Summary
- One Piece live-action can be Netflix's next big action series following the conclusion of Cobra Kai.
- Both series have themes of ing the torch to the next generation within captivating storylines and fun adventures.
- One Piece showcases compelling characters and themes of friendship and rivalries, akin to Cobra Kai.
Cobra Kai season 6 feels like a natural conclusion to the show. There cannot be higher stakes than a global karate competition, not to mention how all characters are now fighting for the same side. Cobra Kai’s final season will be released on a three-part event model, with the final part releasing in 2025.
Cobra Kai is ending on a high note, which does not mean the show will not be missed. Fortunately, One Piece season 2, whose release date has yet to be announced, could confirm that the live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s hugely popular manga is Netflix’s next big action series. Cobra Kai and One Piece may feel like very different shows at first, but on a closer look, the live-action anime adaptation has the potential to be as big as the Karate Kid sequel show – if not bigger.
8 One Piece Is Based On A Major IP (Like Cobra Kai Was)
Cobra Kai rebooted Karate Kid; One Piece live-action expanded its franchise
Both One Piece and Cobra Kai can be considered adaptations of a pre-existent IP, although the former is a live-action remake of a story, whereas the latter is a legacy sequel to the Karate Kid movies. The Karate Kid franchise has been around longer than One Piece, but it must be noted that One Piece has been releasing manga chapters and anime episodes non-stop since 1997. Regardless, the fact is that both Cobra Kai and Netflix’s One Piece are part of larger franchises that have been around for decades.
One Piece season 2 will cover the Arabasta saga.
Even though audiences always crave something new, it cannot be denied that major IPs still make for most of the most successful movies and TV shows available across all streaming platforms. Shows like Wednesday, House of the Dragon, The Boys, and Invincible prove that, when handled correctly, established properties can be adapted into highly successful shows for streaming. Cobra Kai honored the legacy of The Karate Kid, just like One Piece live-action has so far lived up to the expectations raised by the quality of its source material.
7 One Piece Is About The Next Generation Stepping Up (Just Like Cobra Kai)
The old guard is ing the torch in both One Piece and Cobra Kai
Although One Piece is not a legacy sequel to anything, its story is about the new generation of pirates stepping up in a world that is now very different following the death of Gold Roger. One Piece’s main story may start with Luffy setting sail to become King of the Pirates, but the world of One Piece begins way before that. For every One Piece character viewers follow in the present day, there are dozens of pirates and marines who came before them and whose stories directly affect what is currently happening.
Cobra Kai season 6, Part 1 premiers July 18, 2024.
The same thing can be said about Cobra Kai, whose storylines are mostly tied to the events of the first three Karate Kid movies. From Daniel and Johnny’s fight at the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament to Terry Silver helping John Kreese take revenge on Mr. Miyagi, everything that happened in the first three Karate Kid films impacts Cobra Kai in some way. Johnny and Daniel may be the nostalgic leads of Cobra Kai, but the show’s heart and soul lie in the young characters. Cobra Kai was primarily about names like Miguel, Sam, Robby, and Tory.
6 One Piece Is All About The Adventure (Like Karate Kid & Cobra Kai)
One Piece and Cobra Kai are about following your dreams
One of the biggest similarities between Cobra Kai and Netflix’s One Piece is the sense of wonder and adventure that exists in both shows. Cobra Kai may be set in a “realistic world” compared to One Piece, but the Karate Kid sequel series almost feels like it takes place in a fantastical universe that could be found in a comic book or an anime series. Cobra Kai asks viewers to have a certain level of suspension of belief, which makes the show even better. Conflicts are settled in tournaments, and rivalries forge friendships.
Adventure and freedom, both of which are important themes in Cobra Kai, also define One Piece’s story. Those who enjoyed Cobra Kai will likely enjoy following Luffy’s journey, as the Straw Hat pirates face similar dilemmas and have to deal with similar challenges to those encountered by Cobra Kai’s characters. Of course, a world of pirates and giants is radically different from The Valley. Still, the idea of young characters taking on stronger opponents to become better versions of themselves works for both One Piece live-action and Cobra Kai.
5 One Piece Has Plenty Of Compelling Characters (So Does Cobra Kai)
Cobra Kai and One Piece are full of popular, fan-favorite characters
Cobra Kai may have started as the story of Johnny and Miguel, but it has since grown into an ensemble that combines original characters with returning Karate Kid names. Between all the different dojos and students, Cobra Kai season 5 had an extensive list of characters, all of whom were interesting in their own way. All of the Cobra Kai characters, from heroes to villains, have been given meaningful backstories and compelling arcs within the first five seasons. This is part of the reason why the show has become so successful for Netflix.
One Piece's Straw Hat Pirates |
Actor |
|---|---|
Monkey D. Luffy |
Inãki Godoy |
Roronoa Zoro |
Mackenyu |
Nami |
Emily Rudd |
Usopp |
Jacob Gibson |
Sanji |
Taz Skylar |
There are plenty of fan-favorite Cobra Kai characters who have their own legion of fans, just like there are multiple One Piece characters who can steal the show in seasons. In addition to the original Straw Hat pirates, all of whom have already made quite the first impression in season 1, Netflix’s One Piece is expected to include a lot of other names from the manga. For example, One Piece season 2 will introduce Chopper and Nico Robin. There’s no shortage of options for characters for new One Piece fans to fall in love with.
4 Cobra Kai Always Felt Like Live-Action Shonen Anime
Cobra Kai uses many anime tropes
Cobra Kai strangely feels like it is a live-action shonen anime sometimes, even though it is obviously not based on any manga or anime. From the pacing of the series to how important friendship and rivalries are, Cobra Kai has indirectly incorporated some of the most famous anime tropes in a fun way. Even the classic “power-up flashbacks,” during which the main character re something important before finding the strength they need to defeat the bad guy, can be found in Cobra Kai.
Cobra Kai’s anime similarities mean that there couldn’t be a better follow-up to it on Netflix than an actual anime adaptation. The biggest difference between One Piece and previous Netflix anime adaptations is that the former was not ashamed of its source material. One Piece embraced all the silliness and humor of the anime, just like Cobra Kai was never afraid of being a “karate soap opera” based on a franchise from the 1980s.
3 One Piece Talks About Friendships & Rivalries (Just Like Cobra Kai)
Friendships come first in One Piece and Cobra Kai
Much of One Piece has to do with friendship, some of which are born from rivalries, and vice versa. There is nothing Luffy values more in than world than his friends, which Netflix’s One Piece nailed. The bond between the Straw Hat pirates is more important to the story than the search for the One Piece, even though they don’t always agree with each other and even come at odds sometimes. For example, if Netflix’s One Piece gets to season 4, it will likely cover the tragic fight between Luffy and Usopp.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Just Teased A Redemption Story For The Last Character We Thought Would Ever Change
A character who had little hope of redemption could wind up ing Johnny and Daniel's dojo, if a tease for Cobra Kai season 6 is to be believed.
Cobra Kai is also about friendships and rivalries, though the latter has dominated the show’s first five seasons. It was only at the end of Cobra Kai season 5 that most of the show's rivalries were settled, paving the way for everyone to come together ahead of the Sekai Taikai in Cobra Kai’s final season. Still, friendships are very important in Cobra Kai as well. Characters like Miguel, Eli, and Demitri have been friends since the beginning of the show, and although mistakes were made, their bonds remained.
2 Fights Make Up For Most Of One Piece (Just Like In Cobra Kai)
Problems are solved with fights in Cobra Kai and One Piece
One Piece is more than just fights, but it cannot be denied that most storylines usually come down to a physical conflict between Luffy and his enemies. Luffy will fight anyone at any time if it means protecting his friends and their dreams, which is why One Piece’s fight scenes are always great. Netflix’s live-action One Piece fight sequences were not as impactful as the ones from the anime, but there is room for the series to improve its battles in future seasons.
Cobra Kai’s very premise means it is an action-packed show where everything is settled on the mat or a street fight. The Cobra Kai characters are always fighting, regardless if it is for points in a tournament or for personal reasons. Either way, for those who got used to Cobra Kai’s fun action, One Piece is the perfect replacement. The live-action series combines practical stunts – including but not limited to sword work – with VFX-heavy sequences that bring One Piece’s Devil Fruit powers to life.
1 One Piece Can Be One Of Netflix’s Flagship Titles For Several Years
One Piece live-action can run for several years
Cobra Kai moved to Netflix ahead of season 3 and quickly became one of the streamer’s flagship titles. The fact that Cobra Kai season 6 will be split into three parts and will have 15 episodes in total shows how much confidence Netflix has in the series, which has been among the platform’s most-watched titles for more than three years now. Although it is still soon to say how big One Piece live-action will be for Netflix in the long run, the series could become one of the streamer’s main titles for several years.
Netflix's One Piece Can't Wait Until Season 4 To Mention This Pivotal Character
The huge importance of this One Piece character means Netflix's show must mention them in season 2, even though it shouldn't happen until season 4.
Not many TV shows, not even Cobra Kai, can organically continue for over a dozen seasons, but One Piece does. With over 1000 manga chapters left to be covered and counting, One Piece can arguably continue for as long as Netflix wants. There is virtually unlimited potential for the live-action series, which can cover dozens of arcs at any rhythm depending on how long it continues to air. If One Piece season 2 is as well received as the first one, Netflix will have found a guaranteed hit that has decades-worth of stories ready to be brought to the screen.
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Cobra Kai
8/10- Release Date
- 2018 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix, YouTube
- Showrunner
- Jon Hurwitz
Cast
Ralph MacchioDaniel LaRusso
Johnny Lawrence
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingCobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
-
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One Piece (Live-Action)
7/10- Release Date
- August 31, 2023
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Owens
Cast
Iñaki GodoyMonkey D. Luffy
Emily RuddNami
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingOne Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy's relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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