One Piece Takes Málaga: Godoy and Skylar Talk About the Challenge of the Adaptation

San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026 experienced one of its most anticipated moments this Thursday. Iñaki Godoy, Taz Skylar, Peter Gadiot and Lukas Ettlin took the stage at Hall M to talk about One Piece, the live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's manga that Netflix premiered in 2023. The panel, titled One Piece: Beyond the Grand Line, reviewed the challenges of bringing such a vast universe to live action and served to gauge the affection of the Spanish audience toward Luffy's crew.

From early on, the halls of FYCMA filled with straw hats, red shirts, and cosplayers dressed as Luffy, Sanji, or Shanks. Lines for the panel stretched out under the sun, with umbrellas and water bottles as allies against the heat. Hall M was too small for an audience that never stopped applauding every appearance on stage.

The Balance Between Manga and Live Action

One of the central topics of the gathering was the eternal question that haunts any adaptation: how to stay faithful to the source material without giving up a language of its own. Godoy, who plays Monkey D. Luffy, explained that the hardest part has been finding the balance point between a story born decades ago and the needs of a current production.

The Mexican actor stressed the importance of honoring Oda's work, but also of making decisions that work in live action. It's not about copying page by page, but about finding a tone that maintains the elements that have made the manga unique. It's a debate fans know well: every change sparks conversation, and the series has managed to navigate that terrain without losing the audience's support.

Godoy also confessed that his way of understanding the captain of the Straw Hats has changed over time. Approaching the manga and the anime has allowed him to discover nuances that previously escaped him and that now help him build the character. As he told it, playing Luffy has reminded him of the importance of believing in dreams and enjoying the journey, even when not all goals are achieved.

A Community That Goes Beyond the Costume

Lukas Ettlin, director and producer of the series, focused on the evolution from the essence of the comic to the live-action version. Peter Gadiot, who plays Shanks, shared impressions about his preparation process. The presence of the four on stage made it clear that the adaptation does not intend to replicate the manga panel by panel, but to build its own path without betraying what is essential.

The atmosphere of the convention reminded everyone that One Piece is much more than a series or a comic. Alongside the most elaborate cosplayers were attendees with basic t-shirts and themed caps, a sign that the phenomenon brings together very different generations. The second edition of the Málaga Comic-Con has confirmed that the Andalusian city has established itself as a relevant event for pop culture in Europe.

The day also included a wide program dedicated to comics, anime, video games, and film, with live drawing sessions and meet-and-greets with national and international artists. Even so, it was the stars of One Piece who captured the spotlight and the audience's affection. Photo and autograph sessions with the actors filled with fans who waited hours for a moment with them.

The convention continues through the weekend at the Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Center. Interest in the Netflix series remains intact, and the adaptation has brought new viewers to the universe created by Oda. For attendees, seeing part of the cast in person and hearing how they work to bring the manga to the screen will remain one of the most memorable moments of this edition.