WIT Studio recently released a first look at their One Piece remake, The One Piece. More than 20 years later, despite its length of 1000+ episodes, One Piece is beloved by countless anime fans worldwide. The anime is sure to continue to grow as Netflix’s live-action series receives a 2nd season. Now, with WIT Studio’s remake, it seems the fandom has never been stronger, but I am worried that all of the new adaptations are signaling the start of a precarious American film trend, which has made its way to Japan.

With the unmatched success that Eiichiro Oda’s ground-breaking franchise has found, especially in the last year, it is unsurprising that other studios are trying to feed off of that. For example, One Piece sured Japan's borders when Netflix transformed the series into a live-action adaptation. The show was met with raging reviews and only fueled the fire that is the One Piece fandom.

It came as no surprise that Netflix planned to adapt Oda’s masterpiece. After their absolute failure of a Death Note, they had to redeem themselves. Starring loveable actors such as Iñaki Godoy, Taz Skyler, and Mackenyu, the show did very well, taking an already iconic franchise to the next level. However, there was something I felt was missing from the series, but no one else seemed to notice: it lacked the goofy, familiar charm that only the original One Piece has.

WIT Studio’s Plans to Start from Square One on Anime’s Biggest Series

One of the Largest Anime Studios in 2024 Has Announced the Remake of Oda's Colossal Franchise

A few months back, WIT Studio announced that they were taking on the project of recreating anime’s biggest series in 2024: One Piece. However, it appears that the remake is not live-action or a spin-off; it’s just what it sounds like: a redo, for lack of better words. In fact, Oda himself mentioned in an interview that he does not want the animators at WIT to recreate the manga -for-. Instead, the author has instructed WIT to follow their own creativity:

“"I want you all to express rather than copy and paste the work."- Eiichiro Oda

What shocked me the most about this remake is that it seemed to come at the worst time. Looking at Hunter x Hunter, for example, that series’ remake was perfectly called for. The 1999 anime series only made it through a few arcs before its cancelation. Years later, the 2011 series returned to finish what the original series started.

However, the complete opposite seems to be happening with One Piece. In fact, I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like this in modern media: a remake and the original running simultaneously. Just as the series hits its peak with the conclusion of the Wano Saga and the commencement of its final saga, WIT announces that they plan to scratch that and start again from square one. It is truly mind-boggling and seems to be entirely superfluous.

Live-Action Flops & Why Japan Needs to Steer Clear of Remakes

The Anime Industry is More Susceptible Than Ever to One Giant Money-Making Pitfall

One of the most unique aspects of the Japanese entertainment industry is its dedication to the 2D animation format. While Japan has produced ground-breaking live-action features like the 2023 Oscar-winning film, Godzilla: Minus 1, they are primarily known for their contributions to 2D animation: anime.

Over the years, anime has conquered international markets with astonishing projects such as One Piece, Neon Genesis: Evangelion, and Chainsaw Man. Aside from the fantastical storytelling and engaging voice acting, anime continues to prove that 2D animation is not only for children but also for a multi-generational audience.

Walt Disney Animation Studios is one of the most prominent media companies of all time. While the company was once known for its incomparable films of fantasy and wonder, appealing to children and adults alike, it has recently turned a corner. Disney’s live-action movies adapted from their beloved animated classics lack depth and often serve as a cheap cash grab aimed at younger audiences. Instead of embracing the beauty of animation, film studios such as Disney continue to completely alter the style of classical films until they are almost unrecognizable.

Fans have advocated for the return of Disney’s 2D animation style, which was last seen in The Princess and the Frog. However, studios have yet to deliver, proving that anime is more relevant than ever. Yet, with projects like WIT Studios’ One Piece remake, I am not convinced that anime will remain a blinding beacon of hope; quite the contrary, I am worried that Japan is going to fall into a similar pitfall that so many American film companies have: the obsession with remakes.

Anime is known primarily for its one-of-a-kind main characters, storylines, and animation styles. There is no entertainment like anime, and I do not want to see that change. Disney fans everywhere have been disappointed time and time again by the projects that their favorite production company has produced.

While WIT Studio is known for producing high-quality results, as seen in Attack on Titan (Seasons 1-3) and Vinland Saga (Season 1), I am concerned about the idea of starting from scratch with such a legendary series for almost no reason.

Why the Original One Piece Series Does Not Need an Update

A Remake of Oda's Masterpiece is Far From Necessary

The One Piece anime began in 1999, which was almost 20 years ago. Thus, the older animations, seen primarily in the series' first few seasons, are starting to look outdated. However, this is hardly a reason to recreate such a beloved franchise. In fact, I’d say it’s a prime reason not to redo the show. Many original One Piece fans find the pre-time skip, in particular, very nostalgic. Those quirky character designs, 4:3 ratio, and “Saturday morning cartoon” vibes are what make the series so special in their hearts.

Furthermore, it is thrilling to watch the show from beginning to end. As the protagonists mature and make their way through their character arcs, the animation quality follows suit, improving dramatically as time goes on. Lastly, One Piece has recently hit an all-time high. Gear 5 Luffy made history with his reveal as fans around the globe gathered to watch his epic battle with Kaido, and Oda kept the One Piece fandom on the edge of their seats as he announced that the series had officially entered its final saga.

I may be biased against any sort of remake, but I would genuinely hate to see Japan fall into a similar trap as the American entertainment industry. I used to be a huge Disney fan, but I have seen nothing but profit-centric projects surface from a company that used to stand for imagination and creativity.

Anime stands as a final beacon of hope for 2D animation fans and lovers of fantastical storytelling. While it may seem that the One Piece remake is nothing more than a tribute to Oda’s work, I believe it may open the floodgates to a much larger problem in the Japanese media market.