The announcement of a ONE PIECE remake by Netflix and WIT STUDIO has sparked a debate among fans: Should the current voice actors be replaced for this new, long-term project? The Japanese portal Myjitsu has delved into this discussion.
Fanbase Divided Over Voice Actor Decision
Revealed at JUMP FESTA 2024, the “ONE PIECE” story is set to be re-animated from the start. The question stirring the fan community is whether the voice actors from the ongoing adaptation will reprise their roles. The original adaptation, produced by Toei Animation, has been animating numerous Shonen Jump works for nearly twenty-five years.
Titled “THE ONE PIECE,” the new project aims to re-animate the original story from scratch. WIT STUDIO, known for “SPY x FAMILY” and “Attack on Titan,” is at the helm. While Toei Animation’s version has a storied history, many original sections were added to allow the manga to progress, so fan opinions are split on this aspect. WIT STUDIO’s re-animation seeks to omit these segments and focus on pure quality.
Voices of the Past Versus a Fresh Start
The debate hinges on whether to retain the voice actors or introduce new ones. Opinions range from a strong desire to keep the Straw Hat Pirates’ voices unchanged to acceptance of new voice actors. The current ONE PIECE voice cast has remained the same for a long time, but the average age of the cast has been steadily increasing.
An industry expert commented on the matter, noting that voices change as actors age, sometimes no longer fitting the character’s image. Recent voice actor changes in long-running anime have brought this issue to the forefront.
Trailer Hints at Continuity
In the trailer released on the day of the announcement, Luffy’s line “First of all, let’s gather companions, I want ten people” is believed to be voiced by Mayumi Tanaka. The “re-animated version” will be a Netflix project, similar to the live-action “ONE PIECE,” but the Japanese dubbing uses the original voice actors from the Toei Animation franchise. This suggests that Netflix may intend to continue with the same voices.
Remake’s Potential for New Audiences
If the remake is meant for an audience unfamiliar with ONE PIECE, it could open doors for new voices to join the project, which is intended to be long-term. The production team’s thoughts on this remain to be seen.
The decision regarding the voice actors for “THE ONE PIECE” will significantly impact the reception of the remake. The fan community remains split yet anticipatory regarding the potential changes that could shape the future of this beloved franchise.
Discuss with friends and engage in the conversation about the evolution of ONE PIECE.
Source: Myjitsu
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