The friendship between Taz Skylar and Mackenyu may not be as explosive as Sanji and Zoro’s constant bickering in Netflix’s One Piece, but their appearance at Anime NYC 2026 showed why the actors have become one of the live-action show’s most entertaining duos. The two actors, who play Sanji and Roronoa Zoro, shared stories about their friendship, training routines, and experiences working on the series during their spotlight panel.
One of the biggest laughs came when Mackenyu was asked which One Piece arc he would most like the live-action series to adapt. After discussing the practical challenge of adapting the enormous manga while the cast continues to age, a fan shouted, “Wano!” Mackenyu immediately replied,
“Wano!? Imma be 90!”
The moment captured the humorous side of the panel, while also highlighting just how much material the Netflix adaptation could potentially cover in the years ahead. Anime NYC officially listed Mackenyu and Taz Skylar among the convention’s major guests and hosted their spotlight panel during the event. Anime NYC
Taz Skylar and Mackenyu’s Friendship Behind One Piece
According to coverage of the panel, one of the funniest stories involved the pair’s first meeting. Mackenyu’s first text to Skylar reportedly asked whether he had a pull-up bar at his home.
After Skylar confirmed that he did, Mackenyu came over simply to work out. Skylar explained that the situation became so awkward for him that he eventually went for a run while leaving Mackenyu behind to continue exercising at his home.
The actors also spoke about the demanding preparation required for their roles. Mackenyu praised Skylar’s commitment, noting that the Sanji actor had to work on more than physical training, including developing cooking skills for the role. Skylar, meanwhile, discussed the physical demands of learning the action required for Sanji.
Their friendship also helped them create the combative chemistry that defines Sanji and Zoro. In the series, the two Straw Hat Pirates regularly insult and challenge each other, yet their loyalty to Monkey D. Luffy keeps them united. Skylar and Mackenyu suggested that their real-life friendship makes it easier to bring that rivalry to the screen.
Zoro’s Actor Is Also the One Who Sleeps on Set
The Anime NYC panel also revealed another amusing detail about Mackenyu. When the actors were asked which cast member was most likely to fall asleep on set, both immediately agreed on Mackenyu.
According to the pair, the Zoro actor is capable of dozing off as soon as there is a break in filming. Skylar also praised Mackenyu’s knowledge of One Piece, noting that his co-star was already a major fan of the franchise before being cast and had become someone other cast members could turn to when they needed clarification about the story.
Mackenyu and Skylar’s Anime NYC appearance ultimately reflected the same contrast that makes Zoro and Sanji such popular characters. They can tease each other and joke about their differences, but there is clearly a strong level of respect and friendship behind their on-screen rivalry.
For now, fans will have to wait to see how far Netflix’s live-action One Piece journey goes. But if the series eventually reaches the Wano arc, Mackenyu has already made it clear that he hopes he will not actually be 90 years old by then.
| Started | October 22, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Author | Eiichiro Oda |
