NukemDukem | One Piece Live Action Episode 8 Finale Reaction Review [First Time Viewer] Netflix @NukemDukem | Uploaded September 2023 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
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Episode 8: "Worst in the East" is credited entirely to returning talent. Josef Wladyka from episode seven is back to direct, and Matt Owens and Steven Maeda from episode one are back to write. The first and last episodes may have been the best, so Owens and Maeda may have some magic touch that's helped them bring this show to life.

Episode seven set the stage for Luffy's final battle against Arlong. The captain has delivered his speech to Nami and readied his crew for combat. As punishment for Nami's deceit, Arlong burned down the village she grew up in. Luckily, almost everyone survived. Luffy leads his crew to Arlong Park, where his foe lies in wait. Most of the episode focuses on the final battle, which is a fascinating sight. Everyone gets a chance to shine. Nami stands up to Arlong. Zoro and Sanji get to compete over how many enemies they've defeated. Usopp gets to hide like a coward and stand up for himself with a clever plan at the last minute. It's more or less perfect as an adaptation. The biggest problem is Arlong Park itself. It's just not as impressive in live-action, especially compared to some of the other set designs. The glimpse of the building before it's destroyed is cool, but it's very obvious. It's a solid action scene overall, but there were missed opportunities.

The Marines finally get their big moment in the final episode. After all the Arlong Park business, Garp, Koby, and Helmeppo finally catch up to the Straw Hats. Garp's role in the series was upgraded, making him a consistent figure following Luffy around. Koby and Helmeppo get similar upgrades. It's an attempt to give semi-equal billing to the pirates and the Marines, while the anime checked in on them much less frequently. The Marines are an interesting villainous faction, though they will never be as compelling as the pirates. Part of the argument for piracy as a lifestyle is its freedom. They're correct, as the Marines often come across as unnervingly similar. This episode does finally give Koby his payoff, and it works.

The battle against Arlong is a lot of fun, but there's more to this finale than one well-handled action scene. Luffy finally gets the Wanted poster he wanted so badly. It's a bit like the ending of Lord of the Rings, as Luffy says his goodbyes to everyone and sets off with the crew. There are a lot of sweet character moments in the conclusion. Much has been made of this show's usage of key moments. They saved two great ones for last. For all its strange uses of CGI, the show's choice to build real ships was absolute genius. When the Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger drops over the mast of a real ship for the first time near the end of the episode, it's hard not to imagine some fans shedding tears. After everything the show has thrown at fans, for good and for ill, moments like this will warm hearts. Yes, it's cheesy and pandering. It's anime. They live off of silly, genuine, heartfelt emotions, and this moment deserves its flowers.

There's one more controversial moment after the action. One Piece ends on a sequel tease. There's been no announcement about the future of this series, but it's safe to assume they'd like to try for a second season. It would've been a stronger experience as a contained single series. The show doesn't end on a cliffhanger. Netflix has learned from that mistake. It does tease events that may never make it to live-action. Is it good enough to warrant a second season? Probably. Will it sustain interest for future iterations? Hard to say.

One Piece is a harmless, fun, worthwhile adaptation of an anime series. It struggles to make the most of its medium, but it's as good as anyone could've imagined it to be. Put it on the tiny list of good anime adaptations. Many will be thrilled just to see it escape the miles-long list of bad ones. There are great moments and dumb decisions strewn throughout every episode of Netflix's One Piece, but it avoids the biggest pitfall of most examples of the genre. Whatever this is, it's not a lame IP-based cash grab. There is love for this series dripping off every costume, set, line, and action scene.