For ages, it seemed that live-action adaptations of anime series were destined to fail as the adaptations swayed away from the source material. However, that was not the case with Netflix’s One Piece, the adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus of the same name.
Well, it is difficult to say what the secret was behind creating the first great live-action anime adaptation TV Series, as Season 1 of the show was well-received among the fans and were eager for the 2nd season of the show.
However, the show has managed to land itself in hot waters as it was preparing to feature Nico Robin, one of the most popular characters of the series. The fans are bashing the series as they criticize the show over reports of race-swapping the character who was going make her debut in the 2nd Season of One Piece live-action.
One Piece Fans Are Divided Over Nico Robin’s Rumored Race-Swap in The 2nd Season of The Show
Even though Netflix’s One Piece live-action series has proved itself to be the most successful live-action anime adaptation in recent years, as it has got nearly everything right, thanks to Emma Sullivan’s dedication to staying true to Eiichiro Oda’s vision of the Shonen Series.
While the show was immensely popular and enjoyed massive success in the initial season of the series, it appears to have misaligned its objective for the 2nd season of the show. The show was meant to feature Nico Robin, one of its most awaited characters in the second season of the show.
However, a rumored casting decision has divided its fans among potential allegations of race-swap. As per ScreenRant, Eiichiro Oda had used his SBS question-and-answer column to answer the nationalities to assign each Straw Hat Pirate, a nationality if they existed in real life.
It was during this column the mangaka stated Robin would be a Russian in real life. This statement follows the same logic as the character infiltrated a lot of government locations, referring to the same idea of being a Russian spy. However, as per reports from Pew (@pewpiece) on X, they tweeted that the actress will be between 20-39 years old and she will be Hispanic or Latino in origin.
This resulted in a massive outrage among fans as they were divided over the show’s rumored attempt to race-swap the character and change her origins, making the show move away from the source material.
One Piece Fans Are Divided As The Show Is Rumored To Alter Nico Robin’s Race
The reported news of a Hispanic or Latino origin Robin did not go well with the fans of the show. The ardent fans of the series are furious as the scooper reports that the character might be played by someone aged between 20-39 years old, which is inaccurate because in the anime she looks like someone in her late-20s or her early-30s.
However, the majority of the fans are divided over the race-swap allegations following the news. The news was not taken well by the fans as they bashed the show on X.
Age 30+ would be the best robin. 20 is too young
— Based Itto (@BasedItto) May 7, 2024
Can we just stop watching and supporting OPLA if they mess up the entire story again??
— Yamato Luvr (@luffyinspace) May 7, 2024
Thought she was from Russia according to Oda? I know Russia is a stigma these days, but you you use someone from one of the former Soviet union Counties, like Ukrain or one of those……
— Canyon50jm (@canyon50jm) May 7, 2024
That's the problem with the show.
It's trying to remake one piece in the western image. pic.twitter.com/tUnP6Uqd9n— 根っからのボストン人、お前は自分でファックしろ (@coopdejoure) May 7, 2024
I thought someone from eastern Europe will play Robin. Oda stated that if Robin was from a real world country she would be from Russia.
— Miraah Mashhood (@mashhood_miraah) May 7, 2024
they simply ignored that she is Russian
— João Gorgulho (@GorgulhoJoao) May 7, 2024
Nevertheless, the live-action show must take decisions related to Robin’s casting very carefully as she currently holds the power to add to the show’s popularity or put the series on the long list of failed anime adaptations.
One Piece live-action can be streamed on Netflix.
