One Piece season 2 is generating intrigue, particularly with the potential inclusion of Nico Robin as a primary antagonist. This decision, while unexpected, could serve as a clever nod to the peculiarities of the franchise’s history, including its most unconventional film released nearly two decades ago. Although Netflix has yet to announce the exact release date for season 2, early indications suggest an exciting trajectory for the live-action adaptation. Notably, creator Eiichiro Oda has shared updates about visiting the filming set, hinting that this upcoming season will expand significantly on its predecessor, not only introducing new characters but also advancing the plot as Luffy embarks on his journey into the Grand Line.
To maintain narrative momentum, the villains introduced in season 2 are expected to surpass the strength of those encountered in the first season. While Crocodile is positioned to be a significant foe in the next two seasons, there is a consensus that season 2 will not reach the Arabasta saga. This leads to speculation that Miss All Sunday, a high-ranking member of Baroque Works, could take the lead as the central villain for season 2. If this theory holds, Nico Robin is likely to have a substantial presence throughout the season.
Implications of Robin as Season 2’s Main Villain in the Drum Island Arc
Episode of Chopper Plus: Robin’s Role in Drum Island
Should Netflix choose to amplify Miss All Sunday’s role compared to her original manga appearance, it’s reasonable to expect Nico Robin’s involvement in the Drum Island arc. With Drum Island projected to be the climactic arc of season 2, her involvement could set the stage for critical developments leading into season 3. Speculatively, Robin’s character could align with Crocodile in subterfuge, perhaps orchestrating plans with Wapol or tracking the Straw Hats following their confrontation with Mr. 3.
|
Arcs Featured in One Piece Season 2 |
Corresponding Anime Episodes |
|---|---|
|
Loguetown |
Episodes 45-53 |
|
Reverse Mountain |
Episodes 61-63 |
|
Whiskey Peak |
Episodes 64-67 |
|
Little Garden |
Episodes 70-77 |
|
Drum Island |
Episodes 78-91 |
Robin’s anticipated presence in the Drum Island arc would resonate with the plot of the 2008 film Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in Winter, Miracle Sakura. This film notably diverged from established canon, featuring Robin and Franky aboard the Thousand Sunny before the introduction of Chopper. Although it follows the general recapping format of other One Piece recap movies, it strays from the timeline by positioning Robin and Franky as part of the crew during pivotal moments.
Canon Divergences in One Piece’s Episode of Chopper Plus
Revisiting Episode of Chopper Plus as an Alternate Reality
Recap films have been a staple in anime for quite some time, offering viewers condensed versions of existing material with improved animation quality and accelerated pacing. While films like Episode of East Blue and Episode of Arabasta adhere to the narrative established in the series, Episode of Chopper Plus stands out for its complete disregard for canon.
In 2014, a revised version of Episode of Chopper Plus was released, revealing the entire plot to be a dream conceived by Chopper. This alteration offered a justification for the unusual arrangements featuring Robin, Franky, and the Thousand Sunny within the film.
Notably, the choice to place Chopper into the Straw Hat crew as one of the later additions, rather than before Robin and Franky, distinguishes Episode of Chopper Plus from other recap entries, albeit for questionable reasons. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that should Nico Robin feature in the Drum Island arc of season 2 as a villain allied with Crocodile, it would lend a more coherent narrative than that presented in the aforementioned film.
The Narrative Justification for Robin’s Role in Season 2
Necessity for a Central Villain Beyond Crocodile in Season 2
The first season’s character development for Garp, despite his non-involvement in the East Blue storyline, demonstrated a deviation from the original material. Characters like Buggy and Arlong were recontextualized within the Baratie arc instead of following the manga’s trajectory. Similarly, Miss All Sunday could be incorporated in a way that complements the story, especially considering Crocodile’s encounter with Luffy and his crew is ideally saved for the Arabasta arc in season 3 of One Piece.
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