One Piece Season 2 Episode 1 “The Beginning and the End” is bold, fun, and unique in its storytelling, world building, and excitement to follow your dreams. I didn’t feel a sophomore slump coming into Season 2 either. I felt an excitement for the open sea with an understanding that I only got to see a glimmer of this world in Season 1. In “The Beginning and the End” we already got new mysteries to solve, an art department that won’t quit, and character designs that feel so lived in that you can’t help but want more.
But at its heart, the dreams of the Straw Hat Pirates remain.
You can see that in the way that Luffy carries himself as the lead of the show. But you could also see it in the way that Sanji inspires Nami to treat herself. You could also see it in the way that Usopp doesn’t know what he wants in his life, but he walks through this world with a kindness that is returned to him by Nami. You can also see it in the way that Sanji continues challenging himself, especially after finding out that Zeff is cooking his dish at Baratie. And you can see it in the way that Zoro faces new challenges like social interactions, because he has an end goal in mind and people to protect.
These are the Straw Hat Pirates at the beginning of a grand adventure. And since I haven’t spoiled myself by watching the anime or reading the manga, I’m on a wild ride with them that I welcome.
Luffy Season 2 vs Luffy Season 1
Luffy enters Season 2 with his continued enamoration for pirates. And when they get to Loguetown he has an opportunity to see where the legend of the one piece started and where Gol Roger died. On the surface it looks like Luffy is the same exuberant, free-spirited, and reckless fledging pirate. But you can tell that he’s changed from Season 1 by how he’s a little quicker to listen to his friends, how he faces challenges with the knowledge that he’s not alone, and the way that the other pirates come to him.
Just because I think that Luffy has changed in small but important ways, doesn’t mean that who Luffy is at his core has changed. The Marines obviously take his laughing at the site of Gol Roger’s death as the next King of the Pirates emerging. But One Piece plays with that idea in a brilliant way by placing someone on that tower that we have come to know as selfless, helpful, and so inspiring that he even left a lasting impression on that pickpocket. Luffy is sure of who he is and how he wants to inspire the world. But it’s other people’s preconceived notions of what a pirate is that leads to people chasing him.
I do want to give a shout out to Luffy’s fights with Alvida and Smoker. I’ve never watched the anime and I’ve never read the manga. That’s on purpose to test if I understand what’s going on and if the world created by Eiichiro Oda makes sense to someone who has never watched it. And it does. You could tell how Alvida, Buggy, and even Smoker have used their powers to change the world. Some change it for the worse, thinking that’s the only way they’ll gain freedom in a system stacked against them. And then there are those who use those powers to enforce the system that might cause someone to break in the first place.
Point being, Luffy is entering a whole new world in Season 2 of One Piece. A world where he’ll face people with powers of their own. But no matter what, he remains the same. It doesn’t matter if he’s at the top of the tower where Gol Roger died and about to get killed by Buggy. There’s joy for the adventure for Luffy always. But there’s also certainty that what he’s doing in his life is the right choice. That’s why Luffy wasn’t scared to die. This is who he is and he has looked at the consequences of his actions in their face in Season 2 Episode 1. And he’s not afraid.
Baroque Works Are Here
Season 1 of One Piece teased us with whispers of a network of dangerous pirates influencing the world. But with everything happening to our Straw Hats in Season 1, I will admit I forgot about 7 and his death by Zoro. So I was left with my jaw on the floor when they introduced other Baroque Works members. First of all Miss All Sunday played by lera Abova. Her beauty and overall look draw you in. But her power is terrifyingly haunting. And then to add insult to injury, when she’s done using it flower petals pop up. Ten out of ten. No notes.
The other members with her just add to the mystery of Season 2 Episode 1. But so do the other Marines. You’ve got this Captain Smoker, who I know is a big deal in One Piece itself, but I’m going to keep my mind fresh not spoil myself. He’s got style, a defined look, and is going to hunt down Luffy despite Vice Admiral Garp’s warnings. Because Luffy has some really big and scary people after him now. And both Smoker and Garp have the wrong impression of the kind of person that he is. That makes everything 10 times harder for Luffy but also for the other Straw Hat Pirates.
Baroque Works and the Marines weren’t the only introductions made in this episode.
You also had this mysterious guy that stopped Smoker from killing Luffy during an intense attack. And whoever he is, they have history grounded in letting the next generation shape this world. And it goes back to a central theme in One Piece that I wish everyone would take into consideration a little bit more. Sometimes we have to let the next generation take the reins. We have to let them reshape the world in their vision instead of telling them to hold on to ours. Because when our time is over, they inherit the world. And with a dreamer like Luffy at the helm of One Piece, things are going to change forever.
Additional Notes About One Piece “The Beginning and the End”:
- Doskoi Panda easter egg
- Nami is the sugar mama of the Straw Hat Pirates
- Or she’s just the most responsible one.
- Can’t believe Zoro doesn’t know how to haggle.
- Has he always been this awkward???
- Usopp, what you said to Nami was the sweetest thing you have ever said. I love you. So much.
- You know what, I take it back with Zoro. You have always been this awkward. You just hide it well.
- Nami shook that dude *checks notes* Bartolomeo to his very core.
- Is Buggy hot?
- Because he is.
- Also Alvida looks amazing.
- Captain Smoker is hot too.
- YES, FREE SWORDS IS SUSPICIOUS
- I mean, technically Usopp was the savior here with the pepper bomb
- Love the girl on girl action between Nami and Alvida
- Luffy doesn’t know it yet, but that moment at the tower, oh you left an impression just like Roger did
- Zoro and the new Marine fighting. Hotness too
- That smoke move by Smoker was scarrrrry. He was suffocating Luffy!
- Also who was that guy who stopped Smoker?!
- The costume design department is amazing. Per usual
One Piece Season 2 is now available on Netflix.
What did you think about One Piece Season 2 Episode 1 “The Beginning and the End”? Let us know in the comments below!
Make sure to read all our reviews for One Piece Season 2:
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 1 Review: ‘The Beginning and the End’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 2 Review: ‘Good Whale Hunting’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 3 Review: ‘Whisky Business’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 4 Review: ‘Big Trouble in Little Garden’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 5 Review: ‘Wax On, Wax Off’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 6 Review: ‘Nami Deerest’
