The SA-filmed Netflix series, ‘One Piece’, topped global charts—a big nod to the film industry in South Africa and Cape Town!
Global (19 September 2023) — ‘One Piece’, the SA-filmed Netflix series based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga, has had the world buzzing since production was announced in 2020. The series, showcasing the anime favourite in a live-action format, was a huge deal for Cape Town and South Africa, with several locations in the Mother City chosen as the series’ settings (only fitting, given the sea-venturing tale of pirates, kings and crews).
All the buzz and hard work that went into making the live-action adapted One Piece has certainly paid off, evident in the big news that the SA-filmed Netflix show has reached hit status after sitting proudly at number one on Netflix’s Top 10 Global Chart!
Not to mention, the SA-filmed Netflix hit reportedly remained at number one for two weeks consistently, with over 19 million views.
This chart-topper is a big nod to two non-Western creative spaces—the film industry in South Africa (especially Cape Town Film Studios) and Japanese storytelling.
And, with South Africa’s plethora of breathtaking landscapes ( alongside the reveal that almost 4000 permits were issued in 2022/23 by the City of Cape Town for filming approvals) it’s safe to guess that many more hits-in-the-making will see South Africa have a role in setting the scene.
In fact, numerous film and television global favourites used South African settings, including the Kissing Booth and Mission Impossible 8.
As for One Piece, the series has been renewed for a second season.
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