After a 3-year wait, it is finally time to step aboard the Going Merry again as One Piece season 2 is on the horizon. Despite past controversial Netflix live-action anime adaptations, their retelling of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved fantasy manga defied expectations when it released in 2023, turning newcomers like me into dedicated fans and pleasing longtime followers alike. As Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) continues his hunt for the fabled treasure of Gol D. Roger, season 2 will descend into new territories, with season 2 being subtitled “Into the Grand Line.”
Ahead of One Piece season 2, here is a recap of the journey so far, a rundown of where we are heading, and who the Straw Hat pirates will face:
The story so far
At his public trial and execution, the infamous Gol D. Roger revealed to the crowds that he left his fortune in one place for any hopeful pirate to claim for themselves, kick-starting a new golden age of piracy. One such treasure hunter is the cheerful Monkey D. Luffy, a boy possessing incredible stretching powers thanks to a Devil Fruit, who hopes that finding the treasure will make him the undisputed King of the Pirates.
As Luffy continues his hunt, he joins forces with the crafty navigator Nami (Emily Rudd) and the stoic pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu). As their crew grows with the addition of marksman Usopp (Jacob Romero) and chef Sanji (Taz Skylar), the crew faces rival pirates while evading pursuit by the Marines, led by Luffy’s grandfather Garp (Vincent Reagan) and friend Moby (Morgan Davies).
At the end of One Piece season 1, Luffy had finally made his name as a pirate by receiving his bounty. Alongside his crew, now dubbed the Straw Hat Pirates, he sets sail into the Grand Line in search of the One Piece. However, season 1’s ending also teased that the chase was far from over, as rival pirates Buggy (Jeff Ward) and Alvida (Ilia Isorelys Paulino) strike an alliance to hunt Luffy down, and a chain-smoking Marine captain burns Luffy’s wanted poster.
What arcs will One Piece season 2 adapt?
Following their map, One Piece season 2 will take the Straw Hat Pirates deep into the Grand Line, adapting the first four arcs of the iconic anime series and manga’s Arabasta saga. The eight-episode season will open by continuing to adapt the events of the Loguetown arc, which season 1 previously partly brought to screen in its closing episode as Luffy’s first bounty was published for friend and foe alike to admire. Ahead of the next stretch of their journey, the Going Merry will resupply in the town where Gol D. Roger made his famed declaration, running into old and new foes.
Following this, season 2 will venture into the waters of the Grand Line. The crew will face colossal Island Whales when navigating the rapids of the Reverse Mountain arc, before venturing onto pirate-friendly shores in the Whisky Peak arc. The Little Garden arc will take the Straw Hats to a realm of giants, while the Drum Island arc will leave them searching for a doctor while evading tyrants.
As the Straw Hats continue their journey, One Piece season 2 is expected to continue with the live-action’s best change from its source material by continuing to give Koby more screen time. The upcoming season will continue to follow his transformation from a meek Marine cadet to a worthy soldier who can restore the organization to its noble intentions under Garp through an adaptation of the Diary of Koby-Meppo arc.
Who stars in One Piece season 2?
Alongside the returns of Godoy, Rudd, Mackenyu, Romero, and Skylar, One Piece season 2 will see Ward, Paulino, Reagan, and Davies reprise their roles from season 1. Aidan Scott is also confirmed to be returning as Koby’s fellow Marine cadet, Helmeppo. However, the bulk of season 2’s cast will be newcomers playing friends and foes to the Straw Hat Pirates.
After much teasing throughout season 2’s production, the Straw Hats will welcome a new member aboard in the form of Tony Tony Chopper, a young reindeer who was transformed by his Devil Fruit, turning him into an outcast to both humans and animals. The young creature studies under Dr. Hiriluk (Mark Harelik) and Dr. Kureha (Katey Sagal) on Drum Island, hoping to learn how to help people. Chopper is the series’ first fully animated character, with Superman’s Mikaela Hoover set to voice him.
However, the crew will also face new foes in the form of Baroque Works, a powerful criminal syndicate making moves to upend the ruling powers in the kingdom of Arabasta. Led by the warlord Crocodile (Joe Manganiello), the faction consists of several deadly assassins, including Miss All-Sunday (Lera Abova), Miss Wednesday (Charithra Chandran), Mr. 3 (David Dastmalchian), Mr. 9 (Daniel Lasker), Mr. 5 (Camrus Johnson), Miss Valentine (Jazzara Jaslyn), and Miss Goldenweek (Sophie Anne Caruso). Baroque Works will be a thorn in Luffy’s side throughout season 2 and season 3.
Meanwhile, Callum Kerr will play the previously teased Marine vice admiral Smoker, while Julia Rehwald will play his second in command, Tashigi. One Piece season 2 will also feature Rigo Sanchez, James Hiroyuki Liao, Ty Keogh, Rob Colletti, Clive Russell, Werner Coetser, and Brendan Murray in supporting roles.
One Piece season 3 is in the works
Credit: Netflix
As previously mentioned, One Piece‘s success has already guaranteed a third season, escaping an untimely end that so many high-budget projects from the streamer have received. With Crocodile making his debut in season 2, season 3 is expected to dedicate itself to fully adapting the remaining chapters of the Arabasta saga. Production began in November 2025, with Ian Stokes joining season 2 showrunner Joe Stacz as co-showrunner, producer, and writer.
Furthermore, new additions to season 3 have already been announced, with Blue Beetle and Cobra Kai‘s Xolo Mariduena taking on the role of fan-favorite pirate Portgas D. Ace, while Cole Escola will play Bon Clay. Meanwhile, Daisy Head and Awdo Awdo will expand the ranks of Baroque Works as Miss Doublefinger and Mr. 1.
When will One Piece season 2 be released?
One Piece season 2 is set to arrive on Netflix on March 10. After a surprisingly successful first season that pleased newcomers and anime fans, the series has quickly established itself as one of the platform’s most valuable assets, given its pre-season 2 renewal. With Netflix clearly confident in its fantasy hit, the horizon is bright for One Piece and its ever-growing fandom.
Release Date
August 31, 2023
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz
Iñaki Godoy
Monkey D. Luffy
