The world of One Piece is one full of whimsy, creativity, and adventure. In many cases, when adapting a piece of work from one medium to another, some of those elements can get lost or translated incorrectly. The inaugural season of Netflix’s take on Eiichiro Oda’s pirate epic was like lightning in a bottle. It managed to not only capture the charm of the anime/manga, but also deliver it with heart that only fans could do. Surely, lightning couldn’t strike twice, especially when the stakes got higher and the world was getting bigger, right? Well, I can happily confirm that it does, indeed, strike, continuing its streak and becoming one of, if not the best, anime/manga adaptation of all time.
Setting Sail Again
Continuing from season one, season two finds Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates on their way to the Grand Line to find the fated One Piece. Along the way, they meet many new faces, both friendly and not-so-friendly, as the world expands. From the fearsome Baroque Works to the ever-charming Tony Tony Chopper, every new character is done with near pinpoint precision.
Just like the first season, the set design, costumes, and worldbuilding are amazing. At times, it feels like it’s ripped straight out of Oda’s work and modernized to look natural. Still, it doesn’t take itself seriously, which is refreshing to see from an adaptation. It doesn’t shy away from bringing outlandish elements, like the over-the-top costumes and powers, to the forefront and embracing it rather than avoiding it. It brings the laughs and tears in droves, especially with its final episodes.
Casting a Wide Net
You can tell the cast, specifically the Straw Hat Pirates, feel more at home with their roles and can add to them rather than establish them. Characters like Sanji and Zoro get a lot more screen time, which was a big hope for season one watchers, and it’s great seeing Taz Skylar and Mackenyu show their stuff. Emily Rudd and Jacob Romero continue to embody Nami and Usopp and shine whenever they pop up on screen.
However, as with the first season, Iñaki Godoy is a treasure as Luffy, nailing his energetic vivacity and bravery. He also gets to stretch (pun intended) his boundaries and shows his range a lot more than before. If anything, this season certifies that the casting of the Straw Hat Pirates, including the charming Chopper (done by Mikaela Hoover) is some of the best Hollywood has done. Other great performances this time around are Charithra Chandran (Miss Wednesday), Camrus Johnson (Mr. 5), David Dastmalchian (Mr. 3), Katey Sagal (Dr. Kureha), and Jeff Ward (Buggy).
A Few Rough Tides
As it is an adaptation with only eight episodes, some things are streamlined and cut short, and it can sometimes feel present in season two. Pacing was decent, but it could feel a touch disjointed when going from one character to another. It was also a bit shocking not to spend much time with the Marines, who were a welcome addition to the first season. While Smoker and Tashigi are well-done, I did miss the banter of Helmeppo and Koby, as well as Vincent Regan’s intimidating Garp.
One Piece Season Two Continues Its Original’s Success
In short, One Piece’s second season is yet another great outing for the live-action anime adaptation. Sporting strong performances across the board and fantastic set and costume design, the show does the Baroque Works and Drum Island arcs justice (and this is coming from a fan of said storylines). If the show can continue this streak with the upcoming third season, it will solidify itself as one of the best adaptations of any media.
