Emily Rudd, the star of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, has been an outspoken fan of the beloved pirate adventure series. But she is actually a big anime fan in general.
Rudd has often expressed how anime played a significant role in shaping her interests and personality, with series like One Piece being an integral part of her growing up. Despite being the perfect Nami, One Piece is not Rudd’s top choice.
During an interaction with Collider before the WGA strike, Rudd surprised fans by revealing that One Piece is not her all-time favourite anime. The conversation offered an interesting glimpse into her anime preferences.
Rudd’s co-star, Iñaki Godoy, who plays the Straw Hat captain Monkey D. Luffy in the live-action adaptation, discussed his journey into anime, admitting that he didn’t watch much of it before working on One Piece. However, he started exploring the medium more after getting involved with the series. Godoy mentioned trying out Chainsaw Man but found it a bit too violent for his taste. This led to an anime recommendation exchange between Rudd and Godoy.
Godoy revealed, “Before watching One Piece, I didn’t really watch a lot of anime. I mean, before doing One Piece, sorry. After filming One Piece, I did get into anime more. Honestly, One Piece is kind of like my thing. I tried Chainsaw Man. I think it’s really cool, but I think it’s a little too violent for me.” Rudd was quick to support Godoy’s observation, “Yeah, that’s a big jump from One Piece.”
Rudd suggested Demon Slayer, which Godoy admitted to have started and seemed to be enjoying. “I’m starting Demon Slayer right now. I started watching in the aeroplane, and I really really loved the first episode.”
Rudd also mentioned iconic anime titles like Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen as recommendations for him to consider. “You should also try Attack on Titan.” Rudd went on, “Or Jujutsu Kaisen. If you like Demon Slayer, you would also like Jujutsu Kaisen.”
When the host asked Rudd about her favourite anime, she didn’t hesitate to share her top picks, and notably, One Piece didn’t make the list. Instead, she enthusiastically listed titles like Made in Abyss, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Tokyo Ghoul. She acknowledged that these were the basics and essential watches for anime enthusiasts.
“My favourite anime is called Made in Abyss, but I love Demon Slayer, JJK, Tokyo Ghoul. I’ve watched too many to name them all. I’m naming the basics. Like, if you want to learn, you get into them.” Rudd listed before declaring her favourite of them all, “But yeah, Made in Abyss I would say, is my top.”
After the live-action series premiered on Netflix, Rudd expressed her gratitude and love for the opportunity to play Nami, describing it as her dream role. For many anime fans, One Piece was their gateway into the world of Japanese animation and manga. It served as an introduction, leaving an indelible mark on their anime journey. Rudd recognises the sentimental value of One Piece in her life and career. While it may not be her all-time favourite, it remains an essential part of her anime experience.
