Buggy features in the special "One Piece 3D2Y: Overcoming Ace's Death! Luffy's Pledge to His Friends," set during Monkey D. Luffy's two-year training on Rusukaina. His involvement begins when the pirate Byrnndi World captures Boa Hancock's sisters, drawing Luffy and Hancock into the conflict. Buggy and his crew arrive coincidentally at World's island-sized submarine base. Observing the battle, Buggy decides to let Luffy defeat World, intending to claim credit for the victory to enhance his reputation.

Witnessing Luffy's initial defeat by World, Buggy later provides indirect assistance. When World's subordinate Gairam traps Luffy using Kyubu Kyubu no Mi powers, Buggy distracts Gairam, inadvertently freeing Luffy. Buggy's crew mistakenly believes he defeated Gairam and cheers for him, just before Hancock arrives and swiftly incapacitates the subordinate. Buggy directs Hancock to Luffy's location and then escapes the self-destructing submarine with his crew.

Buggy's past includes serving as a former apprentice on Gol D. Roger's crew alongside Shanks. During their youth on the Roger Pirates, Buggy discovered a treasure map but lost it after Shanks startled him, causing him to accidentally swallow the Bara Bara no Mi Devil Fruit; this incident fueled his lasting grudge against Shanks. Following Roger's execution, Buggy formed the Buggy Pirates and concealed his connection to the Roger crew to evade World Government notice. He became an early antagonist to Luffy in the East Blue before rising to notoriety during the Summit War of Marineford.

His Devil Fruit power allows him to split his body into separate parts and control them telekinetically. He typically avoids direct combat, relying on cunning and opportunism to survive or gain advantage, a trait evident in the 3D2Y special where he prioritizes claiming credit and escaping over genuine heroism. After the timeskip, his appearance includes spikier hair and a red cloak used to exaggerate his stature.