6 One Piece Characters Who Could Make Surprise Appearances In Netflix's Season 3

Netflix’s live-action One Piece has never been shy about shaking up expectations, and nowhere is that more obvious than in its character introductions. Of all the surprises so far, nothing has sparked more debate among fans than how early certain figures have appeared compared to their manga and anime counterparts, dramatically reshaping the story’s timeline.

From Sabo to Bartolomeo, Netflix’s adaptation has already demonstrated a willingness to remix Eiichiro Oda’s original One Piece timeline. That creative freedom opens the door for even bigger surprises in season 3. As the live-action story of Luffy and the Straw Hats heads into the Alabasta arc, there’s a growing sense that several major characters from later in the One Piece manga could arrive far earlier than expected.

Whitebeard

An Early Whitebeard Debut Could Expand Ace’s Story Beyond The Alabasta Arc

Portgas D. Ace (set to be played by Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña) is confirmed to debut in season 3 of Netflix’s live-action show, and his arrival could be an opportunity to introduce one of the most legendary pirates in the One Piece world: Whitebeard. While Edward Newgate doesn’t formally appear until much later in the original story, his connection to Ace makes him a natural character to introduce earlier in the live-action adaptation.

In the One Piece manga and anime, Whitebeard’s presence looms large long before he physically appears, particularly through Ace’s backstory. A brief flashback showing Ace joining the Whitebeard Pirates in season 3 would be an efficient way to establish that bond while adding emotional weight to Ace’s journey. It would also mirror how the live-action series has already used flashbacks to deepen character relationships.

Bringing Whitebeard into season 3 of the live-action One Piece, even briefly, would also help seed future arcs like Marineford. With Netflix clearly thinking long-term, introducing such a pivotal figure early would strengthen narrative cohesion and lay foundations for the future of Luffy’s adventures after Alabasta.

Ivankov

Bringing Ivankov’s Debut Forward Could Tease Crocodile’s Past

Emporio Ivankov is one of One Piece’s most fascinating wildcard characters, and their history with Crocodile (Joe Manganiello) offers a perfect excuse for an early tease. While Ivankov doesn’t appear until the Impel Down arc in the manga, his ties to Crocodile create an easy and narratively justifiable way to introduce him in season 3 of the live-action show.

Since Crocodile has already been introduced ahead of the Alabasta arc, the live-action One Piece has a unique opportunity to hint at Ivankov’s shared history with him sooner. A cryptic line of dialogue or a shadowy cameo like Sabo’s in season 2 could go a long way in building intrigue without fully revealing Ivankov’s role.

This approach would align perfectly with the storytelling style of the adaptation so far and how it’s already tweaked the manga timeline. Ivankov’s presence, even in a limited capacity, would add another layer to Crocodile’s character while setting up major revelations for later seasons.

Bellamy

A Season 3 Bellamy Appearance Would Be A Perfect Setup For Future Arcs

In the One Piece manga and anime, Bellamy doesn’t enter the story until the Jaya arc in the original timeline, but his thematic importance makes him an ideal candidate for an early debut in the live-action version. As a pirate who embodies cynicism and blind ambition, Bellamy serves as a sharp contrast to Luffy’s values.

Introducing Bellamy toward the end of One Piece season 3 would be a strategic move for Netflix. Even a brief scene showcasing his attitude and worldview could establish him as a looming antagonist, setting the stage for season 4’s exploration of Jaya and Skypiea. It would also reinforce the idea that the Grand Line is filled with pirates who don’t share Luffy’s sense of adventure.

Netflix has already demonstrated a willingness to play the long game with character setups in the live-action One Piece. Bellamy’s early arrival would continue that trend, giving future conflicts more narrative weight while expanding the world beyond the immediate events of Alabasta.

Donquixote Doflamingo

Doflamingo Could Be Introduced As A Shadowy Power Broker To Begin The Marineford Setup Early

Donquixote Doflamingo is one of One Piece’s most iconic villains, and there’s already significant fan speculation about his live-action debut. Although he first appears during the Jaya arc in the manga, his significance to Luffy’s journey stretches far beyond that, particularly during the Marineford arc.

Season 3 presents an opportunity to introduce Doflamingo in the live-action One Piece in a limited but impactful way. Positioning him as the mysterious broker known as Joker would allow Netflix’s adaptation to establish his underground connections early, tying him indirectly to Crocodile’s operations. This would create a sense of a much larger criminal network at play.

With Ace entering the story in season 3, the groundwork for Marineford is quietly being laid. Including Doflamingo in season 3 of the live-action One Piece, even as a cameo, would reinforce that trajectory. It would also capitalize on fan excitement, especially given the ongoing speculation about potential casting choices like Antony Starr.

Law

Trafalgar Law Could Be Teased As A Rising Star Of The Grand Line

Trafalgar Law is one of the most anticipated One Piece characters yet to appear in the live-action adaptation. Although he doesn’t debut until much later in the manga, first popping up in the Sabaody Archipelago arc, the fact he’s already an active pirate sailing the Grand Line while Luffy and the Straw Hates are traversing Alabasta makes an early tease entirely plausible.

Rather than a full introduction, One Piece season 3 could hint at Law through wanted posters, news reports, or even a brief post-credits scene. This would also help flesh out the worldbuilding of the live-action show, as it would reinforce the sense that Luffy’s journey isn’t taking place in a vacuum, but wouldn’t disrupt the main narrative.

Teasing Law early would serve a clear purpose: establishing the next generation of pirates beyond Luffy’s immediate circle. It would also reinforce the scale of the Grand Line for live-action One Piece fans who are unfamiliar with the manga, showing that countless powerful figures are already shaping its future (even if they haven’t crossed paths with the Straw Hats yet).

Jinbei

This Future Straw Hat Pirate Could Be Introduced At The Warlords Meeting

Jinbei’s eventual importance to Luffy’s story in the One Piece manga makes him one of the most logical candidates for an early appearance in the live-action version. While he doesn’t formally debut until much later, his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea means he would logically be present during key government discussions.

If One Piece season 3 mirrors the mange/anime and concludes with a meeting of the Warlords following the Alabasta arc, Jinbei could easily appear as part of that lineup. This would allow the show to acknowledge his existence without needing to fully explore his character just yet.

This kind of introduction would make perfect sense for Jinbei. It’s exactly the way Netflix’s One Piece adaptation has already handled other major figures, offering glimpses that build anticipation for future seasons. By including Jinbei early with a season 3 cameo, the series would strengthen the world-building around the Warlords while quietly setting up one of Luffy’s most important future allies.

Release Date: August 31, 2023
Network: Netflix
Showrunner: Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz
Directors: Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka
Writers: Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand