Who Dies in Netflix's One Piece? Brace Yourself for 2 Major Characters Deaths
The adaptation departs from the source.
No one had expected Netflix's adaptation of the iconic Japanese anime to achieve such immense success. Historically, the streaming platform had been criticised for converting cherished properties into subpar projects. Fortunately, One Piece has broken with that dubious tradition, emerging as a beloved series that not only respects the original narrative but also introduces fresh elements. While fans look forward to the return of Luffy and his eclectic band of pirates in the second season, it's a sombre fact that not all the primary characters from the series made it through the first one.
Eiichiro Oda, the original manga's creator, is renowned for his reluctance to permanently end his characters' stories. He often kills them off, only to revive them later. Hence, it was a shock for many when Netflix's adaptation went ahead and dispatched two key characters in its debut season.
The Unlucky Two
The first casualty in One Piece is Merry, Kaya's butler. Though he didn't fundamentally influence the primary plot, his significance can't be downplayed. He was the first to uncover that Kaya's guardian was the infamous pirate, Kuro. In a tragic turn of events, Kuro murders Merry, leaving fans grieving the loss of a cherished supporting character.
The next character meeting an untimely end was Don Krieg, one of Luffy's adversaries and a well-known pirate in his own right. His demise came swiftly at the hands of Dracule Mihawk, one of the most formidable and ruthless pirates in the One Piece universe.
Deviation From the Original
While these deaths might seem logical from a narrative standpoint, neither occurred in the original manga. True, both Merry and Don faced grave injuries following the incidents mentioned, but they survived, subsequently playing minor roles in other One Piece arcs.
Neither ever took centre stage in the source material, so it's understandable why Netflix's team chose this trajectory. Nevertheless, this creative decision has heightened fans' apprehensions about potential changes to the fates of other pivotal characters in upcoming seasons.