When the live-action adaptation of the beloved Japanese manga, One Piece, hit the video-on-demand streaming app Netflix, one of the characters that definitely won the hearts of fans worldwide was Zoro Roronoa–or, should we say, the person who brought to life the fictional character: Mackenyu Arata.
Following the success of the series, fans instantly noticed Mackenyu’s undeniable charm and talent, earning him a dedicated international fanbase that continues to support him with each passing project, whether it’s a show, an endorsement, an appearance, or even a fan meeting.
Now, talking about a fan meeting, the 27-year-old actor sat down with Manila Standard Entertainment ahead of his appearance at the ManiPopCon to share his journey in taking charge of the beloved One Piece character, Zoro.
Like any other kid, Mackenyu revealed that he grew up watching this kind of classic anime series. “I grew up watching Zoro, and it was a pleasure for me [to play his character],” said Mackenyu. “We had weeks of training—three swords style. I think we really focused on the three-sword style. It was a special scene for Zoro and the fans to see in live action,” he added.
When asked how it feels to be recognized for his craft and gaining popularity worldwide, Mackenyu shared, “It actually feels great and it’s my pleasure. I’m happy and delighted with the role I played. And I’ll continue to bring Zoro to life.”
Now that the One Piece main man is visiting the Philippines for the first time, he expressed his love for beaches and hoped to visit one of the country’s top destinations—Palawan. Of course, the Manila Standard Entertainment team didn’t forget to take pride in sharing with him the beauty of Boracay’s white sand, which he found surprising.
Before we set sail with Mackenyu on these wonderful beaches, let’s acknowledge that Pinoy fans were definitely lucky, as they were really in for a treat this November. One Piece fans were able to cross paths with the guy who brought their favorite green-haired swordsman to life.
Mackenyu headlined the return of ManiPopCon this year on November 18, at SM Mall of Asia Arena. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Fans can still get to see him once more up close as he embarks on a journey of meeting them at his first Manila fan meeting.
Happening today, November 20, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the ‘Closer to You: Fun Fan Meet’ is set to draw a throng of fervent fans eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved star. Ticket prices range from P1,830 to P12,810 and are still available at smtickets.com. With Jasper Valdez
