Netflix Reveals Live-Action Transponder Snails; Fans Question Whether They Are Too Realistic

Netflix’s official Twitter account (now known as X) has revealed the first look at Transponder Snails (also known as Den Den Mushi) from the “One Piece” live-action series. Fans are now questioning whether it was the right decision to make them appear so realistic.

The “One Piece” live-action adaptation, which has been in production for almost seven years, is now just a week away from officially premiering on Netflix. The release date is set for August 31.

On August 24, Netflix posted two pictures of Transponder Snails. One of the images specifically shows the character Garp with his transponder snail in front of him.

Den Den Mushi, or Transponder Snails, are a unique type of snail in the world of “One Piece,” a popular manga and anime series created by Eiichiro Oda. These snails function as communication devices, similar to telephones and other communication technologies in our world.

They come in various shapes and sizes, and their appearance often reflects their specific function. Some are used for regular voice communication, while others can transmit visual images, like video calls. There are even specialized Den Den Mushi used by the World Government and Marines for secure communication.

These snails operate by mimicking the facial expressions and voice of the speaker on one end and transmitting them to the receiver on the other end.

As seen in the images, the snails’ skin has an overly realistic texture, complete with teeth, which is not the case in the anime. Moreover, the second image shows a person feeding their snails, something never depicted in the “One Piece” world.

It’s possible that the “One Piece” live-action series will take some creative liberties, perhaps even introducing new personalities to the snails. But for now, some fans are absolutely terrified.

Of course, many fans absolutely love the design and are eagerly anticipating seeing the snails in action. One netizen wrote, “The ‘One Piece’ Netflix adaptation is a success to me because they did the transponder snails. They didn’t shy away, full well knowing every one of these will be nightmare fuel in real life, and they still did it. I love them.”

Another fan expressed excitement, writing, “I’m so eager to see how they change the physical appearance of the transponder snails to match the person calling. I always found it funny in the anime, so this will be even more cool in live-action.”

Reportedly, the creators of the “One Piece” live-action series have released the first six episodes to some critics, and early reviews of the show are quite positive. With one of the highest budgets for a Netflix series, it shouldn’t be a surprise to fans if we see characters like Chopper rendered with as much detail as these transponders. The commitment to realism and quality could set a new standard for live-action adaptations of beloved anime series.

Moreover, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the “One Piece” series, is heavily involved in the live-action adaptation. According to conversations between Oda and the Netflix team, he has been hands-on with the project, even asking for repeated revisions if something didn’t meet his expectations. This level of involvement from the original creator is something reassuring for fans, as it suggests that these snail designs are approved by Oda himself.

What do you think of these transponder snail designs? Do they look too real? Let us know your opinion in the comment section.