One Piece Is a 10/10 Fantasy Series to Binge on Netflix

Picking something to watch over the weekend can be a chore, but Netflix’s live-action One Piece — the TV adaptation of the long-running manga and anime about Monkey D. Luffy and his crew — shot to the top of Netflix’s charts one day after release. The second season is available now and carries a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Adapting shōnen anime to live action often founders on its own silliness, yet this show keeps the lunacy and the drama in balance. It even recreates wildly improbable moments — like the wax-cake sequence featuring the villain with hair shaped like the number three — beat for beat, and still makes the stakes feel real.

Performances help sell that tone. David Dastmalchian turns Mr. 3 into an enjoyable, over-the-top presence, Katey Sagal brings grit and wit as Dr. Kureha, and the Straw Hat crew have strong chemistry. Iñaki Godoy’s irrepressible Luffy anchors the group, while Emily Rudd and Mackenyu give forceful turns as Nami and Zoro.

one piece, netflix, live-action, luffy, straw hat, season 2, rotten tomatoes, iñaki godoy, emily rudd, mackenyu