Warning: Spoilers ahead for the One Piece manga and potentially season 2.
Netflix’s live-action One Piece sets the stage for numerous events, including an eventual reunion between Luffy D. Monkey (Iñaki Godoy) and Shanks (Peter Gadiot) — though the adaptation would have to diverge from anime and manga canon to make it happen in season 2. Netflix’s One Piece digs into Luffy’s backstory in season 1, revealing what made him want to become a pirate — or perhaps more accurately, who.
While Shanks and his crew are docked at Windmill Village, a young Luffy gets to know the Red Hair Pirates. He comes to idolize Shanks, who leaves him with his infamous straw hat before departing for the Grand Line. It’s clear throughout One Piece season 1 that Luffy hopes to make Shanks proud through his pursuits as a pirate. It seems inevitable that the pair will reunite in the live-action One Piece. However, unless the show significantly diverges from the source material, it’s unlikely to happen in One Piece season 2.
Netflix’s Live-ActioN One Piece Is Building To A Luffy And Shanks Reunion
Shanks seems to be the inspiration behind Luffy’s dream to become the Pirate King, and unbeknownst to One Piece‘s lead, he manages to make his old friend proud during the season 1 finale. Shanks is among the many pirates to come across Luffy’s wanted poster in One Piece season 1, episode 8, “Worst in the East.” The Red Hair Pirates’ captain is impressed that Luffy stayed true to his word. And notably, Shanks comes by Luffy’s poster while in the Grand Line — the very place Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates are headed next.
Needless to say, Netflix’s live-action One Piece is building to an eventual reunion between Luffy and Shanks, much like the beginning of the One Piece anime. Given the show’s focus on their relationship, it’s likely to be a satisfying moment when the two finally cross paths again. Unfortunately, viewers shouldn’t get their hopes up for that eventuality in One Piece season 2.
Luffy And Shanks Probably Won’t Reunite In One Piece Season 2
Although Luffy and Shanks’ relationship is a major focus of the early episodes of One Piece, the pair has yet to truly reunite in Eiichiro Oda’s manga or the One Piece anime. In fact, the two One Piece characters spend much of the series just missing one another and crossing paths without truly interacting. This first occurs during One Piece‘s Marineford Arc, when Shanks and Luffy briefly find themselves on the same battlefield. Unfortunately, Luffy faints before he and Shanks can truly catch up. Shanks doesn’t stick around long enough for Luffy to wake up, making this a disappointing first run-in for fans of the duo.
Shanks and his crew come close to meeting Luffy again during One Piece‘s Wano Country Arc, as they witness the battle between Ryokugyu and Momonosuke — a conflict that starts over Luffy. Shanks even interferes in this fight, catching the Straw Hat Pirates’ attention with his powerful Haki. And while Luffy thinks back to his old friend at this moment, he doesn’t actually see him again. These near encounters build excitement for Luffy and Shanks’ “real” reunion over the course of One Piece. However, they also indicate a long path ahead for the live-action iterations of the characters, who aren’t likely to come together any time soon.
Netflix’s One Piece Could Reunite Shanks & Luffy Early, But It Shouldn’t
While the One Piece manga and anime have yet to show Luffy and Shanks properly reuniting, it’s possible the live-action series will bring them together early, if improbable. The live-action show seems to be sticking to the major beats of the source material, especially given how involved Oda himself is in the decision-making process. Still, Netflix’s One Piece has made a few significant changes to canon. The live-action One Piece‘s biggest character rewrite brings Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp (Vincent Regan), into the story earlier than expected, and it could do the same for Shanks.
Given how highly anticipated Shanks’ reunion with Luffy is — and how frustrating a long wait will be for some viewers — Netflix could condense the story and make the characters meet earlier. However, this would probably come as a disappointment to longtime fans of the anime and manga, even if it leaves newcomers feeling satisfied. After all, One Piece fans have been waiting a long time to see Luffy and Shanks catch up in the show’s canon. Getting that reunion in a different format might feel cheap after all these years, especially if it happens in the live-action One Piece before it does in the manga.
