Supporting a Long- Running Anime Theory About Zoro's Past One Piece Season 2 Casting
Julia Rehwald's casting as Tashigi in Netflix's live-action One Piece season 2 has spurred conjecture among viewers about a long-standing theory about Zoro's past and his friend Kuina. Consistent themes in the anime and manga, Tashigi and Kuina's similarity has spurred ideas regarding a possible relationship between the two characters.
Tashigi and Kuina: the Resemblance and Fan Theories
Zoro is often amazed in the One Piece anime and manga by Tashigi's striking likeness to his late friend Kuina. Every time Zoro and Tashigi cross paths, there is always ongoing debate on this resemblance. Though the original source material never specifically reveals the link between Tashigi and Kuina, viewers have developed many hypotheses to solve this riddle. While some theories claim Kuina survived and took on the alias "Tashigi," others propose Tashigi and Kuina are somehow related.
One Piece Season 2 Casting: A nod toward the Kuina Theory?
It is no accident that Julia Rehwald, who looks remarkably like Audrey Cymone—who played Kuina in season 1—is Tashigi in One Piece season 2. The choice of Netflix to feature an actress who physically resembles Kuina implies that the program will delve more into the Tashigi-Kuina relationship. This purposeful casting decision gives the fan theories about the two characters more weight.
Analyzing the possibilities: Tashigi and Kuina's relationship
The One Piece manga lacks a specific justification, but there is still possibility for a relationship between Tashigi and Kuina. Although One Piece's author, Eiichiro Oda, said in 2009 that Tashigi's likeness to Kuina was accidental, he has strayed from his own words before and revealed surprising turns. Surprising turns abound in the One Piece universe, from the retcon of Luffy's Devil Fruit to the disclosure of the sinking world. Given this, a closer relationship between Tashigi and Kuina would not be ridiculous.
For Tashigi and Zoro, what promises to be ahead?
Julia Rehwald's casting as Tashigi points to the One Piece live-action adaptation's embracing of the mystery around Tashigi and Kuina. This intentional casting choice suggests a possible investigation of the Tashigi-Kuina link, so increasing the stakes for the forthcoming season. The show's will to solve this fan-favorite mystery emphasizes even more its dedication to remain faithful to the original spirit.
One Piece: A World Phenomenon
For more than two decades, one piece—the creation of Eiichiro Oda—has enthralled viewers all around. The exciting adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hats will be more widely seen thanks to the live-action Netflix adaptation. Along with his devoted crew—Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji—young pirate with rubber powers Luffy sets out to locate the fabled treasure, the "One Piece." The show's faithful adaptation—which captures the core of the original manga and anime—has won praise from critics.
