Enter the Grand Line with Netflix’s One Piece Season 2

Originally published on March 10, 2026. This article reviews the first episode of Netflix’s live-action One Piece season 2, “The Beginning and the End.”

Wahoo! The highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s One Piece series is finally here. Season 1 hooked current and brand-new fans alike. It gave new viewers a more manageable entry point, while enticing longtime anime fans with perfect casting choices. This action-adventure pirate fantasy appeals to all ages with its optimism, goofy humor, and absurdly touching life lessons. Also, Monkey D. Luffy’s rubber-band arms are so strange that you have to keep looking (even if you kind of want to look away).

In fact, a lot of One Piece hinges on an expert balancing act between tragedy and comedy, gross and gorgeous, silly and serious. Season 2 keeps that careful juxtaposition going with a strong start. Below, join us for a recap and review (additionally, some light predictions) of season 2, episode 1, “The Beginning and the End.”

Who are Baroque Works?

• Season 2, episode 1 features the live-action debut of Miss Valentine, Mr. 5, and Miss All Sunday.
• This season will also include Mr. 0/Crocodile, Miss Wednesday, Mr. 3, Miss Thursday, Mr. 9, Miss Friday, Mr.11, Miss Goldenweek, Miss Monday, and Mr. 13.

Previously, fans got the smallest glimpse at Baroque Works in season 1 when Zoro singlehandedly defeated Mr. 7. Now, episode 1 lays the groundwork for the antagonists ahead. Breaking into a Marine facility, Ms. Valentine, Mr. 5, and Miss All Sunday depict the most fearsome side of the secret organization. Netflix also flexes its production budget with impressive special effects and CGI in episode 1. Miss All Sunday in particular has a power that seems especially deadly — yet undeniably fascinating — in this live-action setting.

While Miss Valentine and Mr. 5 haven’t yet showcased their unique abilities, we’ll see more from them in the rest of the second season.

What’s so special about Loguetown?

• Loguetown is the largest Marine hub in the East Blue.
• The Marines executed Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates, in Loguetown.

Before season 2 aired, fans worried the live-action series would skip Loguetown. After all, there’s over 1,000 episodes in the One Piece anime. Any adaptation has to cut and truncate for the sake of both time and storytelling. But “The Beginning and the End” jumps between two timelines in Loguetown: the day of Gold Roger’s execution and the Straw Hat Crew’s shopping expedition. Gold Roger’s screentime even teases a massive mystery. Who is Gold Roger’s son, and is it in fact the orphaned Monkey D. Luffy? All the signs point to yes, but canon actually tells us otherwise. See more on that below.

The legend of the One Piece truly began in Loguetown. It is a vital location within One Piece lore, and the Netflix series truly honors the arc with an hour-long episode dedicated to exploring every corner. Loguetown is richly outfitted with incredible detail. From the extras’ costumes to the immense architecture and set dressing, Loguetown is as legendary as its name. After all, “logue” comes from the Latin for “to talk/discourse.” That’s quite fitting for a town where a special legend was created and subsequently spread via word of mouth.

Which new characters appear in season 2 episode 1?

• Captain Smoker, who has Smoke Smoke Fruit powers
• Petty Officer Tashigi, a sword geek and loyal Marine
• Ipponmatsu, a sword shop owner
• Bartolomeo, a petty thief inspired by Luffy’s optimism
• Monkey D. Dragon, founder of the Revolutionary Army and Monkey’s actual father
• Sabo, the Revolutionary Army’s chief of staff and sworn brother to Luffy and Ace (cameo)

This premiere sets the season up quite well. It re-establishes and re-affirms previous loyalties, dynamics, and personalities. And it also brings forth a few narratives that weren’t yet revealed at this point in the original manga/anime. The series is ramping up delightfully, balancing a fast pace with lots of its signature humor and heart. A few characters introduced in Loguetown will have major roles down the road — er, sea channel. Others, such as Buggy, will keep popping up to give us more teasing info about Shanks and Mihawk’s past. After all, the trio trained together once upon a time.

Buggy the Clown is back

Luffy’s past fights come back to haunt him with a bonkers battle worthy of One Piece’s sensationalized style. Alvida, empowered by the Slip Slip Devil Fruit, has allied with Buggy the Clown (who previously ate the Chop Chop Fruit). Together, the captains imprison Luffy using his sole weakness — seawater. Then, they stage a mock trial in order to sentence Luffy to death. Thus, the would-be King of the Pirates almost meets his end next to the execution platform where Gold Roger perished. How’s that for a full circle moment?

As we’ve come to expect, the sequence is silly and full of showmanship. Buggy truly shines with Shakespearean references and total commitment to his character. Additionally, the makeup and costumes have already improved from season 1 — and they weren’t even bad before. Vibrant wigs, fabulous face paint, and realistic scars round out an already visually appealing show.

It’s all about action (and dreams)

Naturally, a huge draw to One Piece are the fights. The action choreography is campy yet retains a certain charm. Plus, it’s exciting to watch. Sanji’s mixed martial arts and flexibility exude charisma and class. Zoro, of course, is riveting with his his sword fighting prowess on display. Nami, who is proficient with a bow staff, uses her preferred weapon a lot more in the live action than anywhere else. Usopp is more than comedic relief, using his slingshot to make a decisive blow. With such dedication to letting its secondary characters shine, Netflix’s One Piece proves it will always be worth the watch.

“There’s nothing we can’t take on together!” With that, Luffy sets the tone and the course for the crew’s adventure into the Grand Line. Episode 1 is a great recap and reminder about everyone’s goals and history. But it doesn’t hold anyone’s hands or over explain itself, also making it easy for first-time viewers to jump in. Our advice? Don’t skip season 1, because it’ll make season 2 that much more enjoyable. But it’s a hallmark of good showrunning when fans have that option.

Still, hopefully we don’t have to wait too long to get to Drum Island and see everyone’s favorite character, Tony Tony Chopper.

Weigh anchor, stick around, and let us know what you thought about the One Piece season 2 premiere. Share your (spoiler-free) thoughts about the episode at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!