Netflix has really surpassed fan expectations with the live-action adaptation of One Piece, and Worst in the East proves it. The season one finale brings the Straw Hat Pirates together as a unit for the first time, while giving closure to Garp’s pursuit of Luffy through the East Blue. The finale sets up a lot for season two while bringing season one a satisfying end, so time for a review of Worst in the East episode!
Fair warning! This article will contain spoilers for the finale and episodes leading up. The entire series is streaming on Netflix right now, so go watch it!
What Happens in “Worst in the East”?
Worst in the East starts where the previous episode ends, with Luffy and crew making their way to Arlong Park. Nami accompanies them, just as the villagers back at Coco Village decide that enough is enough. In the emotional followup of Nami’s plea for help last episode, Luffy is angrier than he’s ever been as he marches toward Arlong. Luffy doesn’t mess around when it comes to his friends. Anyone who makes them cry is going to get a beat down like they’ve never felt before.
Nami follows with them, but she’s there to see everything that’s held her down over the years crumble. Luffy goes ahead into the building to find Arlong, meanwhile, the Fishmen emerge to fight the other Straw Hats. Nami joins with Luffy while Chu chases down Usopp. Zoro and Sanji are left to face down a crowd of Fishmen and Arlong’s right hand, Kuroobi.
Zoro and Sanji vs. Kuroobi
The teamwork and chemistry between Mackenyu and Taz Skylar are fantastic here. They perfectly capture the strength and style of their respective characters, while also nailing the shit-talking rivalry the characters have. Their squabbling back and forth while fighting is great, with each one making jabs at the other throughout. Taz Skylar also nails Sanji’s signature fighting style, using only his legs as his hands are tools for cooking.
The final team-up to fight Kuroobi was great, with a well-choreographed fight that gave them both great moments to shine. The final cherry on top of it all though was them releasing Buggy back to his body. As soon as he pops off and throws up two middle fingers, it’s just another classic Buggy moment. Jeff Ward has been a standout as the Genius Jester, and hopefully gets a more expansive part in seasons two.
Usopp Fights Chu
The fight between Usopp and Chu in the manga was a lot more comical than it is here. The series keeps that same plot thread of Usopp feeling like a coward. Though he is really trying to muster his courage to fight Chu. The Fishman shooting fireballs was definitely well done, and Usopp’s final use of his Fire Star was fantastic. The follow up on Luffy’s earlier joke was great too, Usopp even calling out the attack. Unfortunately they didn’t portray the Rubber Band of Doom or 100 Ton Hammer, but they’ll show up down the line.
Luffy Destroys Arlong Park
The big fight between Luffy and Arlong was everything the season has been leading to. When his multiple Gum-Gum Pistols prove not enough Luffy whips out the Gum-Gum Gatling to run him into a wall. The move looks much better in live-action than fans could have hoped for, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep Arlong down. Also, the moment where Luffy breaks Arlong’s sword is one of the most hype moments to make it in the show, bar none.
The final realization that Luffy will destroy everything that’s holding Nami prisoner is so powerful. Nami is out of the building at this point and he starts destroying columns in the room. Finally bringing Arlong down with a Gum-Gum Battle Axe was beautiful, giving the entire weight of Luffy smashing the cell that Nami has spent most of her life in. Smashing Arlong through the floor was cool as hell, too. Shout out to poor Sanji for opening up to hug Nami who ignores him while she hugs Zoro and Usopp. Not the last time that’ll happen.
Why Does Garp Fight Luffy?
Now that Arlong is out of Coco Village, Luffy and the others take a rest. This is just the first Straw Hat party that’s going to grace screens in live action, but an interruption by Garp was unexpected. The Vice-Admiral comes to speak with Luffy, threatening to arrest the Straw Hats when Koby speaks up to disagree with him. Luffy and Garp get into a brawl when the Vice-Admiral tells his grandson to stop being a pirate. Luffy isn’t going to take that though, and the two have one hell of a fight.
By the end, Garp knows who Luffy is, and now that he knows Luffy is set in his ways, he leaves them behind. Garp takes his Marines with him, arresting the corrupt Nezumi in the process, while the Straw Hats continue their party. Sanji shoots and misses trying to flirt with Nojiko and Usopp entertains everyone with tall tales. Meanwhile Nami has her tattoo redone. Now, a tangerine on a pinwheel takes the place of the Arlong Pirates tattoo, showing her where she came from.
Luffy’s First Bounty
Finally, Monkey D Luffy earns his first bounty, a whopping thirty million Berry! He’s officially the worst in the East Blue, with the highest bounty to prove it. While Koby brings him the poster as a friend, he tells Luffy they’ll be enemies next time they meet. It’s a short exchange, but a great insight into the relationship between the two, and how both fight for good on different sides of the law. Koby’s growth and development along with Helmeppo has been fantastic to see, and hopefully, they’ll continue it in season two.
For now, the Straw Hats have their first bounty, and Luffy is public enemy number one of the East Blue. Now the Straw Hats have to leave Coco Village, and take the map of the Grand Line out to sea!
The Grand Line!
Perilous seas where few go and even fewer return. The Grand Line is the ultimate destination of One Piece, and the home of Gold Roger’s legendary treasure. There’s no easy way in, but the Straw Hats have a map now, so they know the way. The problem is it looks like a river flowing up a mountain! Meanwhile, Garp offers to continue training Koby and Helmeppo as his own apprentices, and across the world people learn of the pirate Monkey D Luffy. Mihawk brings news to Shanks, knowing Luffy is the Straw Hat boy Shanks tells him of occasionally. The check-in with an older Red-Hair Pirates is great, and Shanks is just charming as hell with no effort. His quip about fighting Mihawk with a hand tied behind his back was pure gold.
Buggy meeting Alvida is something fans were expecting, but it’s nice to see how they link up to join forces. The little tease of their goal to kill Luffy is likely going to play into season two’s premiere, along with the next tease that finishes out the season. The screen goes dark to show someone sitting at a desk, military uniform on, and two cigars in hand. They burn the picture of Luffy on his bounty poster before everything goes dark. This is none other than Captain Smoker of the Marines, one of the Straw Hat Pirates’ longtime frenemies.
Will One Piece Have a Season Two?
The season ends with that same sense of joy and adventure as the anime. New seas are ahead, with a bright future for the live-action One Piece as it breaks the adaptation curse. Hell, the creators even slip in a snippet of the original theme “We Are” during the final moments. It’s even a melody in the final score of Arlong Park, too! So much love and care obviously went into this show, and it really shines through.
Although the WGA and SAG strikes are still ongoing, the show will likely be renewed for season two once things are settled. There are still plenty of islands to visit and characters to meet as the Straw Hats enter the Grand Line, and the success of this season makes it even more exciting. One Piece ends Worst in the East with a huge glimmer of hope for the future of anime adaptations, and even more for seasons to come.
