With great expectations, the live-action adaptation of “One Piece” has started on Netflix! The start of the series was extremely positive. What does that mean for a possible sequel?
“One Piece” is not only the most successful manga in the world. The anime is also very popular. However, this was by no means seen as a guarantee of success when streaming giant Netflix announced that it wanted to implement “One Piece” as a series with real actors – quite the opposite. Since then, with every piece of new information, no matter how small, people have wondered whether the series could withstand the enormous pressure. Now the project has started at Netflix and at least the first impression says that she can do it. Positive reviews, a large media presence – the signs are accordingly good for “One Piece” season 2. But what is known about a sequel so far?
Will there be a One Piece season 2?
As of now, nothing official is known. This is probably mainly due to the fact that Netflix wants to give the numbers for the first season some more time. After all, the release on August 31, 2023 is not that far back.
An important building block in the considerations should also be the costs, because they have been enormous up to now. Netflix spent a whopping 16 million euros – per episode. This makes “One Piece” one of the most expensive series in the world – and raises the bar for a possible season 2.
Should this actually come, we will have to be patient a little longer. Experts expect a production period of around two years. That seems realistic, but it also depends on how long the Hollywood writers’ union strike lasts.
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There’s a lot to be said for One Piece season 2
However, the signs are very favorable so far. The reviews of the first season are extremely positive. With relevant platforms like IMDb, the series really holds up very good score of 8.5 (As of September 4, 2023). The anime’s fan base also reacted very positively, including in the general public. Now it will be crucial whether “One Piece” also brings new users to subscribe to Netflix.
In any case, there would be enough material for a sequel. The eight episodes that have been published so far cover just 100 volumes of the 1090-part template. The fact that Netflix is speculating on a sequel is also made clear by the streaming service with the end of the episodes that have been released so far.
Warning, spoilers! After the big fight against Arlong, the Straw Hat crew experiences a big emotional peak. Everyone formulates their own goal, their foot on the barrel. Luffy is known to want to be the King of the Pirates – he shouts this out into the world at every opportunity. Zoro, on the other hand, wants to become the best swordsman in the world, while Sanji wants to find the All Blue to cook with the most exotic ingredients. Nami and Usopp also finally know what their goal is. Usopp wants to become a respected adventurer and Nami wants to draw a map of the world now that she’s free from Along. The gang then finally sails to the infamous Grandline, where, according to the original, many more adventures await them.
And then we get a little scene before the credits roll. In this one, we see an as-yet-unknown villain burn Luffy’s warrant card. In addition, the Clown Buggy and the cruel Alvida don’t like Luffy’s new fame at all. The two swear revenge in another scene. In terms of content, Netflix is clearly keeping the option of a sequel open.
Incidentally, the live-action series “One Piece” has already broken an important record! It has hit #1 in more countries than Wednesday and Stranger Things, Netflix’s highest-grossing English-language series to date. In any case, this gives hope that we will actually get a second season of “One Piece”.
That could be what the sequel is about
Incidentally, the creators are already planning another season. Director Marc Jobst said this several times in an interview. Thanks to the template, we already get a pretty good idea of what Luffy and Co. can expect next. Although the producers of the Netflix series have taken some liberties with the original, on the whole they have remained true to the manga.
A villain for One Piece could be Smoker. This was already hinted at in a brief scene in which Luffy’s wanted poster – of which he is very proud – is burned by a man with a cigarette. Fans of the manga or even the anime know that this is a clear reference to Smoker! The naval officer will be a tough opponent for the straw hat pirates, because he also ate a devil fruit. The Straw Hat Gang encounters the officer known as the “White Hunter” several times, first in Loguetown on the way to the Grandline.
After that, the next big plot section of the template awaits, the so-called Alabaster Arc. This is a desert island where it hasn’t rained for ages. And the swordsman Hawkeye should also make an appearance again. He and the other sea samurai still play an important role, as does Luffy’s family. The vice admiral is not enough…
Sources
- the streamers (“What’s Next For ‘One Piece’?” accessed September 4, 2023)