It might be hard to believe now, but not long ago, anime fans were dreading the idea of a live-actionOne Piece. And it wasn’t without reason. Western adaptations of anime—likeDragonball EvolutionandGhost in the Shell—had disappointed both audiences and the box office. The sting of Netflix’s live-actionCowboy Bebop(2021) was also still fresh in fans’ minds. So, when Netflix announced it would be bringingOne Pieceto life, skepticism was understandable.
And yet, the series defied all expectations.One Piecebecame a massive hit, winning over die-hard fans, casual viewers, and critics alike. With the blessing of original creator Eiichiro Oda, a strong cast, and smart, faithful storytelling, the live-actionOne Pieceredefined what a live-action anime adaptation could be. But now, as the show prepares to launch its second season later this year, changes are happening behind the scenes.Showrunner Matt Owens has recently announced he is stepping down from the project, leaving fans to wonder what lies ahead for the Straw Hat Pirates.
In a June 20, 2025, Instagram post,Matt Owens wrote,
“The last 6 years working on the live-actionOne Piecehave been a life-changing journey. A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. SoI’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break & focus on myselfand my mental health. Thank you so much to Oda, Shueisha, Tomorrow Studios, Netflix, and the entire cast and crew for your trust, partnership, and hard work. For now, I’m gonna take a break, do some therapy, try and rank up inMarvel Rivals, and come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.”
Prior to working onOne Piece, Matt Owens was best known for his work on several Marvel TV series, includingAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,Luke Cage, andThe Defenders. With a strong background in genre storytelling and complex character arcs, Owens brought a fan’s passion and a professional’s precision to his projects, helping shape some of the most ambitious narratives in superhero television.
One Piece Was a Passion Project Fulfilled For Owens
What a Showrunner Really Does
Matt Owens later co-created and served as co-showrunner for Netflix’s live-actionOne Piece, a dream project that he described as “a life-changing journey” and “a dream come true.” From the beginning, his love for the series was clear: “As the biggest One Piece fan, it’s been really exciting seeing some of my favorite places from the manga become a reality.” Owens’ departure from the show marks the end of a significant chapter, both for him and for the adaptation he helped bring to life.
A showrunner on a series likeOne Pieceis the chief creative and managerial force, overseeing everything from story development to production logistics to ensure the show stays true to its vision. In a sprawling adaptation like this—based on one of the longest-running and most beloved manga series of all time—the showrunner’s role is especially crucial. They guide the writers’ room, make key decisions about what parts of the original story to adapt or rework, and collaborate with directors, designers, and even the original creator to keep the tone and pacing consistent. From the emotional beats to the visual spectacle, the showrunner shapes the soul of the series.
While not all of the success of the live-actionOne Piececan be attributed solely to Matt Owens, a significant part of it certainly can. As co-creator and showrunner, Owens played a central role in shaping the tone, pacing, and narrative approach that helped the series win over both longtime fans and newcomers. Now, with his announcement that he’s stepping away from the show, there’s understandable concern about how his absence might affect the direction of future episodes. Showrunners often serve as the creative backbone of a series, and a change in leadership can bring noticeable shifts in storytelling and style.
Season Two Sets Sail
Bigger Arcs, Bigger Stakes
As of now, Netflix has not confirmed plans forOne Piecebeyondthe upcoming second season. However, if Season Two proves to be as successful as the first—which seems likely given the show’s strong fanbase and positive reception—it’s hard to imagine the streaming giant not ordering more episodes. In Japan,One Pieceis already a cultural juggernaut, with over 1,000 anime episodes and more than 100 manga volumes published. While it may not be realistic to expect the live-action adaptation to cover the entire saga,the potential for a long-running series is certainly there, especially if it continues to balance faithful adaptation with smart, engaging storytelling.
Netflix’s live-actionOne Piecehas officially wrapped production on its second season, with filming completed in early 2025. The original cast, including Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, is set to return, and the series is currently in post-production. While no exact release date has been announced, the new season is expected to premiere in late 2025 or early 2026.
Season Two will take the crew deeper into the Grand Line, beginning with the Loguetown arc and moving through key storylines like Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, Drum Island, and the early stages of the Arabasta saga. Several major characters will make their debut, includingTony Tony Chopper—rendered with CGI to stay true to his original design—and Doctor Kureha, played by Katey Sagal. The season’s central antagonist, Crocodile, will be portrayed by Joe Manganiello, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash with the Baroque Works crime syndicate.
A New Captain at the Helm Could Be Great for One Piece LA
Owens Leaves, But His Legacy Sets the Course
Although Matt Owens has parted ways withOne Piece,the production now has a new showrunner: Joe Tracz. Tracz previously worked as a writer and producer on all three seasons of Netflix’sA Series of Unfortunate Events, and he also created and served as showrunner forDash & Lily. With his experience adapting beloved stories for the screen, there’s hope he can keepOne Pieceon its winning streak.
After Dominating Netflix, One Piece Makes Hollywood History With an Incredible Emmy Win
Netflix’s Adaptation of One Piece wins itself two phenomenal awards at the Children & Family Emmy’s ceremony.
As for Matt Owens, he mentioned in his Instagram post that he hopes to “come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.” Whether that means a return toOne Pieceor to other creative projects remains to be seen, but for now, he’s more than earned his break. And while his departure marks the end of a chapter,it may also be what the series needs to keep growing. With the story heading into bigger arcs and introducing more complex characters, a fresh perspective could helpOne Pieceevolve without losing the heart Owens helped establish. He helped prove that live-action anime can actually work—and work really well.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy’s relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
