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TazSkylarOnePiece.jpg

Taz Skylar As Sanji Is Made For Action Scenes

By Allyson Johnson | Pajiba 10 | December 20, 2023 |

By Allyson Johnson | Pajiba 10 | December 20, 2023 |

TazSkylarOnePiece.jpg

The cast of the Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece keeps even the clunkier moments afloat. Possessing apparent enthusiasm for their iconic characters, demonstrated both onscreen in their performance and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, they help bring the Straw Hat crew to life. While there’s plenty to write about all five of the core cast, with Luffy’s Iñaki Godoy already getting a shout-out, Taz Skylar’s interpretation of the resident cook, Sanji, caught my eye. And not just because they went off book from the original and had him go abs out in his rescue of Luffy in his introductory.

For fans of the manga or anime, Sanji is a complicated favorite. I’ve only just arrived at the Water 7 arc, but even still, there’s no denying his competence as a cook and fighter, as well as his being a certified fool. He’ll be distracted to the point of disarmament mid-battle due to any interaction with a woman, making him a hapless hero in many situations and a dated one. He’s still a favorite, but explaining as much always comes with a necessary disclaimer that, yes, I know he’s a bit of a mess.

Live-action Sanji, meanwhile, is a flirt, but that’s where it ends, and Skylar seems fit to be able to flirt with just about anyone. His charisma is immense, filling the screen no matter who his scene partner is. He softens the edges of the character while maintaining the fighting spirit. The bleach blonde both buzzed and in Sanji’s signature do, the well-fitted suits, the smile…all of it crafts this roguish image of a character who has been given a fresh, more modern interpretation.

Skylar himself grows more appealing in behind-the-scenes videos where we see the crazy amount of training he went through to nail the action sequences. Sanji only uses his legs for fighting (as a chef’s hands are only used for cooking,) and the training videos make clear the necessary core and flexibility for Skylar to be able to perform these scenes. For fans of Mackenyu, who plays Zoro, there was never any question he’d be performing his own stunts — it’s his brand. Skylar, meanwhile, was another fresh face on the scene, and his commitment was evident.

The abs! The smile! The way he seems to love hurtling himself out of planes and enthusiasm for other similar, extreme sports. He even learned to cook! The man is dreamy, and had there been more time for him (and the rest of the cast) to be in the spotlight to promote the series before the SAG-AFTRA strikes, he would’ve been an absolute hit.