Created by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda.
One Piece (TV Series) was released on August 31, 2023.
Distributed by Netflix.
Series Review
One Piece (2023) is a fun and exciting live-action version of the famous anime and manga.
It follows Monkey D. Luffy, a cheerful pirate with a dream to find the legendary treasure and become the Pirate King.
Season 1 shows how Luffy builds his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, and begins his adventure across the seas.
Iñaki Godoy shines as Luffy, bringing his energy and kindness to life, while Mackenyu (Zoro) and Emily Rudd (Nami) make the story even stronger.
The show looks amazing, with great sets, costumes, and action scenes that stay true to the anime.
Some parts are shorter than in the original, but the story still keeps its heart and humor.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to One Piece, this series is easy to enjoy, it’s full of adventure, friendship, and the fun spirit that made the original so loved.
CR Ratings – 8.7/10.
One Piece (2023) Actors
Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy
DOB: August 25, 2003.
Bio: Mexican actor who quickly rose to international attention for his portrayal of Luffy in Netflix’s One Piece.
Known for his infectious charisma and dedication to the role, Godoy underwent months of training in swordplay, stunt work, and water scenes to bring the Straw Hat captain to life.
Role: Monkey D. Luffy is the fearless and endlessly optimistic captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, a boy whose dream of becoming the King of the Pirates drives the entire series.
In Season 1, Luffy’s quest begins as he gathers his first crew, stands up to powerful foes, and inspires others with his unwavering belief in friendship and freedom.
Episodes: 8 eps.
What to expect: A joyful, high-energy performance full of heart, humor, and heroic determination.
Interesting facts: Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, personally approved Godoy after seeing his audition, calling him “the real Luffy.”
Godoy has said that playing Luffy taught him to “live with more courage and kindness.”
Notable works: The Imperfects, Who Killed Sara?, Go Youth!.
Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
DOB: November 16, 1996.
Bio: Mackenyu Arata, professionally known simply as Mackenyu, is a Japanese-American actor and martial artist celebrated for his disciplined performances and commanding screen presence.
The son of legendary actor Sonny Chiba, he has built a strong career through live-action adaptations of popular manga and anime.
Role: Roronoa Zoro is the stoic, fiercely loyal swordsman who dreams of becoming the greatest in the world.
A former bounty hunter turned Straw Hat Pirate, Zoro’s honor, skill, and unshakable resolve make him Luffy’s first and most trusted crewmate.
Episodes: 8 eps.
What to expect: Intense, controlled fight work, quiet humor, and moments of unexpected tenderness under the gruff exterior.
Interesting facts: He’s fluent in both Japanese and English, making him one of the few actors who can bridge East-West productions naturally.
Notable works: Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, Chihayafuru trilogy, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Knights of the Zodiac (2023).
Emily Rudd as Nami
DOB: February 24, 1993.
Bio: American actress and model known for her expressive performances and emotional range.
Rising to prominence through the Fear Street trilogy, she’s admired for combining strength, charm, and vulnerability on screen.
Role: Nami is the Straw Hat crew’s brilliant navigator, a thief and con artist turned loyal friend.
Season 1 focuses on her tragic backstory with Arlong and her slow journey toward trusting Luffy and the crew.
Episodes: 8 eps.
What to expect: A performance that blends humor, quick wit, and heart-wrenching emotion.
Interesting facts: Rudd did extensive research on Nami’s manga and anime origins to capture her balance of toughness and warmth.
Notable works: Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (Netflix), Hunters, The Romanoffs.
Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp
DOB: July 11, 1996.
Bio: American actor recognized for his warmth, comic instincts, and natural empathy on screen.
Before One Piece, he appeared in several TV dramas and short films, but his breakout came with his portrayal of Usopp.
Role: Usopp is the Straw Hat crew’s sharpshooter and resident storyteller, a self-proclaimed brave warrior of the sea who hides deep insecurity beneath tall tales.
Season 1 follows his growth from a boastful dreamer into someone capable of true bravery when his friends need him most.
Episodes: 6 eps.
What to expect: Nervy humor, surprising bravery and scenes that grow Usopp from cowardly braggart to an honest friend.
Interesting facts: He has spoken about connecting personally to Usopp’s “imposter syndrome” and finding pride in imperfection.
Notable works: Greenleaf, Grey’s Anatomy, The Resident.
Taz Skylar as Sanji
DOB: December 5, 1995.
Bio: British actor, writer, and producer known for his charismatic screen presence and kinetic physicality.
A multitalented performer, Skylar trained extensively in martial arts and culinary techniques to embody Sanji, the Straw Hat Pirates’ charming cook with a fighter’s soul.
Role: Sanji is the Straw Hat crew’s chef and a formidable kicker who fights with style and flair.
Season 1 explores his time aboard the Baratie, his sense of honor, and his decision to join Luffy’s crew.
Episodes: 4 eps.
What to expect: Slick fighting, flirtatious banter, and a performance that mixes bravado with quiet heart.
Interesting facts: Skylar performed many of his own stunts and trained under real chefs to perfect Sanji’s cooking movements.
He has also co-written several stage and film projects, showcasing his creative versatility.
Notable works: Gassed Up (2023), The Kill Team, stage work in London’s West End.
Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown
DOB: December 30, 1986.
Bio: American actor recognized for his sharp versatility in both drama and dark comedy.
Known for his standout roles in genre television, Ward brings theatrical flair and unpredictability to every part.
Role: Buggy the Clown is one of Luffy’s early pirate adversaries, a showman and sadistic performer whose chopped-up body powers give him both comic absurdity and real danger.
Ward plays Buggy as a blend of vaudeville villain and tragic misfit, stealing scenes with manic intensity and timing.
Episodes: 6 eps.
What to expect: Cartoonish villainy mixed with genuine threat and great physical comedy.
Interesting facts: Ward performed much of his own physical comedy and worked closely with prosthetics and VFX teams to refine Buggy’s dismemberment gags.
Notable works: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (as Deke Shaw), Brand New Cherry Flavor, Channel Zero: No-End House.
Peter Gadiot as Shanks
DOB: January 2, 1985.
Bio: British actor of Dutch and Mexican heritage, known for his thoughtful performances and grounded charisma.
Trained at the Drama Centre London, he has built a career on roles that balance mystery and moral conviction.
Role: Shanks, known as “Red-Haired Shanks,” is the legendary pirate whose courage and kindness inspire young Luffy to dream of becoming King of the Pirates.
His early act of sacrifice, losing his arm to save Luffy, sets the emotional foundation of the series.
Episodes: 3 eps.
What to expect: Quiet, magnetic presence and scenes that explain Luffy’s moral compass.
Interesting facts: He prepared by studying the manga’s tone and Oda’s vision of the character’s moral strength.
Notable works: Queen of the South, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, Yellowjackets.
Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp
DOB: May 16, 1965.
Bio: British-Irish actor renowned for his commanding screen presence and classical gravitas.
With a career spanning stage, film, and television, he often portrays strong, principled figures or complex authority roles.
Role: Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is one of the Marine legends and a pivotal figure in Luffy’s life.
As Luffy’s grandfather, Garp embodies the conflict between duty and family, a man devoted to justice but torn by love for his pirate grandson.
Episodes: 8 eps.
What to expect: Weathered, commanding authority with emotional nuance in family scenes.
Interesting facts: Regan’s casting was praised for bringing believable weight to the Marine hierarchy; his blend of military poise and rough-edged humor mirrors Garp’s iconic manga personality.
Notable works: 300, Troy, Clash of the Titans, Snow White and the Huntsman, Before We Die (TV).
McKinley Belcher III as Arlong
DOB: March 23, 1984.
Bio: American actor celebrated for his powerful performances on stage and screen.
A graduate of USC’s MFA Acting program, he has built a reputation for portraying layered, emotionally rich characters in both drama and genre projects.
Role: Arlong is the ruthless fish-man pirate who enslaves Nami’s village and serves as the central antagonist in the Arlong Park arc.
Belcher plays him as more than a monster, his Arlong exudes racial bitterness, arrogance, and the pain of oppression, making the conflict with Nami and Luffy resonate on a personal and thematic level.
Episodes: 4 eps.
What to expect: Cold-blooded menace and emotionally raw confrontations, especially in Nami’s backstory scenes.
Interesting facts: Belcher’s background in theatre (including A Soldier’s Play and The Light) informs his measured physicality and vocal precision; he drew inspiration from real-world struggles for equality to deepen Arlong’s motivations.
Notable works: Ozark, Mercy Street, The Passage, We Own This City.
Steven John Ward as Dracule Mihawk
DOB: June 2, 1990.
Bio: South African actor and voice artist recognized for his commanding screen presence and versatility.
Trained in dramatic performance, Ward has built his career across local and international productions, often portraying complex and enigmatic figures.
Role: Dracule Mihawk is the world’s greatest swordsman and a legend among pirates.
In One Piece Season 1, Mihawk serves as both a benchmark for Zoro’s ambitions and a symbol of ultimate mastery.
Episodes: 3 eps.
What to expect: Silent intensity, graceful but lethal combat and a stoic charisma.
Interesting facts: Ward underwent months of sword and movement training to embody Mihawk’s effortless precision; his portrayal was praised by fans for perfectly capturing the character’s noble ruthlessness.
Notable works: Queen Sono, The Day We Didn’t Meet, Inconceivable, House on Willow Street.
Craig Fairbrass as Chef Zeff
DOB: January 15, 1964.
Bio: English actor known for his commanding presence and tough, working-class authenticity.
With a career spanning film, television, and video games, he’s built a reputation for playing hardened but human characters.
Role: Chef Zeff is a former pirate turned master chef who runs the floating restaurant Baratie.
Once feared as “Red-Leg Zeff,” he now serves as Sanji’s mentor and moral compass, teaching him respect, discipline, and the true meaning of compassion.
Episodes: 4 eps.
What to expect: Gruff mentoring, melodramatic kitchen scenes and emotional reveals tied to Sanji’s past.
Interesting facts: Fairbrass’s real-life experience with physical, grounded roles gave Zeff’s kitchen scenes a raw, authentic energy.
Notable works: Rise of the Footsoldier film series, Cliffhanger, The Bank Job.
Morgan Davies as Koby
DOB: November 7, 2001.
Bio: Australian actor acclaimed for their emotional range and grounded performances in both film and television.
Known for bringing sincerity and nuance to young, conflicted characters, Davies infuses Koby with empathy, courage, and moral complexity.
Role: Koby is a kind-hearted Marine cadet whose early encounter with Luffy sparks his transformation from timid captive to principled soldier.
His journey reflects the series’ broader theme of freedom versus order, as he grapples with what justice truly means.
Episodes: 8 eps.
What to expect: Nuanced, quietly brave work that grounds the show’s moral debates about law, justice and mercy.
Interesting facts: Davies casting was widely praised for giving the character new depth and representation.
Notable works: Evil Dead Rise (2023), The End (TV series), Storm Boy.
More Actors
• Langley Kirkwood as Axe Hand Morgan (Captain Morgan).
• Aidan Scott as Helmeppo.
• Armand Aucamp as Bogard.
• Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday.
• Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0.
FAQ – One Piece (2023) TV Series
What is One Piece (2023) about?
A Netflix live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga about Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates on their hunt for the legendary treasure.
Will there be a Season 2 and when does it arrive?
Yes, Netflix renewed the show. Season 2 (titled Into the Grand Line) is scheduled to premiere March 10, 2026. More on Deadline
Is the live-action faithful to the manga/anime?
The series captures the spirit and heart of One Piece and was widely praised for that, though it condenses and changes certain elements to fit a TV format, some fans note unavoidable differences.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 has 8 episodes.
Where was it filmed?
Principal filming took place in Cape Town, South Africa, with additional location work noted in places like Mexico and the Canary Islands for Season 1 production.
Where can I watch it?
The series streams exclusively on Netflix.
What is the show’s age rating / is it kid-friendly?
The show is generally rated TV-14 (or similar parental guidance in some regions) for action, violence and mature themes, parental discretion is advised for younger viewers.
Conclusion
One Piece (2023) is one of the best anime-to-live-action adaptations ever made.
It perfectly captures the adventurous and emotional spirit of Eiichiro Oda’s world while introducing new fans to its charm.
The cast brings their characters to life with genuine energy and heart, and the storytelling balances humor, action, and deep emotion beautifully.
Whether you’ve followed the Straw Hat Pirates for years or are meeting them for the first time, this series offers a fresh, exciting journey worth watching.
It’s a reminder that dreams, loyalty, and friendship never go out of style.