There is no question that the success of the long-running anime and manga series One Piece rests heavily on the spirited central character of Monkey D. Luffy. Capturing his eccentric essence seemed an impossible task for any live-action adaptation.
Yet relative newcomer Inaki Godoy has stepped into Luffy’s sandals and won over fans with his portrayal in Netflix’s ambitious real-world rendition.
In an interview with The Laterals magazine, Godoy opened up about the arduous odyssey he underwent to win the life-changing part. He described an exhaustive and intense selection process orchestrated by Netflix that pushed him harder than any prior audition.
Out of a pool of gifted hopefuls from various backgrounds, Godoy managed to impress producers enough with his stamina and understanding of Luffy to don the iconic straw hat.
Landing the lead role was just the beginning of Godoy’s trial-by-fire introduction to One Piece’s demanding production. Through rigorous physical training, acting workshops, and hands-on education in the anime’s mythology from creator Eiichiro Oda himself, Godoy has fully embodied the exuberant essence and endless energy of Monkey D. Luffy.
His portrayal anchors the show and validates the choice to bring a live-action One Piece into reality after so many false starts. Godoy’s breakout success proves dreams can come true even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Inaki Godoy Opens Up About the Challenges and Joys of Portraying Monkey D. Luffy
Inaki Godoy spoke candidly about the formidable challenge of stepping into the sizable sandals of Monkey D. Luffy for the Netflix live-action adaptation. Though winning the coveted role was a career-making dream come true, Godoy admitted he, at times, felt overwhelmed in the early stages of production.
The expectations of portraying an icon like Luffy for both devoted fans and a global streaming platform weighed heavily on the young actor.
Additionally, matching the character’s distinctly carefree, fun-loving, and energetic essence proved difficult amidst the high-pressure environment. Godoy confessed there were periods when the stress threatened to dampen his spirit.
However, the more time Godoy spent inhabiting Luffy’s skin, the more he organically channeled the character’s defining qualities. As he explains, “There were times when it was very hard, and the pressure of it all got to me.
But you know, if you continue playing Luffy for a long time, his spirit takes over you and somehow you sometimes forget that you’re working on this massive production because you start to have fun like him.”
Through this gradual transformation, Godoy learned to embrace Luffy’s infectious playful nature. This allowed him to tune out the lofty expectations and fully embody the role that fatefully fell into his lap.
Just like Luffy sails confidently onto each new island adventure, Godoy now relishes the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring his animated idol into the real world.
Inaki Godoy: The Perfect Fit for Monkey D. Luffy
While any actor would feel immense pressure stepping into the enormous shoes of an icon like Monkey D. Luffy, Inaki Godoy had the intimidating challenge of also winning the approval of Luffy’s maker.
The character and world of One Piece sprung to life decades ago from the mind of renowned manga artist Eiichiro Oda. So finding an actor with not just the look but the soul of Luffy was vital for Netflix’s live-action series.
Against the odds, unknown Mexican newcomer Inaki Godoy displayed an intangible spark in auditions that convinced the powers behind the show he was destined to bring Luffy to our world. Even Oda himself gravitated towards and blessed Godoy as the one to fill Luffy’s sandals.
Through one-on-one tutelage from the creator on tapping into Luffy’s essence, Godoy gained invaluable insight into embodying the character from its original source.
Now after over 20 years of failed attempts by studios to translate One Piece’s fantastical pirate adventures into live-action, its success finally rests on the slender shoulders of Inaki Godoy.
But Godoy has shown himself as the one actor capable of matching both the rubber-limbed physicality and boundless, infectious spirit that makes Monkey D. Luffy a one-of-a-kind force of nature.
Thanks to this perfect storm of role and actor, it’s clear no one, but Godoy could have made this daunting undertaking a triumphant reality.
