Netflix’s live-action One Piece Season 1 almost took a very different route with Usopp’s introduction. Former showrunner Steve Maeda has revealed that the production team considered replacing the Syrup Village storyline with an original sequence involving Gaimon’s Island after Netflix executives demanded significant budget cuts.
During an appearance on Trash Taste Podcast #330, released on October 16, 2026, Maeda discussed the difficult production decisions behind the first season. The initial scripts covered 10 episodes, but a new executive wanted the budget reduced by half and the season shortened to eight episodes.
The writing team consequently had to reconsider several major storylines to make the adaptation less expensive. One of the biggest changes involved Usopp, whose introduction would have been completely different from Eiichiro Oda’s original manga.
According to Maeda, the proposed version would have seen the Straw Hats become shipwrecked on an island rather than travel to Usopp’s hometown. The location would have introduced Gaimon, the pirate trapped inside a treasure chest who lives among unusual animals.
Why Eiichiro Oda Rejected the Alternative Usopp Storyline
Replacing Syrup Village would have removed several important characters and events from the live-action adaptation. The original storyline introduces Usopp, Kaya, Captain Kuro, and the Black Cat Pirates. It also establishes how the Straw Hats acquire the Going Merry, their first proper ship.
The proposed Gaimon storyline would have offered a different adventure, but it would have significantly altered Usopp’s introduction and the emotional foundation of his relationship with the crew.
Maeda explained that the revised scripts were moving increasingly far away from the source material. When Oda eventually reviewed the changes, he reportedly made his dissatisfaction clear to Netflix, telling the company,
“This is not what I signed up to do.”
The creator’s objection prompted Netflix to reconsider its approach. Maeda credited the streaming platform for returning to the production team with a commitment to provide the budget needed to make a version closer to the original manga.
Netflix Restored the Budget, but Season 1 Still Had Eight Episodes
Maeda revealed that Netflix eventually doubled the reduced budget after Oda intervened. This allowed the production to restore important elements that had been threatened by the financial restrictions, including the original direction for Usopp’s introduction.
However, the released first season still consisted of eight episodes rather than the initially planned 10. The writing team reportedly spent two years working on those eight episodes, revising the scripts multiple times during development.
These revelations offer another look at Oda’s involvement in Netflix’s adaptation. The creator’s feedback helped preserve important parts of the East Blue Saga, while the production team’s willingness to reconsider its plans allowed the series to retain more of the original story.
Netflix’s live-action One Piece continues to adapt the manga with Oda involved in the creative process. The behind-the-scenes account also highlights how decisions about budgets and episode counts can significantly affect the way a long-running manga is translated into television.
| Started | October 22, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Author | Eiichiro Oda |
