Netflix’s upcoming The One Piece anime remake is supposed to be the clean, modern entry point fans have wanted for years. Better pacing, updated animation, no weekly filler stretch — basically the dream version for anyone who loves One Piece but gets scared off by the 1,000+ episode mountain.
But now that we have a clearer idea of its rollout, one awkward question is starting to appear: can the remake actually keep up with Netflix’s live-action series?
According to the report, The One Piece is currently scheduled to premiere in February 2027, after first being announced back in December 2023. The first drop is expected to be seven episodes, adapting around 50 manga chapters.
On paper, that sounds premium. Fewer episodes, more production time, hopefully stronger animation and tighter storytelling. For Malaysian and SEA anime fans who mostly watch through streaming, that kind of polished batch-release format memang senang — no need to chase weekly episodes forever, just binge during the weekend.
The problem is scale.
One Piece is not a short series. Eiichiro Oda’s manga has already passed 1,000 chapters, while the original anime has run for almost three decades with over 1,000 episodes and multiple movies. The reason the older anime gets criticised so often is simple: it had to air continuously without catching up to the manga, so scenes were stretched, reactions were dragged out, and some arcs felt like they were moving at snail speed.
That is exactly why the remake sounded so exciting. Fans thought this could be the definitive version: same story, better pacing, modern visuals, easier for newcomers.
But if the remake is only covering about 50 chapters in its first seven-episode batch, its long-term pace may become a headache. The Netflix live-action adaptation has already moved quicker. Its first season covered more than the remake’s planned opening stretch, and by the second season, the live-action version had reportedly gone past 150 chapters in total. A third season is also said to be in production and planned for next year.
So instead of the anime remake becoming the fast lane into One Piece, Netflix’s live-action series may end up being the version that races ahead.
That creates a weird situation for fans in Malaysia and SEA. The live-action series has already become a casual gateway — the kind of show your non-anime friends might actually try because it is on Netflix, dubbed/subbed properly, and easier to discuss with family or friends who are not deep into anime culture. If that version keeps moving faster, it could define One Piece for a whole new audience before the remake even reaches the bigger arcs.
There is also the possibility that the live-action show eventually takes bigger creative swings. If it keeps adapting at a faster rate, or if it decides to create its own ending much later, it could finish its version of Luffy’s journey long before The One Piece gets anywhere near the final saga.
That would be ironic, because the remake’s main appeal is fixing the original anime’s pacing. If it releases yearly and continues adapting roughly 50 chapters each time, covering the full manga could take close to two decades. Gila long, bro.
Still, this does not mean the remake is doomed. A slower release can also mean better quality control, stronger animation, and a version that future fans can enjoy without the baggage of the weekly anime. For younger Malaysian viewers discovering One Piece in the late 2020s, The One Piece may still become the best starting point.
But for fans who want a faster ride through the Grand Line, Netflix’s live-action series might be the one to watch more closely.
Source: ComicBook Anime