Matt Owens Steps Down from Netflix’s ‘One Piece’
In a significant development for Netflix’s live adaptation of the beloved manga and anime series “One Piece,” executive producer and co-showrunner Matt Owens has announced his departure from the project. The news came via an Instagram post on March 21, where Owens cited the need to focus on personal issues and mental health.
A Transformative Journey
Reflecting on his six-year tenure with “One Piece,” Owens expressed gratitude for the opportunity. He wrote, “The 6 years working on the live action ‘One Piece’ has been a life changing journey. A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. So I’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break and focus on myself and my mental health.”
Project Timeline and Changes
The journey for the “One Piece” live-action series began in 2017, with Netflix acquiring the rights in 2020. Steven Maeda joined as showrunner in 2021, and Owens held the position of head writer and executive producer before being named co-showrunner in 2022, coinciding with the casting announcements. The series premiered its first season in August 2023.
However, production for Season 2 was notably delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, completing filming in December 2024. Joe Tracz has joined Owens as co-showrunner for this second season following Maeda’s departure after Season 1. While the Writers Guild of America lists “One Piece” as in production for Season 3, Owens’ exit raises questions about the future direction of the series.
Prioritizing Well-Being
In his farewell, Owens thanked the many individuals who contributed to making the show, stating, “For now I’m gonna take a breath, do some therapy, try and rank up in ‘Marvel Rivals,’ and come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.”
Challenges of Adaptation
Following the release of Season 1, Maeda spoke to IndieWire about the complexities of adapting such a cherished manga. He emphasized the show’s goal of striking a balance between faithfully representing the source material and capturing the emotional core that fans love. “They don’t want their favorite manga to not be representative of the emotions they felt the first time they read it,” Maeda noted.
About ‘One Piece’
Centering on protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to find the legendary One Piece treasure that will crown him King of the Pirates, the series features a dynamic cast, including Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The first season saw remarkable success, spending eight weeks within Netflix’s Global Top 10 and debuting at number one in 46 countries.
