The final scene of episode eight of the One Piece live-action series features a mysterious character. At least, mysterious for those who have never read the manga or seen the anime.
We could have doubted, but we have to face the facts. The live-action adaptation of the manga One Piece is finally successful. Admittedly, Netflix’s live action has obvious differences with the paper version, but the essential is there: Luffy, his straw hat crew and some emblematic villains (Baggy, Kuro, Arlong).
The rather warm reception from the public and critics for this adaptation bodes well for convincing the SVOD giant to launch the construction site for a season 2 of One Piece. The author himself, Eiichirō Oda, says he is happy with the adaptation. The fans too, obviously: the live action found itself at the top of the viewings of the platform in dozens of countries.
In fact, everything is already in place to attack the next narrative arc: throughout the eight episodes forming the first season, the production team has striven to plant here and there the seeds that prepare the next intrigues that Luffy will live. and his companions. The most obvious being the final scene appearing at the very end of the eighth episode.
The sequel, obviously, contains spoilers (this mostly concerns people who have never read the manga or seen the anime).
Who appears in the credits scene of One Piece Netflix?
The final episode, titled East Blue’s Biggest Bandit, ends with a seemingly mysterious scene. In a dark room, the camera flies over a man from behind, with gray/white hair and brushed back. Amid swirls of smoke, he holds a wanted notice showing Luffy in one hand, and two cigars in the other.
With a gesture, he plants one in Luffy’s eye, thus igniting the paper which promises 30 million berries for his capture or death. The message is clear: he is an enemy. His face is never visible during this sequence, but the clues left by Netflix are sufficient to identify him: he is Captain Smoker, a naval officer.
Who is Smoker?
Obviously, Smoker is a character of primary importance, if only for the transition with the following saga. The entire first season of One Piece is considered the East Blue saga: Luffy gathers the first members of his crew, recovers a ship, learns the origin stories each other and face off against some notable villains.
The Alabasta saga is the next one, with new perils (Baroque Works and Crocodile), but also new allies (Tony Tony Chopper and Nico Robin, later). It is on this occasion that the crew of the straw hat will be able to embark on the road of all perils – Grand Line. And for the transition, there is a special story arc: Loguetown.
Loguetown is doubly interesting: it is the city in which Smoker officiates at this time, but it is also the place where Gold D. Roger, the king of the pirates died – remember the prologue of episode one from the Serie. It is the last city before the Grand Line, and that makes it the point of passage for many ships embarking on this sea route.
Obviously, Luffy will cross paths with Smoker at this time. We will very quickly realize that the captain of the navy is not small fry. During a face-to-face, Smoker will reveal his powers obtained after having ingested a devil fruit – like Luffy. This is called the smoke fruit: it gives the ability to turn into smoke and wield it.
Due to his position in the Navy, Smoker is an enemy of Luffy. Fortunately for the young man, he will be able to escape him and launch himself on the Grand Line – those who have read the manga or seen the anime know precisely how their fight ends. Without saying too much, know that this is a crucial character for the story (and for Luffy).
Captain Smoker will appear again later in other arcs of the Alabasta saga, but also in even more distant adventures, which we will probably only see in seasons three, four or five of the live series. action — if it ever goes that far. His status in the navy will also evolve, with progressively higher ranks.
During the Alabasta saga, Luffy and his friends will therefore have to face Crocodile and his Baroque Works organization at the same time, while escaping the hunt led by the navy and Smoker. Added to this is an opposition between Smoker and Crocodile, with the former hating the idea that the navy could work with allied pirates (like Mihawk, Crocodile is one of the seven great privateers).
The series is for the moment quite discreet about the name of the actor who will play Smoker during season 2 of One Piece. On the other hand, we know which actor interpreted it in a much more childish version, during the execution of Gold D. Roger. This is young Matthew Leck. At that time, he was neither a sailor nor in possession of a devil fruit.
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