The live-actionOne Piecestar Katey Sagal revealed that Joe Manganiello’s Crocodile is being set up as a major arch-villain for season 3. Based on Eiichiro Oda’s long-running and beloved manga,One Piecefollows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and the Straw Hat Pirates as they seek the legendary treasure known as the One Piece. Upon its release in 2023, Netflix’s live-action adaptation became one of the most successful anime franchises of all time. Filming forOne Pieceseason 2has just wrapped and is expected to arrive in either late 2025 or early 2026.
ScreenRant’s Joe Deckelmeier hosted a panel at MegaCon Orlando, whereSagal revealed that Manganiello’s Crocodile is being set up for a major arch-villain storyline inOne Pieceseason 3, hinting at a slow-burn introduction for the iconic antagonist. Known for her award-winning role in FX’sSons of Anarchy, Sagal joins the live-action series' sophomore season as Dr. Kureha of Drum Island. Here’s what she had to say about filming this month:
If you haven’t watched live-actionOne Piece, you have to watch it. It’s on Netflix. I saw it by accident. We were just scrolling around and there it was. I was not familiar with the manga. And like within a month, my agents call me and say ‘Hey, we got this offer for you on this show calledOne Piece. We’re not sure what it is.’ I was like ‘Are you freaking kidding me?’
So, I immediately—I just got back from South Africa. I was there for about 3 months. And I’m just so excited about it. So,I’ve been telling everybody to watch the second season.
Here’s what Sagal had to say about Manganiello’s role as Crocodile andhow his character is being positioned for the future:
He’s on it, too! Except I think they’re setting him up for the third season. I think—I do believe he came in for the second season,sort oftowards the end, becauseI think he’s the big arch-villain in the third season. All the manga people will know—I don’t read the manga.
What Crocodile’s One Piece Season 2 Role Means
The Straw Hat Crew Is Heading Toward A Major Showdown
Crocodile’s introduction inOne Pieceseason 2 signals a major turning point for the Netflix adaptation, as the show moves into the Arabasta Saga.Crocodile is the leader of the secretive criminal syndicate Baroque Worksand serves as the main antagonist of the Arabasta Arc. His conflict with Luffy marks one of the first major challenges in the Grand Line, solidifying his status as one ofOne Piece’s most formidable villains.
However,Crocodile is more than just a simple antagonist—he is a character with a layered backstory and complex motivations. Manganiello has hinted at this complexity, stating that Crocodile is “not that much different from Luffy,“as someone who once had hopes of becoming the King of the Pirates too (viaScreenRant).
5 One Piece Arcs Netflix Will Have Trouble Adapting (and 5 We Can’t Wait to See)
With Netflix’s One Piece confirmed for more seasons, there are arcs in the series that Netflix might have trouble adapting for various reasons.
With Sagal revealingCrocodile’s role inOne Pieceseason 3—which has yet to be confirmed—Netflix’s adaptation appears to be structuring his arc in a way that gives more build-up to his eventual confrontation with Luffy; this is not unlike howOne Pieceseason 1 developed Arlong before his climactic battle with the Straw Hats. If Crocodile is indeed introduced in the later parts of season 2, this could allow more time to explore his crushed ambition before his full villainous arc unfolds.
Our Take On Crocodile’s One Piece Season 2 & 3 Setup
A Villain With The Depth One Piece Deserves
The Crocodile arc is poised to bring an exciting addition toOne Piece’s live-action adaptation, offering a villain whose motivations extend beyond simple greed or power. The slow-burn approach that Sagal teases allows the show to build up Crocodile’s iconic menace and presence over time,ensuring that his eventual confrontation with Luffy inOne Pieceseason 3 has the weight it deserves. Ultimately, the final confrontation between Luffy and Crocodile could be one of the most gripping conflictsOne Piecehas delivered so far.
