Netflix Must Change One Piece Canon To Bring Back A Hugely Popular Character In Season 2

The live-action One Piece has done a decent job of sticking to the major plot beats of the anime and manga, but the Netflix series must change one bit of canon to bring back a hugely popular character in season 2. One Piece season 1 introduces Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates, as well as several supporting players and antagonists who appear in Eiichiro Oda’s source material. Some characters, like Monkey D. Garp and Koby, get more attention in the Netflix adaptation than they did in the early manga chapters and seasons of the anime. Others play the same role in all versions of the story so far.

One Piece season 2 will likely introduce even more characters to the Netflix series, pulling from the source material to expand the Straw Hats’ team and present them with new enemies. It could also build on supporting characters the anime and manga don’t return to until much later. There’s one beloved figure Netflix’s live-action One Piece should alter canon to bring back, as he leaves a strong impression in season 1 and shouldn’t disappear for seasons at a time.

One Piece’s Live-Action Mihawk Stole The Show In Season 1

Steven Ward Leaves A Strong Impression

Steven Ward’s Mihawk leaves a strong impression during One Piece season 1, and he’s become a fan-favorite character for many watching Netflix’s live-action series. While every One Piece cast member does a solid job bringing their animated counterpart to life, Ward’s Mihawk feels like he’s pulled straight out of the manga and anime. It’s not just that he looks the part, though that’s certainly true. The live-action series’ iteration of Mihawk also resembles the original character in terms of his demeanor. The actor nails the pirate’s mannerisms, and he exudes the same charm as Mihawk does in the anime.

Given how popular Mihawk is in both the One Piece anime and the live-action show, it seems inevitable that he’ll make a comeback. After all, the pirate vows to face Roronoa Zoro again after he wins their season 1 fight. However, Mihawk and Zoro’s rematch has yet to happen in Oda’s source material. And if the Netflix show follows the One Piece anime and manga, Ward’s character may not even show up in the second season.

Mihawk May Not Appear In One Piece Season 2 (Based On The Manga)

He Doesn’t Return Until The Sky Island Saga

As One Piece season 1 covers the manga and anime’s East Blue Saga, it seems likely that season 2 of the Netflix series will tackle the Arabasta Saga. That means Mihawk may not appear in the next outing, as the pirate doesn’t return until the following part of Oda’s story: the Sky Island Saga. It’s possible the Netflix show will combine these two stories in its second season, but it would likely feel rushed. There’s a lot that needs to happen in the Arabasta Saga, and if the live-action show wants to remain true to the source material, it won’t go any further in season 2.

With that in mind, Mihawk won’t show up until One Piece season 3 or later — not if the Netflix show sticks steadfastly to the script. And he doesn’t even have a major role in the Sky Island Saga. He’s more important in the Summit War Saga, which won’t arrive for at least a couple more seasons. This is why the live-action One Piece should tweak canon in season 2, giving Ward the opportunity to return as Mihawk.

One Piece Season 2 Should Change Canon (To Bring Mihawk Back)

It Can Show Where He Is During The Arabasta Saga

One Piece season 2 shouldn’t deviate too much from the anime and manga, but it should bring back Mihawk before the Sky Island Saga — even if it’s just for a minor scene. This would require the Netflix series to change Oda’s canon a bit, but it will have to do this for a few characters if it wants to keep them on viewers’ minds. Newcomers may forget about players like Mihawk or Shanks if they disappear too frequently from the live-action series. Keeping them relevant will be required, and that means injecting them into storylines they otherwise wouldn’t be involved in.

This doesn’t have to be done in a jarring way. In fact, Netflix’s One Piece could even add a Mihawk scene while maintaining Oda’s canon. All it needs to do is show where he is during the Arabasta Saga covered during One Piece season 2. This would allow the series to capitalize on his popularity and keep him present, even as it focuses on the Straw Hats’ adventures separate from him.