Top 10 Differences Between Netflix’s One Piece And The Anime

Netflix released a live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga on August 31.

Unlike anime, which adapted the manga shot-by-shot, live-action made several changes to the source material.

Although most are minor, like changing the fight location or excluding some of the supporting cast to make the story flow smoother.

Some were major changes to the plot, and in this article, we will discuss our top 10 changes live-action made to the source material.

Before we start, spoiler alert for Netflix’s One Piece live-action season one.

10. Straw Hats Vs Buggy Pirates

Although in both live-action and anime, the fight between Luffy and Buggy happened on the map of the Grand Line, it changed up a bit.

In anime and manga, Buggy has already stolen a map from Shell Town, and Luffy fights him to take the map from him.

In Netflix’s adaptation, Luffy steals the map from Shell Town, which Buggy tries to steal from Luffy.

Furthermore, in the anime, Buggy destroyed Orange Town after Luffy had arrived, but in live-action, it was already destroyed.

This resulted in the omission of Buggy’s first mate Mohji, his lion Richie, and the fan-favorite loyal dog Chouchou.

Another difference that we find in Netflix’s version is that instead of everyone but the Mayor of Orange Town fleeing, Buggy captures everyone and makes them watch his circus.

9. Baroque Works

In the manga, Baroque works are introduced after Luff and his crew enter the Grand Line, but in live-action, they are introduced very early on.

Although they are introduced very early in live-action, they do not deviate from the original plot in manga and anime.

When Zoro fought other members of this group in the anime, it was mentioned that Zoro declined the invitation and killed No. 7.

8. Syrup Village

The Syrup Village arc is probably the one that received most of the changes, like Strawhats fighting the Black Cats inside Kaya’s house and not on the beach, unlike in anime.

Other small changes include the omission of Kuro’s first mate, Jango, and Kuro actually killing Merry instead of him getting injured in the anime.

Furthermore, in anime, Ussop had three young boys that made up his Ussop Pirates, but in live-action, they were completely removed.

In live-action, Kaya gets ill because Kuro has been giving him poison disguised as medicine. This is nowhere close to what we had in anime.

Originally, Kuro never tried to poison her. Don’t get me wrong, Kuro was still the villain of the arc, but Kaya’s illness stemmed from her grieving over her parents deaths.

Another major thing that changed in the live-action was the confirmation of the relationship between Ussop and Kaya.

In manga and anime, it was never specified if Kaya and Ussop loved each other romantically. In Netflix’s adaptation, before sending Ussop with Straw Hats, Kaya kisses Ussop, solidifying the relationship for fans.

7. Baratie

Originally, when Luffy and his crew arrived at Baratie, Luffy had to become a chore boy after accidentally damaging the restaurant.

Whereas in live-action, it is because he couldn’t pay for the bill.

Another change is the motivation for Mihawk to arrive at Baratie.

In the anime, Don Kreig had escaped from Mihawk’s battle and arrived at Baratie, where he became the main antagonist for the Strawhat and Sanji.

Mihawk was chasing Don Kreig and arrived at Baratie to defeat him. In live-action, this is completely changed when Garp asks Mihawk to bring Luffy to the Marines.

What about Don Kreig, you ask? Well, when Garp calls Mihawk for his help, the warlord is fighting him, and Mihawk kills him.

At least we got Mihawk slicing the pirate’s battleship in half.

6. Luffy And Zoro

Another major change that happened early on was Luffy’s first interaction with Zoro.

In the anime, when Luffy arrives at Shell Town, Zoro is already captured, whereas in live-action, he gets captured after Luffy’s arrival.

Luffy even gives Zoro’s sword back to him. Even the sequence where the little girl who gave Zoro the food also happens after he is captured

5. Arlong

In live-action, Don Kreig was replaced by Arlong, who is introduced a bit later in the anime.

The other thing that was changed was Buggy and Arlong’s interaction. In anime, Buggy never interacted with Arlong, but in live-action, he is the one who brought Arlong to the Baratie.

Another major change is Arlong’s motivation. In the manga, Arlong’s motivation was just his hatred for humans, whereas in live-action, more nuance was added with the introduction of the slavery of Fishman.

This concept was not introduced in the One Piece manga and anime until the Sabaody Arc.

4. Zoro Vs Mihawk

Yes, even the fight between Mihawk and Zoro was changed a bit.

First, in the manga, the fight happened just before Luffy’s fight with Don Kreig. Second, unlike in live-action, the fight between Mihawk and Zoro happened right after Zoro challenged the warlord of the sea.

3. Nami

In manga and anime, Nami was not even present during Shells Town. Instead, she stole the map from Buggy, not from Axe-Hand Morgen.

Another major change is Nami ‘s betrayal of the Strawhats.

Originally, Nami stole the Going Merry, and Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Ussop arrived at Arlong Park via the small boat left behind.

Also, Nami’s betrayal in the live-action movie happens as a result of her trying to save Luffy’s life after he is defeated by Arlong.

2. Arlong Park

Many memorable characters from the anime and manga were either removed or their roles reduced in the live-action.

Hachi, the six-sword-wielding Fishman, who was seen gambling with Nami, got his role reduced. In anime, he fought an extended battle with Zoro, but in live-action, not much was shown from his side.

Moomoo, a giant sea cow from the Grand Line, was entirely removed. Another memorable movement was the fight between Arlong and Zoro.

Yes, Zoro fought Arlong in the original story. Arlong was also impressed by Zoro after seeing him defeat the Fishmen, even after the injury he had after his fight with Mihawk.

Moving towards Coco Village, Nami’s home, in live-action, no one knows why Nami joined with the pirates that killed her mother.

This cannot be further from what is shown in anime and manga. Originally, the village knew why Nami had joined the pirates. They kept up the facade of hating her to keep her safe from harm. In the anime, before leaving the village with Straw Hats, Nami gives them hoards of treasure after stealing all of their wallets.

Meanwhile, in live-action, the farewell to Coco Village was a nice, tender goodbye with her sister Nojiko.

1. Garp

In anime and manga, Garp was not introduced until the Water-Seven arc, let alone revealed that Luffy is the grandson of Garp!

After the confrontation between Garpa and Luffy in the final episode of the season, we may see them together for some time. There is still something Garp has yet to reveal to Luffy, which we may see when Water Seven gets adapted into live action.

Furthermore, Koby and Hemeppo’s training under Garp was told through the cover pages of the manga. This was shown in episodes 68 and 69 of the anime.

The live-action also showed a much larger emphasis on Garp taking Koby under his wing, which will overall pay very well if the series goes toward further seasons.