One Piece, the popular anime and manga series created by Eiichiro Oda, was adapted by Netflix as a live-action series that was generally well-received by both fans and critics. It received praise for its emotional storytelling, fun, adventurous tone, and faithfulness to the source material, amongst other things. The backstories of characters like Nami staying the same received praise as well.
Also read: Eiichiro Oda Reveals His Biggest Concern About Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Live-Action Adaptation
At its core, One Piece is a story about following your dreams, of going on adventures, of freedom, and of doing the right thing. It has a light-hearted, fun approach to its characters and story, but there is also an emotional depth and the show isn’t afraid to take it up a notch with critical moments, moments that endure even decades after they first happened. It’s one of these very scenes that revolve around Nami that made Emily Rudd, the actress who portrays her in Netflix’s series, cry a lot. If you haven’t seen One Piece yet and don’t want to cry a lot too, don’t read further as this article contains heavy spoilers!
Which One Piece scene made Nami actor Emily Rudd cry?
The scene that actress Emily Rudd refers to is a pivotal Nami scene early on in the anime and manga of One Piece, where she is distraught over the pain Arlong, the antagonist of the arc, has caused her and her village. She is angry and in tears, and asks her friend Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, for help. Addressing the scene in an interview with GamesRadar, Emily Rudd said:
“Oh, I was so deeply aware that this was going to hinge on me. I mean, the scene that we are addressing was the one that made me a fan of the show. It was what locked me in, and I remember the first time seeing it, I was bawling. And every time I have seen or read it since, I cry. I think about it, I cry. But that was the only scene that I think I was actually nervous for because everything else – like I said, I know I was joking when I said I was born to play Nami, but she truly is the first character in my career that I have ever been like: ‘Oh, of course. Of course it’s her. Of course it’s me.’ But that scene, because it means so much not only to existing fans, but to me, that was like, ‘I have to make it right. I have to make it right,’ and I really think that we did. Like the entire team really kind of turned it out for that moment.”
The scene in question is one the most iconic scenes in One Piece, and for the character of Nami in particular, as she bears her heart and despair for the first time.
How did Emily Rudd describe Nami in One Piece?
Later in the same interview, Emily Rudd described Nami in her own words, saying she was clever, caring, and protective. She said:
“I would say, clever. I think she’s the brains of the bunch. You know, she’s keeping the boys in line. And she’s obviously a cat burglar, so she knows how to pull the wool over people’s eyes. I think she’s protective, not only of her crew members, but of herself, especially during the East Blue Saga. You know, she keeps some secrets, she keeps her cards close to her chest. So she’s protective. And… I would say, loving, I think, even when it seems like she’s doing something that could be harmful to people, the undercurrent and the true reason behind it is love. And so I think she is a deeply caring person. So those three.”
In the same interview, Emily Rudd also spoke about the character of Nami and how she is in many ways the boss and the brains behind the Straw Hats as their navigator.
Source: GamesRadar
