The president of Wit Studio talks about the highly anticipated ‘One Piece’ remake: “we are competing with global giants like Hollywood and Disney”
The most anticipated remake in the anime industry is still in development.
‘One Piece’ is currently experiencing one of the most significant moments in its entire history. Eiichiro Oda’s series is enjoying a surge in popularity unlike anything seen in its nearly three decades of existence, driven largely by the success of the Netflix live-action adaptation. However, both the anime and the manga continue to pose a barrier to entry for new viewers due to their sheer length.
It was in late 2023 that the One Piece remake by Wit Studio—one of the industry’s most prestigious animation studios, known for its work on series such as’ Attack on Titan’ and ‘Vinland Saga’—was officially announced. The goal is clear: to update the series with top-notch animation while making it more accessible to a new audience without losing sight of longtime fans. George Wada, president of Wit Studio, recently spoke about this ambitious project in an interview with the YouTube channel ‘The Ai Show.’
A remake that knows exactly what it wants to show
Wada spoke about one of the goals in making the remake: to avoid the impression that it is aimed at a child audience: “When it originally aired, the series was scheduled on Sunday mornings at 8 AM, which is considered a time slot for children. At WIT Studio, we are proud to produce impactful works such as ‘Attack on Titan,’ ‘Spy x Family,’ and ‘Vinland Saga.’ These are very distinctive creations. We want to approach ‘One Piece’ with that same strength and level of quality, while fully respecting Toei and their remarkable work..”
Speaking about ‘One Piece’ and the biggest challenge in making the remake, Wade notes that it “lies in the immense size of its fanbase and in surpassing their expectations. Over the years, fans have built their own vision of the story, and we want to create something that goes beyond that imagination.”
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In addition, Wada highlighted one of the key factors in reimagining ‘One Piece’: “The most important thing is to understand what the original author, Eiichiro Oda, wants, and to find the best way to present what he wishes to show or express. By working closely with him, we will achieve the final result. This work is very close to Oda’s heart, and he knows it better than anyone; his vision will guide us. With Netflix, we now realize that our works are watched all over the world. We are no longer competing only in the Japanese market; we are competing with global giants like Hollywood and Disney.”
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