Unveiling the Perilous Eight: A Deep Dive into Netflix's One Piece Season 1 Villains

Summary

Netflix's live-action One Piece will cover the East Blue Saga and feature classic antagonists from the manga, including Alvida, "Axe Hand" Morgan, and Helmeppo.

Buggy the Clown can make a formidable villain in the show thanks to his unique powers.

Many other villains and antagonists will be in season 1, including the extremely powerful fish-man Arlong.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's manga series, One Piece, has confirmed the presence of multiple villains for its first season. Over two decades since its initial release, the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy will now come to life on Netflix. Consisting of eight episodes, the first season will primarily cover the East Blue Saga, which encompasses the initial story arcs of the manga. Through trailers and promotional material, Netflix's One Piece has unveiled the highly-anticipated introduction of well-known antagonists.

In accordance with the classic shonen manga formula, each story arc typically introduces a new antagonist or group of antagonists, progressively stronger and more formidable than the previous. One Piece follows this pattern, commencing with low-level pirates and inept Marine officers, eventually building up to grand-scale battles featuring superpowered individuals. The live-action adaptation promises to bring back beloved characters and iconic scenes for fans of the original story. To provide insight into the upcoming season, here is a comprehensive breakdown of the confirmed villains in One Piece season 1, the actors portraying them, and their potential roles within the series.

8 Alvida

7 "Axe Hand" Morgan

Alvida, the captain of the notorious Alvida Pirates, serves as the initial obstacle that Luffy encounters on his journey in the world of One Piece. While Alvida's appearance in the first arc is brief, her narrative reemerges towards the conclusion of the East Blue Saga. In the anime adaptation, Luffy's background is showcased through a flashback, but his official introduction occurs aboard Alvida's vessel, known as the Miss Love Duck. It is Koby's discovery of a young boy wearing a straw hat, concealed within a barrel on the Miss Love Duck, that sets the stage for the unfolding events of One Piece, where Alvida assumes the role of the first in a series of adversaries that Luffy confronts. In the Netflix adaptation of One Piece, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino portrays the character of Alvida.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece will feature "Axe Hand" Morgan, the Marine captain overseeing Shells Town. As one of the initial antagonists in the series, "Axe Hand" Morgan gained notoriety when his son captured Roronoa Zoro and subjected him to a punishment of starvation and thirst. Morgan's presence introduces viewers to the Marine lore, a crucial aspect of the One Piece universe. Luffy's daring act of freeing Zoro provokes Morgan's animosity, leading to an intense battle that marks a pivotal moment in the storyline. In Netflix's One Piece, the role of "Axe Hand" Morgan is portrayed by Langley Kirkwood.

6 Helmeppo

5 Buggy The Clown

Helmeppo, the offspring of the notorious "Axe Hand" Morgan, holds a position as a Marine officer, despite lacking any notable achievements. Portrayed as a simultaneously timid and overly self-assured individual, Helmeppo arrogantly believed that his father's influence granted him unquestionable authority within Shells Town. Although Zoro's apprehension is not initially depicted in either the manga or the anime, it is later revealed that Helmeppo was responsible for the capture of the bounty hunter. Cruelly depriving him of sustenance and hydration, Helmeppo proves to be more of a source of comedic relief than a genuine antagonist to Luffy and Zoro. In Netflix's adaptation of One Piece, Aidan Scott takes on the role of Helmeppo.

Captain Buggy, also known as Buggy the Clown, is the initial main antagonist encountered by Luffy and his future crew in the popular manga, One Piece. Originally a member of Red Hair Shank's crew, Buggy possesses unique abilities which can be likened to those of Luffy. Like Luffy, Buggy has consumed a Devil Fruit, a mysterious fruit that grants individuals extraordinary and often peculiar powers at a cost. The confrontation between Buggy and Luffy, along with his comrades Zoro and Nami, arises when the eccentric pirate discovers the theft of a valuable map of the treacherous Grand Line.

4 Don Krieg

: Buggy, an eccentric and skilled pirate, proved to be one of the most formidable villains during the initial arcs of One Piece. What sets Buggy apart is his ability to detach and control various parts of his body, even his own head, creating a truly unique and captivating fighting style. Adding to his allure is his diverse crew, each member possessing a distinctive design and serving as antagonists in the Orange Town arc. In the recently released live-action One Piece trailer, Buggy's powers are showcased, offering fans a promising and faithful portrayal of this beloved antagonist. Portrayed by Jeff Ward in Netflix's One Piece adaptation, Buggy's character is set to come to life on screen.

Don Krieg, the chief antagonist of the Baratie Arc in the popular anime series One Piece, is a notorious pirate who once led his formidable crew through the treacherous waters of the Grand Line. During his introduction in One Piece, it was revealed that Don Krieg had a bounty of 17,000,000 Bellies on his head, highlighting the extent of his feared reputation. However, a significant turning point occurs when Sanji, a character still being introduced to the readers, compassionately prepares a meal for a famished pirate. In response to this unexpected act of kindness, Don Krieg's crew launches a violent assault on the Baratie restaurant. This intense confrontation between Don Krieg and the Baratie enables One Piece to delve deeper into the history of this renowned establishment and provides insights into the backstories of Zeff and Sanji. Although Milton Schorr is rumored to portray Don Krieg in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of One Piece, the character has not been featured in any of the released trailers.

Interestingly, in the second One Piece live-action trailer, the Baratie restaurant showcases the surprising appearance of Arlong instead of Don Krieg. This deviation from the source material implies a notable alteration, as Arlong is traditionally uninvolved in the Baratie Arc. Notably, the Baratie Arc reaches its climactic conclusion with a fierce showdown between Don Krieg and Luffy, where the former ridicules the latter's ambition to become the Pirate King. It should be noted that prior to his clash with Luffy, Krieg's most significant defeat was at the hands of Dracule Mihawk, who also makes his debut during the Baratie Arc. The ultimate role that Don Krieg will play in One Piece season 1 remains a mystery, yet to be unveiled.

3 Dracule Mihawk

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece has officially cast Steven John Ward as Dracule Mihawk, the enigmatic swordsman first introduced during the Baratie restaurant battle. While initially uninterested in Luffy and his crew, Mihawk's focus was aimed at Don Krieg and his pirates. However, Zoro's desire to challenge the renowned world's strongest swordsman sparked a tense rivalry between the two. Though Mihawk's presence in the Baratie Arc revolves around his duel with Zoro, the character's narrative extends beyond this encounter, unfolding in subsequent chapters.

2 Captain Kuro

Captain of the Black Cat pirates, Kuro, disguises himself as a harmless caretaker for Kaya in the Syrup Village. He is the main antagonist in the Syrup Village Arc, where Usopp joins Luffy’s crew and the first ship of the straw hats is introduced. Kuro's true identity and his plot to murder Kaya and seize her family's wealth were well-guarded secrets that he was ready to kill for. In the live-action One Piece show, Kuro is portrayed by Alexander Maniatis.

1 Arlong

In the first five arcs of One Piece, Arlong emerges as Luffy's most formidable adversary. During the Arlong Park Arc, the fish-man leader of the Arlong Pirates wreaks havoc, instilling fear in villages and seizing control. Arlong and his crew of fish-men exploit villages, demanding payment for protection, and threatening the annihilation of those who rebel. Arlong possesses a body that surpasses human strength and resilience, yet he is driven solely by greed. His heartless nature leads him to establish Arlong Park as his base, making the Conomi Islands suffer under his tyrannical rule.

The introduction of Arlong in the fifth arc of One Piece is noteworthy due to his connection to past events. It is intriguing to note that Arlong will play a role in the Baratie Arc of Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece, deviating from the original source material. The majority of Arlong's appearances in both the manga and the anime take place in Arlong Park and its vicinity, making it fascinating to see how his character will fit into the Baratie restaurant. McKinley Belcher portrays Arlong in Season 1 of One Piece, with the character being brought to life using practical effects rather than CGI.