Key Takeaways:
– Mackenyu, known for playing Roronoa Zoro in One Piece Live-Action, has revealed that his favorite swordsman role was Yukishiro Enishi in Rurouni Kenshin: The Final.
– Despite the worldwide fame he received for playing Zoro, the actor confessed he prefers playing ‘bad boy' characters, finding them exceedingly exhilarating to perform.
– Mackenyu's wide-ranging portfolio is testament to his competence in diverse roles.
Mackenyu on the Rise with One Piece Live-Action
One Piece live-action, the anime sensation, made waves worldwide last year. An actor who seized considerable attention in this fervor was Mackenyu, noted for bringing Roronoa Zoro to life on-screen. Mackenyu's career saw a pronounced surge following his presentation of the iconic triple-swordsman character in Netflix's One Piece production. Yet, the actor is no newcomer to the industry or renowned franchises.
Mackenyu's Versatile Role-Play History
Mackenyu has been part of several noteworthy projects before One Piece. He showcased his acting skills by playing Scar in Fullmetal Alchemist's live-action adaptation and Pegasus Seiya in Knights of the Zodiac. Despite Zoro's considerable popularity, it isn't the actor's first or preferred role as a swordsman.
Mackenyu confessed he appreciates his ‘bad boy' role in Rurouni Kenshin: The Final. In this widely-acclaimed film, he played Yukishiro Enishi, another character skilled in swordsmanship. One Piece fans may experience a touch of disappointment to learn that Mackenyu's favorite role as a swordsman isn't Zoro.
Bad Boys Fan favorite – Mackenyu Explains
In a conversation with Cosmopolitan, where Mackenyu discussed his experience playing Zoro and upcoming roles, he also shared his penchant for villainous or bad boy characters. He considers these parts to be exceptionally intriguing. He revealed,
“Bad boys, they're cool. You get drawn to them more than lead characters sometimes and they're fun to play. One bad boy I did was Enishi from Rurouni Kenshin and he's a badass swordsman, too.”
Elaborating on his attraction to bad boy roles, Mackenyu disclosed, “They are opposite from who I am and it's fun to play characters that are far apart from yourself. I think it's easier.”
Diversification of Mackenyu's Roles
Having served in the industry for quite some time, Mackenyu has explored an extensive array of roles. From the noble Pegasus Seiya to the menacing Souta in Tokyo Ghoul S, his portfolio boasts broad diversity. He takes pride in his wide-ranging performances that span nearly the complete spectrum of characters.
His contributions to live-action adaptations have been impressive. Among others, he has played Scar in Fullmetal Alchemist, Pegasus Seiya in Knights of the Zodiac, Eiji Tomari in Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future, and Arata Wataya in Chihayafuru. Despite the grandeur of these characters in anime and manga, they didn't reach as spectacular a zenith in live-action as did One Piece.
Adherents of One Piece might be disheartened to hear that Zoro, the role which shot Mackenyu to global fame, isn't the actor's favorite role. However, his impactful characterisation in the first season assured his continued fame and appreciation with the forthcoming second season.
Netflix – Where to Watch One Piece
You can indulge in One Piece live-action on Netflix and relish in Mackenyu's powerful representation of Zoro, regardless of his personal preferences. It's undeniable that his performance has left an indelible mark on worldwide audiences and assured his reputation as a versatile actor.
