Netflix, I have something to admit. I was wrong. I will be the first to acknowledge that I am normally one of the biggest critics when it comes to live action adaptations. Typically, I find them boring, devoid of creativity, and all around just pointless. But boy, did Netflix blow my expectations out of the water for One Piece season 2.
In this article, we're going to dive into what Netflix's live-action One Piece did right and why it stands apart from other adaptations. Then, we're going to explore season 2's ending. The writers over at the studio are already prepping us for one of the most iconic, heartbreaking wars in One Piece. So, make sure you stick around to find out what we can expect for season 3. Let's set sail.
Like I said, I normally have extremely low expectations for live-action adaptations. Can you blame me? But Netflix's One Piece season 2 really impressed me. Let's start with the actors. Now, typically once a show makes it past the first season, things go one of two ways: Either things get worse or flanderized in more technical terms, or the actors really sink into their roles. Almost like between the first and second seasons, their interpretations of their respective roles really marinated.
That's what happened here. The Straw Hat crew was good in season 1, but something about season 2 seems to me like they really stepped it up a notch. The nuances of these characters' personalities that Agent Oda spent years developing is starting to shine through the actors and I applaud them for that. However, this doesn't just apply to the Straw Hats. I have to give a huge shoutout to the Baroque Works because wow did they make this season something special.
Of course, as we saw in the teasers, Miss All Sunday was absolutely stunning. They couldn't have chosen a better actress for Nico Robin. Do I even need to mention Mr. 3? Outstanding. Mr. Five, seriously, one of the coolest characters you've seen in the show so far, and I find myself thinking back to Daniel Lasker's Mr. 9. In my opinion, he had one of the best performances in the new season.
Aside from the actors, I think what really makes the live-action One Piece different from other adaptations in my mind is its commitment to maintaining the same charm, humor, vibrancy, and yes, even cringe as the original anime. Now, I can already hear the comments. I love the anime. I've read the manga. I mean, that's how I first fell in love with Oda's world.
But among the government conspiracy, civil wars, and pirate prejudices, One Piece has its quirks, and Netflix recognized that it doesn't shy away from keeping One Piece as colorful, whimsical, outlandish, and fantastical as the source material. Somehow, the studio managed to take the story seriously without taking things too seriously. We still get the ridiculous hairstyles, the cartoonist laughs, and all the joy that comes with the story of Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates.
The world of One Piece really proves how the outward appearance of a series doesn't represent how deep and cutting the story really is. At the end of season 2, Luffy defeats Waple, the corrupt king of Drum Island, which the Straw Hats visited initially in order to find Nami, a doctor, but per usual, found themselves wrapped up in another rescue mission. The pirate crew not only defeats Waple, but liberates the Drum Kingdom as a result, allowing the citizens to live at peace once again.
However, this arc is far from filler. By the end of it, the Straw Hats have invited aboard a new member of the crew, the humanoid reindeer, Tony Tony Chopper, the ship's brand new doctor. After growing up on Drum Island with Dr. Herillook, and then Dr. Kura, Chopper decides to set sail with Luffy, finally achieving his dream of becoming a real doctor on the high seas.
By the way, is now a good time to mention that the scene where Dr. Herillook kicked out Chopper had me in tears? One of the Straw Hats temporary shipmates also has a connection to Drum Island, Princess Nefertari Vivi. Back when Vivi was a child, Waple was scolded by her father for being irresponsible and selfish, which is valid considering he completely abandoned his people.
Attempting to incite a full-scale war with her father, Waple attacks Vivi, but she doesn't play his game. She responds in kindness, leaving him even angrier than before. After Waple is defeated, the Straw Hats set sail for their next destination, Alabasta, the home of Vivi, with the hopes of purging the land of the Baroque Works members. Although fans of the manga and anime are familiar with the Baroque Works ultimate plan for Alabasta, the live-action series has yet to reveal it.
And that's it. That's where season 2 leaves off. And trust me, as good as this season was, I don't think we're ready for what season 3 has in store for us. Stop here if you want to avoid any and all spoilers for season 3. We're diving into the details behind One Piece's anime and manga to predict season 3's plot. So, if you'd rather not know, stop the article here.
There's one villain I have yet to mention, bigger than WP and bigger than the Baroque Works, Mr. Zero, aka Crocodile. Netflix was awfully secretive with Crocodile's reveal. He wasn't shown in any of the teasers, and we didn't get a good look at him until the very end of the last episode of season 2, which can only mean that the Alabasta arc is about to be the Straw Hat's most challenging journey yet.
As you probably guessed by his code name, Mr. Zero Crocodile is the leader of the Baroque Works agency, but he's also a former pirate and current member of the Seven Warlords. Like I said earlier, non-anime/manga fans don't know why Crocodile and his assassins have invaded Vivi's kingdom. But here's the answer. Crocodile knows that Alabasta holds the location of a powerful warship known as Pluton.
If Crocodile is able to secure this weapon, he would become one of the most formidable forces on the Grand Line. The only problem, the secret to finding Pluton was hidden on an ancient stone known as a ponoglyph. And the only people who have access and/or knowledge of this stone and its location are the royal family.
Essentially, Crocodile's plan is to incite a civil war between the people of Alabasta and Vivi's family, the royal family. According to Garp, the kingdom was already on the brink of war. So, all Crocodile really needed to do was give them a push. Should his plan fall into place, Crocodile will rise as the new king of Alabasta, conquering the land and securing his right to access the ponoglyph and in turn the location of Pluton.
If you're wondering why Crocodile also goes by Mr. Zero. Well, considering his status as a warlord, I'm not sure the world government would be too happy about him invading a kingdom, stirring up wars, and attempting to track down an ancient weapon. So, yeah, pretty self-explanatory.
Season 2 was phenomenal, and I can't finish off this article without mentioning the surprise early reveal of Brooke, played by Marshall T. Bachman. I mean, seriously, we couldn't have asked for better casting. And might I add, I had some serious doubts about Tony Tony Chopper. Not only am I not a huge fan of him in the anime, but I just wasn't sure a CGI talking reindeer would fit in a live-action series. But oh my goodness, Netflix just loves proving me wrong apparently because he was adorable and genuinely stole the show in those last few episodes.
So, what were your favorite parts of season 2? What was your favorite character reveal? What are you most looking forward to in season 3? How do you think season 2 compared to season 1? Is it hard to beat such a killer opening season? Or does Netflix's live-action One Piece just keep getting better and better? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks again for reading, and see you next time!