One Piece Live-Action Showrunner Explains Departure After Season 2

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved manga, One Piece, has recently completed production on its second season. However, co-showrunner Matt Owens has announced that he will be stepping away from the series.

The inaugural season premiered in 2023, generating excitement for this adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s famed work. Following the first season’s release, which received an overwhelmingly positive response, the series quickly rose to become Netflix’s most-watched show in the latter part of that year.

Within just two weeks of the show’s debut, Netflix confirmed that a second season was officially in development. Now, with the latest batch of episodes complete, Owens is taking a much-needed break.

Owens Prioritizes Mental Health After Season 2

On March 21, Owens took to his personal Instagram to share insights on his departure. He expressed gratitude for the transformative experience, stating, “The last six years working on the live-action One Piece have been a life-changing journey. A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. So I’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break and focus on myself and my mental health.”

He continued with appreciation for key collaborators, stating, “Thank you so much to Oda, Shueisha, Tomorrow Studios, Netflix, and the entire cast and crew for your trust, partnership, and hard work. For now, I’m gonna take a breath, do some therapy, try and rank up in Marvel Rivals, and come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.”He concluded his heartfelt message with, “Thanks to everyone who has supported me. See you real soon!”

The official One Piece account shared Owens’s announcement, adding, “You set us on course for something truly special.”

Screenshot from One Piece Instagram page — Instagram

Owens shared co-showrunner responsibilities with Steven Maeda during the first season, with both instrumental in shaping the show’s direction. Following Maeda’s exit prior to Season 2, Joe Tracz has stepped in to assume showrunner responsibilities in Owens’s absence.

While there is currently no confirmed release date for Season 2 of One Piece, speculation suggests that fans can expect new episodes to premiere by the end of 2025.

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