The recent live-action take on Eiichiro Oda’s opus went better than expected. Could this Straw Hat crew’s adventures continue?
One Piece is known for a lot of things. It’s one of the most popular stories ever told, amassing and maintaining a fan base in the millions over several decades. To non-fans, one of its sticking points is its longevity. It’s the 21st-longest manga series ever written, with over a thousand chapters and anime episodes. Netflix’s recent live-action One Piece will not run that long, but could it enjoy a second season?
On November 19th, 2021, Netflix released all ten episodes of its live-action adaptation of the universally beloved classic anime Cowboy Bebop. On December 9th, 2021, Netflix announced the cancelation of Cowboy Bebop after widespread condemnation. Its fate was sealed after its second week on the service. It turned in impressive numbers, but negative word-of-mouth caused a 59% second-week dropoff. One Piece hasn’t been out for 20 days quite yet, but it seems safe from that outcome.
What happens in Netflix’s One Piece?
Anyone familiar with the first 45 episodes of the anime or 95 chapters of the manga already knows the story. An incredibly famous pirate named Gold Roger is hauled in by the Marines and sentenced to execution. Before he dies, he’s asked where he kept his stash of treasure. He proudly proclaims that he hid all his worldly possessions together, beyond the most dangerous waters of the seven seas, in a collection known as the One Piece. A significant percentage of the population abandons their land-based existence and takes up the pirate’s life. The most enthusiastic sailor in the sea is a teenager named Monkey D. Luffy. He was raised by one of the finest pirates of all time and gifted the power of a completely rubber body by a mysterious fruit. Luffy is driven to become the King of the Pirates. He’ll need to gather a crew and find a ship to make his dream a reality.
In short order, Luffy encounters Zoro, a three-sword-wielding bounty hunter, and Nami, a crafty con artist with a gift for map-making. Zoro is arrested for a bar fight while Luffy and Nami infiltrate his makeshift prison to steal a map of the Grand Line, the deadly ocean route to Gold Roger’s treasure. Brought together by circumstance, the trio fight and defeat the ax-handed Marine captain in charge. Luffy is ecstatic, but Zoro and Nami are still divided on the whole “pirate crew” idea. Luffy, Zoro, and Nami are taken hostage by Buggy the Clown, a sociopathic performance artist who wants their map. A big-top brawl ensues, leaving Buggy in pieces and the Straw Hat crew on the move. They set off in search of a ship. When Luffy sees the perfect vessel, a caravel with a sheep figurehead, he’s eager to buy it. The local village liar, Usopp, promises an audience with the ship’s owner, a sickly girl named Kaya. The Straw Hats attend a fancy dinner, where they discover the sinister intentions of Kaya’s butler. Sure enough, the butler is a murderous pirate in disguise. They defeat him, so Kaya gives them the ship. They dub it the Going Merry and take off with Usopp in tow.
Now a crew of four, the Straw Hats are assaulted by the Marines. Luffy reveals that his grandfather, Garp, is a Marine Vice-Admiral. They escape into a fog bank and discover Baratie, a high-class floating restaurant. Sanji, an unfulfilled chef, serves the Straw Hats a meal they can’t afford. Luffy is forced to work as a chore boy to pay off the debt, keeping the crew around. In the meantime, Nami reaches out to her old boss, a dangerous fish-man named Arlong. Garp hires Dracule Mihawk, the best swordsman in the world, to capture Luffy. When Zoro sees Mihawk, he challenges him to a duel. Nami warns Zoro he can’t win, but his dream to take Mihawk’s title won’t be dissuaded. Mihawk decimates Zoro, but his drive intrigues the skilled swordsman. He gives Zoro a severe wound but spares his life to see how he develops. Sanji and the Straw Hats race to save Zoro’s life. Sanji decides to leave Baratie and become the Going Merry’s cook. Nami loses faith in Luffy’s leadership. Arlong arrives at Baratie, defeats Luffy in combat, and takes off with Nami and the map. As Zoro wakes up, Luffy explains that they’re setting out to rescue Nami and get their map back.
How does Netflix’s One Piece end?
The Straw Hats arrive in the village Nami grew up in. They see the locals under Arlong’s thumb. Nami is forced to return to extorting her old neighbors for cash. Nami has been secretly gathering money, burying an immense stash to pay Arlong to save her village. Arlong has paid off a corrupt Marine who finds Nami’s hidden treasure. Nami breaks down, but Luffy assures her that the Straw Hats will help. Arlong attacks Nami’s village, inspiring the people to fight back. Luffy leads the Straw Hats to Arlong’s tower, where they battle. The Straw Hats eliminate dozens of fish-men while Luffy attacks Arlong. He destroys his collection of Nami’s work and defeats the fish in combat. He wrecks Arlong’s home to the celebration of the locals. Nami rejoins the crew just in time for the Marines to arrive.
Garp wants to arrest Luffy, but the young pirate refuses to give up his dream. Garp defeats his grandson in a fair fight. As Garp prepares to capture the Straw Hats, young Marine Koby stands up and insists they let Luffy go. Luffy inspired Koby to pursue his dream, leading him to fight vociferously for his freedom. Garp relents, letting his grandson go. Luffy earns a Wanted poster for his exploits, leaving him thrilled and proud. The Straw Hat pirates share their dreams for the future as they sail off into the sunset. In the final tease, a Marine Captain burns Luffy’s poster with a cigar.
Will Netflix’s One Piece have a season 2?
Given its performance, it’s safe to assume there could be a second season. The final tease sets up Smoker, a Marine anti-hero type who is a fan-favorite in the anime. The first season’s ending is inconclusive but not built on a shaky cliffhanger. Netflix renews 60% of its scripted series for a second season based on cost and viewership. The strong performance of One Piece suggests a future for these pirates.
Netflix’s One Piece is a surprisingly faithful take on the original stories that captures a fair amount of their spirit. Future additions to the season could cover more popular arcs. There could be new adventures ahead for the live-action Straw Hat crew, but one good season is more than enough.
Src: gamerant.com
