Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece has arrived – and, surprisingly, it is truly good.
After the world’s greatest streaming service’s tackle Cowboy Bebop was critically panned in late 2021, we did not anticipate a lot from Netflix’s adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga collection. One Piece was beforehand become the most effective anime exhibits of all-time, however the jury was out on whether or not its live-action model may succeed.
Well, followers and critics alike consider Netflix’s One Piece has carried out simply that. With 83% vital and 95% viewers scores on Rotten Tomatoes, the pirate-based TV present’s first season has greater than earned its share of buried treasure.
That stated, there are pirate-centric TV collection that we predict are higher than One Piece. Below, we have picked out 5 – there weren’t many, belief us – good swashbuckling adventures out there on Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, and different large streaming platforms. So, get able to set sail for quite a few seafaring spectacles on the excessive seas.
One Piece anime
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Where to stream it: Netflix (US and Australia), Crunchyroll (UK)
Okay, a few of you would possibly assume we’re dishonest right here. However, there are few pirate TV exhibits higher than the One Piece anime collection, which started airing all the way in which again in 1999.
Since then, the Toei-led animated tackle Oda’s beloved manga has racked up an almighty 1,073 episodes throughout 20 seasons, in addition to 15 feature-length movies. Its longevity speaks to how properly this adaptation has been developed, too. One Piece‘s anime collection not solely completely captures what makes Oda’s long-running manga so iconic, however brilliantly builds on its wealthy world, characters, themes, motion, humor, and drama. It’s only a delight to see Luffy and firm delivered to life in animated vogue and also you merely cannot beat the unique.
Our Flag Means Death
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Where to stream it: Max (US), Sky/BBC iPlayer (UK), Binge (Australia)
Arguably the second-best pirate-focused collection of all-time, this subversively intelligent and humorous present dominated the streaming excessive seas upon launch in early 2022.
And with good motive. Our Flag Means Death , which is loosely based mostly on Stede Bonnet’s pirate profession, is each an exquisite homage to buccaneering sea-based TV exhibits of previous and a modernist tackle the pirate story components. It strikes a satisfying equilibrium between novel storytelling, historic occasions, comedy, motion, and coronary heart. Most stunning of all, although, is the Taiki Waititi-developed collection’ sudden voyage into same-sex romance-charged waters, which makes Our Flag Means Death thematically distinct from what’s come earlier than.
One of the perfect Max exhibits that is price its weight in gold. And, with its second season set to lift its anchor on October 5, now’s the right time to embark on the most effective nautical adventures in current reminiscence.
Firefly
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Where to stream it: Hulu (US), Disney Plus (UK and Australia)
We wager you did not anticipate to see this Nathan Fillion-fronted TV present on this listing. But hey, who stated we weren’t allowed to incorporate a collection centered on area pirates?
An area western drama collection that deserved greater than a single outing, Firefly is a must-watch present for TV followers all over the place. Set aboard the Serenity area vessel within the yr 2517, its detailed fantasy-fuelled universe, compelling characters and dynamics, deadpan and offbeat humor, and suspense-filled motion mix collectively to ship a totally entertaining sci-fi collection.
There’s a motive Firefly has earned a spot on our greatest Disney Plus exhibits listing, and it is not as a result of we’re feeling beneficiant. It genuinely is a terrific TV present that deserved greater than a solitary film sequel earlier than, comics and books apart, its live-action franchise was consigned to historical past.
Black Sails
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Where to stream it: Starz (US), Prime Video (UK), Stan (Australia)
It may appear odd to incorporate a present about pirates from Starz, because the cable TV community owned by Lionsgate is not as standard as rivals such Netflix, however it might be a disgrace to overlook out on Black Sails. The interval journey collection, which acts as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island, tells the story of Captain Flint, who was revered as one of the feared and good of the so-called golden age pirates.
A present that ran for 4 seasons between 2014 and 2017, Black Sails wasn’t probably the most interesting from a personality growth perspective. But it greater than makes up for that undercooked facet with its visuals, bold storytelling, and no-holds-barred (and considerably over-the-top) motion.
The final of these should not come as a shock when you think about Michael Bay is certainly one of its govt producers. With 81% and 83% critics and viewers rankings on Rotten Tomatoes, too, Black Sails hits the spot.
The Lost Pirate Kingdom
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Where to stream it: Netflix
The closing entry on this listing is a docuseries, slightly than a standard fiction-based providing, however it’s nonetheless an enthralling watch.
The Last Pirate Kingdom charts the rise and fall of the eponymous 18th century pirate republic, which was based mostly within the Bahamas and noticed the likes of Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Calico Jack, and Anne Bonny cross by way of its ports and delivery lanes. It begins in 1715, shortly after the War of the Spanish Succession, earlier than travelling by way of the following three years earlier than – spoilers – the British armada put a cease to the Nassau-based Republic of Pirates as soon as and for all.
It solely includes six episodes, which run for 40 minutes apiece, however this historic drama is among the many greatest Netflix documentaries round. Don’t take our phrase for it, thoughts you – its good 100% licensed recent vital ranking on Rotten Tomatoes serves as proof of how good it’s. Well, so long as you disregard its harsher viewers rating, anyway.
