Netflix has given fans their first glimpse of Tony Tony Chopper in the live-action One Piece Season 2. The adorable reindeer-human hybrid will join the Straw Hat Pirates when the show returns in 2026.
Mikaela Hoover voices Chopper and performs facial capture for the character. She is known for roles in Beef, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Superman. The visual effects company Framestore brought Chopper to life, staying true to Eiichiro Oda’s original manga design.
“What excited me about playing Chopper is the tug of war between his standoffishness and his huge heart,” Hoover said. “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.”
Chopper is a blue-nosed reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit, giving him human traits and speech. He serves as the crew’s doctor and dreams of curing all diseases. Fans love him for his loyalty, love of sweets, and grumpy-yet-cute personality.
What to Expect in One Piece Season 2
Season 2 will continue the Straw Hats’ journey into the Grand Line. The story will cover the Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island arcs. Chopper joins the crew during the Drum Island arc.
Returning cast members include Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. New additions include Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0 (Crocodile), Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday, and Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha.
Filming for Season 2 wrapped in February 2025. The delay to 2026 is due to extensive post-production work, especially for Chopper’s CGI and Luffy’s stretchy powers. The first season took a year between wrapping and release, so the timeline matches expectations.
Fan Reactions and Fun Facts About Chopper
Chopper debuted in the manga in 2000 and the anime in 2001. His name comes from “tonakai,” the Japanese word for reindeer, and his antlers that look like they can chop trees. He loves cotton candy, hates spicy food, and takes naps often.
Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto call Chopper their favorite One Piece character. BTS’s Jimin also showed off a Chopper figurine during a concert in 2017.
One Piece Season 1 was a massive hit for Netflix, becoming one of the best live-action anime adaptations. Season 2 is highly anticipated, with Season 3 already in early development.
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