Mackenyubrings Roronoa Zoro to life in Netflix’s live-action adaptation ofOne Piece, and in a recent interview, the actor weighs in on his commitment to playing the character. As a stoic swordsman with unmatched loyalty to his captain, Zoro’s journey is central to the series’ plot.Mackenyu’s performance, complete with Zoro’s signature three-sword style, has received widespread acclaim, solidifying the actor’s place in one of the most ambitious adaptations of recent years. But with an overwhelming amount of source material to adapt, is it realistic to expect an actor to devote themselves to only one role?
Created by Eiichiro Oda,One Pieceis one of the best-selling manga series of all time, with a sprawling universe filled with memorable characters and thrilling adventures. Its anime counterpart spans over 1,000 episodes, captivating fans with its rich storytelling and imaginative world. Currently,One Piecehas multiple adaptations in progress, including the ongoing anime series, season two of Netflix’s live-action show, anupcoming anime reboot, and new video game releases. The Netflix adaptation, which debuted to strong reviews and high viewership, has rekindled interest in the franchise, especially among new audiences.
One Piece Star Mackenyu Will Keep Playing Zoro Until He’s Old
His Viewpoint is Hopeful, but Realistic About the Industry
In a recentQ&A panel for Comic Con Brussels, Mackenyu joked about the immense task of signing on to play a character in such a long-running series. When asked if he’s interested in playing any iconic characters besides Zoro, the 28-year-old actor says, “I gotta finish him first.” He humorously adds,“There’s like 50 more seasons to go… so when I turn 70, I’ll retire playing Zoro.”Despite the playful tone, Mackenyu’s words reflect a genuine commitment to his role for as long as the series is renewed.
One Piecestands out in a landscape where other Netflix live-action adaptations, likeCowboy BebopandYuYu Hakusho, were canceled after just one season. The announcement ofOne Piece’ssecond andthird season renewalmarks a significant milestone, underscoring both the series’ success and Mackenyu’s continued portrayal of the role in the future. A beloved character like Zoro must be a dream role for an up-and-coming actor like Mackenyu, but also carries the weight of the fan base’s massive expectations. Somehow, the live adaptation found the perfect balance of honoring the source material and streamlining it for budgetary concerns.
Commitment to an Acting Role Takes More Than Anyone Realizes
Long-running Series Sometimes Limit an Actor’s Ability to Take on New Challenges
Taking on a long-running role like Zoro requires not only physical preparation but also a willingness to dedicate years to a single character. In the anime world, voice actors often commit decades to their roles, especially as reboots and revivals continue in popularity.Nailing the tone and attitude of a character’s voice can make or break an anime, and some actors, like Luffy’s Japanese voice actor Mayumi Tanaka, have become synonymous with their characters. That success can open many doors, but can also be extremely limiting in which additional projects align with that role.
10 One Piece Live-Action Moments That Hit Totally Different If You’ve Seen The Anime
One Piece season 1 is full of moments that hit different if you’re caught up on the anime, from subtle character introductions to massive foreshadows.
With such dedication comes sacrifices.The voice actor for Franky, Kazuki Yao, recently announced his departure from theOne Pieceanime, citing a desire to explore other opportunities. Yao has voicedOne Piececharacters since 1999, in the anime and video games, in addition to other voice acting roles. However, Netflix’sOne Piecewill likely last a few seasons before cancelation, andMackenyuwill only spend a fraction of his career playingZoro. But his dedication to seeing the character through to the end reaffirms his understanding that he’s landed the role of a lifetime.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy’s relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
