Few characters in season 2 of Netflix's One Piece have been quite as anticipated as Tony Tony Chopper. With his cute design and over-the-top antics, adapting the anthropomorphic reindeer to live-action seemed like a Herculean task. Yet, despite a healthy dose of skepticism leading up to the announcement, fans were mostly positive about One Piece's live-action design for Chopper.

It seems that the entire One Piece team worked hard to get Chopper right, according to One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda. In a Post on Netflix Anime's official X , Oda spoke about how much love and care were put into Chopper's design for the live-action adaptation of the hit manga. ​​​​​​ In addition to mentioning the artistry behind the actual effect itself, Oda also takes time to compliment Chopper's expressions and voice provided by Superman actress Mikaela Hoover.

The live-action One Piece!

The key to season 2 is, of course, our weird talking animal. After extensive trial and refinement by the entire team, the day has come to finally unveil him!! From his form and furs to his expressions and voice, and even lighting and gravity simulation - a world-class team brought their skills together in bringing Tony Tony Chopper to life, and now he's ready to be introduced to the world!! Check him out!!

One Piece Creator Eiichiro Oda Has High Praise For Netflix's Chopper Design

The Acclaimed Mangaka Lauded Netflix's Hard Work

Based on his message, Oda clearly thinks the team behind the series' special effects knocked it out of the park. Oda claims that getting Chopper right was the key to making season 2 work, and given how important Chopper is to the Straw Hat pirates, it's fair to say the time devoted to Chopper was well-spent. Though live-action Chopper might not have the same spirit as anime Chopper, it's still an impressive effect.

Though some might dismiss Oda's praise for Chopper's design, it's important to note that the beloved mangaka has been instrumental in bringing his series into live-action. One Piece's crew have said that Oda is a huge part of the series, going so far as to claim that everything in Netflix's blockbuster adaptation went through the series creator. Given his heavy involvement, it's safe to say that Chopper wouldn't look the way he does without Oda's direct approval.

Why Getting Chopper Right is So Key to One Piece's Future

Chopper's Design is a Very Positive Sign for the Series

Though Chopper isn't quite on the same level of importance as Luffy, Nami, and Zoro, he is still a key character among the Straw Hat Pirates. Chopper's light-hearted antics and over-the-top expressions often make him a refreshing bit of levity when the series goes dark. His big personality, general helpfulness, and his cute design also make him prime mascot material, something that can be huge for bringing series like One Piece to broader audiences.

Given all this, it's easy to see why Oda thinks Chopper is key to One Piece season 2's success. However, how Chopper's effect is received might be important even well beyond the Straw Hat doctor. One Piece features a colorful assortment of characters that take many different shapes and sizes, meaning that it's unlikely Chopper will be the last fully-CG character. Future Straw Hats like the skeleton musician Brook, the mechanical shipwright Franky, or the fish-man helmsman Jinbei might also require CG enhancements to be portrayed in live-action.

Though Franky's initial design could probably be portrayed by a person, it might be more difficult to depict Franky's post-timeskip design without some special effects enhancements.

The real test for Chopper might be the success of the effect, but how long the series can sustain it. CG is notoriously expensive to deploy (there's a reason so many movies using CGI are expensive to make), so how much screen time One Piece season 2 gives Chopper will be a key indication of how the series handles similarly fantastical characters in the future.

Though One Piece's special effects so far have often been middling, there is good reason to be impressed by Chopper's design

Though One Piece's special effects so far have often been middling, there is good reason to be impressed by Chopper's design. Even if it weren't for Oda's message of , it's clear that a great deal of effort was put into making One Piece's Chopper as adorable as possible.