Who is Smoker the White Hunter, Netflix's One Piece Season 2 Villain?

While some fans of the original Japanese manga were concerned that Netflix might misrepresent One Piece in its live-action adaptation, their fears were dispelled when the first season dropped on the streaming platform. The 8-episode series remained true to the original story and the manga, winning over even the staunchest fans of Eiichiro Oda's creation.

Unsurprisingly, there's immense anticipation for the second season's release. However, due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it's unlikely we'll see Luffy and his crew before 2025. On the bright side, we have a hint about the next season's antagonist!

The Smoker

At the very end of Season 1, a shadowy figure is seen tearing Luffy's wanted poster from a wall and setting fire to it. Although this character is obscured, keen-eyed fans identified him as Marine Smoker, courtesy of his signature twin cigars.

This formidable foe was among Luffy's chief early rivals in the initial chapters of the manga. He doggedly chased the protagonist and his crew for an extensive period.

Like Luffy, Smoker is a Devil Fruit consumer, which grants him the unique ability to metamorphose into smoke and employ it as a potent weapon. That promises some exhilarating clashes between the two. But why does Smoker want to catch Luffy?

Special Kind of Pirate

In the manga, Smoker's fixation on capturing Luffy was kindled when he saw Luffy nearly executed by Buggy. Luffy displayed no trepidation at the prospect of death, deeming a heroic end as a pirate the pinnacle of honour. This trait resonated with Smoker, because he reminded him of how the most formidable pirates, including the iconic Gold Roger, were reputed for their audacity in the face of death. That compelled Smoker to track Luffy.

While it remains to be seen how pivotal Smoker's role will be in the forthcoming season, if Netflix remains loyal to the source material, Smoker is poised to emerge as a principal antagonist in Season 2.