The Straw Hats will soon set sail for a new destination in Season 2 of Netflix’s One Piece, with several new characters joining the crew’s journey. Among them is the princess of Alabasta, Nefertari Vivi, also known by her codename Miss Wednesday. She is one of the most crucial characters in the live-action adaptation of the beloved anime.

However, the casting of Charithra Chandran, who has been confirmed to play Vivi, has sparked controversy. Many fans have claimed that the actress is not fit for the role, which led to a massive backlash and left the fandom divided about Vivi’s appearance. Do these claims hold up under scrutiny?

Vivi is depicted as a light-skinned character in the anime, but her origins might hint at a different appearance. The character is shown to hail from Alabasta, which is inspired by Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, where darker skin tones are common. That explains that while Vivi is light-skinned in anime, her appearance could be different from that, and rightfully played by British actress Charithra Chandran, whose skin tone is different.

Moreover, Charithra Chandran’s casting was confirmed by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda himself. While this should have settled the debate, some fans questioned whether Oda had truly approved the decision. Now, he has been closely involved in the live-action adaptation, and a casting choice might not have been made without his opinion.

After the controversy, actor Rob Colletti, who joined the cast to play Wapol, also confirmed Eiichiro Oda’s stance. He explained that Nefertari Vivi is Egyptian, making Charithra Chandran’s casting more aligned with Oda’s vision. 

"But let's talk facts: 'Nefertari' is Egyptian. Where is Egypt? The Middle East. The kingdom of Alabasta draws heavily from Middle Eastern and Southern Asian culture,” he said, as per Collider.

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So, the casting of the Bridgerton actress was clearly based on the creator Eiichiro Oda’s vision and inspiration for Vivi's origin. While Charithra Chandran is confirmed for Season 2, will she also return for Season 3?

Netflix has officially renewed the live-action adaptation of the anime One Piece for a third season. The cast is set to return to reprise their roles, and Charithra Chandran is also likely to come back, as production on the new season has already begun. Regarding Vivi’s role in season 3, the upcoming season is expected to focus on the Arabasta Arc, which directly follows the Drum Kingdom storyline.

Vivi is a crucial character in this arc, suggesting that Chandran will not only return but may also have more screen time to show her talent, and fans must tune in to watch the series. Fans will get a clearer idea of what’s ahead when Season 2 premieres on March 10 this year.

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Are you happy with Charithra Chandran cast as Vivi in One Piece? Let us know in the comments below.