Ever since the announcement of The One Piece remake by Wit Studio, fans have been anxiously waiting to learn more about the decision. When the statement was released, many fans wondered why the anime was getting a remake, especially since the original anime is still ongoing.

Some One Piece fanatics went as far as calling the remake disrespectful towards Toei, and the studio's work. There was a lot of conjecture, but almost a year later, the reason was finally disclosed in a new statement by George Wada, the president of Wit Studio.

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The Need For A Remake

In the interview, George Wada cited two main reasons behind The One Piece remake. The first is the old 4:3 format, and the second is the high number of episodes. A huge chunk of the original One Piece anime has been made in the 4:3 font, which was fairly common for anime made in that particular era. But it feels extremely outdated when compared side by side with the new anime. So, a person who wants to watch One Piece from the beginning might not like the ratio, causing them to drop the anime altogether. So, Wit Studio's first priority will be to change the font, modernize it, and ensure it makes full use of the current technology.

The second point mentioned by the Wit Studio president was related to the number of episodes. He mentioned how the original anime has too many episodes, which may be offputting to viewers. The anime has over 1100 episodes to its name, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. While the One Piece anime does not have too many fillers, it has had poor pacing. This led to a single chapter being adapted into multiple episodes. The higher-ups at Toei possibly didn't want to catch up with the manga, as it would have been diabolical. It would have forced the studio to put the anime on hiatus, or they might have released an immensely high number of fillers.

Either way, it would have been horrible, but The One Piece will not have such problems. Since the manga has released over 1200 chapters, Wit Studio can adapt multiple chapters in a single episode without having to fear that the source material might run out. With these two things fixed, the One Piece remake will be a lot more appealing to new anime fans, and it will provide a solid gateway to the franchise.

What Else Can Fans Expect From The One Piece

George Wada might have mentioned just two points, but there are several other ways that Wit Studio can improve the remake. For starters, the staff can increase the quality of animation. The early One Piece episodes look vastly different, even when compared to the recent anime arcs. The change in style and animation earned a lot of praise from the fans. So, Wit Studio will want to look at the blueprint and make sure that it puts extra stress on the animation quality of the remake.

Another thing that Wit Studio might want to work on is the soundtracks. The original One Piece anime has many iconic soundtracks, which have been part of the series since the beginning. For instance, whenever The Very, Very, Very Strongest!!! begins to play, fans know that something big is going to happen. The staff at Wit Studio needs to come up with something similar that will improve the viewing experience for the audience.

Finally, the studio should not be afraid to experiment with the style. The original anime has its own distinct style, and if Wit Studio tries to emulate it too closely, it might come under heavy scrutiny. So, the staff should try to use its own distinct style that will set it apart from the original anime.

Possible Release Date

At the moment, Wit Studio has not disclosed any news related to the remake's release, but there is a good chance an announcement might be made during the One Piece Day, which is going to take place on August 10 and 11, 2024. If there is no update on the release of The One Piece, it is possible that Wit Studio is busy with other projects, so it might be a bit too early to start working on it. Currently, the studio is working on Suicide Squad Isekai and My Deer Friend Nokotan.

So, it is quite clear that the staff is occupied with work, and pushing more projects on them is not a good idea. However, once they do start to focus on the remake, fans can rest assured that the quality will be sublime. Wit Studio's catalog speaks for itself. It has worked on Spy x Family, Ranking of Kings, Vinland Saga (season 1), The Ancient Magus' Bride, Attack on Titan, and Seraph of the End. With an impressive record, The One Piece anime is in safe hands.

One Piece (1999)

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Fantasy

One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga's popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.

Release Date

October 20, 1999

Studio

Toei Animation

Creator

Eiichiro Oda

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Netflix , Hulu

See at Hulu