‘One Piece’ Cast Claps Back at Racist Fan Attacks Over Season 2 Casting
The first full trailer for One Piece season 2 is out, and while it didn’t reveal too much, fans got their first look at some new characters, including Vivi, Robin, Smoker, and Brogy.
But not everyone was happy with the casting of Charithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi. Some fans criticized her for not being light-skinned like the character in the original manga and anime, or for not being Egyptian, since Alabasta, the kingdom Vivi comes from, is inspired by Egypt.
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The criticism, however, has been widely called out as racist. Several cast members have spoken up to defend Chandran and explain why her casting makes sense. Rob Colleti, who plays Wapol in the series, shared his thoughts in a recent Instagram post. “Alabasta is inspired by Egypt, yes, but it also has hints of India in its architecture. Casting Charithra makes sense because it reflects the world-building of the show and the diversity of the kingdom,” Colleti wrote.
He also highlighted that Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, personally approved Chandran for the role. “Everyone knows Oda is heavily involved with the Netflix adaptation. If he supports Charithra as Vivi, that’s all the confirmation we need,” he added.
The live-action version of Vivi is massively different from the original manga character, who is depicted as a light-skinned Egyptian woman. But as Colleti points out, the show’s version works in the story’s world, and it also gives fans a chance to see more representation on screen. The backlash, he said, “isn’t about canon. It’s about blatant racism.”
Emily Rudd, who plays Nami, also spoke out against the criticism on her Instagram stories. “Perceived ‘canon’ does not excuse blatant racism or hate of any kind. I am beyond proud of our show, our cast, and the opportunity we have to bring to life a story centered around a diverse found family—by an equally diverse found family,” Rudd wrote. Her comments highlight the cast’s commitment to supporting one another and celebrating the show’s diverse cast.
One Piece season 2 is set to premiere in 2026, and fans can expect more adventures, more characters, and hopefully fewer online controversies about skin color than discussions about the story and the world it builds.
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