One Piece has some of the most memorable backstories, from Tony Tony Chopper’s to Trafalagar Law’s past. A fan-favorite era is the Water 7 and Enies Lobby Arcs, a huge step in the Straw Hats’ influence in the world of One Piece. It marks the official joining of Nico Robin, her real backstory, the cruel nature of the World Government and the Straw Hats declaring war against them.
With the reveal of Lera Abova joining the cast of One Piece in the live-action adaptation as Nico Robin, also known as Miss All Sunday, fans are more excited than ever for the new season. Alongside her is Joe Manganiello as Sir Crocodile or Mr. 0. The focus of the season will span from Loguetown to Drum Island. So, we can infer that Manganiello will take a backseat in the second season but then who is the primary antagonist?
Will Abova’s Nico Robin Be Playing a More Antagonistic Role in Season 2?
There are several theories floating around about who could be the main antagonist of season 2. Many argue that Smoker, played by Callum Kerr, will be the main villain but considering the marine doesn’t show up much post-Loguetown within this time frame, it’s unlikely. Some argue the Drum Island Monarch, Wapol, will be the main villain but he was small potatoes compared to the Baroque Works and Crocodile. Thus, it’s only likely that Nico Robin, who was initially more mysterious than antagonistic, will be written as more villainous for this adaptation.
Crocodile only makes his full appearance during the Alabasta Arc of One Piece. While the threat of him is present during the aforementioned arcs, it would be jarring to make Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile appear too much before season 3 without any turnout. Nico Robin, on the other hand, is a high-ranking Baroque Works member and if written well, her most iconic scene in the Enies Lobby Arc could be even more emotional. Her arc would then go from rescuing to redemption, and who doesn’t love a good redemption arc?
Robin’s Redemption in Enies Lobby Will Be More Effective
If Matt Owens and Steven Maeda can elevate what Eiichiro Oda has already written, it will be a great feat but not impossible. Making Nico Robin the main antagonist of season 2 who answers to the big bad of season 3, which would be Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile, is an effective way of making her introduction more solid. The writers might make her more aggressive towards the Straw Hats, but in the end, she will still have elements of good in her, like giving Luffy the antidote to Crocodile’s poison and other acts.
We know that Monkey D. Luffy is too kind and allows anyone to join his crew, regardless of their origin. He was even willing to hear Nami out after finding out she stole their ship and left. So, even if Robin ends up being more aggressive than her manga and anime counterparts in the live-action, her joining the crew will make sense. Abova might overshadow Manganiello in the upcoming season but it’s all in favor of the future of Robin as a more significant, complex person in season 3.
One Piece live-action is now streaming on Netflix.
