The Netflix live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece quickly won hearts, not only for its awe-inspiring cinematography but also for its committed cast, many of whom perform their own stunts to bring these beloved characters to life. That same commitment carries into Season 2, which welcomes Lera Abova as Nico Robin.

And what makes Abova the perfect Miss Sunday is not just her impressive resume or her many talents, but it is also the experiences in her life that have shaped her along the way. As the model and actress gears up to bring the iconic character to life, here is a closer look at her early life and career that connect her to Robin.

In many ways, Lera Abova has lived a life similar to Robin’s in the manga, particularly during their childhoods. Abova grew up in a Siberian village so small that it does not even appear on maps. She was 13 when she moved to Germany, where she was mostly alone because she was unable to speak the language. An electronic translator was not much of a help to a young Abova.

"That first summer was really hard. I had no one, only my skateboard. You should have seen how I looked," she told the Guardian.

This is quite similar to what Robin experienced in early life, as she was abandoned by relatives who were supposed to care for her in her mother’s absence. Her Devil Fruit abilities scared other children, who even referred to her as a monster. Later, she even had to leave her home and spent much of her life on the run. Both of their early experiences are strikingly similar. Even as a teenager, Abova felt invisible among girls she believed looked fancier and dressed better than she did.

Despite their early hardships, both Abova and Robin arrive at the same rare destination: acceptance without conditions. As Abova shared in her Guardian interview, she endured isolation with resolve, learning a new language, refusing to yield, and gradually finding her place. Crucially, when opportunity finally came, it did so without demands for reinvention; her agent never asked her to lose weight or smooth herself into something more convenient. She was allowed to remain intact.

Robin’s journey unfolds much the same way. After years of solitude, she finds the Straw Hats not as a correction, but as a refuge, people who accept her history, her silences, and her strength without revision. Like Robin, Abova does not shrink to belong. She is met as she is, and that shared truth makes the casting feel less like coincidence and more like recognition.

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Despite the difficulties of their early lives, both Robin and Abova ultimately managed to find their footing in the world. And Abova's career in the film industry is also a shining example of that spirit.

Lera Abova started her career as a model after being discovered at the age of 17 by someone who believed she could become a second Kate Moss. While that path did not materialize and she herself insisted she never intended to become a second Kate Moss, Abova did not give up and continued to work hard. Even as she transitioned into acting, she took careful steps, learning the craft and taking on small roles in major projects.

Her hardwork paid off, and her talent was finally recognized with her performance as Maude in the 2019 thriller Anna. Following this, she starred in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin. And then she finally earned the role of Nico Robin in the Netflix live adaptation. Her journey from a modest background to taking bold, meaningful steps in her career, and ultimately landing a role that mirrors several aspects of her own life, seems like a full circle for the actress.

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