One Piece Season 2 Might Finally Feature the Long-Awaited Nico Robin Scene Missing From the Anime for 24 Years

Netflix’s adaptation of One Piece follows Eiichiro Oda’s original storyline closely, yet there remains room for some innovative changes. A notable addition for season 2 is a new scene featuring Nico Robin, portrayed by Lera Abova. Known as Miss All Sunday, Robin first appears as a member of Baroque Works, initially presenting herself as an antagonist before ultimately joining Luffy’s Straw Hat crew, where she becomes a cherished character.

This upcoming season will focus on Baroque Works, setting the stage for the Arabasta arc in season 3. During this time, Nico Robin will primarily function as a sidekick to Crocodile, the leader of Baroque Works. While sticking to the source material is vital, an exciting opportunity arises with Robin’s introduction. Instead of simply lurking in the shadows, the live-action adaptation could benefit from depicting a more dynamic interaction between Robin and the Straw Hats.

An Opportunity for Action: Robin Facing the Straw Hats

Nico Robin vs. The Straw Hats: A Worthy Adaptation

Nico Robin as Miss All Sunday giving someone the side eye in One Piece.

In her initial appearance in the anime, Nico Robin sneaks aboard the Going Merry to assess the Straw Hats, playfully disarming Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro without engaging in a genuine fight. Introducing a more confrontational encounter in the live-action series could significantly enhance this pivotal scene by better showcasing Robin’s character.

Such a fight would not only highlight Robin’s formidable devil fruit powers but also offer a more definitive introduction to her character, as opposed to the more ambiguous portrayal in the anime. Given the compression of storytelling in Netflix’s version, engaging in combat with the Straw Hats would facilitate a more concise and vivid characterization, while also providing an action-packed sequence that viewers would appreciate.

A Missed Opportunity if Robin Doesn’t Fight

Setting Up Robin’s Future: Importance of a Fight

As the series progresses, it faces the challenging task of illustrating Nico Robin’s evolution from enigmatic antagonist to Straw Hat pirate. This transformation was gradual in the manga and anime, but with limited screen time, Netflix must establish a meaningful connection between Robin and the crew right from their initial encounter. A physical confrontation may serve as an effective catalyst for this relationship; Luffy’s early recognition of Robin’s more nuanced allegiance could set the stage for her eventual acceptance into the crew.

Challenges with Robin Fighting the Straw Hats

The Drawbacks of Allowing Robin to Fight

Introducing a combat scenario between Nico Robin and the Straw Hat pirates in the live-action series could raise concerns regarding power dynamics. For instance, it would be implausible for Robin to single-handedly defeat the entire crew. If Robin were to overpower central figures like Luffy, Zoro, or Sanji, it would disrupt the established power hierarchy among the crew and dilute the narrative impact of her character’s development.

On the flip side, should the Straw Hats defeat Robin too easily, it would undermine her character and the overall significance of the Baroque Works arc. This might explain why the anime chose to depict her as disarming the crew without significant conflict.

A practical approach could involve a more limited engagement, where only a few Straw Hats, such as Nami, Usopp, and Chopper, confront Robin. In this scenario, she could effectively best them without overwhelming the narrative balance. As Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji become aware of the commotion, Robin could ultimately choose to de-escalate the situation, echoing the anime’s pivotal speech, before making her exit.

This engagement would forge a deeper connection between Robin and the Straw Hats, making her eventual inclusion in the crew more impactful. The characters who confront Robin would likely impart their experiences to others, enhancing her mystique and establishing her as a formidable figure in One Piece season 2.

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