The CG-animated Chopper will be voiced by actress Mikaela Hoover (pictured), who will also do the motion capture. During the event, Hoover (known for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Suicide Squad, among others) was introduced to fans, along with a first look at the character. Her performance will provide Chopper with both emotional expression and a recognizable voice.
Chopper will join the Straw Hat Pirates in season two as their ship’s doctor – a key moment in the One Piece story. In the original manga by Eiichiro Oda, Chopper is a reindeer who has been given human qualities by a Devil Fruit and joins Luffy’s crew on Drum Island.
Hoover is no stranger to voice and motion capture work. She has previously had roles in major studio films and will also appear in the feature film Superman this summer. She can also be seen in season two of the Netflix series Beef.
Season two of One Piece (2023) will cover the Drum Island arc, where Chopper first appears, and delve further into the Straw Hats’ journey to the Grand Line. The introduction of Chopper marks a major milestone in the storyline.
Netflix has not yet announced an official release date, but production has already begun.
Watch Tony Tony Chopper’s introduction below.
