‘One Piece’ Co-Showrunner Matt Owens Departs Netflix Series to Prioritize Mental Health: What This Means for Fans

Matt Owens, the creative mind behind Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, has announced his departure from the series following the completion of Season 2. In an Instagram post, he shared that his journey with One Piece has been transformative yet challenging. He mentioned the need to step back and focus on his mental health.

Owens has been integral to the show since its inception, acting as executive producer and co-showrunner for both seasons. His vision has played a key role in adapting Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga for the screen.

While Owens will not be part of the post-production for Season 2, Joe Tracz, who joined him as co-showrunner in the second season, will continue on. Despite Owens’ exit, it’s anticipated that the show’s chance for a third season remains strong.

Owens’ decision to leave is deeply personal. He recently reflected on how One Piece helped him through tough times when he was in his twenties and struggling with depression. “I found it at a really dark point in my life,” he said. The series inspired him to get involved with the live-action project after he learned it was in development.

The production of One Piece has involved long shoots in South Africa and a significant amount of visual effects work. The first season was well-received, ranking in the top 10 on Netflix for eight weeks and achieving a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 10,000 ratings.

In his exit post, Owens mentioned he plans to take a break to recharge and even tackle some gaming. He did not indicate whether he would return to One Piece in the future.

Despite his departure, Owens had shared a vision for a six-year plan for the series, emphasizing the ample source material available to explore. “I want to go as long as we can,” he stated, showcasing his dedication to the project.

One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy as he gathers a crew to search for the legendary treasure that will make him the King of the Pirates. The cast includes Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.

The show is produced in collaboration with Shueisha and Tomorrow Studios. As One Piece continues to capture audiences worldwide, it sparks discussions on social media about its representation and adaptation—especially among fans of the original manga. This connection fosters a community that shares love for the characters and the story, bridging the gap between different media.

For more insights into the impact of One Piece on mental health and culture, a study by the American Psychological Association discusses the positive effects of storytelling on well-being.

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