Netflix’s returning One Piece actor Mackenyu has worked hard to get into shape for his character, Zoro.
Zoro Roronoa is easily one of the strongest of Luffy’s crew as displayed by his physical prowess and incredible swordsmanship. Many fans waited in anticipation for the arrival of the actors who would play the infamous Straw Hats and were not disappointed with the casting decisions. Mackenyu reflected the perfect aura of the navigationally-challenged swordsman thanks to his previous works in Rurouni Kenshin, Tokyo Ghoul, Fullmetal Alchemist, and other live-action adaptions.
Last year, Mackenyu explained that he wanted to better his physique for season 2 with more of a focus on building up bulk to match Zoro’s muscular body, stating that he did what he could in light of the short notice after being cast. Fans like philazora jokingly brought up previous examples of just how jacked the actor already was, but like the rest of the audience, will have to wait and see the results of Mackenyu’s efforts when Netflix releases the next season of the Straw Hat’s journey.
How Did Mackenyu Bulk Up For Roronoa Zoro’s Role in Season 1?
The Actor Is A Long-Time Workout Enthusiast
Mackenyu has always been a workout buff as told by many of his friends and coworkers, even before he started working on the live-action One Piece, going so far as to perform reps moments before stepping in front of a camera. In multiple interviews, he’s stated that he regularly frequents the gym even on days when he doesn’t feel like it and uses those hard times to not break stride.
With roles as highly intensive as playing a dedicated swordsman such as Zoro, Mackenyu’s ion for portraying him well is evident in both his performance and every workout session leading up to his screen time. His drive is brought to life due to his love for Zoro’s character and finalized in the impeccable success of Netflix’s adaptation of the One Piece anime.
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Now that it’s been nearly two years, Mackenyu has had plenty of time to get into the original shape that he wanted for his take on Roronoa Zoro. Predicted arcs for One Piece season 2 will highlight this best in Little Garden and Drum Island, where the swordsman’s combat display will be at its peak.
What Will Mackenyu Do For Zoro’s Increased Workout Regime In The Future?
One Piece’s Live-Action Is Nowhere Near The Time Skip
Longtime fans of One Piece are already prepared for what the live-action will have to adapt to some day but wonder if Mackenyu is. Zoro’s ambition to become the greatest swordsman that ever lived means he is constantly striving to fit into that role. It’s not abnormal to see him training in the background when the Straw Hat crew has some downtime. With Mackenyu already working on bulking up his Zoro even more for season 2, just how big is he going to be when the time skip takes place?
Mackenyu could have an easier time maintaining his current physique since he already portrays Zoro to a perfect T in both build and demeanor.
One of the factors Netflix will have to take into is that the actors will undoubtedly change between filming the seasons. This was an issue fans brought up after the live-action’s conclusion, but can be easily resolved when considering circumstances like the time skip that will age up One Piece's main characters. Mackenyu could have an easier time maintaining his current physique since he already portrays Zoro to a perfect T in both build and demeanor.
What the audience may likely get, however, is that Mackenyu would see this as a challenge to grow even beefier for post-time skip Zoro. The actor has already displayed a knack for training very similarly to the character and his ion to do the swordsman justice in One Piece’s live-action will fuel his drive for more routine visits to the gym. It also helps that he's gotten a sense of the character thanks to his work in season 1, which should only increase what he's able to achieve from both an acting and physique standpoint in season 2.
Source: philazora/X
One Piece (Live-Action)
- Release Date
- August 31, 2023
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Owens
Cast
Iñaki GodoyMonkey D. Luffy
Emily RuddNami
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka
- Writers
- Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand
- Franchise(s)
- One Piece
- Creator(s)
- Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Eiichiro Oda
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