Live-action anime adaptation One Piece is returning for a second season, and now some significant new names have been added to the cast.
The first season of the adaptation of the beloved anime and manga series premiered on Netflix in August last year and was met with positive reactions from audiences and critics.
The series, based on Eiichiro Oda’s best-selling manga of the same name (it later became a hit anime series), follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore a fantastical world of endless oceans and exotic islands in search of the ultimate treasure: to become the next Pirate King.
Shortly afterwards, Oda confirmed that the show would be returning for a second season, and now the news of some significant extra casting has been shared.
David Dastmalchian, who has appeared in huge titles such as Oppenheimer, Dune, Suicide Squad and Late Night With The Devil, will take on the role of ‘Loan Shark’ Galdino, alias Mr. 3, who works for the criminal organisation Baroque Works.
Also newly cast are Daniel Lasker (Raised By Wolves), who will play Mr. 9, and Camrus Johnson (Batwoman) as Mr. 5, while Jazzara Jaslyn (Warrior) will portray Miss Valentine.
Officially announcing its renewal, Oda wrote: “I spent a long time working on it with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios. It seems people around the world have been enjoying the show, which makes the hard work from the production team truly worth it”.
“Two weeks after the launch, I just received some great news,” he continued. “Netflix has decided to renew the show! The adventures of Iñaki and the live-action Straw Hats will continue onward! It’ll still take a while to get the scripts ready, so please be patient.”
The news came as no surprise, as the first season smashed Netflix records previously set by Wednesday‘s debut season and Stranger Things season 4. While those shows ranked as the top show on the streaming platform in 83 countries upon release, One Piece debuted at the top spot across 84 countries.
In a four-star review of Netflix’s One Piece, Mark Beaumont wrote for NME: “One Piece rattles along at a sprightly pace, stacking drama points like teetering towers that all tumble in synchronised perfection. If it’s teen-friendly romps that virtually binge themselves you’re after, climb aboard and strap in tight.”
Filming for the second season is beginning this month in South Africa.
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