Netflix recently confirmed that actor and comedian Cole Escola has been cast as Bon Clay in the upcoming One Piece live-action season 3. Fans are excited to see how Escola will bring the flamboyant and beloved character to life in the new installment of the series. What makes their casting even more exciting is the unique parallel they share with Bon Clay’s character in One Piece.
Both Bon Clay and Cole Escola are non-binary, and they fall outside of the traditional male and female categories. While this doesn’t directly impact the One Piece storyline, it adds an extra layer of authenticity and representation to the casting of Bon Clay, making the character’s portrayal feel more genuine and respectful.
The Parallels Between Cole Escola’s and Bon Clay’s Sexuality
Cole Escola publicly came out as non-binary in 2022 and uses they/them pronouns as a part of their identity. In recent years, they’ve become a visible figure for queer people within the Hollywood entertainment industry. Their success on Broadway and in television has helped raise awareness about gender fluidity, as Escola often speaks openly about their identity, their sexuality, and their experiences.
In One Piece, Bon Clay is portrayed as an “okama,” a flamboyant character who proudly embraces both masculine and feminine traits as a part of his identity. Throughout the storyline, Bon Clay declares that he is both man and woman, and his developments portray him as loyal, brave, and selfless. Rather than being a comedic stereotype, Bon Clay is shown as a deeply emotional and honorable character who values friendship and sacrifice more than anything else.
The connection between Escola and Bon Clay is that they have defied traditional gender boundaries in reality and fiction. Both individuals embody self-acceptance and pride in who they are, and don’t let the world affect their actions. By casting a non-binary actor for Bon Clay’s role, Netflix’s One Piece adaptation strengthens authenticity and brings fiction and reality closer.
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LGBTQ Representation in One Piece Takes A New Step
Eiichiro Oda’s portrayal of Bon Clay has been praised for offering a positive and layered representation of gender fluidity in a mainstream anime series. However, he is not the only character in One Piece who represents the LGBTQ+ community within the story. One Piece features a variety of characters who challenge traditional gender roles and express diverse identities, such as Emporio Ivankov.
The live-action adaptation of One Piece is taking a meaningful step forward in LGBTQ+ representation by casting the openly non-binary actor Cole Escola as Bon Clay in season 3. By aligning the live-action character’s identity with the actor’s non-binary identity, this adaptation offers an authentic approach to portraying gender diversity in a story.
This step by Netflix reflects a growing awareness in global entertainment that LGBTQ+ characters deserve full embodiment and resonance irrespective of their genders. Escola’s casting as Bon Clay was a bold and progressive decision that not only honors the spirit of the original character but also hypes up the release of One Piece live-action season 3. Do you think Escola will justify Bon Clay’s role in the third season? Let us know below!
One Piece Live-Action is currently available to watch on Netflix.
