Netflix One Piece Season 2 Review: Luffy, Straw Hats and Epic Adventures

From Left to Right, Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) listens as Nami (Emily Rudd) explains her theory on the Grand Line to Usopp (Jacob Romero), Sanji (Taz Skylar) and Zoro (Mackenyu).

Source: Netflix

Overall : 8.8

Story 8.0/10

The search for the One Piece continues, as the Straw Hats cross the Grand Line.  The adventures get bigger as do many of the new characters they meet. Will Luffy and crew be prepared to meet the challenges that await?

The series moves at blinding speed. Early on, it feels a bit rushed.  Understandable. The format allows 8 episodes for an anime that has run, until recently, weekly for over 20 years. 

But given that challenge, the show is still able to hit the emotional beats. And what it sacrifices early, it more than makes up for in the mid to latter parts of the season. 

The theme of freedom versus Tyranny is highlighted through out the series and this season. It’s underlined through Eiichero Oda’s remarkable characters. These characters choose to live their lives the way that they see fit.

Laboon shows off the Straw Hat jolly roger next to the Going Merry.

Source: Netflix

Character  8.9/10

Iñaki Godoy/Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy is still in pursuit of the One Piece. And he searches the way he sees fit. Along the way, he wants to make friends and have as many adventures as he can. If that means he fights tyrannical despots and winds up in the World Government’s crosshairs, then so be it.

Roronoa Zoro/ Makenyu

Zoro seeks to become stronger, so he can avenge his loss. He’ll only become stronger by fighting the world’s strongest swordsmen. Following Luffy’s quest to become King of the Pirates will only help him in his goal to become the world’s greatest Swordsman.

Taz Skylar/Sanji

Sanji wants to find the All Blue. It's a place where all the fish in the world converge. This chef's paradise can only be found in the new world. Though that's his ultimate goal, his admiration for Nami may start to place her affection at a close second.

Jacob Romero/Ussop

Usopp needs to find his bravery. If he continues to follow Luffy’s quest, he’ll have no choice but to become a brave warrior of the sea. Because the threats will only become bigger and more powerful.

Emily Rudd/Nami

Nami wants to map the entire world. The only way to do that is to find the One Piece with Luffy. But at times the quest's puzzles leaves Nami's brilliant mind doubting her abilities. She'll have to borrow some of Luffy's belief, so she'll start having some faith in herself.

Mikaela Hoover/Tony Tony Chopper

Chopper wants to be a doctor that can defeat any disease. That would make him the world's greatest doctor. The only way to come across as many injuries and see as many diseases as he possibly could would be to join Luffy's quest for the One Piece.

Charithra Chandra/Miss Wednesday/Vivi

Vivi wants to save her kingdom. She’s tried everything in her power. But she can’t do it alone. She's going to need some help along the way. Vivi will have to learn to trust others.

Julia Rehwald/Tashigi

Tashigi wants to liberate all of the world’s greatest swords from unworthy Swordsmen. She can't do that if she's cooped up in navy strongholds. She'll have to prove to Smoker that she is capable and can stand on her own two feet against the powerful threats they face.

Lera Abova/Miss All Sunday

Miss All Sunday has her motivations. She keeps them close to the vest for now. This viewer is sure audiences will discover her machinations in future seasons.

David Dastmalchian/Mr. 3

Mr. 3, like most of the other antagonists in the story, stands in the way of those who want to pursue their dreams. Of course, he tries to create art along the way but isn’t particularly good at it. Though this viewer does realize that art can be subjective.

Smoker/Callum Kerr

Smoker wants nothing more than to apprehend pirates. He obviously stands in the way of the Straw Hats simply because they happen to be pirates. Of course, to him all pirates stand in contravention of the law that he's doing his best to uphold.

Smoker also stands in the way of Tashigi’s goal. He seems to be doing it for her protection. At any rate, he is an obstacle to her dream.

A shy Chopper peeks from behind a chair to avoid the Straw Hats.

Source: Netflix

Animation 9.5/10

Though this is a live-action adaptation, due to the fanciful nature of the world that Oda has created, there is a great deal of animation involved. 

The animation for this series is exquisite. From the incredible expressiveness  of Laboon’s face to Brogy and Dory’s giant frames scaled against the other characters, the animators do an excellent job. 

The meticulous detail that they put into Chopper pays off. He literally steals some of the scenes that he’s in. The remarkable animation is certainly a boon to One Piece's storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Just call Oda Midas because he has the magic touch. He manages to work with Netflix on another successful live-action adaptation for One Piece. Though it has some issues here and there, ultimately the theme and incredible characters carry the day.