The live-action adaptation of One Piece is currently available for streaming on Netflix. During his childhood, Monkey D. Luffy consumed a devil fruit known as the Gum-Gum fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi), granting him a body with rubber-like properties that can bend, stretch, and inflate at his body.
Inspired by his childhood idol, Shanks, and fueled by his dreams and determination, Luffy embarks on a voyage across the open sea to find the legendary treasure ‘One Piece,’ and to attain the title of the “King of the Pirates.”
But his journey is far from smooth. He encounters numerous other pirate crews with the same objective, and he is constantly pursued by the maritime military force known as the Marines.
In the first season of Netflix’s One Piece, we are introduced to Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. One of the crew members, the audience is introduced to Roronoa Zoro.
If you’re interested in learning more about the skilled actor portraying the character Zoro in One Piece, be sure to read the article until the end.
Also Read: Naruto vs One Piece: Can Luffy’s Snakeman Break Sasuke’s Susanoo?
Greatest Swordsman in One Piece – Roronoa Zoro
Among the crew of the Straw Hat Pirates, there is one remarkable figure – Roronoa Zoro, the unyielding swordsman with the singular goal of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman. Portraying this enigmatic character is Mackenyu Maeda, a Japanese actor and highly skilled martial artist.
Mackenyu’s acting career commenced in 2016, and since then, he has graced screens with his presence in notable productions such as Pacific Rim: Uprising, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, and The Last Samurai.
In addition to his acting talents, Mackenyu’s expertise in martial arts has garnered him recognition and accolades. Mackenyu is indeed a fitting choice for the character of Zoro, seamlessly blending his physical attributes with his acting skills.
His imposing build and well-developed physique align perfectly with the image of a proficient swordsman. With his extensive martial arts background, he convincingly embodies Zoro’s combat abilities. Moreover, Mackenyu’s acting talent enables him to capture Zoro’s essence as a determined and loyal person.
Source: CooPWB
Not only in One Piece, but Mackenyu has also starred in many other adaptations of popular manga series.
Here is the list of Mackenyu’s five most popular live-action adaptations:
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
Mackenyu took on the role of the ultimate antagonist, Yukishiro Enishi, in the concluding installment of the Rurouni Kenshin film series titled Rurouni Kenshin: The Final. This 2021 Japanese live-action film is adapted from the manga series of the same name created by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
In the film, Yukishiro Enishi, the head of the Shanghai mafia, makes his way to Tokyo in search of former government assassin, Himura Kenshin. This movie showcases the climactic showdown between Kenshin and Enishi.
Chihayafuru
Mackenyu played a significant role as Arata Wataya in the two-part feature film Chihayafuru Part I & II released in 2016, and he reprised his role in Chihayafuru Part III in 2018. His portrayal of Arata Wataya contributed to the success of these films based on the popular manga and anime series Chihayafuru.
Also Read: One Piece: What Are Devil Fruits? – Mysterious Origin, Explained
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter I
Based on the Diamond Is Unbreakable story arc of the manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki, Mackenyu plays Okuyasu Nijimura in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter I
The live adaptation follows the story of a teenager named Josuke Higashikata, endowed with supernatural abilities, who unravels the secrets surrounding his cursed and peculiar bloodline, uncovering the malevolent forces lurking within his town.
Tokyo Ghoul S
In this 2019 live-action adaptation of the popular manga series Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida, Mackenyu plays the character ‘Souta’ in Tokyo Ghoul S. The story follows Ken Kaneki (Masataka Kubota), a university student who becomes half-ghoul and half-human after being bitten by a ghoul.
Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future
Mackenyu took on the role of Eiji Tomari in Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future, the film adaptation of the 2014-2015 Kamen Rider Series television show, Kamen Rider Drive.
The plot of this film centers around Shinnosuke, who is visited by a young man claiming to be his son from the future. He delivers a dire warning to Shinnosuke that one year from their present, Mr. Belt’s AI will go haywire, resulting in the Roidmudes taking control and threatening humanity’s existence.
Also Read: Not One Piece, Another Anime Made ‘Nami’ Actor Emily Rudd Who She Is Today
