Who plays Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece live-action series? We discuss the popular 2023 TV show and one of the key characters.
Incredibly, it looks like Netflix may have just broken a curse. The task of adapting anime and manga into a live-action series has been a road fraught with peril.
It has not been for a lack of trying, but it seems that some properties don’t work as live-action presentations (Disney, please take note.) However, if early reviews are anything to go by, Netflix may have just got the formula right with their adaptation of One Piece.
Perhaps the huge budget that the show has may have helped. Recreating the golden age of pirates for a TV series might have been a hard sell, but it does appear that One Piece may have just nailed it.
The series follows Monkey D. Luffy, assembling his crew in an attempt to find the legendary One Piece and become the pirate king.
If you have watched the series and want to know our thoughts on the matter, of course, we have every episode already covered, but in this series of companion articles, we have been looking at the stars behind the characters, so relax and enjoy reading our answer to the question: who plays Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece live-action series?
Who is Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece and why are they important?
In the anime, Roronoa Zoro is an ex-bounty hunter and an expert in swordsmanship. His ambition and a promise made to an old friend motivate him to become the best swordsman in the world, and he has a unique style of fighting that involves using three swords, one of which he holds in his mouth.
Zoro is actually the first member of Luffy’s crew, and his capabilities make him an essential part of the team, especially when the chips are down, and survival depends on their ability to fight.
Who plays Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece?
Zoro is played by Mackenyu, son of actor and martial artist Sonny Chiba. He was born in Japan on November 16, 1996, and grew up in Los Angeles.
As well as many sporting achievements, he is very musical, playing piano and saxophone.
What is Mackenyu known for?
Mackenyu has a long list of credits, but here are the highlights that you might recall him from. In 2015, he appeared in many episodes of The Kindergarten Detective, and then in the same year, he showed up in four episodes of Yume wo ataeru.
In 2017, he landed a role in the TV mini-series We Did It and would star in an adaptation of a popular comic book called Impossibility Defence.
By 2018, he would find himself in the movie Pacific Rim: Uprising alongside John Boyega. In 2020, projects included Our 30 Minute Sessions and Remote de Korosareru.
In 2022, he would have a part in Full Metal Alchemist the Revenge of Scar, and Final Transmutations.
2023 started with Knights of the Zodiac, where he played Seiya, taking us to his role in One Piece.
