Prime Video Taps Former One Piece Showrunner to Helm Monstress Animated Adaptation

So, Netflix is still riding high with its One Piece adaptation, but now Amazon wants to get in on the comic book fantasy action too—and they are not exactly starting small. Here comes Monstress, headed to Prime Video as an adult animated series. And honestly, this one is way overdue for a screen adaptation.

Amazon Swings for the Fences with Monstress

Monstress might not have the instant name recognition of Batman or Spider-Man, but in the comic world, this thing is a total powerhouse. The series was created by writer Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda and has racked up a ton of awards for good reason. If you like fantasy that is as dark as it is intricate (think ancient gods, steampunk technology, and non-stop political intrigue), that's the vibe here.

Amazon MGM Studios has officially tapped Steven Maeda to develop and run the show. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he just finished showrunning One Piece for Netflix—so clearly, he has the 'make big, weird genre stuff work on streaming' resume.

What's the Story?

The plot is wild (in a good way): in a world inspired by early 20th-century Asia, there's a whole lot of tangled mythology and real danger. You follow Maika, a young woman who lost her mother in a giant war and, on top of the usual coming-of-age baggage, literally has a monster living inside her. This is much more 'giant cosmic horror' than 'with great power comes great responsibility,' and it's unapologetically for adults. Not just because of violence and gore—there are heavy emotional themes and political layers that most superhero stories wouldn't touch.

Official series description: 'A young woman with a literal monster living inside her, set in an Asian-inspired fantasy universe.'

Not Just a Fantasy

What makes Monstress unique (and probably trickier to adapt) is the blend of high fantasy, horror, and some very dense world-building. Expect sharp visuals, weird creatures, and a storyline that does not spoon-feed. It's got just as much heart as it has claws, honestly.

• Creators: Marjorie Liu (writer) and Sana Takeda (illustrator)
• Showrunner: Steven Maeda (One Piece on Netflix)
• Where: Amazon Prime Video
• Target Audience: Adults—think grown-up anime fans and fantasy readers more than Saturday morning cartoon crowd
• Status: Currently in development—no casting or release window yet

One More Thing: More Cop Drama from Amazon

While we're talking about streaming news, here's a totally different flavor: Amazon also has a new series called On Call in the works. It's a police drama set in Long Beach, zeroing in on a veteran training officer and her rookie partner navigating fallout after an officer's death. Lots of department politics, personal stories, and what you'd expect from the 'modern policing' genre—so a very different audience than Monstress, but hey, variety.

Bottom line: Amazon is making some ambitious, interesting choices right now. Whether Monstress becomes the next must-watch or just another streaming footnote, at least they're swinging for something bold.