With the massive success of Netflix’s live-action One Piece series, fans of the Straw Hat Pirates are eager to see where the show will go next. Season 1 did the near-impossible, as it won over longtime anime fans and intrigued newcomers alike. But with a sprawling universe and hundreds of colorful characters in the source material, the biggest question is not whether Netflix will continue the adaptation, it is which iconic faces will appear next.

While the first season introduced core characters like Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji, and gave fans a taste of bigger world players like Buggy and Arlong, it barely scratched the surface of the One Piece mythos. As the live-action world expands, certain characters from the anime and manga need to make their debuts sooner rather than later. Whether because of their emotional impact, narrative importance, or sheer charisma, there are many characters who would be game-changers for the live-action adaptation.

8 Corazon

The Secret Marine with a Heart of Gold

One of the most tragic and heartfelt figures in the One Piece world, Donquixote Rosinante, better known as Corazon, is a must for the Netflix series. As the adoptive brother of the fearsome Doflamingo and a secret agent for the Marines, Corazon straddles the line between two worlds. His heart-wrenching relationship with a young Trafalgar Law is one of the most emotionally charged story arcs in the series, providing critical context to Law’s motivations and personality. Introducing Corazon could add a deeply human layer to the political and ideological conflict in One Piece, offering Netflix a chance to explore themes of sacrifice and redemption in a way that resonates with viewers.

Beyond his narrative weight, Corazon brings a unique visual and tonal flavor to the series. With his clown-like appearance, awkward demeanor, and the surreal power of the Calm-Calm Fruit, which grants him the ability to silence everything within a certain radius, he adds a distinct blend of melancholy and absurdity. His backstory is prime material for flashbacks or a focused mini-arc, especially if Netflix plans to dive into Law’s origins. Debuting Corazon could elevate the emotional stakes and add depth to the coming conflict with the Warlords and the World Government.

7 Gecko Moria

A Gothic Villain Perfect for Live-Action Horror

For a show that loves pirates with bombastic personalities, few villains fit the mold better than Gecko Moria. A former Warlord of the Sea and captain of the Thriller Bark Pirates, Moria is a gothic nightmare in the best way. With his towering stature, stitched-up appearance, and shadow-stealing Devil Fruit powers, he is a character designed to be both terrifying and theatrical. His presence would introduce a darker, almost horror-inspired tone to the show, expanding the stylistic range of the One Piece world.

Narratively, Moria is more than a fun antagonist, and he is thematically significant. Once a proud pirate who lost everything in the New World, Moria represents the idea of disillusionment and the cost of ambition. His creepy zombie army and haunted ship-island hybrid reflect his fractured psyche and obsessive need to reclaim his lost glory. Bringing him into the Netflix series would not only create a visually unforgettable arc but also highlight the shifting power dynamics in the Grand Line. It is an opportunity to push the Straw Hats into a more morally gray territory as they face enemies shaped by personal tragedy.

6 Franky

One Piece’s Most ‘Super’ Character Needs to the Crew

The Straw Hat crew is known for its wild and diverse lineup, but perhaps no member is as explosively eccentric as Franky. A cyborg shipwright with a flair for speedos and cola-powered gadgets, Franky is One Piece’s love letter to over-the-top sci-fi tropes. His debut would mark a turning point in the crew’s journey, not just in power but in ambition. Franky is the mastermind behind the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hats' future ship, and his introduction coincides with the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs, which are some of the most beloved storylines in the entire series.

Netflix has the opportunity to show how One Piece blends absurdity with pathos, and Franky’s arc is the perfect case study

Bringing Franky into the live-action fold opens up new possibilities for action choreography and world-building. His battles are full of mechanical ingenuity, turning brawls into spectacle. More importantly, his backstory as a street punk-turned-shipwright with deep ties to Nico Robin’s past and the ancient weapons subplot gives him emotional and narrative heft. Netflix has the opportunity to show how One Piece blends absurdity with pathos, and Franky’s arc is the perfect case study. His ion, quirks, and loyalty make him a fan favorite for good reason.

5 Perona

Perona’s Gloomy Aura Could Light Up the Screen

In a world as outrageous as One Piece, it is a feat to stand out, yet Perona manages to do just that. As one of Gecko Moria’s most trusted subordinates, she first appears as a gothic lolita ghost princess wielding the strange and hilarious powers of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit. Her ability to make people uncontrollably depressed with a single touch adds an unexpected layer of psychological warfare to battles that are usually about brute strength or clever tricks. Her aesthetic alone, complete with floating ghosts and frilly dresses, would be a stylistic treat in the Netflix adaptation.

But Perona is not just eye candy or comic relief. As the story progresses, she develops unexpected depth, especially during her time with Roronoa Zoro post-Thriller Bark. Her reluctant bond with the swordsman offers fans a more vulnerable, grounded side of a character initially played for laughs. Introducing Perona would also help diversify the tone of the show, proving that One Piece can shift seamlessly from horror to humor to heartfelt without missing a beat. She’s an eccentric gem that could become a breakout character in live-action.

4 Trafalgar Law

The Surgeon of Death with a Soulful Past

There is possibly no post-time-skip character more eagerly awaited than Trafalgar D. Water Law. First introduced during the Sabaody Archipelago arc, Law quickly rose to fan-favorite status for his stoic demeanor, intricate plans, and mysterious past. A pirate captain with the surgical precision of a mastermind, he is the kind of rival-turned-ally dynamic that adds a layer of strategic tension to the story. His Ope-Ope Fruit powers allow him to manipulate space like a surgeon through cutting, swapping, and teleporting objects and people within his “Room” ability, making his combat sequences a visual marvel in the making.

Law’s character is deeply tied to the overarching world conflict, particularly with the Donquixote family and the Corazon subplot. His tragic backstory, marked by illness, war, and betrayal, gives his cold persona a rich emotional core. Law also plays a major role in shaping the alliance that takes on Kaido, one of the Four Emperors. If Netflix wants to build a long-form, layered story with multiple intersecting character arcs, Law is essential. His presence could anchor future seasons with both narrative complexity and emotional resonance.

3 Bon Clay

The Okama Hero Who Dances Between Comedy and Courage

If any character exemplifies the heart and humor of One Piece, it is Bentham, better known as Bon Clay or Mr. 2. Originally an enemy working under Baroque Works, Bon Clay quickly stole fans' hearts with his flamboyant personality, fierce loyalty, and surprisingly deep sense of honor. His Okama Kenpo fighting style, which is part ballet, part martial arts, is as expressive as his personality, and his Clone-Clone Fruit power lets him mimic the appearance of anyone he touches. In a live-action context, this ability is a goldmine for tension and disguise-based storytelling.

But what makes Bon Clay truly unforgettable is his capacity for selfless sacrifice. Whether helping the Straw Hats escape from Impel Down or putting his life on the line for Luffy, Bon Clay is the embodiment of chosen family and the blurred lines between friend and foe. His presence would add emotional depth and inject some much-needed theatrical flair into the more serious arcs. With his perfect mix of comedy, tragedy, and courage, Bon Clay could become a live-action scene-stealer.

2 Boa Hancock

One Piece’s Most Complex Woman Deserves Her Live-Action Moment

Power, beauty, and arrogance wrapped into one formidable package, Boa Hancock is more than just the Pirate Empress; she is a force of nature. As the captain of the Kuja Pirates and ruler of Amazon Lily, Hancock stands out for her complex blend of strength and vulnerability. While initially portrayed as vain and self-absorbed, her backstory reveals a harrowing tale of slavery, trauma, and survival. Her love for Luffy becomes a surprising emotional thread, adding levity and warmth to a character initially cloaked in icy detachment.

By adding Hancock to the Netflix series, the show can deepen its female character roster and tackle themes of agency, healing, and self-worth, all wrapped in a dazzling and deadly package.

Visually, Boa Hancock offers live-action potential for both glamour and awe. Her Love-Love Fruit powers, which turn people to stone based on their attraction to her, present unique challenges and opportunities for creative fight choreography. She also introduces the broader geopolitics of the world, especially the role of the Warlords and the isolationist Amazon Lily. By adding Hancock to the Netflix series, the show can deepen its female character roster and tackle themes of agency, healing, and self-worth, all wrapped in a dazzling and deadly package.

1 Ace

The Tragic Brother Who Set the World Ablaze

Portgas D. Ace is more than Luffy’s older brother; he is a linchpin of the One Piece emotional universe. His fire-based Devil Fruit powers, rebellious streak, and tragic fate make him one of the most beloved and mourned characters in the franchise. Ace represents the emotional stakes of the pirate world, with how dangerous it is, how high the cost of freedom can be, and how legacy shapes identity. His brief appearance in flashbacks does not do justice to the character’s full impact, making a proper debut in the live-action series is absolutely necessary.

Ace’s role in the Whitebeard Pirates, his clash with Blackbeard, and eventual capture by the Marines all build towards one of the most powerful arcs in One Piece, which is the Marineford War. This arc is years away in live-action , but Ace’s early introduction could set the stage for long-term storytelling. His presence would also flesh out Luffy’s past and values, showing audiences a more personal side of the Straw Hat captain. Ace’s charm, fire powers, and eventual fall make him a tragic hero worth meeting in the One Piece live-action as soon as possible.