The Straw Hat Pirates are getting ready to set sail again, and this time, the new One Piece Live-Action Season 2 cast is making sure every detail looks familiar to longtime readers. The cast members have been sharing images and behind-the-scenes moments that show them striking poses directly from Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, and the reaction from the fan community has been clear—they approve.
Netflix is bringing the second season to screens on March 10, 2026 . Filming wrapped earlier this year on February 4, and the production team has been carefully working on post-production to deliver the next chapter of Luffy’s journey . The new season carries the title One Piece: Into the Grand Line and will cover the Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island arcs .
Cast Members Bring Manga Accuracy to Live-Action
The new additions to the One Piece Live-Action Season 2 cast have been sharing their excitement on social media. What caught everyone’s attention is how many of them posted photos that mirror specific panels from the source material.
Charithra Chandran, who plays Princess Vivi (initially introduced as Miss Wednesday), shared an image of herself in costume that matches Vivi’s introduction in the manga. The white hooded cloak, the determined expression, and the overall framing drew immediate comparisons to Oda’s original artwork . Fans on various platforms pointed out that the production team clearly paid attention to getting the small details right.
Lera Abova joined the cast as Nico Robin, also known as Miss All Sunday during her introduction . Her first-look images showed the character’s signature outfit and mysterious demeanor. The actress, known for her work in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, captured Robin’s enigmatic presence that fans remember from the Arabasta Saga .
Joe Manganiello will appear as Mr. 0, the head of the Baroque Works criminal organization, better known to fans as the Warlord Crocodile . His casting generated significant discussion when announced, and his first official photos showed the character’s distinctive look—the dark suit, the cigar, and the hook hand that serves as his weapon. Manganiello shared the image with a simple caption that acknowledged the character’s importance in the story.
David Dastmalchian takes on the role of Mr. 3, the wax-wielding Baroque Works agent . His character photos showed the eccentric outfit and the distinctive hairstyle that makes Mr. 3 stand out among the organization’s officers.
Sendhil Ramamurthy was cast as Nefertari Cobra, Vivi’s father and the ruler of the Arabasta kingdom . While some fans initially had concerns about the casting, Ramamurthy’s first images as the king showed the royal bearing and concerned expression that defines Cobra’s role in the story .
Giants and Marines Join the Adventure
Werner Coester and Brendan Murray will portray the giant warriors Dorry and Brogy . The Little Garden arc introduces these legendary figures, and the production team faced the challenge of bringing their massive scale to life. Behind-the-scenes footage showed the actors in performance capture suits, suggesting the giants will be created through a combination of practical effects and CGI .
The Marines are expanding their presence in season 2. Callum Kerr will play Captain Smoker, the cigar-chomping Marine officer who becomes one of the Straw Hats’ most persistent pursuers . Julia Rehwald joins as Tashigi, Smoker’s subordinate who shares Zoro’s obsession with swords . Their character reveals showed both actors in full costume, with Kerr’s Smoker featuring the white hair and distinctive coat that fans recognize.
Katey Sagal will appear as Dr. Kureha, the eccentric physician of Drum Island . The role was previously coveted by Jamie Lee Curtis, but Sagal brings her own presence to the character. Mark Harelik plays Dr. Hiriluk, Kureha’s colleague and a father figure to Tony Tony Chopper .
The character of Tony Tony Chopper, the reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit, will be brought to life through CGI with Mikaela Hoover providing both the voice and performance capture .
Behind-the-Scenes Content Shows Attention to Detail
The official One Piece Netflix social media accounts have been sharing behind-the-scenes content that gives fans a look at the production’s scale. A teaser released in September 2025 showed Jeff Ward returning as Buggy the Clown, giving viewers a tour of the recreated locations . The footage included the Ipponmatsu Arms Store, the Twin Cape Lighthouse, and Doskoi Panda shops that appear throughout the early Grand Line adventures.
Costume designer Kerry Barnard mentioned that more than a thousand outfits were created for the new season . The wardrobe department worked to translate the distinctive looks of each new character while making them feel practical for live-action storytelling.
Showrunner Matt Owens has consistently emphasized the team’s commitment to staying faithful to the source material . The behind-the-scenes footage shows the production designers referencing specific manga panels when building sets and creating costumes.
The teaser shared by Netflix came with a message that read: “To those who hunger for adventure, Season 2 is serving a voyage worthy for the crew of the future King of the Pirates” . The streaming platform also called the new adventure “worthy for the crew of the future King of the Pirates” .
Fan Reactions to the Casting Choices
When the full One Piece Live-Action Season 2 cast was announced through Tudum, some corners of the fandom expressed initial concerns . The challenge of translating beloved animated characters to live-action always brings questions about whether the actors will capture the essence of the roles.
However, as more images and footage emerged, the conversation shifted. Fans noted that several cast members appeared to be intentionally recreating specific manga panels in their promotional materials. This attention to the source material reassured many viewers that the production team understands what makes One Piece special.
The casting of Charithra Chandran as Vivi drew significant attention . At 29, Chandran will portray a character who is 16 in the source material, which raised some questions among fans . But her first-look images showed the regal quality that Vivi needs, and her performance in Bridgerton demonstrated her ability to carry dramatic scenes.
Sendhil Ramamurthy as Cobra prompted split reactions initially . The character in the manga has a distinct weathered appearance and regal bearing. Ramamurthy’s take brings warmth and intelligence to the role, and production will likely use costuming and makeup to achieve the appropriate look .
The giants Dorry and Brogy, played by Werner Coester and Brendan Murray, presented a unique challenge . Their scale and distinctive facial features require careful visual effects work. Early footage suggests the team is using performance capture technology to preserve the actors’ performances while achieving the necessary size.
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Returning Cast Members and Story Direction
The core Straw Hat crew returns for season 2. Iñaki Godoy continues as Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd returns as Nami, Mackenyu is back as Zoro, Jacob Romero plays Usopp, and Taz Skylar reprises his role as Sanji . Their chemistry carried the first season, and the new episodes will put them through even greater challenges.
The story picks up with the crew entering the Grand Line. The Loguetown arc serves as a gateway to the legendary sea route, introducing Smoker and Tashigi while showing the crew preparing for the journey ahead. Reverse Mountain and the Twin Cape bring them to the literal entrance of the Grand Line, where they meet Crocus, played by Clive Russell .
Whiskey Peak introduces the Baroque Works agents and sets up Vivi’s connection to the Straw Hats. Little Garden brings the giants Dorry and Brogy into the story while advancing the Baroque Works conspiracy. Drum Island introduces Dr. Kureha, Dr. Hiriluk, and the beloved Tony Tony Chopper.
The season will set up the larger Arabasta Saga that follows, with Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile pulling strings behind the scenes . The Baroque Works organization poses a significant threat, with agents at every level ready to stop the Straw Hats from interfering with their plans.
Series creator Eiichiro Oda remains involved with the production, ensuring the adaptation maintains the spirit of his original work . His letter confirming the covered arcs gave fans confidence that the story is moving in the right direction .
Netflix has scheduled the global release for March 10, 2026 . Viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide will be able to stream all episodes on the platform starting that day. The streaming service has not yet confirmed how many episodes the new season will contain, though the first season featured eight episodes .
The behind-the-scenes content continues to build excitement. Each new image shows the production team’s dedication to bringing Oda’s world to life with care and respect for the source material. For fans who grew up with the manga and anime, seeing the live-action cast recreate those familiar panels means the people making the show truly get what One Piece is about.
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