When it debuted in the summer of 2023, Netflix’s live-action One Piece instantly made waves across the globe, sparking immediate anticipation for season 2.
Bringing iconic manga and anime narratives into live-action has historically been a challenge, but Netflix’s take on One Piece seems to have found the perfect balance. Drawing inspiration from Eiichiro Oda’s legendary work — with Oda himself contributing to the production — the series centers on the adventurous Monkey D. Luffy (portrayed by Iñaki Godoy), a spirited young pirate with a heart full of dreams. After consuming a mysterious devil fruit as a child, Luffy gained extraordinary stretching powers — along with a dangerous vulnerability to water. Undeterred, he sets out to become the King of the Pirates by locating the fabled treasure known as the One Piece.
Season 1 followed Luffy’s early journey as he assembled the beginnings of his crew, introducing fans to familiar faces like Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. The series remained faithful to the original manga’s opening arc, captivating both longtime fans and newcomers with its vibrant storytelling and heartfelt characters.
The debut season of the series held strong on Netflix’s Global Top 10 for an impressive eight weeks, launching at the top spot in 46 different countries. In under two weeks, it racked up nearly 40 million views, securing its place as the platform’s most-watched title worldwide during its premiere window. With such a massive reception, it’s no surprise that anticipation for season 2 is through the roof. Here’s a look at everything currently known about Netflix’s One Piece season 2.
Thanks to its stellar performance, Netflix didn’t wait long to renew One Piece for a second season, making the announcement just weeks after the first season dropped. The exciting news was delivered by none other than series creator Eiichiro Oda in a special video released on September 14, 2023.
“Looks like fans around the world are really enjoying the show, and that makes all the effort from the cast and crew worthwhile,” Oda shared through a Den Den Mushi message. “Just two weeks after the premiere, I received incredible news… Netflix is moving forward with season 2! The journey of Iñaki and the live-action Straw Hat crew will keep going!”
Has Production Wrapped on One Piece Season 2?
Yes, it certainly has! On February 4, 2025, Netflix confirmed that One Piece Season 2 had officially completed filming. The announcement came with a photo featuring the five lead actors in full costume, standing in Loguetown — the iconic location tied to Gold Roger’s final moments — in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of his execution. The post was captioned, “Straw Hats, we sail forward! Filming for Season 2 is a wrap, and the Grand Line draws near! 🌊 The journey continues — are you ready to join the adventure? 🏴☠️”
Earlier, Netflix revealed that production for One Piece Season 2 officially kicked off in South Africa on July 1, 2024. The news was shared through a charming behind-the-scenes video featuring the cast traveling to Cape Town — the series’ primary filming location — and joyfully reuniting on set. Check out the video below:
Following Netflix’s official update, several cast members jumped on social media to share their excitement and confirm that filming was in full swing. Mackenyu, for example, posted a striking photo showing the silhouettes of the five main characters standing in front of their personalized director’s chairs, giving fans a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse.
A past report from The Streamr suggested that One Piece Season 2 had actually started filming in June 2024 in South Africa, although Netflix chose not to comment at the time. The production spanned several months, with producer Becky Clements telling Deadline in July 2024 that filming would likely extend “into December.” Actor Taz Skylar also noted in an earlier interview that the cast was scheduled for a “long stint” of filming in South Africa during the latter part of the year.
The series was among many impacted by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, which caused notable delays. When Eiichiro Oda confirmed the show’s renewal, he explained, “It’ll still take a while to get the scripts ready, so please be patient.” Later, showrunner Matt Owens told Deadline that the writers’ room had officially reopened in October 2023.
Who’s Returning and Joining in One Piece Season 2?
Netflix’s live-action One Piece features Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. These five form the core of the Straw Hat crew — at least for now. Each actor is a series regular and will be returning to their roles in Season 2.
Several familiar faces from Season 1 are also expected to reappear, although their involvement hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. Notable recurring characters from the first season include Morgan Davies as Koby, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp, Langley Kirkwood as Captain Morgan, Craig Fairbrass as Zeff, Peter Gadiot as Shanks, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown, and McKinley Belcher III as Arlong, among others.
Season 2 will also introduce new characters. On June 25, 2024, Netflix announced several fresh additions to the cast, including Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine, and David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3. You can check out how these newcomers stack up next to their manga counterparts in the post below.
In addition to the Baroque Works agents, Netflix introduced three more cast members joining One Piece Season 2 on June 26, 2024. Scottish actor Clive Russell is set to play Crocus, South African actor Werner Coetser will appear as Dorry, and Brendan Murray has been cast in the role of Brogy.
On June 27, 2024, Netflix introduced another batch of new cast members joining One Piece Season 2. This latest announcement included Callum Kerr taking on the role of Smoker, Julia Rehwald cast as Tashigi, Rob Colletti portraying Wapol, and Ty Keogh (also known as Tyrone Keogh) stepping into the role of Dalton.
During the announcement of Season 2, Eiichiro Oda hinted that Doctor Kureha would be making her debut, sparking excitement among fans. Showrunner Matt Owens even revealed that the team had envisioned Jamie Lee Curtis for the role from the start — and the feeling appears to be mutual.
“Doctor Kureha is fortunately a character coming up in our storyline, and she feels tailor-made for Jamie Lee Curtis,” Owens told Deadline. “We’ve started putting that energy into the universe. Honestly, we’re already writing the role with her in mind — we would absolutely love to have her join us for Season 2.”
Though fans were hopeful, Jamie Lee Curtis ultimately didn’t join One Piece Season 2. With filming for the long-awaited Freaky Friday sequel kicking off in Los Angeles in June 2024, early reports suggested her casting might not materialize — and that’s now official. In a July 2024 interview with Deadline, Becky Clements, president of Tomorrow Studios (the production company behind Netflix’s One Piece), confirmed Curtis had to decline due to conflicting schedules.
“She’s a big fan of the show,” Clements explained, “but she has multiple film and TV projects starting production, and unfortunately, our timelines just didn’t align. She really wanted to do it, but her other commitments took priority.”
Even so, the role of Doctor Kureha has been filled by a fitting choice. On August 21, 2024, it was announced that Katey Sagal — known for her work in Married… with Children, Futurama, and Sons of Anarchy — would take on the part. That same day, Mark Harelik was also revealed to be playing Dr. Hiriluk.
On August 22, 2024, Sendhil Ramamurthy was officially revealed as the actor portraying Nefertari Cobra. His character introduction sets the tone for what’s to come: “Amid the shifting sands of Alabasta, where unrest brews beneath the surface, rises a ruler defined by honor. Meet Nefertari Cobra — a steadfast king facing the storm at his nation’s turning point.”
On August 23, Netflix confirmed that Charithra Chandran, known for her role in Bridgerton Season 2, will portray the fan-favorite character Miss Wednesday — also known as Nefertari Vivi. In a video shared on the official One Piece Instagram account, Chandran expressed her excitement: “I’m beyond thrilled to be joining the One Piece cast, and I’m so thankful to Oda Sensei for entrusting me with Vivi. I understand how deeply she’s loved, and I promise to give it everything I’ve got to honor her and make you proud.”
“Her history remains a mystery, but her talents within Baroque Works are second to none,” read the caption on the One Piece Instagram post unveiling the role. Fans had been buzzing with theories about Charithra Chandran’s possible casting as Miss Wednesday/Vivi long before the official announcement.
On September 19, 2024, following weeks of speculation, Netflix officially confirmed what fans had been hoping for: Joe Manganiello will take on the role of Mr. 0, also known as Crocodile, while Lera Abova is set to portray Nico Robin, aka Miss All Sunday — the enigmatic Baroque Works vice president and soon-to-be Straw Hat legend (if you know, you know).
