With Crocodile set to make his debut inOne Pieceseason 2, Netflix’s live-action series finds itself with a perfect opportunity to explore two mysteries Eiichiro Oda’s manga has thus far left alone. After Arlong in season 1, Monkey D. Luffy is about to come up against a much tougher opponent inOne Pieceseason 2. Played by Joe Manganiello, Netflix’s adaptation is about to introduce the despicable Crocodile - member ofOne Piece’s Seven Warlordsand leader of an underground criminalorganization called Baroque Works.
Since being kicked through his own HQ by Luffy, Arlong has never resurfaced in theOne Piecemanga. Crocodile, on the other hand, has enjoyed a recurring presence, allowing Oda to progressively flesh the character out. Even so,One Piece’s source material has danced around two critical elements of Crocodile’s backstory, but despite staying remarkably faithful to Oda’s vision until now, Netflix’sOne Pieceseason 2 could finally dive into the hidden mysteries of Crocodile’s past.
One Piece Season 2 May Reveal How Crocodile Lost His Hand
A Mystery One Piece Has Left Unanswered For 25 Years
Crocodile makes his firstOne Pieceappearance bearing a golden hook where his left hand used to be. As well as being the most striking part of his design, Crocodile also utilizes the hook as a weapon during fights. Strangely - especially given Oda’s fondness for long, emotional flashbacks -One Piecehas never addressed how Crocodile lost his hand.
While plenty of pirates carry injuries inOne Piece’s world- the perils of the job are numerous, after all -Crocodile’s unique golden hook is evidently hiding a deeper story, and as the sinister sand-wielder becomes more prominent in the narrative, this missing chapter of his past becomes more glaring.
“Even a throwaway line would prove an exciting way to embellish Crocodile’s live-action presence.”
Perhaps Crocodile lost his left hand fighting other famousOne Piececharacterssuch as Red-Haired Shanks or Whitebeard. Maybe the same incident that deprived Crocodile of his left hand facilitated his ascension into the Seven Warlords. This is whereOne Pieceseason 2 can step in. Since the Arabasta arc is being saved forOne Pieceseason 3,Netflix’s series will have room to explore characters more fullyover the next two seasons, in addition to the benefit of knowing where Crocodile’s arc will take him later in the story.
Indeed,Joe Manganiello has already dropped a small hint thatOne Piece’s live-action adaptationcould potentially resolve the question over Crocodile’s hand. The actor explained,
“It made me think about, ‘How did I lose this?’ Because there are things that have never been explained about the character in either the manga or the anime, and I had the opportunity to talk to Oda about my thoughts on where his scar came from, how the lost limb happened, and the hook was replaced.”
While it seems like Manganiello has been seeking answers to Crocodile’s darkest secrets merely in the name of improving his portrayal, he and Oda discussing how the character lost his hand gives a slither of hope thatOne Piececould weave that vital snippet of information into season 2. Even a throwaway line would prove an exciting way to embellish Crocodile’s live-action presence with juicy details even manga readers were unaware of.
One Piece Season 2 Can Also Reveal If Crocodile Was Female At Birth
Will One Piece Season 2 Confirm A Popular Fan Theory?
There is a long-heldOne Piecefan theory that Crocodile was female at birth. Such speculation derives almost entirely from a comment made by Ivankov, a character whose Devil Fruit allows them to control and change hormones. While working together to help Luffy (reluctantly, in Crocodile’s case), Ivankov revealed they knew a secret about Crocodile that would be revealed if the ex-Baroque Works chief betrayed them.
Netflix’s live-action adaptation would be the perfect way to provide some sort of answer.
Given the nature of Ivankov’s powers,the notion that Crocodile transitioned from female to male became a popular one amongOne Piecefans, and since the manga has still not clarified which information Ivankov was referring to, the theory remains alive. Intriguingly, Netflix’s first season ofOne Piecebecame part of that conversation in 2023.
Crocodile has been confirmed as one of severalOne Piececharacters who were present when Gold Roger died, and during a live-action flashback to the Pirate King’s execution, the camera lingered on a specific woman in the crowd. Like Crocodile, the woman had dark, slicked-back hair, and an earring in her right ear. She was also undeniably prominent in the episode, and there are noOne Piececharacters who obviously match her appearance.
Who Is Crocodile? One Piece Season 2’s New Villain Explained
Crocodile has officially been cast in Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation, and there is plenty to know about the new villain before his debut.
If live-actionOne Pieceis teasing the possibility of Crocodile being female at birth, the character’s full debut in season 2 may continue stoking the fire. Perhaps another vague comment is made, similar to the Ivankov line that sparked the idea in the first place. Even something as simple asCrocodile gently implying that they once looked different would be enough to tacitly support the original theory, adding intrigue and depth behindOne Piece’s new villain.
The story behind Crocodile’s golden hook and Ivankov’s secret may be tidbits theOne Piecemanga intends to leave unknown forever. Netflix’s live-action adaptation would be the perfect way to provide some sort of answer for fans, while simultaneously giving Crocodile a slightly different flavor compared to the original character. Revealing new details also affords Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile a more unpredictable edge - even for viewers who have spent years in the character’s company viaOne Piece’s manga and anime.
Netflix’s One Piece Should Expand On The Manga (But Not Outright Change It)
One Piece Can Maintain Its Successful Live-Action Formula
Authenticity to the manga has been one ofOne Piece’s greatest strengths, and that philosophy should continue in season 2. At the same time, Netflix’s adaptation clearly recognizes that a shot-for-shot remake is not feasible, and small, tasteful adjustments were made throughout season 1. These adjustments work best when they expand upon and embellish material that already exists in canon, and shining a light upon details about Crocodile’s past is a great example of that approach.
Rather than rewritingOne Piecelore, discussing the loss of Crocodile’s left hand or his brush with Ivankov will simply fill gaps left behind by Oda himself. Crucially, Joe Manganiello’s comments also suggest that any embellishments made to Crocodile’s backstory in live-action are coming from the franchise’s creator himself, meaningNetflix’sOne Piecewill still be honoring Oda’s original vision, even when including brand-new plot points.
IfOne Pieceseason 2 follows the manga, Crocodile won’t become a major player until season 3.
InOne Pieceseason 1, this involved additions like Zoro fighting an agent of Baroque Works, awanted poster for future Straw Hat Fleet member Cavendish, and Kaya kissing Usopp. None of these developments happened in the manga, but the first two made logical sense withinOne Piece’s chronology, and Usopp’s kiss with Kaya merely represented a natural evolution of the original story. Unraveling Crocodile’s mysteries could do the same inOne Pieceseason 2.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy’s relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
