Major spoilers are ahead from One Piece season 2 episode 8!
We've made it to the eighth and final episode of One Piece season 2! Can you believe it? The seventh episode was mainly about Tony Tony Chopper's tragic backstory. However, it came to an end with Wapol's men arriving at Drum Kingdom. If his right-hand men showed up, I'm pretty sure Wapol's not too far behind.
He wants to reclaim his throne and take back control of the town. With Dalton already wounded and the townspeople once again in danger, the Straw Hats are about to be thrown into another major battle. Will they come out victorious and finally put an end to Wapol’s tyranny once and for all? That’s the big question heading into the season 2 finale, as the Straw Hats prepare to defend Drum Kingdom and its people from the returning king.
Wapol arrives at Drum Kingdom with a new ability
The eighth episode opens right outside the gates of Drum Kingdom. Wapol has arrived, and his henchmen bring Dalton to him. Standing nearby are all the doctors that Wapol took with him when he fled. During this scene, Wapol makes it clear to Dalton that he's back to reclaim his kingdom and punish anyone who dares to stand against him. He also shows Dalton his new ability. Remember that Devil Fruit that Miss All Sunday gave him in a previous episode?
Well, it granted Wapol the ability to be able to consume, transform, and combine anything he eats into whatever he wants. He shows Dalton an example by eating a sword. The sword then replaces one of his arms on his body. Dalton has a unique ability as well. He ate a Devil Fruit in the past, and it allows him to transform into a half-human/half-bison. Dalton then transforms into this form before telling Wapol that he won't be able to easily take back his throne without his soldiers.
Wapol, however, makes it clear that he's not worried. Why? Well, it's because he does have his soldiers. He ate them and is now spitting them back out. Do they look the same? Nope! They're now monstrous-looking forms of their old selves. Miss Wednesday learns from Miss All Sunday that they're on their way into the town. Meanwhile, Zoro and Usopp see them coming from the watch tower. While Miss Wednesday heads to Drum Castle to warn Luffy and the others, Zoro and Usopp stay in the town to protect the citizens.
After Miss Wednesday informs the Straw Hats members in Drum Castle about everything, they all collectively decide to head back down the mountain to help Zoro and Usopp. Chopper even insists on tagging along. However, Dr. Kureha decides to take her things and go into hiding. Well, she was going to do that until she ran into an injured Dalton in the woods. In the end, she decides to patch him up and join the fight.
The Straw Hats defeat Wapol
Although Miss Wednesday and the others at Drum Castle planned to head down the mountain, their plans are disrupted when Wapol suddenly shows up at the castle. While Luffy and Miss Wednesday confront Wapol in one room, Sanji and Chopper take on his henchmen in another. Chopper even turns into his full reindeer form to fight. Meanwhile, Usopp, Zoro, Dalton, Dr. Kureha, and the residents fight Wapol's soldiers in the town.
At first, it seems like Luffy and Miss Wednesday successfully defeat Wapol. But shortly after Sanji and Chopper reunite with them, Wapol wakes up and reveals that he’s far from finished. It then takes a full group effort to end him once and for all. Luffy hangs on to Sanji's leg as he sends a powerful kick straight into Wapol, launching him out of the castle and sending him flying far away from Drum Kingdom. With Wapol finally defeated, the battle comes to an end and the people of the island are freed from the threat of his return.
Dr. Kureha, Dalton, Usopp, and Zoro then head to the castle to reunite with the others. Dalton thanks the Straw Hats for their help in saving Drum Kingdom. He also tells Zoro that he's going to be the kingdom's new leader. Luffy calls for Chopper and asks him to join the Straw Hats. Chopper is initially against the idea, but quickly changes his mind. Then, he goes to find Dr. Kureha to tell her about his decision.
Dr. Kureha says some pretty harsh things to Chopper about him leaving, but we later find out she was just having a hard time letting him go. She knew he was going to want to leave, so she made sure to put his backpack on his sleigh for when he departed. The Straw Hats make it back to the Going Merry and set sail for Alabasta.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kureha has Dalton release a special powder into the sky that Dr. Hiriluk had spent years developing. As it spreads through the air and mixes with the falling snow, the snow turns pink, creating the breathtaking image of cherry blossoms blooming across the winter sky. The people of Drum Kingdom look on in awe as the sky fills with the beautiful sight, symbolizing that Dr. Hiriluk’s dream has finally come true. Watching from the Going Merry, Chopper becomes emotional as he realizes that his mentor’s dream will live on.
Mr. 0's true identity is revealed
The episode then jumps to the next day, with the Straw Hats still sailing toward Alabasta. Miss Wednesday thanks the crew for helping her and admits she’ll miss them once they drop her off. However, Luffy immediately shuts that idea down. He reminds her that she’s part of the Straw Hats now, and that they’re not going anywhere until they help her defeat Baroque Works and save Alabasta.
The rest of the crew quickly backs him up. After thanking them once more, Miss Wednesday reveals that it’s finally time to share what she and Igaram discovered while they were undercover. That's the true identity of Mr. 0. However, we never get to see her actually tell them. The episode then cuts to the Marine Communications Outpost, where Smoker and Tashigi listen to the phone recording between Mr. 0 and Sanji. Now they're more eager than ever to chase after the Straw Hats and Baroque Works. Their next destination? Alabasta!
The eighth episode then shifts to the Baroque Works headquarters. Miss All Sunday reports to Mr. 0 about Wapol’s demise, but he’s unconcerned. All he cares about is the fact that they still have Wapol's financial contributions to further their organization's cause.
We're then shown Mr. 0's face for the first time. His real name is also revealed. It's Crocodile. Miss All Sunday’s real name is also disclosed. It's Nico Robin. She informs Crocodile that she has already dispatched more skilled agents to Alabasta to prepare for the Straw Hats’ arrival. Crocodile then announces the start of their next operation: Operation Utopia. His ultimate goal? To obtain the legendary treasure, One Piece. The season 2 finale ends on this suspenseful note.
One Piece season 2 episode 8 review
Wow, what a way to end the second season! Episode 8 of One Piece season 2 is pure chaos in the best way possible. From the moment Wapol shows up at Drum Kingdom with his crazy new Devil Fruit powers, I was on the edge of my seat. I mean, a guy literally eating a sword and turning it into his arm? Classic One Piece madness!
The teamwork in this episode is everything, too. I still have Luffy’s final kick to Wapol stuck in my head. It was so satisfying that I literally leaned forward in my chair and cheered. And the moment with Chopper seeing the pink cherry blossom snow? Yeah, I totally teared up. That was such a beautiful way to honor Dr. Hiriluk’s dream. Plus, the episode sets up the Arabasta arc perfectly. That's likely the arc from the manga that the fantasy adventure series will adapt next in One Piece season 3.
Overall, the season 2 finale nails everything I love about One Piece. I honestly can’t stop thinking about the next installment. Hopefully, we won't have to wait super long for it to come out. Fingers crossed!
All eight episodes of One Piece season 2 are now available to stream on Netflix.