DRONE SHOW: Santa Monica Pier Transformed as Fans Gather to Commemorate Netflix's 'One Piece' Debut

Santa Monica, August 24, 2023 - The Santa Monica Pier was awash with a mesmerizing display of light and technology on Thursday night, as a fleet of 500 drones took to the night sky in celebration of the highly anticipated premiere of Netflix's live-action adaptation of the beloved Japanese manga, "One Piece."
Executed by the renowned drone performance troupe, Pixis Drones, who boast an illustrious track record spanning over three decades of global entertainment events, the aerial exhibition was the star-studded prologue to the official launch event. Held at the iconic Santa Monica Pier, attendees of this grand affair were treated to an exclusive engagement with Pacific Park, featuring an array of thrilling games, delectable cuisine, and exhilarating rides.
The festivities mark the commencement of Netflix's worldwide extravaganza - a series of 10 fan-centric gatherings - heralding the forthcoming release of their live-action rendition of "One Piece." Commencing at the Santa Monica Pier on this momentous August 24th evening, these celebrations are slated to unfold across the globe. In homage to the story's protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, aficionados are encouraged to sport the distinctive straw hats synonymous with Luffy and his intrepid crew.
Translating the cherished Japanese manga and anime into live-action, Netflix's "One Piece" production is set to debut on August 31, exclusively on the streaming platform. Charting the escapades of Monkey D. Luffy - portrayed by the talented Iñaki Godoy - the series embarks on the young pirate captain's relentless pursuit of the fabled One Piece treasure. The supporting cast includes Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.
Eiichiro Oda's masterwork, "One Piece," an entrancing Japanese manga, first serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 22, 1997, has burgeoned into a cultural phenomenon. Comprising 106 tankōbon volumes as of July 2023, the narrative chronicles the odyssey of Monkey D. Luffy, who acquires elasticity akin to rubber post-consuming a Devil Fruit. Endowed with this supernatural ability, Luffy embarks on an epic voyage in pursuit of the enigmatic One Piece, an artifact that promises dominion over the high seas as the Pirate King.
Throughout his journey, Luffy assembles a disparate crew of seafarers, christening them the Straw Hat Pirates. Comprising individuals such as Roronoa Zoro, Nami the skilled navigator, Usopp the sharpshooter, the culinary virtuoso Sanji, the ingenious cyborg shipwright Franky, and the musically inclined skeleton musician Brook, this formidable crew confronts an array of perils, from rival pirates to Machiavellian governmental forces, all vying for the coveted One Piece treasure.
Evidencing its universal appeal, "One Piece" stands as one of the world's most sought-after manga series, boasting a staggering circulation of over 490 million copies worldwide. Its resonance transcends the pages, extending to an animated series, feature films, and video games. Distinguished by an array of accolades, including the Shogakukan Manga Award and the Kodansha Manga Award, "One Piece" undeniably takes its place as an iconic and critically acclaimed cultural touchstone.
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Fabian Lewkowicz is a Santa Monica-based photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica.
Fabian's photographs have been displayed in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community.
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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography
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(C) 2023 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.

[@auzavarelio7566]

Oh my god.. .. As one piece fans since i was a kid.. This is breathtaking..

[@NegativeOpposite]

You're lucky. I got into it in 2016 when I was already 17. Still gets me emotional though.

[@auzavarelio7566]

@@NegativeOpposite i was born in '92 tho.. I remember,around years of 2002 every sunday morning me and my friends watched it together,, it means, ive been one piece's fans since 20 years ago.. # sorry for my bad english.. 😅😅

[@juliofigueroa5567]

Got into it last Summer, pretty good 👌

[@Arksphotographs]

The video doesn’t do it justice. This was so great in person!! 💯 Super cool experience. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@sofiab.p1084]

Te envidio 😢

[@Ghazan_MonkeyKingLuffy]

I'm jealous 😥😥

[@Zed-x-]

My Dude please give us a quick review of episode 1 😂

[@springwater3723]

What did you think about episode 1? Without spoilers

[@Hekai]

And the mf dog doesn't help who tf brings his dog there ffs

[@Drewski_ZA]

...Netflix.. you've made the hype.. just follow through 🙏🙏🙏

[@garenthal9638]

The reviews from people at the event were overwhelmingly positive but at the same time, probably a biased crowd

[@mart182003]

Yup that's my concern that Netflix will ruin the adaptation, but I have hope because oda is working with them.

[@humanbeing4321]

I think it’s gonna be ok some people just like to complain to complain

[@garenthal9638]

@@humanbeing4321 Oda just posted a picture and confirmed he was at the event as a fan. God I want this to be great

[@humanbeing4321]

@@garenthal9638 I have high hopes by no means is it going to rival one piece anime but I think it will be ok

[@PhiVaGoo]

Someone has the Drone Drone fruit.

[@AlejoMarL]

That shot of Shanks and Luffy with the moon behind him is so fucking cool

[@Rise_and_Fall]

I literally cry at this shot 🥹

[@wangshiyao]

The Buggy was... flashy 😂

[@Crybaby-Media]

Has Netflix EVER built up one of their productions so much? Like seriously they are going hard for One Piece. I mean it’s the greatest story of all time , so I understand . But man

[@garenthal9638]

Not many ads on tv though. Ive only seen one

[@ingenieriaindustrial3764]

well, as the only work of fiction that gives me the happiness that only my family and friends gives me everyday, One Piece is perhaps not the greatest story of all time, but is the one that means the most for us the fans and certainly hits us in ways that other franchises like star wars and harry potter doesnt hit their own fans.

[@kairi4640]

If it's successful, they would be looking at a lot of money since it's such a long series. So makes sense to put everything into it.

[@LA_HA]

​@@ingenieriaindustrial3764I tried One Piece a long time ago, but stopped after the first couple episodes because I was watching other anime and didn't have time to get into it. I saw the first episode of the live action series and I really liked it, so I'm thinking of giving it another try. But, as a fan of other franchises, I wouldn't say it hits harder for One Piece fans than Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, Halloween, MCU, DC, Dragonball/Z, Studio Ghibli, Cowboy Bebop, and other franchises do for their fans. I'm glad One Piece fans are getting their turn and that it's doing so well

[@CATraveling4]

It lived up to the hype, and more!! Luffy was just like the anime!

[@kebabloodmoon6848]

Can't believe i cried over a freaking boat. It looks amazing.

[@Evens27]

Ok... I gotta say: That was awesome! One Piece❤

[@KusogakiRenfir]

ONE PIECE GREATNESS. WE WILL BE WATCHING 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣

[@jfkastner]

Great Video - perfect with the Moon in the Background! Thank you!

[@deleshamark8405]

i was there it was awesome

[@supremedrip2271]

Lucky😢

[@darkreaper1549]

Oda was present during this event

[@williamgarcia6901]

I bet he was so damn happy and maybe in tears when his name showed, we thank you so much for creating such an awesome and adventurous anime show 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[@pabloesco2007]

5:30, the moment they put the official song of OP live Action that is awesome ! I was so amazed !! Can't wait.

[@smxwing]

Those 2 guys in front of you were me and my brother

[@royalbloodalex5263]

Are you serious how did I not know about this :(

[@emilygratz9203]

Its a full harvest moon too.

[@Vinny-H]

I should be there 😢

[@garenthal9638]

Oda just confirmed he was there

[@PunxAryia]

imagine during something like this an alien flies by than pauses to enjoy the show

[@1DerfulHazza]

DAMN they are INVESTING that money 🔥🔥🔥

[@fakepain4145]

Yep each episode has 18 millions dollars worth of budget. Bigger than game of thrones lol

[@NegativeOpposite]

@@fakepain4145 I really hope its good. Every live action has been a disappointment for me starting from the Avatar movie when I was a kid. I learn not to get my hopes up but I really hope they don't mess it up.

[@fakepain4145]

@@NegativeOpposite so far the leaks and early criticism, it's positive

[@andreagiabiconi7263]

Baggy 😂❤ I love the part

[@tatarsauce6314]

6:55 Usopp’s observation haki is so strong it transcends reality

[@LunarcomplexMain]

5:50 wtf, if I had just so much money, I'd be making these things and flying them all around omg

[@mao_miror]

😱😱That must be hundreds of drones and the programming for it WTF 👍👍👍👍👍🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@geoyeol3589]

I would have cried so hard

[@TheBrainFart2000]

Wish I could have been there ❤ thank you for the video 🎉 card wait to get home and watch it on my big screen 😊

[@madscientist14]

I didn't even know about this. Wish I coudve been there.

[@zacharyduncan3002]

I saw this on in person and didn’t even know what was going on but thought it was amazing

[@KkTuMoRzZ]

that was cool

[@marlobollstrom2910]

that was sooo dope not gonna lie

[@alexandercarlson919]

Some dude 10 miles away.... ALIENS!!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

Come aboard and bring along All your hopes and dreams Together we will find everything That we’re looking for One Piece Compass left behind It’ll only slow us down Your heart will be your guide Raise the sails and take the helm That legendary place that The end of the map reveals Is only legendary Till someone proves it real Through it all Through all the troubled times Through the heartache And the through the pain Know that I will be there To stand by you Just like I know You’ll stand by me So come aboard And bring along all your hopes And dreams Together we will find everything That we’re looking for There’s always room for you If you wanna be my friend We are We are on the cruise We Are

[@wowwow7210]

Dreaming Don't give it up, Luffy! Dreaming Don't give it up, Zoro! Dreaming Don't give it up, Nami! Dreaming Don't give it give it up give it up give it up give it up No! Here's how the story goes, we find out about a treasure in the Grand Line There's no doubt, the pirate whose eye is on it, he'll sing I'll be King of the Pirates, I'm gonna be King Ya-yo, ya-yo, ya-yo Ho-ho His name is Luffy That's Monkey D. Luffy Gonna be king of the pirates He's made of rubber! How did that happen? Yo-ho-ho, he took a bite of Gum Gum! Ya-yo, ya-yo His name's Zoro, He's just like a samurai And the l-a-d-y, Nami's not shy Usopp's doing that marksman thing And Sanji's cooking for the would-be King! Ya-yo, ya-yo, ya-yo Ho-ho Set sail for One Piece It's the name of the treasure In the Grand Line Ya-yo, ya-yo Set sail for One Piece

[@Silver5kull]

no one talking about the Straw Hats' skull and crossbones on the ferris wheel?

[@CGHawkatoo]

I won't lie; the live-action adaptation is a prime example as for how adaptations should be.

[@kk_romeow]

The Going Merry!!

[@shadowlessxpan]

OUR SAVIOR! CAPTAIN BUGGY! 7:15

[@andrewiskb24]

The screaming 😂

[@sweet-fv9fm]

Oh is so crazy❤

[@Gamesux421]

Megamind type drone usage

[@OutOfStock_YT]

i love the dog barking at it

[@melissam9636]

I hate you guys for not doing this on a Friday

[@vicebastidas77]

That was awesome

[@karzeath999]

中国のドローンショーも凄いと思ったけどアメリカのドローンショーはさらに凄かった。日本は未発展な感じで正直羨ましい。

[@GrafKrolock82]

At 00:24 one drone from the 3rd row from bottom seems to have a malfunction, tumbles down and takes another one with it. The other one rises up again at 00:51.

[@goroseitto]

perfect!

[@WarlordX7]

holy shit, i didn't know this was happening. i live 15 minutes away, i could've been there. i cant believe i missed it.

[@terriyonagram270]

Where was the advertisement for this 😢

[@Travelling_Heart15]

This is the advertisement.

[@ToastyMayhem1104]

Frr I definitely would have been there if I knew

[@googleuser144]

Haha, I was there for this

[@gamensch2629]

that's so sick

[@ImchautzuCHAUTZU]

BUGGY IN THE FLESH! BUGGY IN THE FLESH! BUGGY IN THE FLESH! BUGGY IN THE FLESH!

[@0rbital_nugget188]

If I ever got the chance to go back in time, I'm going with a swarm of a hundred drones to make them think dragons are coming

[@Marigold_Plays]

WOW so amazing,,,

[@YoritashiFr]

The ship was so cool

[@kevo9352]

I’m so pissed I missed being here by a couple of months

[@wiedapp]

899 drones... wow!

[@dudechunky]

how do we find out about these events so i can attend?

[@zandrewbucaoto1997]

Buggy firework

[@micblogs3629]

How did they do those lights? They look amazing transitioning to different position to show the characters

[@sugipulaboule]

Drones. Each light is an individual drone.

[@garenthal9638]

Drones

[@503WE]

Isso foi incrível 😮

[@user-ts7lo7hd3l]

凄いです😮

[@strechemall]

After so many disappointments Ive grown to HATE live adaptations but dammit im gunna have to watch this for the sake of OP,

[@hillbillyartscrafts4367]

Was that a new one piece song I heard?

[@P3R_]

Yes, "My Sails Are Set" sung by Aurora (Nami's song)

[@FirmaOlindaPe]

Brazil LOVE One Piece 🇧🇷🩷

[@xxtortellini1016]

What is that in the right side blinking green at 7:40?

[@markgliceri7000]

ONE PIECE THE ONE PIECE IS REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[@Ameer-qb9sy]

Bro got 10m bounty in real life and summoned a sea beast and good job like you are really good nice

[@GalekC]

I could've easily gone to this lol

[@flatstheflounder338]

Not being able to fully read the title, plus that thumbnail made me think the va passed away 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@anderfrias1311]

I have nightmares with Santa Monica because of Dead Island 2 😂

[@user-lg1wl3uj9z]

What is that place called I wanna go there

[@sakuraotakucosplay9822]

OMG I love it sooooo much 😀😀😀😀😆😆😆😆💕💕💕💕❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@siddhantchakraborty3067]

The one piece is real❤

[@kairi4640]

Drone shows are pretty magical looking in their own way despite being slow and noisy. I get the feeling it's going to be short lived and complex holograms will replace it in a few years. Just a feeling. If I'm right though, this will make it a even more unique experience.

[@LA_HA]

kairi: Maybe. The Orb in Las Vegas is pretty impressive and that can be something that's developed for shows like this. Still, if drone technology continues to get better, there's a very good chance that the noise level will decrease and maybe even disappear. So, I wouldn't count drones out just yet

[@100DRAGINMATIONS]

what is the name of that song? I love it so much.

[@lisamarieschnee]

My sails are set - aurora

[@joeltect3731]

part of the official one piece live action soundtrack

[@garenthal9638]

@@joeltect3731I’m guessing it’s the end credits song because it has anime ending written ALL over it

[@Flufferz626]

​@@garenthal9638if you read the lyrics it is definitely related to Nami.

[@garenthal9638]

@@Flufferz626 kinda adds to my idea it’s the credits song unless it plays at the very end of the season as a whole. To non fans it being a nami anthem is kind of spoilery lol

[@tatinesaenzk]

😮

[@mangasama2008]

7:28 - 7:43 is UFO or just another drone?

[@nakamaonepiece6536]

Ark maxim

[@d0nneur2b0nheur]

is that the GTA5 beach?

[@loumcboy]

Yeah lol

[@JonesJoeson]

Rainbow road in mario kart 64 be like

[@TycoonTitian01]

as one would say, the one piece is real

[@spacelion88]

project one piece beam

[@tykobrayderintergalacticmo1856]

Project blue beam 😂

[@cerindraco8407]

some megamind shit right there

[@FurryEskimo]

Once again, huge thanks to the scientists who spent Years figuring out how to make drones fly like this!

[@sarov7658]

Netflix can you make NASA plant one piece flag in moon that's the only thing remaining 🤣

[@karimgamer7747]

If this is a future ad on the sky, like coca-cola and foods. I'm gonna becoming a terrorist😅 Even in these time we can't see much of the stars in my town, because of the lights polution, let alone if ad like this becoming a new trend.This was fine just for the show and looks amazing

[@toqa6735]

;)❤ 8:14

[@yagohansbelmonte1691]

c...............que show de marketing

[@NotAMoron42]

No, no, no! Why didn’t they advertise this or anything?!?

[@kiyaleelevyrunaya9495]

Lucky ducks. Why can't Europe ever get the good stuff? And when we do, why is always so far away? T__T (Not a lot of people though...)

[@inu506]

France will show 2 episodes at Grand Rex AND they have a super cool treasure hunt to get tickets (among other ways) etc. so Europe does get some of the fun! Of course, they have to do these events where it's guaranteed a lot of people will enjoy and appreciate it. Germans for example are so negative and nitpicky, I can understand why they chose to go for a virtual event ^^'

[@Ryroe]

​​@@inu506As a German, I agree. It might be better that it's only a virtual event here. Wish more One Piece fans would be as enthusiastic as in France. There is a reason why I cannot watch the weird German One Piece youtubers.

[@strechemall]

Look at this way, the feels you are feeling now is what us American OP fans in the late 2000s were feeling when OP started really gaining popularity and Japan was dropping all types of OP merch and theme park rides, live OP sponsored advertisements and shit.

[@danieleoliveira6734]

The homework in the students classrom not correct,

[@poppintito]

What happened to the original soundtrack tho

[@How.LovelyTV]

03:30 Luffy got Corona

[@MCI-ReactGaming]

Supposed to be crying 😂

[@How.LovelyTV]

@@MCI-ReactGaming Oh yeah, I thought he is sneezing

[@fakepain4145]

XD

[@sarahwatson4760]

Even as a die hard fan . I'm not giving Netflix one cent . + already butchered it by changing personality of key characters

[@amazonkavad7117]

Roblox

[@fisherofmentn]

Now I know why they was doing all the clean up!! Shame!!

[@ibnubasayev2591]

Fans naruto cuma bisa manyun di pojokan, udah kaya cucian kotor 😝😝😝

[@sdqsdq6274]

man the turnout is poor

[@domoetker3967]

I wish Disney would produce One Piece Live Action because then we would have an Afro American Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Sanji. We have to move with the times. Arielle, Snow White, Rings of Power was also rewritten and performed by African Americans. If One Piece is also played by black people, a lot more black people would watch it too. That would be cool. I'm really disappointed and angry. 😒😒👨🏿‍🦱👨🏿‍🦱🤷🏿‍♂🤷🏿‍♂👎🏿👎🏿

[@kylelevinson7506]

I’m scared you’re not trolling

[@domoetker3967]

Disney Disney would like to take over One Piece from Netflix for the second season! With other actors. Luffy is said to be played by Jaden Smith. Big Mum by Tarane Burke. Nami also turns black because skin color doesn't matter. The goal is to show people that Luffy, Superman, Santa Claus can also be Afro. It's great! Just like they showed black elves with 2000 short hair machine haircuts. The lore doesn't matter! BLM matters! Sanji is also played by an Afro, by 50 Cent and red shanks on Will Smith. Mihauwk by Chris Rock!!! How cool is that? I think Disney should adopt it! A film about Elon Musk will soon be made and Wesley Snipes will be the actor. So cool man! What a time to live!@@kylelevinson7506

[@kylelevinson7506]

@@domoetker3967 how do we feel about Dwayne Johnson in a wig as Frankie? He could work on his tan down on all that property he just claimed down in Lahaina

[@domoetker3967]

Nah! Frankie was to be played by self-proclaimed doctor Rashad Richey. Do you know Rashad? Who always reports on the evil atrocities against black people all over the world. He plays Frankie or Charlotte Perospero. Mike Tyson plays Pickachu and Tarane Burke plays chopper. How great is that? Oh yes, there is a film coming out about Bill Gates played by Jada Pinkett. How cool is that?@@kylelevinson7506

[@snakepl1skin]

I wonder if the smell of shit and piss from the homeless was in the air that night? 🤣

[@lookingglassgaming1695]

I hate Netflix so much. They ruined One Piece by turning it into a dark and gritty mess. Looks like we got ourselves another, The Office USA and Power Rangers. American remakes of Foreign movies and shows should be banned

[@kylelevinson7506]

It was really good

[@patfre]

You seam to think that just because you think it was terrible that it really was terrible. They are getting another season because it was good your just the minority clearly