The enthralling sea-faring saga of “One Piece” has docked on Netflix, creating tidal waves of buzz in the entertainment sphere. This live-action adaptation of the revered Japanese manga is the latest proof of the streaming giant’s hefty investment in bringing high-quality adaptations of popular franchises to life on the small screen. The successful adaptation has not only showcased a riveting narrative with impeccable acting but has also revealed the eye-popping salaries bagged by the cast.
Sky-High Budgets Meeting Sky-High Talents
The ambitious venture of adapting “One Piece” into a live-action series is by no means a small feat. With a massive budget reported at an astounding $18 million per episode, this series has dwarfed the production costs of other monumental series like “Game of Thrones”. It’s no surprise that with such a hefty budget, the actors portraying the iconic characters of the cherished manga were rewarded with handsome paychecks. The showbiz world got a peek into these lucrative deals through Showbizgalore, unearthing the astounding figures each actor took home per episode.
Cast Salaries that Raise Eyebrows
As the charismatic captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Iñaki Godoy, who essays the role of Monkey D. Luffy, topped the payroll by pocketing a cool $320,000 each episode. Close on his heels is Mackenyu, the fierce swordsman Roronoa Zoro, who walks away with $220,000 per episode.
Emily Rudd took on the role of the savvy navigator Nami, earning herself a plush $200,000 every episode. While Jacob Romero Gibson and Taz Skylar, who breathe life into Usopp and Sanji, respectively, bag a cushy $150,000 per episode.
Not far behind, Peter Gadiot, playing the enigmatic Shanks, earns $120,000 per episode. Following the lead, Morgan Davies and Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, portraying Koby and Alvida, respectively, also snagged attractive paychecks. Davies earns $90,000 and Paulino $75,000 per episode, while Aidan Scott, who plays Helmeppo, earns $70,000.
A Glimpse into The One Piece Phenomenon
Originating from the brilliant mind of author Eiichiro Oda, the “One Piece” manga commenced its exciting voyage in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine on July 19, 1997. Over two decades later, it has blossomed into a cherished gem in the anime and manga community, with its latest volume, volume 105, hitting the shelves on March 3, 2023.
Jamie Lee Curtis expresses interest in playing Kureha in the One Piece Live Action pic.twitter.com/sHzJGH0avc
— Artur – Library of Ohara (@newworldartur) September 22, 2023
The tale of “One Piece” whisks audiences to a parallel Earth amidst the ‘Golden Age of Pirates’, where the notorious seas are ruled by ferocious pirates. At the helm is the dreamy-eyed Monkey D. Luffy, whose boundless quest for the legendary ‘One Piece’ treasure echoes the insatiable allure of adventure that has enraptured audiences for years.
Sailing Towards Uncharted Success
This lavish adaptation by Netflix is a testament to the timeless appeal of the “One Piece” narrative. As the cast hoists the sails on-screen, their hefty paychecks are a mere reflection of the colossal investment and the immeasurable creative endeavors engaged in translating this epic saga from the manga pages to the screen.
With the continued success of “One Piece” live-action, it seems like the horizon is endless for this pirate saga, as it continues to capture the hearts of old fans and new audiences alike, proving that the treasure called ‘One Piece’ is indeed worth every doubloon spent.
