The Beginning and the End
Episode 1 of One Piece season 2 starts in Shells Town, at the 153rd Marine Base. The Marines are getting pummelled by Miss Valentine and the rest of the Baroque Works organization. They're here to pick up Mr 7, but upon seeing his dead body, they know this is the work of Zoro. Their leader, Mr Zero (whom we later learn is Sir Crocodile) is not going to be happy about this.
Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats are still sailing the ocean but they're also looking for a way into the Grand Line. Nami believes they need to sail right through Reverse Mountain but it's a dangerous trip. Before they go, she knows they're going to need to stock up. Going in unprepared is not a good idea!
While Usopp isn't too enthused with the idea of shopping, Luffy and the others are all onboard to head over to Loguetown to stock up.
In Loguetown, Vice Admiral Garp (Monkey D. Garp, the hero of God Valley!) shows up to visit the Pirate King, Gold Roger. He's currently in chains and awaiting execution. The pair briefly mention Luffy before Rogers asks Garp to find his son.
Nami reminds them all that they need to make sure they don't attract unnecessary attention but Luffy is excited and wants to see the execution platform.
Zoro is heading off to buy a few more swords, while the enticing prospect of food piques the interest for Usopp and Luffy! Nami is the only one that's trying to keep everyone in check but that's not going to fly with such an eccentric group.
Arriving at the same time though is the Marine's star Pirate catcher, Captain Smoker. He's confident and knows that no pirate will allude him… and that's not good news for the Straw Hats!
Zoro shows up to get his swords, bumping into a woman on the way in that looks like his old friend, Kuina. It's not her though, as this is actually Tashigi, another member of the Marines.
Tashigi shows up to help Zoro in the midst of his "haggling" with the swordsmith, Ipponmatsu. The man behind the counter clearly knows that the sword Zoro holds is one of the 21 Great Grade blades, but it's not for sale. Ipponmatsu gets desperate but he's shut down quite quickly here.
Tashigi knows her swords too and she tries to convince Zoro not to pick up a sword that's apparently cursed. He tests his resolve against the sword's will, flipping it in the air with his arm out. Zoro comes out on top, with barely a scratch on him, and Ipponmatsu is impressed. In fact, he brandishes a blade called Yubashiri. It's the best one he has and one of only 50 Skilful Grade swords in the world. He's willing to just give it to Zoro, no questions asked.
Outside, Nami notices the air pressure change and believes a storm is inbound. She can sense the static in the air and hurries to collect up the group. She does so right off the back of bumping into a rookie thief by the name of Bartolomeo. She encourages him to go and pick on a better mark… and that brings him to Luffy.
Luffy is still looking for the execution platform and Bartolomeo offers to take him there. However, when they get near, Buggy shows up with his crew, which includes Alvida. Alvida has taken the Slip Slip Fruit, meaning she can shake off any blows that come her way.
The crew capture Luffy quite easily, prompting Captain Smoker to round the Marines up to get them. Well, the Straw Hats show up first to get Luffy out of his predicament, where Buggy has set up a makeshift court to humiliate the future King of the Pirates.
As the two groups fight, Smoker, Tashigi and the other Marines watch as Buggy takes Luffy up to the execution platform. Luffy defiantly stands and tells everyone he will become King of the Pirates. Laughing in the face of certain death, Captain Smoker notices similarities to Gold Roger here.
Just like that though, a sudden lightning strike takes out the execution platform and Buggy with it.
The group need to get back to the ship, but with Buggy's crew on the backfoot, Smoker moves in to take the Straw Hats out. However, Tashigi stops them, prompting a fight between her and Zoro in the streets. It's not much of a contest in truth, but Zoro makes sure to keep her alive, even when she tells him he's not worthy of the swords he carries.
As for Captain Smoker, he winds up fighting with Sanji and Luffy in the streets. However, Monkey D. Dragon shows up in his hooded get-up and stops Smoker at the last second.
At this point in the story though, Luffy has no idea who Dragon is but we do end things here with Luffy and the others getting out of Loguetown.
Miss All Sunday catches up to Tashigi at the bar, offering her "wings" if she wants to branch out. She leaves soon after, given Smoker shows up and points out Luffy's lineage and the way he laughed in the face of death. Either way though, the hunt for the One Piece looks set to begin.
The Episode Review
One Piece is back and the first episode is action packed and pretty faithful to the manga too. Its interesting that we open with Garp and Gold Roger in Loguetown, establishing all these big players in the same place at the same time – along with Monkey D. Dragon too. Adding him into the lore so early in the story, especially focusing on him and Luffy staring one another down is certainly a bold choice here.
The fight between Smoker and Luffy was great and personally, I thought it was better than the skirmish in the manga. However, the manga still trumps this live action in terms of style, comedic timing and narrative beats.
However, this show also seems to have been designed intentionally to be as faithful as possible to the source material, with any inclusions there primarily for manga fans to pick up a Easter Eggs. You can feel that from some of the panels that have been ripped right from the manga, especially the swordsmith scenes and the drama with Smoker and that little girl's ice cream.
If this is a sign of things to come, we should be in for another solid series.
Episode Rating
3.5
Reader Thoughts
From Greg W: Hey, good spot! I've just gone in and corrected that part of the recap, sorry about that!
From a reader: Just letting you know, Garp & Roger weren't talking about Luffy. Luffy isn't Rogers son. :)
Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
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