Netflix has officially announced the next wave of casting for its One Piece live-action series, with original creator Eiichiro Oda supervising the entire process.
While the news excited many, one casting choice — Charithra Chandran as Princess Vivi — has sparked a wave of online discussion and divided opinions within the fandom.
Image via Netflix Tudum / One Piece production team
© Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Toei Animation, Netflix
The Fan Divide
The reaction on social media has been split into two clear camps. Some fans argue that the live-action version should closely match the character’s original appearance in the manga and anime.
One fan expressed
“It’s not the point that she’s not white like Vivi… The point is Vivi in the anime and manga is fair-skinned, so as expected we all thought Vivi in live-action would be the same. She’s beautiful as she is, but she didn’t meet our expectations — that’s why there’s backlash. The root of Alabasta doesn’t matter much; in the manga and anime, Vivi is white.”
Others, however, support the casting, trusting Oda’s decision.
“Who cares. Oda picked her. That’s good enough for me.”
The Online Debate
The discussions have extended across Instagram, Twitter, and fan forums.
Some fans have voiced concerns directly on Chandran’s social media posts, while others have defended her, urging the community to judge her performance after the series airs.
Adding to the speculation, some believe this controversy could be an unintentional — or even intentional — form of marketing, as debates and strong opinions often drive more attention to a show ahead of its release.
This situation raises a larger question for the fandom: Should casting choices made by the series’ own creator be questioned by fans?
Oda’s work has been celebrated for decades as a masterpiece of storytelling, yet this casting has some questioning whether it stays true to their vision of the world of One Piece.
Regardless of the debate, it’s clear that both sides share a common goal — wanting the live-action adaptation to succeed and to capture the heart of what makes One Piece so beloved.
Looking Ahead
Whether this backlash fades or continues to trend, expectations remain high for One Piece’s live-action Season 2. Fans will ultimately decide based on the final performance and adaptation quality.
Until then, the anticipation — and conversation — around the casting of Princess Vivi shows no sign of slowing down.