“Stranger Things,” who? Netflix’s next crown jewel is a show about a captain with stretchy skin and his ragtag bunch of pirates. When “One Piece” debuted as a live-action adaptation on Netflix, it carried the hopes and doubts of a generation of fans burned by all the versions of their beloved manga and anime.
Now, with the release of the official season 2 trailer for Netflix’s swing at the series, it’s clearer than ever: this is finally the show anime fans have wanted and deserved since Luffy and crew hit the seven seas. And there’s nowhere to go from here but up.
There’s such an escalation of scope and ambition with creator Eiichiro Oda’s source material that it’s hard to believe. First, that it’s happening at all, and second, that it’s being so lovingly adapted that it’s not the online cringefest so many fans assumed was coming.
We see the Straw Hat Pirates finally entering the legendary Grand Line, facing giants, dinosaurs, and the mysteries of iconic locations like Loguetown, Whiskey Peak, Drum Island, and Little Garden — all places that host pivotal moments throughout the manga and anime alike. These aren’t surface-level recreations, either. They’re absolutely gorgeous versions of fictional locales that fans can feel proud of. And it’s been a long time coming.
‘One Piece’ season 2 is proving things will only get better from here
Seeing the new trailer open with the iconic Straw Hat Pirates setting sail from the East Blue is an exciting moment in and of itself. The crew is finally entering the legendary Grand Line, a stretch of sea teased in season 1. Monkey D. Luffy (played by Iñaki Godoy) and his crew, including Zoro, Nami, Sanji, and Usopp, will be hitting the choppy waters and coming face to face with giants, the villainous Buggy the Clown, and even figures like Dr. Kureha and Dr. Hiriluk are set to make appearances.
It’s all extremely exciting for newcomers, but even more so to longtime fans who have been waiting for a great live-action version of the story for some time. After you’ve been burned time and time again, you start expecting slop. Thankfully, Netflix has dodged the bullet here and is only preparing for another volley of excellent storytelling.
What sets season 2 apart from so many live-action anime adaptations that came before it is the clear respect for the original tone and character dynamics that made the story what it became in the first place. From the first glimpses of characters like Tony Tony Chopper to the introduction of the Baroque Works agents, Netflix’s production demonstrates a deep understanding of why “One Piece” has always resonated with fans. But at the same time, it’s still fun, simple, and translates well to the small screen with the attitude of an indie film.
Though it’s true we haven’t seen all there is to see with the second round of episodes from Netflix, it’s already been abundantly clear that this is the next “Stranger Things” for anime fans, one of the biggest successes anime fans could have hoped for, and a shining gem in a sea of dull jewels that fizzled out when they should have flown.
Whether you’re a “One Piece” fan or looking to become one, you can catch season 2 starting March 10 on Netflix.
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