Many anime fans of One Piece have speculated that no one could create a successful live-action version set in the Grand Line, especially when comparing the original anime series with various adaptations. However, Netflix has proven that fans were wrong with the release of the first season of One Piece, which beautifully captures the essence of the East Blue Saga.
Following the success of the first season, filming for the second season is already underway, with plans to take Roronoa Zoro and the Straw Hat crew to destinations such as Drum Island and Little Garden.
The actor portraying Roronoa Zoro, Mackenyu, has played significant roles in various anime adaptations, including Rurouni Kenshin, Fullmetal Alchemist, Knights of the Zodiac, Tokyo Ghoul, and even JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable.
When discussing his role as Zoro, many anime enthusiasts believe that this is the most significant portrayal he has delivered to date, as he has fully dedicated himself to the character.
Recently, Mackenyu proudly spoke about the action scenes he plans to bring to the second season, emphasizing that if the live-action series continues to closely follow the plot of the original manga, Zoro’s character will have many more opportunities to showcase his swordsmanship.
Last year, Mackenyu attended “Comic Con Brussels,” where he took the opportunity to discuss his role in the Grand Line. When asked by a fan if he would consider taking on any other symbolic anime roles, Mackenyu stated that he would need to “finish One Piece first.” He hopes that the series on Netflix will continue to faithfully adapt the story of Monkey D. Luffy’s life. Mackenyu expressed: “There are still about 50 seasons… so when I’m 70 years old, I will still be playing Zoro.”
Currently, the anime series has over a thousand episodes based on the adventures of the Straw Hat crew since its debut in the late 1990s. It goes without saying that a significant amount of time will be required for Netflix’s live-action adaptation to cover the entire story of Monkey D. Luffy. Fans are hopeful that the actors portraying the members of the Straw Hat crew will bring the beloved characters to life and that we will soon have the opportunity to watch the highly anticipated live-action One Piece series.
