On the vast sea of streaming hits, One Piece has charted its course on Netflix with a fervor only rivaled by its legendary pirate origins. The saga of Monkey D. Luffy and his band of misfits has continued to captivate, yet for all its epic journeys, Netflix has been on a quest of its own. It turns out the drive behind Luffy's zeal was not only the vibrancy of his Brazilian nature, but also a certain fuel to his fire: The Ace to his Vivre deck, and the streamer has found just the face to ignite this crucial part of the crew.

Luffy's deck of life-containing cards was not always devoid of the Ace, there had been a card just as sharp that Eiichiro Oda wrote out of the story, and now Netflix looks to do the same. 

Netflix has cast Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace, the fiery older brother of the Strawhats' captain Luffy, marking a pivotal moment for the much-anticipated third season of One Piece. Known for his compelling portrayals, Maridueña will be embodying the spirit and intensity of Ace, adding new depth to the live-action adaptation. His role will bring out the root of the firepower and emotional resonance that, as one of One Piece's

Xolo Maridueña is no stranger to Netflix audiences, having played Miguel Diaz in the acclaimed series Cobra Kai until February 2025. His portrayal had solidified his reputation as a skilled actor within the Netflix family. Post the finale of Cobra Kai, Maridueña mentioned plans to take a gap year from acting, which only makes his newly acquired role as Ace a much-anticipated return.

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Luffy and Strawhats' torch keeps on burning. Ace is afterall, only an arc in the way of One Piece. 

Season three of One Piece will dive into more iconic story arcs from the long-time-running anime, translating the legendary exploits of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji and the rest of the crew into compelling live-action storytelling. Following their ventures through the Grand Line, in the coming Alabasta arc, Ace’s connection as Luffy’s brother will play a significant role. His backstory and intense abilities are what will enrich the season’s fabric, bringing a beloved character into focus and expanding the emotional stakes of the pirate odyssey.

With Xolo Maridueña stepping into the role of Portgas D. Ace, Netflix’s One Piece is poised to set sail toward new horizons, blending epic storytelling with captivating performances. As production begins later this year in Cape Town,it is only fair to be excited for the adventures that will be delivered, where loyalty, fire, and brotherhood will blaze brighter than ever before. With Ace hopping on board, the call to continue the journey to One Piece continues with renewed vigor.

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What do you think of Xolo Maridueña as Luffy's beloved big brother Ace? Let us know in the comments below.