Anime remake rights guide: reboots, re-adaptations, and live-action versions
Remakes are not do-overs. They are separate rights that must be negotiated alongside, or instead of, the original anime license.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Anime remake rights are the rights to produce a new animated or live-action version of a property that already has an anime adaptation. In December 2023, Netflix announced The One Piece, a new anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's manga produced by WIT Studio, separate from the existing Toei Animation series that has run since 1999. The project involves Netflix, Oda, publisher Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation. Netflix also renewed its live-action One Piece series for a second season after its summer 2023 debut. Toei has also granted Netflix reproduction rights to older properties, such as the 1975 film The Bullet Train, which became the Netflix film Bullet Train Explosion.
What anime remake rights include
Remake rights cover new versions of a previously adapted property. They can take two forms: a new anime adaptation that retells the same source material, or a live-action adaptation that translates the story into actors and physical sets. Both require separate negotiations from the original anime license.
The rights holder must decide whether to allow a remake at all. Some licensors refuse remakes to protect the original version's value. Others welcome them because a high-profile remake can revive merchandise, publishing, and streaming revenue for the entire franchise.
The One Piece remake case
Netflix's The One Piece is the clearest recent example of anime remake rights in action. Announced in December 2023, the project is a new anime adaptation starting from the East Blue saga. It is produced by WIT Studio and is explicitly separate from the Toei Animation series that began in 1999.
The remake deal involves Netflix, creator Eiichiro Oda, publisher Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation. That lineup shows how remake rights require coordination among the manga publisher, the original anime studio, the broadcaster, and the new platform. No single party can authorize the remake alone.
Recent remake and adaptation projects involving Netflix and Toei Animation.| Project | Type | Studio / partner | Original |
|---|
| The One Piece | New anime remake | WIT Studio | Toei Animation series since 1999 |
| Netflix live-action One Piece | Live-action adaptation | Tomorrow Studios + Netflix | Manga by Eiichiro Oda |
| Bullet Train Explosion | Live-action remake of film | Netflix | Toei's 1975 film The Bullet Train |
Live-action adaptations as remake rights
Live-action rights are a subset of remake rights. Netflix's live-action One Piece, produced in partnership with Tomorrow Studios, Oda, and Shueisha, was renewed for a second season after its first season debuted in 2023. The live-action version and the new anime remake can coexist because they are separate licenses with separate creative teams.
Live-action deals tend to be more complex than animated remakes because they involve additional rights such as actor likenesses, location permits, and sometimes union agreements. They also carry higher production budgets and greater reputational risk, which is why licensors are selective.
Who controls remake rights
Remake rights usually rest with the manga publisher, the original production committee, or the lead producer. For One Piece, Shueisha holds the publishing rights and Toei Animation holds the original anime rights, so any remake must satisfy both. The involvement of Fuji Television Network reflects the broadcaster's stake in the original production committee.
A foreign platform such as Netflix cannot simply announce a remake because it streams the original series. It must negotiate the remake right separately, often as part of a broader strategic relationship with the Japanese rights holders.
Costs are not disclosed: Remake rights fees are confidential. Public announcements confirm the project and the partners, not the price. This guide therefore describes structures and verified deals rather than inventing numbers.
Why remake rights are negotiated carefully
Remakes can either reinforce or dilute a franchise. A well-received remake such as The One Piece can introduce a property to new audiences and drive sales of the original manga and anime. A poorly received remake can damage the brand and make future licensing harder.
Licensers therefore impose creative controls. Oda's involvement in The One Piece and the live-action series is not ceremonial; it reflects approval rights over story, casting, and design that are built into the remake agreement.
Frequently asked questions
What are anime remake rights?
They are the rights to produce a new animated or live-action version of a property that already has an anime adaptation. They are separate from the original anime streaming or distribution rights.
Can a live-action adaptation and a new anime coexist?
Yes. Netflix has both a live-action One Piece series and a new anime remake called The One Piece, each with separate rights and production teams.
Who controls remake rights for a manga?
Control is usually shared among the manga publisher, the original anime production committee, and the lead producer. For One Piece, Shueisha, Toei Animation, and Fuji TV are all involved.
Do streaming rights include remake rights?
No. A platform that streams the original anime must negotiate remake or adaptation rights separately.
Sources and methodology
- New One Piece Anime Series Set at Netflix, Variety. Announces The One Piece remake from WIT Studio, separate from the Toei Animation series, with partners Netflix, Oda, Shueisha, Fuji TV, and Toei.
- Toei investor relations presentation, Toei. Notes Netflix reproduction rights for The Bullet Train and the worldwide streaming of Bullet Train Explosion from April 23, 2025.