LIST: 'One Piece' star Mackenyu's other roles to serve as your cosplay inspiration for ManiPopCon 2023
If you're keeping up with the latest trends in everything geeky, then you might already be familiar with Mackenyu Arata.
The Japanese-American actor recently had a breakthrough when he starred in the live-action adaptation of One Piece as Roronoa Zoro, an accomplished master swordsman and bounty hunter whose goal is to become the greatest swordsman in the world.
Mackenyu quickly rose to popularity with his incredible acting, captivating features, and athletic physique in the Netflix offering. But did you know this is only one of the many times he has done a live adaptation of a manga or anime series?
PhilSTAR L!fe rounded up the other roles he portrayed in the past, which could serve as your cosplay inspiration when he visits Manila next month for ManiPopCon 2023,
Okuyasu Niijimura from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
If you want to make a reference to the action-adventure manga series Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure at ManiPopCon 2023, then it might be best to dress up as Okuyasu Niijimura, a Stand User wielding the fearsome "The Hand."
Mackenyu portrayed Okuyasu in the live-action film, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter I, which follows high schooler Josuke Higashikata as he and his friends are forced to face off against deadly Stand users in a new world they never knew existed.
"Okuyasu is a very dense role but a character that is almost decided as earnest. So, I read the original work and also watched the anime. I consulted the director regarding the part where I cannot play him 100% and discovered I can only play myself as Okuyasu through trial and error," he said in an interview, referring to how he approached his character in the film.
Souta from Tokyo Ghoul
Mackenyu went with a much darker route in portraying villains when he took on the role of Souta in the dark fantasy action horror film Tokyo Ghoul S.
The film serves as a sequel to its 2017 predecessor and continues Ken Kaneki’s story as he now grapples with his transition to being part ghoul.
Mackenyu’s Souta is known as the primary antagonist in the manga series, and rightly so as the character boasts an intimidating appearance in his clown disguise, complemented by a manipulative personality that shows no hesitation to kill others or use them as he pleases.
While Mackenyu only had a minor presence in the film, he still effortlessly commanded the scene with his unsettling voice and movements.
Yukishiro Enishi from Rurouni Kenshin
Along with One Piece, Rurouni Kenshin is one of those anime action staples of the 1990s that still continue to be loved to this day. It’s no surprise to find out that Mackenyu also decided to lend his talent when it was turned into a live-action film in 2021.
The actor brought to life the character of Yukishiro Enishi, a highly skilled swordsman who has a fearsome grudge against the protagonist Himura Kenshin for the death of his sister, leading him to arrange multiple terrorist attacks to torment the former assassin.
Mackenyu manages to give a layer of depth to the character with his spot-on intonation, body language, and overall presence, making his performance outshine the rest even as the bad guy.
Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist
Continuing his streak playing as a villain, Mackenyu also became part of two live-action adaptations of the steampunk adventure series Fullmetal Alchemist as Scar.
In the films, Scar is a nameless lone serial killer with a large X-shaped scar on his forehead who targets those specializing in alchemy for their sins against his religion's god. This leads him to come to blows with protagonist Edward Elric, who must now find a way to stop his toughest opponent yet.
Scar's tall muscular build and vicious personality may seem incompatible with Mackenyu, but the passionate actor proved that he can handle any role given to him.
Seiya the Pegasus Knight from Knights of the Zodiac
Breaking away from the bad guy roles, Mackenyu had a chance to have a vastly heroic role when he was cast in the 2023 fantasy action film Knights of the Zodiac, based on the manga Saint Seiya.
In it, he plays the protagonist Seiya the Pegasus Knight, one of the mythical warriors serving the goddess Athena and protecting peace on Earth. The film follows Seiya, initially an underground fighter, who suddenly discovers mystical powers he never knew he had and must now embrace his destiny as one of the Knights of the Zodiac.
Like his strong-willed character, it's clear that Mackenyu put his whole heart into making sure that he did the role justice, having gone through strenuous physical training to do his own stunts.
If you think you have the same determination as Mackenyu, then you'll have no problem cosplaying as Seiya at ManiPopCon 2023.