Netflix’s live-action One Piece Season 2 is drawing global attention as the Straw Hat crew returns for a new adventure. Actors Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, and Jacob Romero recently spoke with Taiwanese media, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the upcoming season—including the intense training behind Zoro’s new look and the unexpected “superstar” of the cast: Chopper.
Mackenyu, who gained worldwide recognition for portraying Roronoa Zoro, revealed that maintaining the character’s physique was one of the biggest challenges while filming the new season.
“I didn’t just want to maintain my body—I wanted to improve it,” he explained. “I wanted to bring a stronger, more masculine version of Zoro into Season 2, and that became my motivation.”
After the first season, Mackenyu was widely praised by fans as the “most handsome Zoro” ever portrayed on screen. Responding to the nickname, he gave a modest but humorous answer:
“There’s only one live-action version of One Piece, and I’m the only Zoro.”
He also teased that the upcoming season includes new original surprises for Zoro, promising fans will see unexpected sides of the character while he continues to present the swordsman as both cool and charismatic.
During the interview, the cast was asked which actor resembles their character the most in real life. Mackenyu and Jacob Romero quickly pointed to Emily Rudd, who plays Nami. According to them, she acts as the stabilizing force of the team off-screen.
Romero joked that Rudd often keeps the group organized:
“Emily keeps us steady and leads us forward. Every day she has to make sure Mackenyu and I stay on track.”
Mackenyu agreed, explaining that Rudd often gathers information and keeps the team focused when things become chaotic. Hearing their comments, Rudd laughed and said it was the best compliment she could receive.
Rudd also reflected on Nami’s emotional journey. After enduring betrayal and trauma in the first season, the character experiences a different mindset in One Piece Season 2.
“It’s the first time in her life that Nami truly feels free,” she said. “She finally has people she can rely on, a family she can trust.”
While the cast shared plenty of stories about filming, the biggest topic quickly became Tony Tony Chopper, the beloved reindeer doctor joining the series in the new season. According to the actors, Chopper has already become the true star of the production.
Rudd joked that if the production team had their way, Chopper would handle every piece of promotion.
“Chopper is definitely the most expensive actor in the cast,” she laughed.
The adorable character has also completely won over Mackenyu. Rudd revealed that the actor has practically turned into Chopper’s babysitter on set, joking that Zoro might put down his swords just to take care of the little reindeer.
Mackenyu happily admitted the accusation was true.
“Yes, it’s true,” he said with a laugh. “I just want to spend all day in bed cuddling with Chopper.”
He even joked about how much the character melted his heart:
“I’ll kneel in front of him, touch his nose, look into his eyes and say, ‘I love you.’”
The playful confession highlights Mackenyu’s real-life personality, showing a soft and humorous side that contrasts sharply with Zoro’s cool and stoic image in the series.
With its returning cast, bigger action scenes, and the long-awaited debut of Chopper, One Piece Season 2 is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases.
Sources: Yahoo News
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