Finding the right person to play Monkey D. Luffy felt like an impossible task. If you've spent any time with the One Piece manga or anime, you know why. Luffy is weird. He’s a rubber man who laughs in the face of death and eats enough meat to bankrupt a small nation. He’s loud, hyper-energetic, and possesses a "pure heart" that, in the hands of the wrong actor, could easily come across as annoying or fake.
So, who plays Luffy in One Piece? That would be Iñaki Godoy.
When Netflix announced they were adapting Eiichiro Oda's legendary pirate epic into a live-action series, the internet braced for impact. We’ve seen this go wrong before. However, the 2023 debut changed the conversation. Godoy didn't just play the role; he essentially became the physical manifestation of Oda’s imagination. It's a casting win that rarely happens in big-budget adaptations.
The Iñaki Godoy breakthrough
Iñaki Godoy Jasso is a Mexican actor who, before becoming the King of the Pirates, was mostly known for his work in Who Killed Sara? and the short-lived series The Imperfects. He’s young. He’s got this wild, curly hair and a smile that actually reaches his eyes—a requirement for playing Luffy that Netflix casting directors took very seriously.
Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, the showrunners, have talked openly about the "Luffy Problem." They looked at hundreds of auditions. Most actors tried too hard to be "cartoony." They mimicked the anime's high-pitched energy, which feels grating when a real person does it in front of a camera. Godoy was different. He brought a grounded sincerity. Basically, he made you believe that a teenager wearing a straw hat could actually lead a crew into the mouth of hell.
He’s charming.
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Honestly, the most famous story about his casting involves the creator himself, Eiichiro Oda. Oda is notoriously protective of his life's work. He’s been writing One Piece for over 25 years. When Oda saw Iñaki’s audition tape, he apparently laughed. He said he couldn't imagine anyone else playing the character. When they finally met in person at Oda’s studio in Japan, Oda told him, "You are just like the character I draw." That’s the ultimate seal of approval.
Why the voice matters: Mayumi Tanaka
While Godoy is the face of the live-action series, we can't talk about who plays Luffy in One Piece without mentioning the legendary Mayumi Tanaka. She has been the voice of Luffy in the original Japanese anime since 1999. Think about that. For over two decades, this woman has provided the shouts, the laughs, and the iconic "Gomu Gomu no" attacks.
Tanaka is a veteran voice actress. She also voiced Krillin in Dragon Ball, but Luffy is her legacy. Interestingly, Tanaka actually voiced the Japanese dub for Iñaki Godoy in the live-action version. It’s a full-circle moment. You have the original voice of the character literally speaking for the new, physical version of the character.
There's also Colleen Clinkenbeard, who handles the English dub for Crunchyroll. She brings a raspy, boyish grit to the role that has defined the character for Western fans for years. Between Godoy, Tanaka, and Clinkenbeard, Luffy is a character defined by three distinct but equally passionate performances.
The physical transformation into a rubber man
Iñaki didn’t just put on a red vest and call it a day. The physical demands of playing a character who can stretch his limbs are bizarre. While the CGI handles the actual stretching, Godoy had to learn how to move his body in a way that felt "fluid."
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He spent months in stunt training.
If you watch the behind-the-scenes footage, you’ll see him practicing backflips and wirework. He had to figure out a fighting style that looked scrappy but purposeful. Luffy isn't a trained martial artist; he’s a brawler. Godoy captures that by being constantly in motion. Even when he’s just standing there, he’s fidgety and restless.
The costume design also plays a massive role. The straw hat isn't just a prop; it’s a character in its own right. The production team went through dozens of iterations to find a hat that looked like it had survived years of sea spray and battles. Godoy has mentioned in interviews that putting on the hat was the moment everything felt real.
More than just a pirate
What most people get wrong about Luffy is thinking he’s just a "happy-go-lucky" idiot. He’s more complex than that. He’s a character who values freedom above all else. He doesn't want to conquer; he just wants to be the person with the most freedom on the ocean.
Iñaki Godoy nails this nuance.
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In the live-action series, there’s a specific scene where Luffy talks to Koby about his dreams. Godoy plays it with such quiet conviction that you realize Luffy isn't delusional—he’s just incredibly focused. This is why the show worked where others failed. It understood the emotional core of the protagonist.
What’s next for the live-action Luffy?
With Season 2 officially in production (and casting news for characters like Robin and Crocodile trickling out), Godoy's life is about to get even crazier. The upcoming "Arabasta Saga" is where things get serious. Luffy has to face Crocodile, his first real "world-class" threat. This requires Godoy to tap into a darker, more determined side of the character.
He’s already been traveling the world as a brand ambassador for the franchise. From appearing at various One Piece Days to visiting the manga offices, Godoy has embraced the "captain" role in real life. He’s become a bridge between the old-school manga fans and a new generation of viewers who have never even heard of a Devil Fruit.
Key facts about Iñaki Godoy:
- Born: August 25, 2003, in Mexico City.
- Training: Studied at Stage Company, a performing arts school.
- Social Media: He’s incredibly active on Instagram, often sharing his genuine love for the One Piece community.
- The "Oda" Connection: He is one of the few people outside of Oda's inner circle to have spent significant time with the creator.
Actionable insights for fans
If you're just getting into the world of One Piece because of Iñaki Godoy, there are a few ways to dive deeper into the performance and the character:
- Watch the "Inside the Story" clips on Netflix. They show the chemistry between Godoy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew (Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar). That chemistry isn't faked; they actually spent months together in South Africa during filming.
- Compare the Arlong Park arc. Watch the live-action version of the "Help me" scene and then watch the anime version (Episode 37). It shows how Godoy adapted Mayumi Tanaka’s emotional intensity into a more subtle, live-action performance.
- Follow the Season 2 casting leaks. As the show moves into the Grand Line, Godoy will be interacting with a much larger cast. Keeping an eye on how he welcomes new actors—like the recently cast Chopper or Vivi—gives you a good look at his leadership as the show's lead.
- Check out Godoy’s earlier work. If you want to see his range, watch The Imperfects. It’s a very different vibe, but you can see the early sparks of the energy he brought to Luffy.
Iñaki Godoy was the "X factor" Netflix needed. Without him, the whole project would have likely sunk. Instead, we have a definitive answer to who plays Luffy that satisfies both the hardcore fans and the casual newcomers. He’s got the hat, he’s got the heart, and he’s definitely got the meat.
To truly understand the impact of Godoy's casting, one should look at the global reception of the series. For the first time, a live-action anime adaptation didn't just survive the weekend—it thrived, largely because the kid in the straw hat felt real. The next few years will define Godoy's career as the story scales up to epic proportions, but for now, he has solidified his place in pirate history.