One Piece season 2: Release date speculation, latest news for Netflix series

There's been much concern among fans about how Netflix will handle the challenge of bringing Chopper, into live-action, and now fans have finally got a glimpse, as well as finally learn who'll be voicing the reindeer.

Chopper, who was introduced in One Piece manga's 134th chapter (volume 15, issued in 2000) and first appeared in 2001 in episode 81 of the One Piece anime, which launched in 1999, will be voiced by Mikaela Hoover (Beef).

You can watch the announcement video below:

The Netflix series is based on Eiichiro Oda's iconic manga and follows the success of an ongoing anime series.

It was previously confirmed that the show had been renewed for season 2, and there have been plenty of casting announcements – so prepare for some new faces when Luffy returns!

Despite criticism pitting the Netflix adaptation against the original, One Piece season 1 ranked as the most watched show in 84 countries over its first weekend, beating viewing records set by the likes of Stranger Things and Wednesday.

Considering Netflix's previous anime live-action adaptations haven't always gone down so well, it was a nice change to see One Piece do so well – especially because Monkey D Luffy actor Iñaki Godoy promised a faithful adaptation; one that honours the manga and the story it tells.

With that promise being met, hopes are high for Luffy and his pirate crew's comeback. Though, if you're not one to wait, here's how to watch the anime in order.

Here's everything you need to know about One Piece season 2.

One Piece season 2 release date speculation

A release date window has now been confirmed, with One Piece season 2 to land in 2026.

Filming on the second season kicked off in August 2024 and wrapped in December the same year.

On 14th September 2023, fans of the Netflix One Piece show were greeted by a very special message from series creator Eiichiro Oda via his own personal transponder, letting fans know that the streamer has renewed the series for a second season.

Fans of One Piece will know that the ending of season 1 set up an exciting season 2.

As episode 8 draws to a close, Luffy has been successful in taking down shark villain Arlong and his base, which is better known as Arlong Park. The Straw Hats have been reunited after Nami makes amends with her sister, setting off to bigger and better things ahead.

At the same time, it’s revealed by Koby that Luffy now has a bounty on his head – and it’s the highest of any bounty in the East Blue.

Because of this, the gang decides it’s finally time to make the journey to the Grand Line, although it doesn’t seem like the Marines are through with them yet.

It looks as though season 2 is set to introduce yet another pivotal big bad to the Netflix One Piece universe in the form of Smoker, a big, buff pirate with a love of cigars and a hatred for the Straw Hat Pirates.

What's especially tricky about this next villain is his ability to transform himself into cigar smoke, making him quite the adversary to take on.

Season 2 will also be helmed by showrunners Matt Owens and Joe Tracz.

One Piece season 2 cast

We're expecting the following cast members to return for One Piece season 2:

• Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D Luffy
• Emily Rudd as Nami
• Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
• Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp
• Taz Skylar as Sanji
• Vincent Regan as Monkey D Garp
• Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown
• Morgan Davies as Koby

We also have plenty of new faces joining the cast! They include:

• Daniel Lasker as Mr 9
• Camrus Johnson as Mr 5
• Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine
• David Dastmalchian as Mr 3
• Joe Manganiello as Mr O
• Lera Abova as Nico Robin
• Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday
• Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra
• Katey Sagal as Dr Kureha
• Mark Harelik as Dr Hiriluk
  
• Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek
• Mark Penwill as Chess
• Anton David Jeftha as KM
• Rigo Sanchez as Dragon
• Mikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper

Daniel, Camrus, Jazzara and David, who are members of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works, are taken directly from the One Piece manga.

Netflix previously revealed some of the adaptation's new cast members, such as Joe Manganiello (True Blood) being cast as Mr O (aka Crocodile) alongside other exciting additions: Lera Abova (Anna) as Nico Robin, Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton) as Miss Vivi Wednesday, and Katey Sagal (Futurama) as Doctor Kureha.

Deadline also revealed some other cast members that will be joining the main One Piece cast, including Sophia Anne Caruso (Beetlejuice) as Miss Goldenweek, Mark Penwill (Catch Me a Killer) as Chess, and Anton David Jeptha as KM.

Miss Goldenweek in the anime and manga works alongside Crocodile, so we expect her to be an antagonistic force against Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats.

Chess, on the other hand, is part of the Bliking Pirates, who Luffy and the crew come across during their adventures. KM is also part of the Bliking Pirates, and like Chess, plays an antagonistic role.

Meanwhile, as detailed above, Mikaela Hoover has been revealed to be voicing Tony Tony Chopper.

The actress is known for her voicing acting and motion capture roles and has previously appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, 2 Broke Girls, Happy Endings and Lucifer.

“What excited me about playing Chopper is the tug of war between his standoffishness and his huge heart,” she told TUDUM. “He tries so hard to hide his emotions and put on a tough exterior, but underneath, he’s a big softy, and his love can’t help but come out.

“I believe there is a little Chopper in all of us. We all want to be loved and accepted. We go to great lengths to keep the people that we love safe. There’s a purity to his nature that reminds us of what’s good in the world.”

What could be the plot of One Piece season 2?

Showrunner Matt Owens has given some hints about the plot, telling Tudum: "When the season 2 writers' room got together, we knew how far we were going to get and that this character Dr Kureha was going to be a big part of the season."

He added that "Oda told everyone we’ll be meeting Chopper in season 2" and confirmed that the Straw Hats are also going to be in the Grand Line, saying: “The place that we were talking about all of Season 1, we’re in it now."

Of course, we also have some clues from the manga and anime.

Plenty of obstacles and enemies are expected to play a part in Luffy’s next moves, slowing down his success in obtaining the elusive one piece.

According to the original manga, the Alabasta saga is next up, following on from the originally adapted East Blue saga. There are six separate arcs that make up the saga, divided into episodes and chapters that correspond with the manga and anime.

Before that, though, the manga takes a little detour to Loguetown – given that we see a tease of Smoker in the final episode's post-credits scene, it would make sense that season 2’s first episode would start there.

The Loguetown story will see Smoker chasing and tracking down Luffy and his Straw Hat crew due to his hatred of all things pirates – he pops up in a few arcs afterwards, including the Little Garden Arc and Alabasta Arc.

It’s easy to imagine he will be on the heels of the Straw Hat Pirates throughout the season – much like fellow Marine Garp was in season 1.

If the live-action One Piece continues to follow Oda’s story, fans can expect to see Luffy and that gang head towards Whisky Peak, where they are targeted by the criminal organisation known as Baroque Works.

We see Zoro defeat a member of the organisation in the first episode of season 1, so it makes sense that Baroque Works will return with a vengeance.

How has One Piece been adapted?

So far, season 1 of the live-action One Piece has almost perfectly matched up with season 1 of the anime series. The show also manages to adapt most of the East Blue manga saga.

However, some parts of the original series and manga have been changed in the live-action show. Some scenes have been cut altogether, while others have been rearranged to show the characters’ journeys differently.

The relationship dynamics between the main crew are also slightly different, with the live-action Straw Hats much more hesitant to follow Luffy in making his dreams come true.

The way the group comes together is altered, too, with most of their meetings chance encounters despite being planned out in the original source material.

Is there a trailer for One Piece season 2?

Not yet! However, as part of its Geeked Week event, Netflix released a brand new look at One Piece season 2 via a set tour by Buggy actor Jeff Ward. Watch below:

We'll update this page with any new information as and when it comes.

One Piece is now available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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