Netflix has revealed the first two episodes of One Piece season two will be screened in select theaters when it premieres on Tuesday, March 10. These will be held at over 200 theaters in the US, Canada, and Japan (including AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Alamo, and Cineplex) at 6pm local time. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, at 11pm ET.
This will mark the second time Netflix has screened a TV show in theaters, following the series finale of Stranger Things, which grossed over $25 million when it premiered over New Year’s. The streaming service’s growing interest in theatrical screenings may be part of an effort to prove their commitment to the format, especially with antitrust authorities probing the Warner Bros. acquisition.
The second season of the live-action One Piece, officially titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, will consist of eight episodes, and (per the official synopsis) see “Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line — a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn. As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies.”
Along with the returning lead cast, season two will introduce Mikaela Hoover as the voice of talking reindeer Tony Tony Chopper, Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha, and Joe Manganiello as the head of the secret organization Baroque Works, whose agents will be portrayed by Charithra Chandran, Camrus Johnson, David Dastmalchian, and more. Further new cast members will include Callum Kerr, Julia Rehwald, James Hiroyuki Liao, Clive Russell, and Sendhil Ramamurthy.
The first season of the show, which premiered in 2023, bucked the usual trend of American projects based on anime and manga, earning positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. A third season is already in production, with Ian Stokes taking over from the first two seasons’ co-showrunner Matt Owens (who stepped down for mental health reasons.) Confirmed additions to the cast at the time of writing include Cole Escola, Xolo Maridueña, and Daisy Head.
In the meantime, Netflix will hold various fan events in the run-up to season two’s premiere around the world, and you can check out an official listing of those here.
