Xolo Maridueña Cast as Portgas D. Ace in Netflix’s "One Piece" Season 3
Netflix has announced that Xolo Maridueña, known for his roles in "Cobra Kai" and "Blue Beetle," will join the cast of the live-action adaptation of "One Piece" for its third season. He will portray Portgas D. Ace, a beloved and complex character from Eiichiro Oda’s manga and anime.
The Character of Portgas D. Ace
Ace is introduced as the older adopted brother of the main character, Monkey D. Luffy. He is a feared pirate with the ability to control and transform into fire, thanks to the Flame-Flame Fruit power. His arrival marks an expansion into some of the anime’s most emotional and intense story arcs.
Netflix described Ace as “one of the most beloved characters in the ‘One Piece’ universe.”
Significance of the Casting
Maridueña’s role represents a crucial turning point for the live-action series, emphasizing deeper emotional narratives and more action-packed sequences. The actor rose to fame through his role as Miguel Diaz in "Cobra Kai," which finished its sixth season earlier this year, and he was the lead in 2023’s "Blue Beetle."
Showrunner Matt Owens told Variety that introducing Ace was a "long-term goal for the creative team."
Netflix’s Strategy
- Bringing in young, popular actors with international appeal like Maridueña
- Advancing the story into key arcs of the manga
This casting reflects Netflix’s commitment to expanding the scope and emotional depth of its "One Piece" adaptation.
Author’s summary: Xolo Maridueña’s casting as Portgas D. Ace highlights Netflix’s push to deepen "One Piece’s" emotional storytelling with a pivotal character introduction in season 3.