After Eiichiro Oda announced the coming of One Piece Season 2, he also revealed a new character who will be joining the Straw Hat Pirates, Tony Tony Chopper. Knowing this doctor is a reindeer that transforms into a human hybrid, it will be a big challenge to feature his live-action appearance, but the show’s head of prosthetics is up to it and even reveals how he may look.
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga has been a big hit. Nearly a month after its release, it remains the No. 1 show on its Top 10 TV list. That said, the season renewal isn’t a surprise, as many expected it to happen, especially with its global success and fame. But among the many things fans want to see, they look forward to watching Chopper in One Piece Season 2.
One of the people who's waiting for Chopper's arrival is the show’s lead of prosthetics, Jaco Snyman. In an interview with GameSpot, the visual artist couldn’t help but talk about the “Cotton Candy Lover” when asked about the Netflix series’ future. If there’s one thing he has been looking forward to, it’s working on this character.
“That's going to be interesting,” he said. “I hope that we are able to follow the same approach as with Arlong when we get to it.”
As the series used practical prosthetics to create Arlong’s look and all the Fishmen in his group, the same could be done to Chopper, along with visual FX makeup. With that, the series no longer has to rely on high-tech stuff to bring Chopper to life in One Piece Season 2. It may even follow what the streamer did with Gus’ character in Sweet Tooth.
You can watch the interview below:
When will Chopper appear in One Piece?
While announcing One Piece’s season renewal, Oda-sensei teased Chopper’s arrival in the second season. “It seems to me the Straw Hats will need a great doctor,” he said. “We will see.”
The Straw Hats only has one doctor, so the mangaka refers to Chopper while the show’s soundtrack plays in the background. He even drew Chopper’s image in the paper, confirming the character’s appearance in One Piece Season 2.
In the manga, Chopper debuted in Chapter 134, under the Drum Island Arc, which was part of the Arabasta Saga. Sanji and Luffy went to Drum Island to find a doctor to cure Nami. They then met Dr. Kureha, Chopper’s mentor and adoptive mother, who appeared alongside the assisting reindeer.
What is One Piece Season 2 about?
Though there are no words yet on what One Piece Season 2 will be about, it may highly follow the series’ chronological order. After adapting the first saga, East Blue, the next one may be the second narrative, Arabasta Saga, where Chopper will be introduced.
This is even teased by the first season’s end credits, where Smoker the White Hunter was seen burning a hole in Luffy’s most wanted poster. Considering this Marine vice admiral is the main antagonist of the Loguetown Arc, the last arc of the East Blue Saga, which was yet to be adapted, the new season might continue with the beginning of the Arabasta Saga.
Netflix has yet to announce when One Piece Season 2 will be released. As Oda said, it would take a while before the scripts could be ready due to the writers’ strikes, so fans should be patient.
