Latest news with #MonkeyD.Luffy
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"One Piece" Season 2 Release Window, First Look Revealed
Yara Sameh 'One Piece' Season 2 will set sail on Netflix in 2026 with actress Mikaela Hoover joining the live-action series as the voice of fan-favorite character Tony Tony Chopper. Hoover also does the facial capture for the little reindeer-human hybrid doctor who will be teaming up with pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his band of Straw Hats. Based on Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga and subsequent anime series 'One Piece,' the live-action series follows Luffy and his crew on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, One Piece, and become King of the Pirates. Returning 'One Piece' stars from Season 1 include Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, Taz Skylar as Sanji, Ilia Isorelys Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy, and Michael Dorman as Gold Roger. Godoy, Mackenyu, Rudd, Romero and Skylar announced the Chopper casting news and planned 2026 launch for 'One Piece's' second season during Netflix's live 'Tudum' special. Additional cast members for 'One Piece' Season 2 include Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday, Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0, Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha, Lera Abova as Miss All Sunday, Mark Harelik as Dr. Hiriluk, Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, Yonda Thomas as Igaram, Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra, Brendan Sean Murray as Brogy, Callum Kerr as Smoker, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Clive Russell as Crocus, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3, Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine, Julia Rehwald as Tashigi, Rob Colletti as Wapol, Ty Keogh as Dalton, Werner Coetser as Dorry, Rigo Sanchez as Dragon, James Hiroyuki Liao as Ipponmatsu, Mark Penwill as Chess, and Anton Jeftha as K.M. 'One Piece' executive producers include writres and co-showrunners Matt Owens and Joe Tracz as well as Oda, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements through Tomorrow Studios, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes and former co-showrunner Steven Maeda. The series is made in partnership with 'One Piece' animated series studio Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios partner) and Netflix. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
One Piece Season 2 Video Teases Tony Tony Chopper Reveal
Netflix has shared a new Season 2 video for the long-awaited return of the popular live-action fantasy series. This comes ahead of the streamer's annual Tudum event this coming June 1. Check out the One Piece Season 2 video below (watch more trailers): The video brings back the Straw Hat pirates for a slumber party session, featuring Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. It also teases the highly anticipated reveal of Tony Tony Chopper, who will serve as the sixth official member of Luffy's crew. One Piece is written and executive produced by Steven Maeda (The X-Files) and Matt Owens (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), with Owens and Joe Tracz set as the showrunners for the next installment. It is based on Eiichiro Oda's popular manga series of the same name. Season 2 will feature the Straw Hats finally venturing into the dangerous and unusual seas of the Grand Line. It is a production by Shueisha and Tomorrow Studios. As the story continues to expand, the next installment will also introduce a number of new characters, including Joe Manganiello as Crocodile/Mr. 0, Lera Abova as Miss All Sunday/ Nico Robin, Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday/ Princess Vivi, Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra, Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha, David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, Werner Coetser as Dorry, Brendan Murray as Brogy, Clive Russell as Crocus, Callum Kerr as Smoker, Julia Rehwald as Tashigi, Rigo Sanchez as Monkey D. Dragon, Yonda Thomas as Igaram, James Hiroyuki Liao as Ipponmatsu, Rob Colletti as Wapol, Ty Keogh as Dalton, Mark Harelik as Dr. Hiriluk, Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, and more. The post One Piece Season 2 Video Teases Tony Tony Chopper Reveal appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
One Piece day 2025 announced with Elbaph Arc Luffy visual and Tokyo dates
Credits: Crunchyroll The One Piece franchise has revealed its official plans for One Piece Day 2025, a two-day fan celebration in Tokyo this summer. Organizers confirmed that One Piece Day '25 will take place on August 9 and 10, 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight. According to the official One Piece Day site, this marks the fourth edition of the annual event. The schedule will feature exhibits, stage shows, and merchandise sales. (Notably, the first day's activities are limited – for example, venue shop hours on August 9 are only 3pm–5pm – with the main fanfest scheduled for August 10.) The announcement included a dramatic new key visual Monkey D. Luffy in full Elbaph-arc gear. In the image, Luffy is shown wearing a Viking-style horned helmet and a red fur cloak, suggesting his outfit for the upcoming giants' island storyline. This is the first official glimpse of Luffy's look in the Elbaph (Elbaf) arc, and it immediately set social media buzzing. (Fans have long speculated about the Elbaph saga, a mythical land of giants teased throughout the series. Seeing Luffy in 'giant's garb' fuels excitement and theories about how the story will unfold.) One Piece Day itself is a yearly mega-event celebrating the manga/anime series. The Japan Anniversary Association officially recognized July 22 (the date the manga debuted in 1997) as 'One Piece Day,' and since then fans around the world mark the occasion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Traditionally, Bandai Namco, Toei Animation, and Shueisha co-host special One Piece Day festivities each year. For example, last year the franchise marked its 25th anniversary with a One Piece Day event on August 9–10, 2024. Media reports noted that the 2024 One Piece Day was streamed live worldwide and featured panels, concerts, and fan contests in celebration of the series. This year's announcement says One Piece Day '25 will similarly include exhibits, performances, a live 'knowledge king' quiz contest for fans, and other surprises. These events draw thousands of fans and often drop teasers for future anime/manga content. Luffy's new Elbaph visual is a major highlight of the announcement. In One Piece lore, Elbaph is the legendary homeland of the giants – a plot thread that creator Eiichiro Oda has hinted at many times. The new image shows Luffy adopting gear that befits a giant warrior: his helmet's horns and the shaggy fur cloak immediately evoke Elbaph's Viking-inspired aesthetic. In-universe, the Straw Hats recently traveled through Wano and the sky country Skypiea (both with giant-related history), so fans interpret Luffy's Elbaph attire as a clue that the crew will soon set foot on the giants' island. (For context, in the manga the Straw Hats were already partially outfitted in giant-themed clothes when visiting Oimo and Kashii, the giant warriors.) The new visual suggests Luffy will continue that theme – and may face new giant foes or allies in Elbaph. While no official story details were given, the art alone has sparked online excitement: fans are sharing, remixing, and celebrating the long-awaited return to Elbaph with Luffy front and center. Early fan reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly positive. One Piece communities on Twitter and Reddit quickly picked up the news, with many fans commenting that Luffy's new look 'gives us chills' and is 'worth the wait.' The blend of rugged fur and heroic pose has even inspired fan art and memes. Viewers who only follow the anime (now on hiatus until April 2025) are especially intrigued, as the timing suggests the Elbaph arc may be coming soon. Organizers say more details will be revealed as the event approaches. The One Piece Day special website notes that additional information – including schedules, guest announcements, and ticket registration – will be published gradually. Given how previous One Piece Days have unfolded, we can expect live streams for overseas fans, exclusive merchandise reveals, and possibly more sneak peeks at the anime's future. For now, fans have marked their calendars for August 9–10, 2025 and are eagerly awaiting the next chapter of the saga – starting with Luffy's new gear and the promise of Elbaph on the horizon. READ MORE: One Piece: Oda quietly reveals the genius behind Luffy's final power-up and Pirate King legacy Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anime stories and characters that speak to today's youth
Credits: Medium Anime's surge in India is unmistakable. Once a niche interest, anime is now mainstream among Gen Z: Crunchyroll recently named India its second-largest market. Fans even joke that playgrounds echo with 'Kamehameha' and 'Super Saiyan' moves. Iconic shows like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z created a loyal fanbase early on, and today younger hits like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are just as popular. What draws these fans isn't just vibrant art, but deep, emotional storytelling . Many Indian viewers say anime heroes face struggles of identity, acceptance and loss – problems Gen Z can relate to. As one fan put it during the lockdown: 'Anime is not something I watch just to pass time. The stories… are very relatable, and they teach you… fighting your battles, dealing with things with patience'. In short, tales of friendship, found family, and perseverance (common in anime) resonate with young Indians. Icons and role models from every genre Credits: CBR Gen Z fans point to characters who feel like role models . For example, Naruto Uzumaki (from Naruto ) starts alone and unpopular, yet he never gives up. His perseverance and belief in friends become a powerful example of 'never giving up' – a message many youngsters admire. Similarly, Monkey D. Luffy (from One Piece ) lives for freedom and adventure, inspiring young fans to chase big dreams. Darker heroes matter too: Levi Ackerman (from Attack on Titan ) fights relentlessly to protect his team, teaching duty and sacrifice. In newer series, characters like Yuji Itadori and Satoru Gojo (from Jujutsu Kaisen ) or Tanjiro Kamado (from Demon Slayer ) show courage, kindness and loyalty even when the odds are stacked against them. Many Indian fans say they see their own journeys reflected in these heroes' ups and downs. As one fan explained, watching these characters 'overcome their challenges gives us hope and sometimes even a roadmap for our own lives'. (Anime's universal themes of friendship, family and overcoming adversity have long attracted Indian audiences. ) Streaming, social media and local voices Part of anime's success is sheer accessibility . Major streaming services have made anime easy to find in India. Crunchyroll launched a dedicated India service in early 2024, and giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime now pack their libraries with hits – even offering Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubs for top shows. As Crunchyroll's India boss Akshat Sahu notes, 'anime's popularity in India has skyrocketed… particularly among Gen Z and young millennials'. Even kids' TV channels are embracing anime; shows like Pokémon and Shin Chan have become household names, and about half of Disney India's kids programming now features anime. Social media plays its part too. Fans share clips and memes on TikTok and Instagram, often set to catchy anime audios or fan art. For many young Indians, scrolling through Reels might introduce them to Your Name , A Silent Voice or other anime titles. Influencers on YouTube and Instagram proudly discuss anime: Delhi cosplayer Tulip Hazarika remembers discovering it 'with Animax and the show Naruto ' as a child. She and others say that seeing creators show off their passion makes more people curious. In fact, cosplayer Samarth Thakral points out that YouTube channels and anime-loving influencers 'have helped get more people hooked on anime'. Fan communities, fashion and cosplay Credits: Shutterstock Fans aren't just watching – they're living anime. Across India, clubs and conventions have sprung up. For instance, the Bangalore Anime Club (which began as an Orkut page in 2006) now organizes screenings, meetups and contests on WhatsApp and Discord. Even large events like Japan Habba in Bengaluru feature anime cosplay, music, and fan art booths. Individual fans pour creativity into cosplay (dressing up as anime characters). As Tulip Hazarika describes, cosplayers 'use their body as the canvas' for characters they love. Delhi-based Akanksha Solanki (pictured above as Shoto Todoroki from My Hero Academia ) notes that a full costume can take months of work on fabrics, wigs and props. The payoff is a real community: cosplayer Samannay says 'getting into the character… it's very fascinating — a lot of people flock to take pictures' at conventions. Anime's influence shows up in fashion too. Some fans embrace Japanese-inspired styles like Lolita dresses or Gothic streetwear. Brick-and-mortar stores have caught on: a comic shop owner in Bengaluru notes many retailers that once focused on Marvel/DC are now stocking anime hoodies, figurines and posters. Online, fan art and DIY accessories multiply. India's growing anime merch market even includes custom-printed tees and keychains when official goods aren't available. Emotions, values and identity At its heart, anime provides a language of emotions that many Gen Z find comforting. These shows don't shy away from pain, loneliness or conflict — themes that often match young people's lives. Characters learn to cope with grief, fight injustice, or accept themselves. Seeing heroes grow through hardship gives fans courage. As one teen fan said, 'Anime characters often struggle with their identities… watching them overcome their challenges gives us hope'. Parents and teachers have noticed that anime can start conversations about empathy, diversity and persistence. Importantly, Gen Z fans talk about found family : many favorite anime heroes form close bonds with friends who become like siblings or mentors. This resonates with young adults finding their place away from home. When a fan feels 'alone' or pressured by society, seeing that journey on screen can be therapeutic. In India's recent lockdowns, fans like Ananya Sharma found anime gave 'moral support amid the pandemic'. As she says, anime became 'a getaway' with stories that taught patience and fighting your battles. From its inspiring heroes to its lively fan culture, anime has truly become a new cultural vocabulary for Indian Gen Z. Streaming platforms, social media, and enthusiastic communities have turned what was once 'just cartoons' into something much bigger. For many young Indians, anime is not only a way to pass the time, but a mirror of their hopes, struggles and dreams. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
12-05-2025
Tokuryū Rising: Inside Japan's Elusive New Crime Networks
A New Breed of Criminal Network Since August 2024, the Tokyo metropolitan area has seen a sharp uptick in robberies and other crimes carried out by loosely affiliated groups called tokuryū. These ad hoc syndicates quickly form and disband, recruiting strangers through social media for yami baito ('shady part-time jobs') that promise high payouts. The growing list of incidents perpetrated by these groups, including the case of a 75-year-old Kanagawa man killed in a botched burglary, has shocked the public. Tokuryū—a portmanteau of the Japanese words for 'anonymous' and 'fluid'—lack the tightly knit organizational structure of traditional organized crime groups like the yakuza. They operate with a decentralized, four-tier pyramid structure. At the top are the masterminds who orchestrate crimes but stay hidden. Below them are ringleaders who coordinate the execution of crimes, followed by recruiters (known as kakeko or 'callers') who lure participants via phone calls and social media. At the bottom are perpetrators (ukeko or 'receivers') who carry out the yami baito to collect money from fraud victims or conduct robberies, thefts, or other illegal acts. Those at the top siphon off the lion's share of proceeds from illicit behavior. Those at the top of the pyramid typically belong to existing criminal gangs. But tokuryū groups quickly break up after a gig and reassemble elsewhere with different players. This shapeshifting nature has hampered police efforts to identify leadership structures and form a clear picture of the scale of operations. Expanding Crime Menace Tokuryū began to make headlines in 2022 with a spate of robberies and scams by a group led by a figure known as 'Luffy,' an apparent reference to the character Monkey D. Luffy from the manga and anime series One Piece. Based in the Philippines, the group's leaders recruited and directed the activities of members in Japan via the encrypted app Telegram, raking in billions of yen. The criminal exploits of tokuryū span a wide spectrum, from credit card fraud, robbery, and drug trafficking to loan sharking and even illegal fishing. The groups are not overly fastidious about what they steal, pinching expensive bonsai trees from backyards, copper wiring from solar arrays, manhole covers, and anything else that can easily be sold for cash. Using underhanded tactics, they manipulate victims into paying inflated fees for goods and services, including duping female customers of host clubs into running up exorbitant tabs and then coercing them into the sex trade to pay off their debts. The loose organization of tokuryū groups and net-based recruiting methods mean that malefactors are quite diverse. Along with members of designated yakuza groups and quasi-gangs, there are perpetrators unaligned with any syndicate. Some tokuryū consist largely of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, or other foreign nationals. What is more, there are indications that traditional yakuza organizations, whose membership has plummeted due to police crackdowns, are increasingly turning to tokuryū tactics and tying up with new crime networks. Lured by Easy Money Social media use has been a major driver in the ascendance of tokuryū groups, who take advantage of people's tendency to believe what they see online. When posting shady job ads, recruiters will typically be vague, framing illegal gigs as being in a legal 'gray zone,' enticing individuals desperate for quick cash. My investigations have revealed that many recruiters are seasoned manipulators capable of conning individuals, even those with no prior criminal background, into committing illegal acts. They are helped in this by the fact that many of those who apply for shady part-time jobs are struggling with debt. A man in his twenties arrested for burglary and robbery, for instance, told police that he was desperate to dig himself out financially, even though he was aware there was a risk of being caught. He might never have taken the job if not for the smooth-talking recruiter. These recruiters are skilled at building trust. They lend a sympathetic ear to their young targets and dangle promises of ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 per job—enough, they say, to pay off their debts in no time. Once a person shows interest, they are asked to send a photo of their ID card, supposedly as part of the 'interview process' but is actually for gleaning personal information that can be used to pressure the individual into carrying out crimes. Once caught in the tokuryū criminal web, it is extremely difficult for individuals to extract themselves. Even if a person is racked with guilt, recruiters use intimidation and strongarm tactics to keep them doing jobs, including threatening harm to them personally and to their families. Borderless Bandits Today's communications technology enables criminal groups to easily run scams from anywhere in the world, and increasingly foreign-based syndicates are targeting people in Japan. I once interviewed a man who made scam calls to Japan from China. He proclaimed to me matter-of-factly that he had no fear of being arrested as his boss was Chinese and the group operated in China, outside the jurisdiction of the Japanese police. This year brought news of the discovery of a massive scam compound in Myanmar run by Chinese crime organizations, with more than 7,000 individuals being freed by an armed militia group. The syndicate had lured workers with promises of high-paying jobs, only to hold them against their will in squalid and abusive conditions, forcing them to defraud people over the phone or online. Overseers handed out beatings to those who were unable to meet their quotas. Among those rescued was a Japanese high-school-aged boy. He was told by a person he had met through an online game that he could use his tech skills to earn money overseas. The presence of native Japanese speakers such as the boy points strongly to the involvement of Japanese crime groups in these overseas operations. There are many such scam centers scattered across Southeast Asia, particularly in lawless areas with weak government oversight, making it hard for authorities to crack down on their activities. One scam often employed by Chinese tokuryū groups is to use fake investment websites, promoted via social media, to defraud victims. According to Japan's National Police Agency, such scams cost Japanese citizens around ¥87.1 billion in 2024. Another common tactic is phishing, which entails sending fake emails disguised as being from a well-known and reputable company to trick victims into entering personal information on fake websites, often resulting in stolen credit card details. The data is then used to buy and resell products. There is also an uptick in business scams, such as convincing homeowners that their buildings need urgent and expensive repairs. Tokuryū are constantly changing their tactics and coming up with new, inventive ways to target people. The best way to avoid inadvertently becoming a victim or perpetrator is to keep in mind that offers of easy money are almost always scams. It is also important to safeguard personal information and to sharpen one's digital literacy skills. Only by remaining vigilant and aware of the risks lurking on social media in today's connected world can we avoid being caught in the jaws of the nebulous tokuryū. (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
