Warning: Spoilers ahead of the One Piece manga.
Joe Manganiello has been cast as Crocodile, also known as Mr. 0, in Netflix’s cast of One Piece. The live-action show is currently filming season 2 in South Africa, with a release date yet to be revealed.
The announcement of who was going to play Crocodile and Nico Robin was one of the most anticipated things about One Piece season 2. Whereas Miss All Sunday is just a small chapter in the story of one of One Piece’s main characters, Mr. 0 should be the big bad of the show’s next saga. One Piece is entering Arabasta, the second major arc in the anime following East Blue, yet it will not cover the Arabasta arc in season 2. Presumably, the war against Crocodile for the Kingdom of Arabasta is being saved for a potential season 3.
Crocodile Doesn't Play A Major Role Until The Arabasta Arc (Which Season 2 Won't Cover)
One Piece Season 2 Covers From Loguetown to Drum Island
The fact that One Piece will not cover the final arc of the Arabasta Saga in season 2 means that Crocodile should only have a major role in season 3. Crocodile is the leader of Baroque Works – hence his “Mr. 0 designation” – the villain only runs into Luffy when the Straw Hat pirates arrive at the Kingdom of Arabasta. With One Piece season 2 only going until Drum Island, I presume the Straw Hats will only make it to Arabasta in the yet-to-be-confirmed third season. If so, Crocodile should technically not have a lot of screen time just yet.
One Piece's Arabasta Saga arcs |
Anime Episodes |
|---|---|
Reverse Mountain |
61-63 |
Whiskey Peak |
64-67 |
Little Garden |
70-77 |
Drum Island |
78-91 |
Arabasta |
92-130 |
The Arabasta arc makes up most of the Arabasta Saga with 39 episodes in the anime dedicated to Princess Vivi and her friends fighting to free her country from Crocodile. While this entire portion of the story – from the Straw Hats entering the Grand Line to the battle against Crocodile – is known as the Arabasta Saga, the heroes run into a lot of other villains and new allies before actually arriving at Vivi’s homeland. There is enough material in the Arabasta arc to sustain its own season, so I understand why it is being saved for season 3.
Joe Manganiello's Crocodile Casting Means One Piece Can't Save Him For Season 3
Manganiello As Crocodile Is Too Big Of A Casting Reveal
Joe Manganiello as Crocodile is major news for the Netflix live-action show. Not only Is Manganiello a great pick for the character, but he is also a high-profile actor whose involvement in the show can generate a lot of excitement and bring in new fans. Netflix knew how big of an announcement the casting reveals of Nico Robin and Crocodile were going to be, which is why it happened live during the streamer’s Geeked Weekevent rather than through social media only.
After being cut from season 1, Loguetown will be included in One Piece season 2.
Manganiello being revealed as Mr. 0 after hosting the Geeked Week event made it all even better. After such an exciting announcement, it is difficult to believe Crocodile won’t have a big role in One Piece season 2. I predict that Crocodile will be the Arlong of season 2 – a villain who might show up in places that his manga counterpart did not. McKinley Belcher III’s Arlong was the overarching villain of season 1 and even showed up at the Baratie replacing Don Krieg. This role could now be filled by Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile.
How One Piece Season 2 Can Change Crocodile’s Story Before Arabasta
Should The Straw Hats Run Into Crocodile Before Arabasta?
In the source material, the only proper interaction between the Straw Hats and the leader of Baroque Works comes before they all meet at Arabasta when Sanji picks up a phone call from Mr. 0 at Little Garden. We also hear about Crocodile a couple of times and learn from Nefertari Vivi what is happening in her home country. While these are all important moments, I believe Manganiello’s Crocodile will have a bigger role in this part of the story than expected.
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The first look at live-action Chopper for Netflix’s One Piece season 2 has been revealed, and the Straw Hats’ doctor looks as perfect as it gets.
For example, we could see flashbacks from how Crocodile took over Arabasta. One Piece season 2 could also have a couple of scenes set in Arabasta before Vivi’s return, showing what is happening there from the perspective of other characters. Crocodile could even show up in Little Garden alongside Mr. 3 and other Baroque Works , though having him meet the Straw Hats in person before Arabasta could be too big of a change. Regardless of how much Mr. 0 there will be in season 2, I can’t wait to see Joe Manganiello as Crocodile.
One Piece (Live-Action)
- Release Date
- August 31, 2023
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Owens
Cast
Iñaki GodoyMonkey D. Luffy
Emily RuddNami
WHERE TO WATCH
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy's relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
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