Xolo Maridueña joins Netflix’s 'One Piece' Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace

Xolo Maridueña Joins Netflix’s 'One Piece' Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace

Netflix has announced that Xolo Maridueña, known for his roles in "Cobra Kai" and "Blue Beetle," will portray Portgas D. Ace in the third season of its live-action adaptation of "One Piece."

Significance of the Role

Ace is one of the most beloved and complex characters created by Eiichiro Oda in the long-running manga and anime series. As the older adopted brother of protagonist Monkey D., Ace holds great respect across the seas as a pirate with the Flame-Flame Fruit power, which grants him fire control and transformation abilities.

Netflix described Ace as "one of the most beloved characters in the ‘One Piece’ universe."

His introduction marks a key turning point where the live-action series ventures into more emotional, action-packed story arcs from the manga.

Xolo Maridueña’s Career and Casting Impact

Maridueña came to prominence playing Miguel Diaz in "Cobra Kai," which finished its sixth season earlier this year, and starred in DC’s "Blue Beetle" (2023). His casting aligns with Netflix’s approach of featuring young, bankable stars with worldwide appeal.

Showrunner Matt Owens told Variety that "introducing Ace has been a long-term goal for the creative team."

What to Expect

Expansion into some of “One Piece”’s most emotionally charged storylines
More intense action scenes centered around Ace’s fiery abilities
Continuation of the series’ growth in scale and scope

Maridueña’s addition promises to deepen the narrative and attract both existing fans and new viewers.

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EntertainmentNow — 2025-11-07