Netflix’s One Piece continues to be one of the platform’s most successful live-action adaptations, and now that Season 3 has been confirmed and is in production, fans are excited to see what happens and who will appear next. One Piece Season 2’s conclusion ended with a cliffhanger, introducing Sir Crocodile, the main villain of the Alabasta Saga.
However, Luffy, Vivi, and his friends still have quite a journey ahead of them before they make it to Alabasta to face off against Crocodile. Season three, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, arrives sometime in 2027.
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Although the production has not officially confirmed which characters and arcs Season 3 will focus on, the source material’s story trajectory, confirmed casting, and other clues suggest the next season of the One Piece live-action will explore more than just the Alabasta conflict. Here is what and who fans can potentially expect to see in One Piece Season 3. (Spoilers ahead for those who haven’t read the manga or watched the anime.)
Fire Fist Ace
Many fans thought Portgas D. Ace, aka Fire Fist Ace, Luffy’s older brother, would appear in Season 2. Unfortunately, there was no such luck.
Although there were some hints of Ace in the most recent season, the teaser poster for One Piece Season 3 confirms that Ace will be in the coming season. In the original series, Ace is a young pirate who sets out to sea two years before Luffy, with the dream of making a name for himself.
As Luffy’s older brother, Ace was naturally concerned about Luffy setting out to sea, which resulted in him searching for Luffy in Alabasta to check in on him. Ace’s introduction to the series is also the first time the audience and the Straw Hat crew learn that Luffy has a brother. Recently, it was confirmed that Blue Beetle actor Xolo Maridueña has been cast in the role of Portgas D. Ace for Season 3.
More Baroque Works Agents
Luffy and the Straw Hats faced off with their fair share of Baroque Works assassins in One Piece Season 2. Unfortunately, the Straw Hat Pirates have not seen the last of the deadly organization, as larger, more treacherous members of Baroque Works await them in Alabasta. Some of the most notable members who may appear in Alabasta in Season 3 are Mr. 1 and Miss. Doublefinger, Miss. Merry Christmas, and Mr.2.
Mr. 2 aka Bon Clay
Mr. 2 is a high-ranking assassin in the Baroque Works organization, who gets dispatched after Mr. 3’s failed mission on Little Garden. It is by chance that Mr.2 crosses paths with the Straw Hats at sea while on the way to Alabasta.
Luckily for the Straw Hats, Mr.2 does not realize they are his enemies, and they do not realize he is a member of Baroque Works until after they part ways. Before either party realized they were on opposing sides, the Straw Hat Crew and Mr. 2 bonded and formed a deep friendship with one another. Mr. 2 and the Straw Hat’s friendship is a recurring dynamic that will play a larger role as the story arc progresses.
Shortly following the conclusion of One Piece Season 2, the show announced that Cole Escola would be joining the cast as Mr. 2/Bon Clay in Season 3.
More Smoker & Tashigi
One Piece Season 2 followed a subplot that centered on Smoker and Tashigi’s investigation and pursuit of Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. In their pursuit, Smoker and Tashigi clash with several Baroque Works officers and realize their investigation is leading them to the desert kingdom of Alabasta. This is slightly different from the original series.
In the source material, Tashigi and Smoker are in Alabasta specifically to hunt down Luffy, Zoro, and the other Straw Hat Pirates following their escape from Loguetown. It is while they are in Alabasta that Smoker and Tashigi realize there is a greater conspiracy involving Sir Crocodile.
More Sir Crocodile
Crocodile, also known as Sir Crocodile, is the major antagonist of the Alabasta Saga. Crocodile is a ruthless pirate who has earned him a spot as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea by the World government, which grants him certain liberties that other pirates do not have. However, Crocodile secretly leads the criminal organization Baroque Works and goes by the codename Mr. 0.
Crocodile’s identity as Mr. 0 gets revealed in One Piece Season 2, and by the conclusion of the series, Crocodile is revealed from the shadows to the audience. So it is safe to assume Season 3 will have a heavy focus on this character.
Joe Manganiello briefly portrayed the character in Season 2. Next season, with Corcodile’s involvement as the main villain of the Alabasta Arc confirmed, Manganiello will truly be able to fully show off his range as the character.
Luffy vs Crocodile
Luffy facing off against Crocodile is guaranteed to happen in Season 3, but it may take more than one fight with the Warlord of the Sea for Luffy to take him down. In the source material, Crocodile is one of Luffy’s most challenging adversaries that he crosses paths with in the Grand Line.
Crocodile’s unique devil fruit powers give him the ability to control and turn his entire body into sand. As someone who typically fights head-on, Luffy learns through his fights with Crocodile that he has to be more strategic.
It is also during his first fight with Crocodile that Luffy is defeated for the first time. This is a defining moment for Luffy in the series, highlighting his determination and spirit.
The Poneglyphs
The Poneglyphs are massive, mysterious, indestructible steles inscribed in an ancient language that only a few people in the world can decipher. It is during the Alabasta Arc that the poneglyphs are introduced and their connection to major secrets of the series, such as the “Void Century” and Gol D. Roger’s One Piece treasure.
One Piece Season 3 is sure to introduce the poneglyphs to Luffy and the Straw Hats, as these ancient steles are essential to their quest to find the One Piece.
Nico Robin Joins the Straw Hat Crew
By the conclusion of the Alabasta Arc, Luffy saves Nico Robin’s life after she is abandoned and betrayed by Crocodile. In that moment, Robin had accepted her death, momentarily losing her will to live.
With no allies, organization, or home to return to, and with the World Government still pursuing her, Robin sneaks aboard Luffy’s ship. Later, Robin explains to Luffy that, since he saved her life, he is now responsible for her, and that is why she has chosen to join the crew.
Robin joining the crew is different from the others in that Luffy traditionally invites people to join. Despite her past as an assassin and enemy, Luffy senses that, at her core, Robin is not a bad person and actually needs his help, which leads him to welcome her to the crew.
Ingram Might Return
In One Piece Season 2, Ingram, also known as Mr. 8, was revealed to have infiltrated the infamous Baroque Works organization along with Princess Vivi. However, just as Vivi and Ingram were planning to escape and head back to Alabasta with the information they had learned about Mr. 0/Sir Crocodile, they were stopped by Ms. Valentine and Mr.5. To save Vivi, Ingram sacrifices himself in a last-ditch effort to stop their assailants, but he is seemingly killed by Mr. 5.
In the source material, Ingram does cause a diversion to help Vivi and the others get away. However, instead of Mr. 5, it is Robin who destroys his ship, but she lets him survive as part of her grander plan to have him return to Alabasta.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know whether Ingram is really dead or will return in Season 3, since the live-action series has been known to deviate from the source material and kill off characters, as it did in Season 1 with Merry. Only time will tell whether Ingram truly survived.
Koza
In the source material, Koza is a childhood friend of Princess Vivi. When he was a young child, his village endured a drought that killed many people. As a result, a young Koza traveled to Aluburna, the capital of Alabasta, to express his disapproval with Vivi’s father, King Cobra, for allowing so many of his citizens to suffer. Following his departure from the palace, Koza crossed paths with Vivi, and the two traded blows.
Following their scuffle, Koza and Vivi form a deep, trusting bond. Even as the years go by, Koza and Vivi trust each other and never doubt the other. Unfortunately, Crocodile’s plans to take over Alabasta pit Koza and Vivi against each other. As droughts in Alabasta worsen and civilian unrest rises, Koza, now the leader of the Alabasta rebel army, leads them against the kingdom. Aware that Crocodile is behind the unrest and seeking to start a civil war, Vivi works to warn her friend to stop the attack and prevent the bloodshed.
The live-action series has not mentioned Koza to date, so there is no definitive indication that he will be in Season 3. However, given his role in the Alabasta Arc and connection with Vivi, there is a chance the character could be introduced next season.
The Ancient Weapon Pluton
In addition to Crocodile wanting to rule and take control of Alabasta, another part of his master plan is to obtain the ancient weapon hidden within the desert Kingdom, Pluton. In the source material, the Ancient Weapons are three deadly weapons that are capable of mass destruction.
The weapons are known as Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus. The weapons are mysterious, with connections to the First Great War that took place in the Void Century.
To date, no one knows what the Ancient Weapon Pluton is or what it looks like. However, the Poneglyph. include details of Pluton’s whereabouts. One of the Season 3 plotlines will likely involve Crocodile’s search for Pluton.
Blackbeard
Blackbeard, full name Marshall D. Teach, is very likely to appear in One Piece Season 3. It is safe to assume that a significant amount of Season 3 will focus on the Alabasta Arc. However, after the Alabasta Arc, the series heads into the Jaya and Skypiecea Arcs, which is where Blackbeard meets Luffy.
Season 2 of the live-action series has already planted some Easter eggs mentioning Blackbeard as a formidable adversary who attacked Drum Island. Granted, in the source material, Luffy and Blackbeard were not aware of each other’s identities, but they instantly clashed over their opposing beliefs and tastes.
In the source material, Luffy and Blackbeard are essentially two sides of the same coin and fated rivals. Both individuals want to become King of the Pirates, but they are complete opposites in how they pursue their dreams and freedom. In a lot of ways, Blackbeard acts as a dark parallel to Luffy’s journey to becoming the Pirate King, as Blackbeard is willing to do more ruthless and deadly acts to accomplish his goals. In Season 3, it will be interesting to see how the live action introduces and positions Blackbeard into the next installment.
Skypiea
Shortly after departing from Alabasta, Luffy and his friends learn of the legend of Skypeia when a ship suddenly falls from the sky. When Luffy and his friends inspect the wrecked ship, they learn of a sky ocean, and Nami realizes her log pose points upward, indicating an island in the sky.
Season 1 of the live-action series included an easter egg tied to Skypiea early on in the series, when Nami was reading a book titled “Liar Noland”. The book, believed to be a children’s fairy tale, is actually a true story that depicts details of Skypiea.
Given the trajectory of the adaptation’s story arcs, it is very probable that by the end of Season 3, Luffy and his friends will discover the legend of Skypiea and set a new course for the sky island.
One Piece Season 3 is sure to be another thrilling chapter in the grand adventure that is the live-action adaptation. There is sure to be deeper lore, more perilous pirates, and grander dreams ahead for Luffy and his friends.
One Piece Season 2 is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
