One Piece Actress Targeted by Racist Backlash Handpicked by Creator
Ahmed Hassan 
Key Takeaways
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- Racist backlash faced by Charithra Chandran, the actress cast as Nefertari Vivi in Netflixs One Piece Season 2, has intensified following the release of the trailer.
- Rob Colletti, who plays Wapol on the show, spoke up in defense of Chandran, reminding fans that creator Eiichiro Oda personally selected her and emphasizing that her portrayal aligns with Odas original vision for Vivis homeland, which draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures.
- Colletti highlighted the inconsistency of fans accepting non-human and fantastical characters in One Piece but drawing the line at a nonwhite actress playing Vivi.
- In response to the hate shes received, Chandran shared an image featuring several offensive comments in a humorous show of support.
One Piece’s Nefertari Vivi Actress Faces Racist Backlash, Cast by Creator Oda, Defended by Co-Star Colletti
Charithra Chandran, cast as Nefertari Vivi in Netflix’s One Piece Season 2, has faced racist slurs since her casting was announced, with comments intensifying following the release of the Season 2 trailer. In response, Rob Colletti, who plays Wapol on the show, spoke up for Chandran. During a recent event, he addressed the hateful comments she faced, reminding fans of Eiichiro Oda’s involvement in all character decisions. Later, on Instagram, Colletti elaborated on his stance, writing: “It’s shocking, in all the wrong ways, that a portion of One Piece fans accept a rubber pirate, a talking reindeer doctor, and a giant talking fish but draw the line at Nefertari Vivi being played by a nonwhite woman.” Colletti emphasized that creator Eiichiro Oda personally selected Chandran, stating, “Oda knows his characters better than anyone else, especially those who are ignorant and hateful enough to spew racism online without even watching Chandran’s impressive performance in the series.” He also highlighted that Alabasta, Vivi’s homeland, draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, arguing that Chandran’s portrayal aligns with Oda’s original vision.
One Piece Actress Chandran Faces Racist Backlash, Shares Supportive Image
Although she hasn’t publicly addressed the hate she’s received, Chandran did share an image featuring several offensive comments in a humorous show of support.
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