Your Guide to Understanding Netflix's 'One Piece'
This story contains spoilers for Season One of Netflix's One Piece.
If you've made it this far into One Piece, a tale of high seas adventure and friendship, then congratulations are in order. I'm willing to bet you're either a massive fan of the anime—or a newcomer who is beyond confused. As a mega-fan myself, even I can admit that the world of One Piece is insane. Eating a special kind of fruit can give you superpowers? Fish-men are real? Just about everyone in the world sails the seas as a pirate? Yes.
I'll round it up as best as I can. Right before the World Government executes the great "Pirate King" Gol D. Roger, he tells the world that he buried all his treasure in "one piece." His death ushers in the Great Age of Pirates, with most of the world leaving their homes to sail the seas and search for Roger's treasure. One of those brave pirates is Money D. Luffy, a teenager who dreams of finding the One Piece and becoming the next King of the Pirates. Accidentally eating one of the "devil fruits" before he sets sail, his body is turned into rubber. Using his newfound strength, he goes from island to island, in a mission to recruit a lovable crew to his cause. Along the way, he also liberates towns from cruel warlords and helps people achieve their dreams.
How Popular is One Piece?
The series is based on the manga of the same name by creator Eiichiro Oda, which has exceeded over 106 volumes since its first chapter back in 1997. One Piece is also the highest-selling manga of all time, very nearly outpacing Dragon Ball and Naruto combined. For Netflix, it's very much a BIG DEAL to get this live-action adaptation right. Oda oversaw the creation of the live-action Netflix series to ensure that he was happy with its quality. Ultimately, fans will be the judge (and maybe also the executioner).
What Happens in Season One of One Piece?
One Piece's first season ends with the formation of Luffy's pirate crew. Along his journey, he gains the friendship of swordsman Roronoa Zoro, Nami, a thief and the ship's navigator; Usopp, a marksman and rookie shipwright; and Sanji, the cook. The group defeats various corrupt pirates on their way to find the One Piece. The eclectic list includes: Buggy the Clown, Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, and Arlong the Fish-man. Luffy is also tailed by a ship of marines led by his grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp.
At the end of Season One, Luffy's crew is assembled and ready to enter the Grand Line—a stretch of ocean sailed by the sea's most dangerous pirate crews. There, Luffy and his friends will begin to try and accomplish their individual dreams together. Zoro trains to become the world's strongest swordsman, Nami seeks to map the world, Usopp hopes to become a brave warrior that his father can be proud of, and Sanji is searching for the world's greatest culinary delights.
What Could Happen in Season Two?
In the final episode, the crew gets their first official bounties from the World Government. They may have saved the East Blue sea from tyrannical warlord Arlong the fish-man, but now the whole world has their eyes on the rookie crew. The gang has more members to acquire and more islands to liberate. The first season tackles the first 100 chapters in just eight episodes, with Season Two most likely covering the next 100 chapters. In those arcs, Luffy and co. pick up Chopper, the crew's monstrous yet incredibly cute doctor. They also save the nation of Arabasta from a corrupt Warlord of the Sea (named Crocodile!) and his criminal organization of bounty hunters.
As of One Piece's August 31 premiere, the series has yet to be renewed. For some fans, these eight episodes are certainly surreal enough to see brought to life on their own.
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