IShowSpeed Set to Star in New Anime Series From ‘One Piece’ Showrunner Matt Owens

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YouTube sensation IShowSpeed is making the leap from live-streaming to the world of scripted animation. A new anime-style series featuring an animated version of the streamer (born Darren Watkins Jr.) is currently in development at Big Shot Pictures, the new production house founded by former Paramount co-CEO Brian Robbins.

The project boasts significant creative weight, with Matt Owens—best known as the co-showrunner for the first two seasons of Netflix’s live-action One Piece—attached to write and produce the series.

A “Dream Come True” for the Streamer

IShowSpeed has never been shy about his obsession with anime, frequently referencing One Piece and other iconic series during his high-energy broadcasts. In a statement to Variety, Watkins described the venture as a career milestone.

“I’ve always loved anime, so being able to create something like this is a dream come true for me,” Watkins said. “The team behind this project is incredibly talented, and I can’t wait for my fans around the world to see what we’re building together.”

The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Scenes

The series serves as a major flagship project for Brian Robbins’ Big Shot Pictures. Robbins, who has a long history of bridging the gap between digital creators and traditional media (having founded AwesomenessTV), praised Watkins as a “one-of-a-kind creative force.”

Joining Owens and Robbins in the producer chairs is filmmaker Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers, The Beach Bum), adding a layer of avant-garde pedigree to the production. Owens’ involvement is particularly notable; after leading the successful One Piece adaptation for two seasons, he stepped away last year to take a break, making this his first major narrative project since that departure.

What to Expect

While specific plot details remain under wraps, the series is confirmed to feature an animated counterpart of IShowSpeed. Given the streamer’s reputation for chaotic, unpredictable, and highly physical comedy, the anime format provides a natural canvas for his larger-than-life persona.

The project does not yet have a confirmed release date or a streaming home, though its high-profile attachment to Matt Owens and Brian Robbins is expected to spark significant interest from major platforms.

For a creator who rose to fame through gaming and viral “IRL” streams, this shift into a scripted narrative marks a significant evolution in IShowSpeed’s global brand. As Robbins noted, the goal is to bring the streamer’s “voice and vision to life in a completely new way.”