The live-action One Piece series is fast approaching, and the fact that Dracule Mihawk has been cast guarantees one of Zoro’s best fights. The live action series is set to release in 2023, and while there hasn’t been a trailer released, most of the cast and plot have been announced. The show will cover the East Blue saga, or roughly the first 50 episodes of the anime. Mackenyu Arata will play the Roronoa Zoro, while Steven Ward will play the world’s greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
Zoro begins as a very stoic character, a pirate hunter turned pirate after being rescued by Luffy from the Navy. His iconic three-sword style comes from his dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman, a dream he shared with his childhood friend and rival, Kuina. His fight with Mihawk gives him the first opportunity to fulfill this dream, but he’s quickly overwhelmed and outmatched. Despite this, he refuses to back down and lets Mihawk cut him down, establishing that Zoro will never give up on his dream and swearing to Luffy that he’ll never lose again.
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Zoro’s defeat comes right before the Straw Hats recruit their cook, Vinsmoke Sanji. A more villainous pirate named Don Krieg attacks the Baratie restaurant after Sanji and his mentor offer his starving crew a meal, so they don’t starve to death at sea. The Krieg Pirates had fled from a danger further out in the sea, along a dangerous route called the Grand Line. Mihawk arrives, having pursued the Krieg Pirates out of the Grand Line all the way to Baratie, single-handedly destroying their ship without any effort. Zoro recognizes Mihawk as the world’s greatest swordsman, and immediately challenges him to a duel for the title.
Since Mihawk has been cast in the upcoming adaptation, Zoro’s battle against him is going to be covered in the show. Zoro’s defeat is a huge moment for his character, defining exactly who he is, how he handles loss, and what he’s willing to give in pursuit of his dreams. The live-action adaptation has to follow the anime and manga, making sure that Zoro’s defeat is just as powerful and emotional as it originally was.
Netflix’s One Piece Can’t Hold Back On Zoro’s Defeat
When Zoro faces off against Mihawk, the live-action adaptation has to be just as brutal as it originally was. The encounter with Mihawk leaves Zoro with a permanent scar across his entire torso, a reminder that he has to keep getting stronger and never lose again to achieve his dream. In addition, the loss completely breaks Zoro emotionally, going from his usually solemn confidence to a sobbing mess. Mackenyu will need to deliver a very emotional performance to sell the defeat, just as much as Zoro’s wound needs to be prominently featured. Mihawk’s inclusion in Netflix’s One Piece has the chance to give Zoro one of his best fights from the manga.
