Netflix¡¯s One Piece just hit a plot twist no one saw coming¡ªMatt Owens, the co-showrunner who has steered the series since day one, has officially stepped off the Going Merry. In a heartfelt social media post, Owens revealed that after six years of pouring his soul into the project, he¡¯s decided to part ways. The reason? A much-needed focus on himself and his mental health.
This shocking departure has left the One Piece fandom reeling. Owens has been the driving force behind the show, working alongside Eiichiro Oda and Netflix to ensure that the beloved manga¡¯s transition to live-action was nothing short of legendary. Now, as the series sails into its second season, one of its key captains has jumped ship, leaving many wondering what¡¯s next.
¡°The last six years of working on the live-action One Piece have been life-changing, a dream come true,¡± Owens expressed in his farewell post. He acknowledged the immense workload and emotional investment the project required, explaining that it was time for him to take a step back. The official One Piece Instagram page echoed his sentiments, calling his work ¡°something truly special.¡±
With Owens gone, the show¡¯s helm is now firmly in the hands of Joe Tracz, who co-led season two. While Tracz will oversee post-production and keep the ship sailing, Netflix has yet to announce when fans can expect the new season to drop.
Before One Piece, Owens made waves in the industry with his work on Agents of SHIELD and Luke Cage. His ability to blend action, depth, and storytelling made him a perfect fit for One Piece, and his departure raises questions about how the series will evolve without his vision.
For now, the fandom is left to speculate: Will One Piece stay the course, or will this shift in leadership alter its destiny? One thing is certain¡ªMatt Owens¡¯ legacy will forever be part of the show¡¯s journey.