Netflix's TUDUM 2025 event aired this past weekend, with the streaming giant making several announcements about its slate of new and returning programming for the near future. Among the event's major announcements were updates on the returns of Wednesday (season 2 debuts in two parts on August 6 and September 3), Squid Game (June 27) and the final season of Stranger Things (debuting in three parts on November 26, December 25 and December 31). Netflix also aired trailers for several movies coming to the streaming service including Happy Gilmore 2, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
The streamer also provided a major update on the second season of its live-action One Piece adaptation, delivered by WWE pro wrestlers and One Piece fans CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, the New Day and Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, along with the cast of the series itself. It's official: The show will return next year, as the event revealed that One Piece season 2 will debut in 2026.
As the first season debuted in August 2023, a summer 2026 debut for the second season seems plausible, though all we can do at this point is speculate. But as this is the first confirmation that the show will be back on screens next year, we're one step closer to its return.
The debut of a fan favorite character was also confirmed
For many One Piece fans, the biggest news out of TUDUM was the first look teaser (posted above) confirming the debut of fan-favorite character Tony Tony Chopper, whom Netflix's recap of the TUDUM event describes like this:
"A blue-nosed reindeer-boy hybrid, Chopper is as smart as he is cute. With the ability to treat various illnesses, he aims to travel the world and accomplish his dream of curing any disease — which would certainly come in handy for our Straw Hat pirates. He’s also fiercely loyal, loves compliments (but doesn’t want you to know it), and wears his heart on his sleeve. But don’t let his sweet face fool you. This fan-favorite character is a lot tougher than he looks. And whatever you do, don’t call him a raccoon! He’s a reindeer!"
Netflix has also confirmed that Chopper will be voiced and provided facial capture by Mikaela Hoover who was appeared in both the Marvel and DC movie universes with minor roles in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 and The Suicide Squad, along with TV roles including Duster, Lucifer and Two Broke Girls.
The Bam Smack Pow team will be keeping an eye out for more news about season two of Netflix's One Piece as we set sail for 2026. Season two of the live-action adaptation isn't the only One Piece production from Netflix fans can look forward two. The streamer has previously announced a second anime series is in production, called The One Piece. A debut date has not yet been confirmed. In the meantime, fans can catch up with both season one of the live-action adaptation and the anime series on Netlfix.