Netflix’s live-action One Piece is based on the East Blue saga of Eiichiro Oda’s popular anime and manga series, which depicts the formation of Monkey D. Luffy’s Straw Hat Pirates. The first season introduces the main characters of the crew: Luffy, the rubber-bodied captain; Zoro, the skilled swordsman; Nami, the cunning navigator; Usopp, the inventive sharpshooter; and Sanji, the passionate chef.
The original One-Piece story continues to expand the crew with more members who have their own unique abilities and personalities. As of now, there are 10 official Straw Hats and 2 honorary ones. Netflix’s One Piece foreshadows some of these future recruits by dropping hints for three of them in the first season.
1. Chopper to be the Next Straw Hat in One Piece
According to the original One Piece story, Chopper, a reindeer who becomes the ship’s doctor, is the next member to join Luffy’s crew. Netflix’s live-action TV show hints at his future appearance when Zoro suffers a severe injury from his fight with Dracule Mihawk.
Luffy is distraught and distracted as Nami and Usopp worry about their wounded friend. On their way to Baratie for medical help, Luffy says, “We need a doctor.”
Luffy is not only looking for a nearby doctor to treat Zoro but also realizing the need for a permanent doctor on board. He understands that sailing the Grand Line will expose his friends to more dangers and risks and that having no doctor in the crew could be fatal. This narrative element prepares the stage for Luffy to invite Chopper to join the Straw Hats as a doctor and a potential snack in One Piece season 2.
2. Nico Robin and Jinbe Will Join Soon
The original One Piece story reveals that the next official Straw Hat member after Chopper is Nico Robin and Netflix’s live-action adaptation also hints at her introduction.
Zoro meets an agent from Baroque Works before joining Luffy, and Vice-Admiral Garp mentions the same organization in One Piece season 1. Baroque Works is likely to be a major antagonist in One Piece season 2, and Nico Robin, who is one of their top operatives, is expected to make her debut soon, although she may not join Luffy immediately. Along with Nico Robin, Baroque Works will also introduce Vivi, an honorary member of the Straw Hats.
The Netflix series also foreshadows the latest canon member of the Straw Hat Pirates, Jinbe, a fish man. Arlong angrily names Jinbe and reveals his status as a Warlord of the Sea. This line does not offer any further details or explanation and serves as a nod to the anime fans. However, it also implies that Jinbe will join Luffy’s crew in the future. While Chopper and Nico Robin will likely appear in One Piece season 2 due to the clear clues from the Netflix series, Jinbe’s arrival is probably far off.
Based on the current speed of the show, Jinbe’s physical appearance in One Piece is expected to be delayed until season 5 of the Netflix adaptation. Jinbe’s official membership in Luffy’s crew will take even longer, as he only joins the Straw Hats around chapter 1000 in the original story. In general, this means that Jinbe will become a live-action Straw Hat in season 10 or 11, if Netflix’s version continues.
3. Tony Tony Chopper Will Require Major CGI Effort
Nico Robin and Jinbe are unlikely to present major VFX difficulties for One Piece if they join Luffy’s crew in future seasons. Netflix’s adaptation of Luffy and Buggy’s shape-shifting Devil Fruit powers in season 1 indicates that Nico Robin’s ability to grow limbs anywhere is feasible in live-action.
Likewise, One Piece season 1 already demonstrated that live-action fish-men are possible through Arlong and his crew. However, Chopper poses a serious challenge – one that is imminent if the talking reindeer is Luffy’s next recruit.
Tony Tony Chopper, as an anthropomorphic animal who expresses emotions and walks on two legs, will demand a significant improvement in One Piece’s CGI. Hollywood has the capability to create realistic furry human-like animals in live-action, as shown by Detective Pikachu, The Mandalorian, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
The question is whether Netflix’s One Piece budget will be sufficient to attain the same level of realism and quality for Chopper. A poorly-made, ugly Sonic-like creature would not only spoil Chopper’s character but also harm the Straw Hat bond that One Piece season 1 established so well.
4. About One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.
The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!
Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.
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