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Get ready, because the pirates of One Piece are gearing up for their next big adventure in Season 2, and it’s arriving sooner than you might think! The live-action crew is preparing to set sail toward the Grand Line, and fans of the series have plenty to look forward to as the story continues.
Netflix’s live-action version of One Piece, based on Eiichiro Oda’s globally loved anime and manga, made an enormous splash when it premiered in August 2023. The show quickly became a global hit, climbing to the top of Netflix’s streaming charts in 84 countries. It even outperformed popular titles like Stranger Things and Wednesday at the time, proving just how much fans around the world were craving a quality live-action anime adaptation, and how well this one delivered.
The story follows the quirky and determined Monkey D. Luffy (played by Iñaki Godoy), a young man with a body made of rubber, who dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates. To do that, he’s on a quest to find the world’s most legendary treasure: the One Piece, left behind by the infamous pirate Gold Roger. But Luffy isn’t going on this adventure alone; no pirate sails the seas without a loyal crew. Along the way, he recruits a clever and brave thief, Nami (played by Emily Rudd), and a skilled swordsman and bounty hunter, Roronoa Zoro (played by Mackenyu), forming the core of what will become the Straw Hat Pirates.
With Season 1 wrapped and widely celebrated, fans naturally wondered whether the show would continue, and the answer came quickly. Netflix confirmed that Season 2 is officially in the works, much to the delight of viewers. While the next season won’t hit screens until 2026, excitement is already building as we wait to see where Luffy and his crew go next.
‘One Piece’ season 2 release date speculation
In a special message released in September, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda personally thanked fans around the world for their continued support of the series, in all its versions over the years. He shared his gratitude and also revealed some exciting news: just two weeks after the live-action series premiered on Netflix, the streaming platform officially decided to renew it for a second season.
“The adventures of Iñaki [Godoy] and the live-action Straw Hat crew will continue!” Oda announced in the short video clip.
Since that renewal, however, Netflix has not yet announced an exact release date for One Piece Season 2. The first season debuted in August 2023, and filming for Season 2 officially began on July 1, 2024, with a behind-the-scenes video showing the cast travelling to Cape Town, South Africa, for production. As of February 4, 2025, Netflix confirmed that filming is complete.
Earlier, Becky Clements, the president of the production studio, shared that if all went smoothly, the new season could be ready within 12 to 18 months from the start of filming. That gave fans hope that the release might happen sometime in 2025 or early 2026.
But in a recent interview with actor Taz Skylar (who plays Sanji), he mentioned that there’s still no clear release date, although he reassured fans that it’s not expected to go beyond 2026. Supporting that, during Netflix’s Tudum event in May 2025, the company once again confirmed that the next season is scheduled for release in 2026, putting any speculation to rest, for now.
Compared to other live-action anime adaptations that Netflix has attempted, One Piece is a major success. Previous efforts like Cowboy Bebop and Death Note were widely criticised and fell short of fan expectations. Cowboy Bebop was cancelled after just one season, while Death Note, released as a film, was seen as a poor fit for the source material.
In contrast, One Piece has taken a more thoughtful and faithful approach. While no adaptation is perfect, both critics and longtime fans have praised it as Netflix’s most successful live-action anime adaptation to date. The series topped viewership charts in over 80 countries and even beat streaming records held by massive hits like Stranger Things and Wednesday.
Because of its strong reception and fan enthusiasm, One Piece earned a second season, and possibly more in the future. With so much story left to tell from Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, the live-action journey has only just begun. For fans of the Straw Hat Pirates, the wait until 2026 may feel long, but the future looks bright (and adventurous) on the Grand Line.
Netflix has begun to share more details about who we can expect to see returning, and joining, the cast for Season 2 of One Piece. With the show officially renewed and filming already completed, fans can look forward to seeing many familiar faces back on board, along with an exciting group of new characters.
While most of the original cast is expected to reprise their roles, including Iñaki Godoy as Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew, Netflix has made several major new casting announcements as well.
Unfortunately, one fan-favourite casting rumour won’t be coming true. Jamie Lee Curtis, who had been heavily requested by fans to join the show, won’t be appearing in Season 2 due to scheduling conflicts, according to Deadline.
However, the lineup still holds plenty of excitement. Katey Sagal (best known from Sons of Anarchy and Futurama) will take on the role of the eccentric and tough Dr. Kureha, while Mark Harelik has been cast as the kind-hearted and tragic Dr. Hiriluk.
In late August, it was confirmed that Sendhil Ramamurthy will portray King Nefertari Cobra of the desert kingdom Alabasta. Joining him is Charithra Chandran (of Bridgerton fame), who will play Princess Nefertari Vivi, also known as Miss Wednesday in her undercover identity.
There’s also great anticipation around the introduction of two major characters from the manga: Nico Robin and Tony Tony Chopper. While the actors playing them haven’t been officially announced yet, creator Eiichiro Oda has confirmed that news is coming soon. Fans did, however, get a sneak peek at the live-action version of Chopper in a recent teaser, although his voice actor remains under wraps.
In September, as part of Netflix’s Geeked Week event, even more cast members were revealed. Joe Manganiello will portray the powerful and calculating Mr. 0 (Crocodile), while Lera Abova takes on the role of Miss All Sunday (Nico Robin’s earlier alias).
One Piece will likely return with most or all of these actors:
- Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D Luffy
- Emily Rudd as Nami
- Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
- Jacob Romero as Usopp
- Taz Skylar as Sanji
- Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Captain Alvida
- Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown
- Alexander Maniatis as Klahadore/Kuro
- McKinley Belcher III as Arlong
- Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp
- Langley Kirkwood as Captain “Axe Hand” Morgan
- Alexander Maniatis as Klahadore
- Steven Ward as Dracule Mihawk
- Colton Osorio as Young Luffy
- Maximilian Lee Piazza as Young Zoro
- Lily Fisher as Young Nami
- Kevin Saula as Young Usopp
- Christian Convery as Young Sanji
- Morgan Davies as Koby
- Aidan Scott as Helmeppo
- Peter Gadiot as Shanks
- Craig Fairbass as Chef Zeff
- Milton Schorr as Krieg
- Tamer Burjaq as Higuma
- Stevel Marc as Yasopp
- Rory Acton Burnell as Nezumi
- Katey Segal as Dr. Kureha
- Mark Harelik as Dr. Hiriluk
- Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra
- Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday (Nefertari Vivi)
- Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0
- David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3
- Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5
- Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9
- Lera Abova as Miss All-Sunday
- Brendan Sean Murray as Brogy
- Callum Kerr as Smoker
- Clive Russell as Crocus
- Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine
- Julie Rehwald as Tashigi
- Rob Colletti as Wapol
- Ty Keogh as Dalton
- Werner Coetser as Dorry
‘One Piece’ season 2 plot details
Season 1 of Netflix’s One Piece managed to cover an impressive amount of story in just eight hour-long episodes. Despite its limited runtime, the show moved quickly, progressing through a significant chunk of the source material, all the way to around Chapter 218 of the original manga. The fast pacing allowed the live-action adaptation to touch on key narrative beats while still offering a solid introduction to the world of One Piece.
The season finale left viewers on a dramatic note: Luffy receives his first “most wanted” poster, a major milestone in his pirate journey, while Buggy the Clown, furious after being defeated, vows revenge. The episode also teased a major new character: a mysterious figure burning through Luffy’s poster with a cigar, hinting at the debut of Smoker, a fan-favourite from the manga known for his dual cigars and relentless pursuit of pirates. Although his name wasn’t revealed, fans immediately recognised the character, and his official introduction seems inevitable in the upcoming season.
As the story continues, viewers can expect to see the Straw Hat crew grow, both in numbers and in strength. With Nico Robin and Tony Tony Chopper still to join, and more of the Grand Line’s mysteries waiting to be explored, there’s a lot to look forward to. That said, Netflix has yet to confirm the exact story arcs Season 2 will adapt, though clues have started to surface.
In an interview with Deadline, executive producer Becky Clements shared that the creative team has a long-term vision for the series. “We’re already over 1,080 chapters in the manga,” she explained, “and even if we produced six seasons, we’d only be halfway through the story.” Fellow producer Marty Adelstein added that they’re aiming for as many as 12 seasons, noting the sheer amount of content left to explore. In short, there’s more than enough material to keep the show going for years, assuming the viewership remains strong.
While much remains speculative, fans are eagerly piecing together hints from Netflix, the cast, and series creator Eiichiro Oda.
June 14 Update: On May 5, actor Iñaki Godoy (Luffy) posted a TikTok to celebrate his character’s birthday. He featured a large candle-shaped cake with a “3” at the end, prompting speculation. Could this be teasing a third season? Or was it a nod to the introduction of Mr. 3, a character who, like Luffy, has eaten a Devil Fruit (the Wax-Wax Fruit) and can manipulate candle wax? While unconfirmed, Mr. 3’s appearance would align with the arcs expected to be covered in Season 2.
August 28 Update: Eiichiro Oda officially confirmed that Season 2 will cover the following arcs:
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Loguetown
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Reverse Mountain (Twin Cape)
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Whiskey Peak
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Little Garden
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Drum Island
These arcs take the Straw Hat crew deeper into the Grand Line, where they’ll face new allies, villains, and increasingly bizarre challenges. In a letter shared via Netflix’s One Piece Instagram, Oda praised the production team for once again promising not to release the new season until he’s personally satisfied with it, a sign of the creators’ commitment to quality and staying faithful to the source material.
Netflix also revealed the title of the Season 2 premiere episode: “The Beginning of the End.” Promotional material shows Usopp’s iconic sniper goggles and a new katana for Zoro, both tied to events in the Loguetown arc, confirming that’s where the season will begin.
September 23 Update: Fans finally got their first official tease of Tony Tony Chopper, the beloved reindeer doctor. Netflix released a video showing a behind-the-scenes look at the CG-animated character “studying his lines,” with Luffy’s actor giving viewers a glimpse of Chopper’s back. Though we still don’t know who’s voicing him, the excitement surrounding his debut is already building.