Is Ace In One Piece Season 2?

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Season 2 of One Piece is now available on Netflix, and fans are quickly revisiting the live-action series based on Eiichiro Oda’s famous manga. This new season brings new characters, more dangerous challenges, and storylines fans have been eager to see. However, all eyes are on one character in particular: Ace.

Portgas D. Ace is a hugely popular character in the One Piece manga. As Luffy’s close brother and a tremendously powerful pirate with the ability to control fire, he plays a key role in some of the series’ most dramatic and heartbreaking moments. Fans have loved his confidence, strength, and ultimately, his tragic story for years.

All eight episodes of One Piece season 2 are now available to watch, covering the story from Loguetown to Drum Island in the manga. This part of the story is when Ace is first introduced, so fans were especially excited to see if he would appear in the live-action adaptation’s second season. That’s the big question everyone’s been asking!

Ace Does NOT Appear In One Piece Season 2, Despite An Actor Being Cast

Netflix Has Cast Ace, But Season 2 Isn’t Where He Debuts

Fans are especially excited about Portgas D. Ace as Netflix prepares its live-action One Piece series. Ace is a key character in both the manga and anime, sharing a significant and impactful journey with Luffy. He’s known for being brave, incredibly loyal, and possessing a visually impressive power.

Ace is a crucial character in One Piece, and his impact extends well beyond exciting battles. His close relationship with Luffy creates some of the most heartfelt scenes in the series, giving the Straw Hats’ journey deeper meaning. Dedicated fans will remember that Ace’s arrival always signaled a major turning point in the story, which made his exclusion from the live-action adaptation particularly apparent.

Although fans were hoping to see him, Ace doesn’t make an appearance in the second season of the One Piece live-action series. The new episodes accurately adapt the story from Loguetown to Drum Island, but don’t include his introduction. Even the season finale, which some predicted might offer a glimpse of him, stays focused on preparing for the Alabasta arc instead.

Even though he hasn’t appeared yet, Netflix has cast Xolo Maridueña as Ace. He’ll be joining the live-action One Piece series in season 3. Maridueña is well-known for his roles as Miguel Diaz in Cobra Kai and the lead in DC’s Blue Beetle, both of which have prepared him for playing a character like Ace.

The news that Xolo Maridueña would be playing Portgas D. Ace came out in late 2025, but filming for season two was already finished. Because of this, it wasn’t possible to include him in a quick appearance, even if the showrunners had wanted to. So, Ace will now appear in a future season.

Although fans might be eager to see him sooner, the confirmation of Ace’s casting is still encouraging. It shows Netflix recognizes how important Ace is to the overall story of One Piece. Instead of just a quick glimpse, it seems they’re planning a significant and meaningful introduction for the character.

Given how significant Ace is to the story, building up to his full introduction is a smart move. This isn’t just a quick appearance; it’s a major event that needs to feel impactful and emotionally resonant. The current season of One Piece is setting the stage, but Ace’s true spotlight moment is yet to come.

How Quickly Ace Could Appear In One Piece Season 3

The Manga Timeline Suggests Ace’s Debut Could Happen Immediately

Just because Ace isn’t in the first season of the live-action One Piece doesn’t mean fans will have to wait long to see him. In the original manga, Ace first appears around the time the story is at now – right before the Alabasta Arc begins. This means he’ll likely be introduced soon after where the first season ended.

The Netflix series has made some clever changes, but it still generally follows the main storyline of the original manga. Key events, character introductions, and important emotional moments have stayed true to the creator Eiichiro Oda’s plan. If this continues, we can expect Ace to appear around the same time as he did in the manga.

In the One Piece manga, Ace shows up near the beginning of the Alabasta Arc, right after the Straw Hat crew leaves Drum Island. The anime’s second season ends at that exact moment, making it a natural time to introduce him. From a storytelling perspective, there’s not much reason to hold off on bringing him in any longer.

Ace might appear as soon as the first episode of One Piece season 3. This would match the speed of the manga and immediately grab the attention of viewers who are coming back for more. Because he’s such a beloved character, starting the season with Ace would be a powerful move.

Many fans predicted a brief appearance by the character at the end of One Piece season 2, especially because he makes a quick cameo in the Drum Island arc of the original manga. This led to speculation that the live-action series would include a similar hint. When that didn’t happen, some viewers were disappointed by the exclusion.

Given the strong audience response, Netflix probably won’t delay introducing Xolo Maridueña as Ace in the third season of One Piece. Ace isn’t a minor character they can add without much fanfare; he’s a central figure who significantly boosts the story and adds emotional weight to Luffy’s story.

Now that the actors are confirmed and the show is moving into the Alabasta storyline, it looks like the first episode will arrive soon. Introducing Ace early in the Netflix live-action One Piece series would feel like a logical progression of the story, rather than just a treat for fans.

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2026-03-10 12:39