out of the sails of a potential production of a second season. Because under the current conditions, actors and writers are not even allowed to negotiate new contracts.

Even if a season 2 of One Piece gets off the ground, it’s likely to be a long time coming anyway, with production estimated to take 24 months. So fans should definitely be patient.

Have you seen One Piece yet and if so, how much did you like Netflix’s live-action adaptation? What do you think of the groundbreaking success of the new series and would you be happy to see a sequel? Have you already checked out the manga or anime? Let us know in the comments!

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