One Piece Has the Perfect Cast, But Sanji's Live-Action Double Is on Another Level

The One Piece live-action cast has some of the best portrayals seen in a live-action anime adaptation, but Taz Skylar is a cut above the rest. From perfecting his look, fighting style, and cooking ability, Skylar has dedicated himself to becoming the real-life Black Leg Sanji.

Skylar did most of his own stunts in season 1, and he also spent hours doing physical training before preparing dishes needed for the show over and over until they were perfected. Although several folks, especially those cast as the Straw Hat Crew, capture the essence of their respective characters, nobody has dedicated themselves as much as Skylar has.

Skylar Transformed Himself To Look and Cook Just Like Sanji

Although Most Portrayals Are On Point, Taz Skylar Went Out Of His Way To Become Sanji

Taz Skylar spent four hours training in the morning and repeatedly cooked dishes for the same amount of time before going to stretch his legs in the sauna (via Esquire ME). The actor did his own stunts during the show despite sustaining injuries from his training and kept it to himself so no one would stop him. His rigorous training shines through in every action scene he’s in, showcasing Sanji’s capoeira-inspired techniques to full effect. Not only does he replicate the action sensationally, but he’s also earned the admiration of fans and One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda for his dedication.

Skylar captures Sanji’s essence beyond his ability and blonde hair, but even his costume design and makeup elevate Skylar over a cosplayer. His striped dress shirt, as seen in the Arlong Park arc, is replicated in the live-action series, and Skylar looks like the spitting image. Above, there’s a behind-the-scenes photo of the outfit in a similar pose to the one Sanji took in a scene from the anime.

Skylar Captures Sanji’s Charm And Elevates His Character

Skylar Took Sanji’s Character And Ran With It For The Better

Although Sanji is often criticized for his reactions toward female characters, his sincerity and charm shine through despite his flirtatious demeanor. Taz Skylar is able to balance Sanji’s lustful ways while establishing his gentlemanly charm. His portrayal is tactful enough to tone down the cartoonish nosebleeds and questionable dialogue the character is known for in favor of a more mindful approach that fans appreciate.

Sanji is also known for his comedic temper, especially when he’s butting heads with his fellow crewmate Zoro, and Skylar has timing in spades. It’s especially hilarious to see how he switches his tender delivery when speaking with Nami versus anyone else on the crew. However, beyond his suave charm and flirty ways, Sanji has a heart and is dedicated to the people he loves, like Chef Zeff and the Straw Hats, which is portrayed perfectly in the live-action adaptation.

His Dynamic With The Straw Hats Mirrors Their Relationship In The Anime

From Sanji’s Love For Zeff To His Rivalry With Zoro, The Actor Lives It

Best of all, Sanji’s dynamic with the Straw Hats is reflected in Taz Skylar and the rest of the cast. He has a genuine rapport with Iñaki Godoy (Monkey D. Luffy), Emily Rudd (Nami), Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), and Jacob Romero (Usopp). But with Mackenryu, both actors share a rivalry with Sanji and Zoro, much to the fans' delight. So often, live-action anime adaptations are terrible, with questionable casting and actors who have no chemistry with each other, but Netflix’s One Piece is able to defy the curse.

Skylar and Craig Fairbrass, who plays Sanji’s father figure, Zeff, faithfully adapt their teary farewell to each other. Although it isn’t a one-for-one adaptation of the scene, the live-action captures the emotionality perfectly. One of the reasons they connect so well is because, as Skylar told Still On Netflix, both actors previously worked together on Skylar’s first play, making the pairing a work of fate.

Skylar is the embodiment of Sanji, and it’s going to take a lot of work and dedication for another actor to take on a character quite like he has in future One Pieceseasons. Although seasoned actor Joe Manganiello is coming in to play Sir Crocodile, it’s hard to imagine someone outdoing themselves the way this relative upstart has, because Taz Skylar is just on another level.