The live-action series will be back on Netflix for a second season in March, following Luffy D. Monkey and his Straw Hat pirate crew. This season will feature a host of new and unusual villains for Luffy and his friends to overcome as they continue their quest for the legendary One Piece. According to co-showrunner Joe Tracz, a major focus of Season 2 is highlighting the villains.
Adapting a popular animated manga like One Piece into live-action is incredibly challenging, but the first season managed to capture the spirit and quirky charm of the original, pleasing both longtime fans and new viewers. The upcoming second season promises to raise the stakes with a memorable group of villains – including Mr. 9 (Daniel Lasker), Mr. 5 (Camrus Johnson), Miss Valentine (Jazzara Jaslyn), and Mr. 3 (David Dastmalchian) – who are all part of the dangerous Baroque Works organization.
I was reading an interview with Jakub Tracz in SFX Magazine, and he really hit the nail on the head for me. He thinks shows like One Piece live and die by their villains, and he had a blast working on the Tarantino-esque assassins we saw in Season 2 – I totally agree, they were a highlight!
A story is only as strong as its villain, and this season, I was really looking forward to developing Baroque Works. They’re essentially super-powered assassins in the vein of Tarantino’s Kill Bill films, but with a focus on style as much as skill. They aren’t just evil, they’re stylish while being evil, and it was a lot of fun to create them.
Tracz pointed out a key difference in how Baroque Works and the Straw Hats achieve their goals. Baroque Works and the Straw Hats have very different approaches to getting what they want.
What’s really compelling about these villains is how they contrast with our heroes. The Straw Hats are all about teamwork and supporting each other’s goals. But in this villain group, the only way to climb the ranks is if someone else fails – even if it means someone has to die. It’s interesting to see this dynamic play out alongside the Straw Hats’ cooperation. The villains are often at odds with each other, which makes the Straw Hats’ bond and teamwork even more special and highlights what sets them apart.
‘One Piece’ Season 2 Has a Huge New Cast
It’s common for TV shows to start with a core group of actors and add a few new faces each season. However, Season 2 of One Piece is taking this to a new level, bringing on over 30 new actors – a huge expansion for the series.
The growing cast of characters welcomes several exciting new additions, including Mikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper, Lera Abova as Nico Robin (also known as Ms. All Sunday), and Joe Manganiello as Crocodile, the leader of Baroque Works. David Dastmalchian joins as Mr. 3, while Clive Russell (from Game of Thrones) plays Crocus. Brendan Murray will voice Brogy, and Katey Sagal takes on the role of Dr. Kureha – a part many fans thought would go to Jamie Lee Curtis. Rounding out the new cast members are Rob van Vuuren as King Seki, and James Hiroyuki Liao (from Superman) as Ipponmatsu.
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With so many new characters appearing this season, it might seem like a lot to keep track of. But many of them are introduced as part of established groups, which helps make the large cast of pirates, merchants, assassins, and politicians less daunting. Once you let go and enjoy the show’s exciting and unpredictable world, you can fully immerse yourself in the search for the One Piece. The series will be back on Netflix on March 10, 2026.
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2026-02-22 02:54