Netflix’s One Piece live-action adaptation has done something few anime remakes ever manage, because it has captured the spirit of Eiichiro Oda’s sprawling pirate epic without losing its heart. With production for Season 3 officially underway, the casting of Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace has electrified fans, and for good reason.
From his natural charisma to his emotional range, Maridueña feels like a casting choice that was destined to happen. His chemistry with Iñaki Godoy (Luffy) has fans buzzing, and the moment the two appeared together, it already felt like the brotherly bond between Ace and Luffy had leapt off the manga’s pages. Netflix didn’t just find an actor who looks like Ace, they found one who embodies him.
Xolo Maridueña Brings Ace’s Fire to Life
Casting Portgas D. Ace was always going to be one of the biggest challenges of One Piece’s live-action run. Ace isn’t just another pirate, he’s one of the most beloved characters in the series. His combination of easygoing warmth, fiery temper, and deep loyalty makes him both magnetic and tragic. And in Maridueña, those traits naturally align.
Fans who watched him in Cobra Kai already know he can balance charm and intensity. His portrayal of Miguel Diaz showcased an actor capable of emotional vulnerability and quiet power, both essential to portraying Ace. He’s someone who can flash a mischievous grin one moment and deliver a gut-wrenching scene of sacrifice the next, which is exactly what One Piece demands.
Even before stepping onto the One Piece set, Maridueña exuded the same effortless confidence that defines Ace. His natural athleticism, easy humor, and approachable energy all echo Ace’s personality. When photos and videos surfaced of him alongside Iñaki Godoy, it was immediately clear they shared a brotherly rapport. They didn’t have to act, they were Luffy and Ace.
What’s more, Maridueña has already proven his ability to lead and elevate an ensemble cast. In Cobra Kai, he often grounded larger-than-life characters through empathy and emotion. That same quality will be crucial in One Piece, especially when portraying Ace’s bond with Whitebeard’s crew and his final, heartbreaking arc.
Xolo Maridueña’s Dynamic With Iñaki Godoy Is Already Perfect
From the very beginning, One Piece’s success hinged on its casting. Iñaki Godoy’s Luffy won fans over not just because of his look, but because of his authenticity. He is Luffy through and through. Now, pairing that energy with Maridueña’s natural warmth feels like lightning in a bottle. Their chemistry has been apparent from day one.
Both actors share an infectious enthusiasm and youthful sincerity that translate beautifully on screen. In press photos and social media posts, they radiate that same chaotic brotherly energy Luffy and Ace are known for. Their friendship doesn’t feel staged; it feels real, which is crucial for making the most emotional parts of Ace’s story land.
Ace’s introduction in Season 3 will likely coincide with One Piece’s transition into more emotionally charged territory. Luffy’s growth as a captain, his encounters with his brother, and the foreshadowing of future tragedies depend on that core relationship. Maridueña and Godoy’s off-screen bond ensures those moments won’t just work, they’ll hit hard.
Ace and Luffy’s relationship was never just about drama or sacrifice; it was filled with laughter, teasing, and mutual admiration. Maridueña and Godoy’s chemistry embodies that perfectly.
There’s also a unique playfulness to their dynamic that mirrors Oda’s writing. Ace and Luffy’s relationship was never just about drama or sacrifice; it was filled with laughter, teasing, and mutual admiration. Maridueña and Godoy’s chemistry embodies that perfectly, which will help Season 3 maintain the balance of humor and heartbreak that defines One Piece’s best arcs.
A Casting That Honors Ace’s Legacy
Ace isn’t just a fan favorite, he’s a cornerstone of One Piece’s emotional legacy. His death in the anime remains one of the most devastating moments in anime history. Any actor stepping into that role carries the weight of millions of fans’ expectations. But Maridueña seems uniquely prepared to meet that challenge with respect and authenticity.
For one, he understands what it means to carry a beloved franchise. Coming from Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, which are also adaptations with passionate fanbases, he knows the importance of honoring source material while adding depth to a familiar role. That experience will serve him well as he interprets Ace’s journey from carefree pirate to tragic hero.
Maridueña’s mixed heritage and pride in representing Latin voices in Hollywood also add a meaningful layer to his casting. One Piece has always celebrated cultural diversity within its world, and Maridueña’s presence reinforces that inclusive spirit. He doesn’t just fit the role visually, he embodies the kind of representation that makes One Piece feel truly global.
Ace’s core theme of living with freedom, love, and dignity aligns perfectly with how Maridueña approaches his craft.
Moreover, Ace’s core theme of living with freedom, love, and dignity aligns perfectly with how Maridueña approaches his craft. In interviews, he’s consistently emphasized authenticity and connection, both of which define Ace’s character. When he eventually delivers Ace’s famous line about being loved, there’s no doubt it’ll feel genuine.
Netflix May Have Just Found Its Emotional Core for One Piece
If One Piece’s first two seasons were about building the crew and proving the show could work, Season 3 will be about deepening its emotional stakes. With Xolo Maridueña joining the cast, Netflix has found the perfect bridge between adventure and tragedy, the heart and fire that make Ace unforgettable.
This casting choice suggests the creative team truly understands what makes One Piece special. They’re not just picking actors who can mimic anime designs; they’re choosing performers who embody Oda’s spirit of friendship, resilience, and humanity. That’s why fans immediately rallied behind Maridueña, because he feels real.
When Season 3 drops, audiences won’t just see Luffy meeting Ace; they’ll feel the weight of two brothers reuniting in a world that’s constantly tearing them apart. And when the time inevitably comes for Ace’s final stand, Maridueña’s emotional depth will ensure it becomes one of the most unforgettable moments in live-action anime history.
With Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace, Netflix’s One Piece is entering its most exciting phase yet.
With Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace, Netflix’s One Piece is entering its most exciting phase yet. His charisma, chemistry with Iñaki Godoy, and understanding of emotional storytelling make him the perfect embodiment of Ace’s fiery legacy. It’s a casting so right that it almost feels fated, as if the seas themselves delivered him to the Grand Line.
Whether he’s sharing laughs with Luffy or staring down destiny with a defiant grin, Maridueña promises to give fans the Ace they’ve always dreamed of. And in doing so, he may just help One Piece’s live-action adaptation cement its place among the best anime-to-screen successes of all time.
- Release Date
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August 31, 2023
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Matt Owens
- Directors
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Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka
- Writers
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Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand
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Iñaki Godoy
Monkey D. Luffy
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