Some Disappointing News About ‘One Piece’ Going Forward On Netflix

Forbes - Mar 22nd, 2025

Netflix has announced that the filming for One Piece Season 2 has concluded, set to release in 2025. However, the series will lose a vital member of its creative team, as co-showrunner Matt Owens has decided to step down after dedicating over six years to the project. Owens cited the need to focus on his mental health as the reason for his departure, expressing gratitude to the show's creator, Eiichiro Oda, and the production teams involved. Owens, who has been instrumental in the success of the live-action adaptation, plans to take a break before possibly returning to the industry.

His departure follows the exit of his former co-showrunner Steven Maeda, who transitioned to an executive producer role after the first season. Joe Tracz, who joined as co-showrunner for Season 2, is expected to take over as the sole showrunner for the anticipated third season, although Netflix has yet to confirm its continuation. Owens' decision highlights the often-overlooked demands of showrunning, especially for a high-profile series like One Piece. The news underscores the importance of mental well-being in the entertainment industry, with Netflix publicly supporting his decision.

Netflix One Piece Eiichiro Oda Mental Health Matt Owens Live Action Adaptation Steven Maeda Joe Tracz

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-structured and clear account of Matt Owens' departure from the One Piece live-action series, supported by statements from Owens and Netflix. It presents accurate information about the completion of Season 2 and the expected release timeline, though it includes some speculative elements regarding future production roles. The story is timely and engages fans of the series, touching on relevant themes of mental health and work-life balance. However, it could benefit from a broader range of sources and perspectives to enhance its balance and depth. Overall, the article effectively communicates key developments in the One Piece series while maintaining readability and public interest.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the completion of filming for One Piece Season 2 and the expected release timeline in 2025, which aligns with available sources. Matt Owens' departure as co-showrunner after Season 2 is also correctly detailed, with his personal statement supporting this claim. However, the article speculates on Joe Tracz becoming the sole showrunner for Season 3 without official confirmation from Netflix, which introduces a minor inaccuracy. Overall, the core facts presented are truthful and well-supported, though some speculative elements require further verification.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Matt Owens' departure, presenting his perspective and Netflix's supportive response. While it provides a positive view of Owens' contributions, it lacks a broader range of viewpoints, such as potential impacts on the show's future or reactions from other stakeholders. The narrative leans towards supporting Owens' decision, which may suggest a slight imbalance in favor of his personal journey over other aspects of the story.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it easy to follow. It effectively conveys the main points about Matt Owens' departure and Netflix's support. The tone is neutral, focusing on factual reporting with minimal editorializing. However, the inclusion of speculative elements without clear differentiation from confirmed facts slightly affects overall clarity.

Source quality

The article references statements from Matt Owens and Netflix, which are credible sources for the information provided. However, it lacks a diverse range of sources, relying heavily on Owens' perspective and a single platform (Instagram) for Netflix's response. The absence of additional authoritative sources, such as official press releases or interviews with other show personnel, limits the depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article clearly attributes statements to Matt Owens and mentions Netflix's Instagram post, providing a basic level of transparency. However, it does not disclose the methodology for obtaining this information or potential conflicts of interest. The speculative nature of some claims, such as the future showrunner role, lacks transparency regarding the basis for these assertions.