The Netflix One Piece live-action series is still making waves after debuting on August 31, 2023, as both old and newcomers watch and discuss it. The new adaptation quickly ranked as one of Netflix’s most popular shows in multiple regions. Although it’s only been out for a few weeks, the show’s massive success has producers already discussing a second season. Here’s our recap for episode 2 of the One Piece live-action adaptation, “The Man in the Straw Hat.”
Editor’s Note: The rest of the article contains spoilers for the One Piece live-action adaptation up through episode 2.
Episode 2 of the One Piece live-action series immediately picks up after episode 1, with Luffy and the fledgling straw hat crew having just stolen the map to the Grand Line. While Nami is trying to crack open the case to get to it, they are attacked by the clown pirate Buggy and his crew. Luffy, Nami, and Zoro are all rendered unconscious after their ship is pelted with red gas and wake up tied-up in the center of a large carnival tent. Buggy, who was teased at the end of episode 1, reveals that he has been hunting for the same map that they have stolen and Luffy now has hidden inside his stomach. While Buggy is trying to convince them to give him the map, Nami escapes. She runs outside to realize that the clown’s crew has destroyed the entire town they’re in and that the townspeople are Buggy’s unwilling audience.
Nami and Zoro are then re-captured and separated from Luffy, whom Buggy is now interrogating. After discovering that Luffy has eaten a devil’s fruit and gained rubber powers, the clown pirate stretches Luffy out near his supposed breaking point. Luffy, who has swallowed the map, refuses to reveal its location. Meanwhile, Nami tries to escape the cage she’s locked in while Zoro is being tortured by having knives thrown at him while being strapped to a spinning wooden wheel.
Image via Netflix
During this, we are shown that back in Shells Town, Garp arrived and is interrogating both Captain Morgan as well as his Marine recruits. The admiral quickly realizes that Koby likely knows more than he is letting on. After questioning him directly, Koby reveals that Luffy and his crew are after the One Piece and agrees that, as pirates, they must be brought to justice. Garp ends up sentencing Morgan to the same punishment Zoro faced in Episode 1.
Back with Buggy, Luffy escapes his bonds and begins fighting the clown, only to realize that he ate a Devil Fruit. Due to consuming the Chop Chop Fruit, Buggy is able to “cut” his body into several pieces and control each individually. He quickly defeats Luffy and puts him in a tank filled with seawater. Despite his Gum Gum powers being temporarily lost, the Straw Hat pirate refuses to give up the map, believing that his crew will rescue him.
After breaking out of captivity, Zoro and Nami make it back to Luffy and help him get out of his tank. The Straw Hat Pirates begin fighting Buggy, who continues to have the upper hand in battle. However, Luffy then has the idea to trap Buggy’s individual body parts in trunks. After locking away most of his body, Luffy delivers the final blow, sending his head, hands, and feet flying out of the tent. The trio sets the townspeople free, and they are seen off as they make their way toward the Grand Line. In the last scene, we are shown Nami making a suspicious call to an unknown person, informing them that she has the map.
One Piece is available for streaming on Netflix.
