The debut of Tony Tony Chopper in live-action will be even more important than expected thanks to One Piece season 2 is indeed adapting the Arabasta saga, the series will not cover it in its entirety, saving the actual Arabasta arc for the yet-to-be-confirmed season 3. In other words, season 2 will cover from Loguetown to Drum Island.
Earlier in 2024, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda revealed in an open letter to fans that One Piece season 2 was going to visit Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whisky Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island. Although the addition of Loguetown was expected – it was supposed to be in season 1 after all – the absence of Arabasta was surprising. Netflix’s One Piece is taking its time with the story, which is understandable given how much happens in the Arabasta arc alone. However, this means that Drum Island will be the conclusion of season 2.
One Piece Season 2 Ending With Drum Island Means Chopper Will Be Even More Important
Chopper Will Be The Focus Of One Piece Season 2’s Final Arc
The fact that One Piece season 2 is ending with Drum Island means that Chopper’s origin story will play a huge role in the Netflix series. While season 1 gave at least two episodes to each Straw Hat and explored their backstories, whatever arc is saved for the finale is bound to feel more important and appear to have higher stakes. Nami’s arc in season 1 is the perfect example of it. Much of the first season was building up to Nami's return to her village, from Arlong debuting in episode 3 to the fish-men showing up at the Baratie.
One Piece Season 2's Main Cast |
Characters |
|---|---|
Inãki Godoy |
Monkey D. Luffy |
Emily Rudd |
Nami |
Mackenyu |
Roronoa Zoro |
Jacob Romero Gibson |
Usopp |
Taz Skylar |
Sanji |
Jeff Ward |
Buggy the Clown |
Ilia Isorelýs Paulino |
Alvida |
Callum Kerr |
Smoker |
Charithra Chandran |
Miss Wednesday |
David Dastmalchian |
Mr. 3 |
Rob Colletti |
Wapol |
Katey Sagal |
Dr. Kureha |
Joe Manganiello |
Mr. O |
Lera Abova |
Miss All Sunday |
Just like Nami’s personal battle became the grand finale of season 1, Chopper’s journey to honor Dr. Hiriluk and save the country from Wapol will be how season 2 will wrap up. This means that much of the emotional stakes of One Piece season 2’s finale will be tied to Chopper, adding even more importance to the reindeer. A fan-favorite One Piece character, Chopper has a heartbreaking backstory that should take center stage in season 2 before Luffy and the others help him save Drum Island. In that scenario, Wapol might be the final big bad of the season.
Drum Island Will Have To Have Higher Stakes In One Piece Season 2 To Be Its Final Arc
Drum Island Is A Relatively Self-Contained Arc Mean To Introduce Chopper
One problem that comes with saving Arabasta for season 3 is that Drum Island does not feel as big and epic as the battle for an entire kingdom. There is a reason One Piece’s second batch of arcs is referred to as the “Arabasta Saga” – everything from the moment the Straw Hants enter the Grand Line to Chopper’s introduction is building up to the fight against Crocodile in Arabasta. Drum Island is a very important arc full of great moments, but it might need higher stakes to make for a suitable finale.
Drum Island consists of 25 chapters in the manga, or 14 episodes in the anime.
One Piece season 1 ending after Arlong Park made sense since that was always the emotional highlight of the East Blue saga, with Loguetown feeling more like an epilogue and a prelude to what was coming next. Chopper’s story, on the other hand, feels very disconnected from the rest of the saga. The Straw Hats only found the beloved reindeer because Nami was sick and was rushed to the nearest island where there could be a doctor. One Piece might have to make changes to Drum Island to make it more connected to the rest of the season.
Will Netflix’s One Piece Change Chopper’s Drum Island Story To Set Up Season 3?
Drum Island May Have More Connections To Arabasta Than Just Ace Showing Up
Not covering Arabasta in season 2 is a risky decision, as the payoff to the storylines involving Vivi, Crocodile, and the rest of Baroque Works will only happen in a potential season 3. This is why Netflix’s version of Drum Island might be more connected to the next part of the story compared to the source material. Apart from Ace’s introduction at the end, there is not much tying Chopper’s introduction with what the Straw Hats will encounter next.
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One option would be to somehow tie Wapol to Baroque Works, although this would be a big change from the manga. Another option would be to have one of the main Baroque Works – perhaps even Miss All Sunday – show up at Drum Island. Netflix’s One Piece is no stranger to creating new connections to help streamline the story, as seen with Arlong capturing Buggy and later replacing Don Krieg. That said, Chopper’s backstory is beautiful and can make for a great finale for season 2 regardless of what it sets up.
One Piece (Live-Action)
- Release Date
- August 31, 2023
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Owens
Cast
Iñaki GodoyMonkey D. Luffy
Emily RuddNami
WHERE TO WATCH
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy's relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
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