7 Major Changes in ONE PIECE Live Action Season 2, Many Characters Appear Sooner!

Kapanlagi.com - The second season of ONE PIECE has officially premiered on Netflix, bringing back the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat crew towards the Grand Line. In eight episodes, this season summarizes several important arcs such as Reverse Mountain, Loguetown, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island. Because the story is quite long, the production team made several changes from the manga and anime versions. Some storylines were also shortened to keep the pace of the series feeling fast and not tedious.

Some iconic scenes were removed, while some characters actually appear earlier than they should. There are also new story elements that never appeared in the original material. This was done to keep the story dense and engaging for new viewers who may not have followed the anime version. This approach also makes the series feel slightly different while still staying on the main storyline.

Despite the changes, many fans believe this adaptation successfully retains the adventurous spirit of ONE PIECE by Eiichiro Oda. Some changes are even considered to add a new flavor to the already well-known story. This adaptation also shows that the story of ONE PIECE can still evolve in different formats. Here are seven major changes that appear in the second season of the live-action version.

1. Bartolomeo Appears Earlier

Bartolomeo is seen in Loguetown (credit: X/@PookiePiece)

Fan-favorite character Bartolomeo appears earlier in the second season of the live-action series. He is seen in Loguetown, the place where Gol D. Roger's execution took place. In this story, Bartolomeo even interacts directly with Monkey D. Luffy. This appearance immediately caught the attention of fans.

In the manga and anime versions, Bartolomeo actually appears much later after this arc. However, the live-action seems to want to introduce this character to the audience sooner. This opens up the possibility that his role will be larger in the next season. Many fans are also speculating that his character will reappear in the following story.

2. Luffy vs Zoro Duel Does Not Happen

The duel between Luffy and Zoro was removed in the live-action version (credit: IMDB)

One of the well-known scenes in Whiskey Peak is the misunderstanding between Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro. In the original story, Luffy thinks Zoro is attacking the villagers for no reason. This leads to a brief fight between the two. That fight became one of the memorable moments for fans.

However, in the live-action, that fight scene was not included. The story's focus is more directed towards Zoro fighting members of Baroque Works. This decision was likely made to save on story duration. This way, the main plot can continue to progress more quickly.

3. Sabo Suddenly Appears

Sabo's rapid appearance has fans buzzing (credit: X/@PookiePiece)

Another major change is Sabo's appearance happening much earlier than in the original story. In the live-action version, he appears when Luffy's father, Monkey D. Dragon, confronts Smoker. This moment becomes one of the biggest surprises for fans. Many viewers did not expect this character to appear so soon.

In the manga and anime, Sabo is introduced much later after this arc is completed. Therefore, his appearance feels very unexpected. Many fans speculate that this is the live-action series' way of building a long-term story. His appearance could be an important clue for the next season.

4. Smoker and Tashigi Have a New Story

Smoker and Tashigi have a new storyline that does not exist in the original version (credit: IMDB)

The characters Smoker and his subordinate Tashigi receive additional story content. The live-action version provides them with a new plotline that does not exist in the manga or anime. This makes their characters feel more active in the story. Their roles also feel more prominent than before.

In this storyline, the two discover a government post that has been attacked by Baroque Works. They then confront members of that organization directly. This fight becomes one of the new story additions in the series. This scene also showcases their abilities more clearly.

5. Brook Appears Earlier and Not as a Skeleton

Brook appears earlier than in the original version (credit: X/@PookiePiece)

The live-action also provides an interesting easter egg with the appearance of Brook. He is seen in a flashback playing music for the giant whale Laboon. This moment immediately made fans recognize who he was. Many quickly considered it an important teaser.

In the original version, Brook only appears in the Thriller Bark Arc. That arc occurs long after the Drum Island story. Therefore, his appearance in season two feels like a teaser for the future. This brief appearance also makes fans even more curious.

6. Lapan Not Shown

Lapan, the giant rabbit, was also removed in the live-action version (credit: Greenscene)

In Drum Island, the Straw Hat crew actually meets a creature named Lapan. Lapan is a giant snow rabbit that is very dangerous. In the manga and anime, this creature becomes an enemy to the crew. That encounter is one of the unique moments in that arc.

However, the live-action does not feature this creature. The likely reason is the complex visual effects involved. Nevertheless, there is a rabbit head seen hanging in a house as a small hint about Lapan's existence. Many fans immediately noticed this small detail.

7. Fusion Chess and Kuromarimo Does Not Happen

Fusion Chessmarimo does not occur in the live-action version (credit: IMDB)

Two of Wapol's subordinates, Chess and Kuromarimo, also undergo changes. In the manga and anime, they can merge into one creature. This fusion occurs thanks to Wapol's Munch-Munch Fruit powers. This technique is quite unique in the original story.

However, this technique does not appear in the live-action version. They continue to fight separately against Sanji and Tony Tony Chopper. Even without the fusion, they remain quite troublesome opponents. The fight still poses a challenge for the Straw Hat crew.

(kpl/afd)