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Pajiba 10 FYC: I Dare You To Call Mackenyu Arata A Nepo-Baby

By Jen Maravegias | Pajiba 10 | December 18, 2023

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Header Image Source: imdb.com

I’m sure that if you had asked Sonny Chiba what he thought about nepotism and “nepo-babies,” he would have laughed in your face and then also kicked you in the ribs just because he could.

Mackenyu Arata, who goes by Mackenyu professionally, is Chiba’s son from his second marriage. In some of his earlier film and television projects, you can see the family resemblance in Mackenyu’s face. This is him in 2018’s Pacific Rim: Uprising where he looks a lot like his dad.

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Five years later, he wears his hair longer, and his features are far more refined giving him that fashionable androgeny vibe, which suits him as the moody, brooding Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’ One Piece as well as in his role as a model for brands like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Burberry, and Tiffany & Co.

Mackenyu was born in the US and spent a lot of his childhood and early career in the States. He made his early mark in the industry working in Japan, where he also picked up a lot of other skills. He’s trained in horseback riding and yabusame (traditional Japanese mounted archery), Kyokushin Karate, water polo, gymnastics, and wrestling. He also plays multiple musical instruments and he sings!

OK, maybe that’s more autotune than actual voice. The point is, he’s multi-talented. But this is an objectification post so let’s get to that. Mackenyu’s got the sexy arm muscles of a true sword fighter.



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At 27, Mackenyu is at the perfect age for Pajiba 10 objectification. He’s not so young so young that we feel pervy. And he’s not too old to be a pity vote. He already has a long list of credits in Japan and he’s got the potential for a successful Hollywood career if he doesn’t get pigeonholed into sidekick roles in action movies. I just hope he never gives up whatever workout regimen he’s on. It would be a shame to let those arms go to waste.