Eiichiro Oda on One Piece: ‘It’s Just a Waste of Time’

The creator of the globally popular One Piece manga, Eiichirō Oda, offered a surprisingly self-deprecating assessment of his life’s operate during a recent interview on the official Netflix podcast, hosted by Iñaki Godoy, who portrays Monkey D. Luffy in the live-action adaptation.

Oda discussed his impressions of filming in Cape Town, his favorite moments from the second season of the Netflix series, and his perspective on the manga itself. While acknowledging the intricate details and relationships within his universe – “The casual conversations on the ship, the Straw Hats crew, the relationships with the people they meet on the different islands and all the little details. I put a lot of effort into small details” – he playfully described manga as “nothing special,” and a “waste of time.”

“I also say I want to be the king of wasting time. That’s why people should watch it,” Oda stated, suggesting a loving irony behind his assessment.

The live-action adaptation has seemingly given Oda a fresh perspective on his characters. Initially, he was protective of his creations, hesitant to allow deviations from the manga’s established characterizations. However, after viewing scenes featuring Iñaki Godoy’s portrayal of Luffy, he recognized the value of the new interpretation.

“But when I saw scenes from the live-action adaptation, I thought, ‘Oh, that works well with Iñaki’s version of Luffy.’ After completing the second season, we now both realize what your Luffy can say or do,” Oda explained. This realization eased his approach to the series, allowing for a more collaborative and open creative process.

The second season of the One Piece live-action series has been well-received, further solidifying the franchise’s global appeal. Netflix continues to expand its One Piece content, including the live-action adaptation, over 790 anime episodes, and upcoming HD remastered episodes of the East Blue Saga, set to release in November 2025, December 2025, and January 2026.