When Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved manga and anime One Piece was announced, everybody doubted its success. Thanks to previous failed attempts to adapt anime franchises like Death Note and Cowboy Bebop, no one believed the wacky world of creator Eiichiro Oda could ever be adapted on-screen. Yet, despite all this, the first season of Netflix’s One Piece broke the ‘live-action curse’ and made a series that die-hard fans and newcomers could enjoy.
And now, Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are back with One Piece: Season 2. In between the first season and now, the live-action One Piece has helped to propel it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon. So it’s no exaggeration that the pressure for this season to succeed is higher than ever. From tackling one of the most beloved story arcs of the manga and introducing multiple important characters, this season promises a lot to fans.
Will One Piece: Season 2 beat the ‘sophomore slump’ or will this series’ luck run out? Read on to find out our spoiler-free review!
Showrunners: Matt Owens and Steve Maeda
Cast: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, Charithra Chandran, and Mikaela Hoover
Release Date: 10 March 2026
Episodes: 8
What makes One Piece: Season 2 much better is that we have skipped the origin stories of the Straw Hat crew and can now go on a proper adventure together. Seeing Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji play off each other on screen was truly entertaining. You can tell the actors have fully embodied their characters, and recent interviews confirm they are best friends in real life, too.
All of the main cast have their moments to show their character this season. Nami gets to guide a new crew member, Usopp learns to overcome his cowardice, Zoro fights a hundred bounty hunters, and Sanji opens a new side to us. However, sadly, Luffy was the only character I felt didn’t have a real highlight moment. In the first season, you really saw Luffy gather his crew together and fight for them. Not saying he doesn’t do that in this season, but perhaps he is not as challenged by the villains as he will be in Season three.
Speaking of villains, season two introduces Baroque Works, an organisation of assassins whose identities are a mystery. The showrunners and executive producer Oda did an amazing job adapting them to live-action. Most of the characters are ripped right out of the manga. Out of the new villains, David Dastmalchian’s Mr. 3 stood out the most. He played an artistic psychopath perfectly, and I wished he had more screentime. Another great addition is Lera Abova’s Miss All Sunday, who is as dangerous as she is charming.
What impressed me this season was not only seeing how faithful the live-action series is, but also how it made changes that made sense. There are story points that are changed – especially in episode two – that help to improve the story overall. For the most part, these changes helped to make the live action feel more believable and increase the stakes of the story.
The visual effects and worldbuilding are a massive step-up from the first season. The ride up Reverse Mountain and the giants of Little Garden in particular made me feel the grandeur and spectacle of Oda’s vision. Seeing the elaborate details in the sets and costumes will also be a treat for longtime fans looking for easter eggs.
And of course, we have to talk about Tony Tony Chopper, a new CGI character who gets to shine in the last quarter of the season. Without giving too much away, he will be the emotional highlight of this season, and there will be an episode that will leave you in stitches and tears. Beyond that, Mikeala Hoover nails the voice of a young creature that has been bullied his whole life. The entire special effects team did a great job using CGI and practical effects to make him feel real.
If I were to critique, there is one Marine base set that looked laughably recycled, and a particularly important character who I felt looked a little off. Some of the dialogue throughout the show is also quite on-the-nose; then again, One Piece isn’t a series known for its subtlety. The season finale also did not have truly serious stakes. This is because it is part of a larger story coming in Season three.
Overall, if season one was a breakthrough, then season two has geared us up for bigger adventures ahead. Through the hard work of the writers, crew, and cast, One Piece: Season 2 has surpassed the flaws of it’s predeccesor and is on a cruise to usher in a new era for other live-action adaptations to follow.
Our final thoughts on Netflix’s ‘One Piece: Season 2’
Cast: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Visuals: 9/10
Writing: 7/10
Action: 7/10
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Watch One Piece: Into the Grand Line here.
All images by Netflix
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
