There was a time in India when watching animated series or reading comics was considered "not cool" enough. But the confluence of art and literature opened a world of possibilities to some of us who loved comics. It was around that time, in the early 2000s high school era, that some of us almost accidentally discovered Japanese anime and manga. Two decades later, anime is not only mainstream but also has found global acceptance. And to know that One Piece was the one piece of literature that did it, is truly special.
Back in school, when I discovered the boy made of rubber, Monkey D. Luffy, and his story to find the fabled treasure, the ‘One Piece’, I never thought it would be such a rewarding journey. As I neared the end of the Egghead arc of the anime, some 1150 episodes later, the second season of the live-action One Piece by Netflix dropped.
Officially called One Piece: Into the Grand Line, the second season covered a major chunk of the events in Reverse Mountain, Whisky Peak, Little Garden and Drum Island. In the anime adaptation, it covers roughly episodes 60 to 91 (around 28 canon episodes), and I was intrigued by how they accomplished it.
The first season of One Piece was perhaps the best adaptation by Netflix I have seen to date. But could they sustain it? Will the series survive more seasons, or will they be unceremoniously axed? One Piece: Into the Grand Line had a lot riding on its hull.
But from the get-go, Netflix managed to silence the critics. What we got were eight episodes of tightly made brilliance.
Iñaki Godoy is back as the lovable Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd gets more comfortable in her portrayal of Nami, and Mackenyu is just Roronoa Zoro. I think Jacob Romero Gibson makes Usopp better. Taz Skylar gives a very different Sanji, which I feel is more palatable to the new age, and for live action.
Charithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi (Miss Wednesday) is such a refreshing cast, and goes back to the original idea of her origins by mangaka Eiichiro Oda. In fact, I can’t wait to see her and Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra in the next season.
Mikaela Hoover brings the voice to the adorable Tony Tony Chopper, while Gavin Gomes plays the Heavy Point version of the character.
But I think the winner this season was Lera Abova as Nico Robin (Miss All Sunday), who joins the super talented Joe Manganiello as Sir Crocodile (Mr. 0).
The live action takes a lot of liberty with the source material. But it does so, in a subtle manner, as if it is intentional. Oda’s writing runs on similar lines. If you read the manga, the source material, you see Oda-san hinting at random things, which you end up revisiting years later. The early introduction of Luffy’s reflective fanboy, the absence of the giant duck, and a glimpse of a certain Revolutionary Army figure, all feel like creative choices that have bigger implications rather than customary changes made to fit live action.
Showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda seem to have studied the source material in such detail that their creative spin adds to the epic rather than diminishing it. And that, in itself, is a monumental achievement.
The One Piece live-action series is well-paced and is as far-fetched in its visuals as it is grounded in the underlying subtext. Experience this series not only for the experience, but also for the way it brings some of the most impactful characters to life, like never before.
I went into this series thinking I would be one of its vocal critics, but Oda has won me over the third time, in a completely new format. Divulging any more, and I run the risk of spoiling the season and the show in general. So, it is best left to you to experience it in its entirety.
And for a One Piece veteran such as myself, it is immensely rewarding to watch a whole new generation of youngsters (and adults) being introduced to one of the most relevant yet wild stories ever told—this time, sans the prejudice.
One Piece: Into the Grand Line (aka One Piece Season 2)
Rating: 4 out of 5 | ★★★★☆
Where to watch: Netflix
Cast: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero, Taz Skylar, Mackenyu, Mikaela Hoover, Charithra Chandran,