Netflix team supports Charithra Chandran following racist criticism on 'One Piece' role
In a surprising turn of events, the upcoming season two of "One Piece" has sparked a controversy over the casting of Charithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi, a character known for her fair-skinned, Egyptian-inspired depiction in the original anime and manga.
Chandran, who is British Indian with darker skin, was hand-selected by "One Piece" creator Eiichiro Oda for the role. The series, known for its multiracial cast, aims to honour the diverse cultures that inspired the story, including Middle Eastern and South Asian influences in Alabasta.
Emily Rudd, who plays Nami in the live-action adaptation, expressed her pride in the diversity of the "One Piece" cast and the show's focus on a diverse found family. She also shared on her Instagram that perceived 'canon' does not excuse blatant racism or hate of any kind.
Rob Colletti, who will debut as Wapol in season two, has also come to Chandran's defence. He criticized the hate speech towards Chandran by some fans on the internet and praised her performance in the show. Colletti believes that only those who have seen Chandran's performance should criticize her casting.
The controversy has received a response from several cast members, who have publicly condemned the racist nature of the backlash and emphasized the importance of representation and inclusion in the live-action adaptation.
It's important to note that Vivi is from Alabasta, a fictional kingdom heavily inspired by ancient Egypt. The character traditionally has fair skin in the manga and anime, which has caused some fans to expect a similarly light-skinned actor. However, critics opposing Chandran’s casting often overlook the fantasy elements of One Piece that feature imaginative characters like a rubber pirate, a reindeer doctor, and giant talking fish, showing a double standard focused on race for Vivi alone.
"One Piece" season two, which will be available on Netflix next year, promises to deliver an exciting continuation of the beloved series. Despite the controversy, the show's creators and cast remain committed to bringing a diverse and inclusive adaptation of the beloved manga to life.
[1] Variety. (2022). 'One Piece' Cast Defends Charithra Chandran's Casting as Vivi Amid Controversy. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/film/news/one-piece-cast-defends-charithra-chandran-casting-as-vivi-amid-controversy-1235248258/
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2022). 'One Piece' Cast and Creator Respond to Backlash Over Charithra Chandran's Casting as Vivi. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/one-piece-cast-creator-respond-backlash-charithra-chandran-casting-vivi-1235238681/
[3] Deadline. (2022). 'One Piece' Cast Defends Charithra Chandran's Casting as Vivi Amid Controversy. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2022/07/one-piece-cast-defends-charithra-chandran-casting-as-vivi-amid-controversy-1235248258/
[4] ComicBook. (2022). 'One Piece' Cast Defends Charithra Chandran's Casting as Vivi Amid Controversy. Retrieved from https://comicbook.com/anime/news/one-piece-cast-defends-charithra-chandran-casting-as-vivi-amid-controversy/
[5] Polygon. (2022). 'One Piece' fans are criticizing Charithra Chandran's casting as Nefertari Vivi because she's not white. Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/23262819/one-piece-charithra-chandran-casting-controversy-racism
- Gizmodo reported on the response from the One Piece cast, who publicly condemned the racist backlash against Charithra Chandran's casting as Vivi.
- According to Io9, the controversy over Charithra Chandran's casting as Vivi in the live-action adaptation of One Piece has brought attention to the importance of representation and inclusion in entertainment, particularly on social media platforms.
- The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the diversity of the One Piece cast, with cast members such as Emily Rudd and Rob Colletti defending Chandran's casting and emphasizing the show's commitment to diversity and representation.
- Movies-and-TV reports that although some fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Chandran's casting due to the traditional fair-skinned depiction of Vivi in the anime and manga, critics opposing her casting often overlook the fantasy elements and imaginative characters in One Piece, demonstrating a double standard.
