Netflix is gearing up for the live-action adaptation of One Piece Season 2, with production well underway in Cape Town, South Africa. The streamer has recently announced several casting updates, including Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha and Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi / Miss Wednesday. However, although series creator Eiichiro Oda confirmed earlier that Tony Tony Chopper would join the Straw Hats when he announced the second-season renewal, the actor for the role has yet to be revealed. But that may soon change as Netflix has reportedly cast one of the actors for Chopper, Gavin Gomes, though a formal announcement is still pending.
After Chopper eats the Hito Hito no Mi, a Devil Fruit that allows him to transform into a human hybrid, he unlocks additional forms that aid him in combat. In addition to his human, human-reindeer hybrid, and default reindeer forms, he also possesses Jumping, Guard, Horn, Arm Kung Fu, and Monster Points. For his Heavy Point, Discord’s One Piece Live Action community has claimed that the stuntman and actor Gomes would transform into the giant muscular humanoid version of Chopper in One Piece Season 2.
According to the page, Gomes recently updated his acting resume to include his new role as Chopper in Netflix’s live-action series. However, the tag was later removed, likely to avoid spoilers, though it still managed to stir up conversations.
In a post on X, the page also revealed that Gomes works on prosthetics. As Jaco Snyman, the series' head of prosthetics, earlier explained, they plan to approach Chopper similarly to how they did Arlong, using practical prosthetics and visual effects makeup to create the Fishman look. Given Gomes’ experience, he may indeed play the role of Chopper in the second season. However, it remains to be seen if Gomes will also voice the role.
Netflix’s One Piece Showrunner Reportedly Fights Hard to Keep Season 2 True to Eiichiro Oda’s Story
One Piece broke Hollywood’s anime curse after its first season became a massive success, resulting in a second-season renewal barely a month after it premiered. As Oda said, the streamer would never put the show on unless he was satisfied with the live-action adaptation. However, YouTuber Nuxanor, who was said to be friends with showrunner Matt Owens, claimed Netflix execs wanted to streamline or cut the second season’s arcs to feature Alabasta faster. Thankfully, Owens fights hard to keep One Piece Season 2 true to Oda’s story.
“Matt Owens fought to keep Season 2 of One Piece live-action story intact,” Nux said. “Execs wanted to skip some arcs and end with Alabasta, but Matt pushed back and kept the full plan.”
Oda has spent decades building the story and characters of One Piece. In fact, the manga, on which the show is based, has been running for 24 years, starting in 1999. So, though the first season cut some scenes to feature more pressing stories, Owens wanted the second season to stick to the original plan.
Hence, when Oda announced that the arcs for the second season would adapt, he left out Alabasta. The first season will begin with the Loguetown arc, which is part of the first season’s East Blue Saga, and continue with Reverse Mountain (Twin Cape), Whiskey Peak, Littler Garden, and Drum Island arcs from the second saga, Arabasta. The Alabasta arc will remain unadapted for now and may be featured in the show’s potential third season.
Oda-sensei has the final say on all aspects of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece. Therefore, he has approved everything fans are about to see on the small screen. Fortunately, he has an ally at Owens who continuously supports his vision for the show.
All episodes of live-action One Piece are available on Netflix, while the second season is expected to be released in 2025.
