Netflix's One Piece Star Studied the Manga Day and Night

On August 31st, Netflix's One Piece will bring the Straw Hat Pirates into the "real world" for the very first time, sparking anticipation among anime enthusiasts who eagerly await the adaptation's faithful portrayal of Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga. As viewers ponder whether the upcoming series can capture the essence of the original, the actors chosen to portray the iconic Straw Hats have been diligently immersing themselves in their roles. In a recent interview, Inaki Godoy, the actor tasked with portraying Monkey D. Luffy, shared insights into his approach to the character, emphasizing the importance of studying the source material.

Joining Inaki Godoy in Netflix's original series as part of the Straw Hat Pirates are Emily Rudd as Nami, Taz Skylar as Sanji, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, and Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp. With series creator Eiichiro Oda serving as Executive Producer, his commitment to upholding the integrity of his creation and satisfying One Piece fans is evident. The highly anticipated new series, consisting of eight episodes, is set to premiere later this summer, promising an exciting adventure for fans and newcomers alike.

One Piece: How To Be Luffy

While immersing himself in the vibrant world of the Grand Line, Godoy stressed the importance of infusing the characters with a relatable human touch as they transitioned from manga and anime to the realm of live-action. Speaking to Decider, he shared his approach, stating, "You have this realm where you encounter rubber pirates and stretchy pirates, and it becomes crucial to make them feel human and real. How can I capture the essence of this rubber-man in a live-action setting? In such instances, I heavily relied on the anime and manga as references, aiming to faithfully replicate the way this character, Luffy, fights."

The young actor essaying the role of Monkey D. Luffy also elaborated on the significance of studying both the manga and the anime to hone the fighting style of the charismatic Straw Hat Pirate Captain. He explained, "I can observe how this character fights. Why wouldn't I utilize that as a point of reference? When he throws a punch and retracts it, he places his hand on his bicep or shoulder. So, if he does that, I should do it too, right? And when he is about to strike, sometimes he raises his leg. I simply aimed to identify those subtle nuances in the original material."