The second season of Netflix’s “One Piece” live-action series brought a major new dynamic to the Straw Hat crew with the introduction of Nefertari Vivi, and actress Charithra Chandran is opening up about the special relationship her character shares with Nami. In interviews following the season’s premiere, Chandran described the bond as one built on genuine female camaraderie, with moments that feel both supportive and refreshingly complex. All eight episodes of the new season started streaming on March 10, 2026 .
A Friendship Built on Mutual Support
Charithra Chandran, known to global audiences for her role in “Bridgerton” Season 2, stepped into the role of Vivi, the princess of Alabasta who initially hides her identity as the Baroque Works agent Miss Wednesday . Throughout the season, Vivi forms a close connection with Nami, played by Emily Rudd. In a detailed interview with Nerdist, Chandran broke down what makes their relationship stand out among the mostly male crew aboard the Going Merry.
“I think it is that camaraderie between women,” Chandran explained. She drew a comparison to real-life social dynamics, noting, “And we always talk about how women hype each other up in bathrooms and bars and clubs and stuff. And I really think, especially Nami to Vivi, that happens” .
The actress emphasized that this on-screen support system mirrored real life behind the scenes. “I think Emily does that for me in real life, too, another mirroring. She is the ultimate hype woman,” Chandran shared . However, she was careful to draw a distinction between the actresses’ real-life friendship, which she described as “older sister to younger sister,” and the characters’ dynamic, which carries different nuances.
A Dynamic That Goes Beyond Sisterhood
Chandran offered a more layered description of how Nami and Vivi interact, steering away from simple labels. “With Miss Wednesday and Nami, it’s a little different; there’s an element that is a little sexy,” she revealed . The comment acknowledges the unique chemistry between the two characters that fans of the anime and manga have long recognized.
The actress ultimately settled on a phrase that captures the essence of their connection. “I’m going to say ‘cares for.’ Nami takes care of Vivi. She takes care of Vivi,” Chandran stated . This protective quality becomes evident as the season progresses, with Nami looking out for Vivi as they navigate the dangers of the Grand Line together.
The bond between Nami and Vivi has been a favorite topic among fans for years. The “NamiVivi” ship, as it is known in fandom circles, is considered one of the most popular femslash dynamics in the “One Piece” community, particularly resonating due to moments from the Alabasta arc where the two characters grow close and support each other through difficult times .
Bringing New Energy to the Live-Action Adaptation
For Chandran, stepping into a beloved manga character came with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The actress admitted she was not deeply familiar with the source material before being cast. “I couldn’t believe how I had not interacted with One Piece prior to this, because it is huge,” she told the BBC. “And now I am in the universe, I see it absolutely everywhere” .
She found a unique way to connect with the role by channeling her own experiences as a newcomer on set. “I think I’m a newbie to the cast, and my character is a newbie to the show. So I think I really… Anytime you can channel your personal experiences into the work is a bonus for me,” Chandran explained. “And so I really channeled the new kid energy into the show. And so I think as my relationships with the cast developed, so did my character’s relationship with the Straw Hats. And so I think that’s why it feels so organic, because it in so many ways it was real” .
The actress also highlighted what live-action can bring to a story originally told in manga and anime form. “I think that with any live-action, you can bring in different types of light and shade and nuance to a character. And I think that’s the joy of what I do is being able to bring, as you said, a new element to it” .
Addressing Casting Conversations Head-On
Chandran’s casting as Vivi, a character traditionally depicted with fair skin in the manga, sparked conversations online. The actress, who is of Tamil heritage and spent part of her childhood in India, faced a wave of comments questioning her suitability for the role .
In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Chandran addressed the backlash directly. “I think as a woman of colour in this industry, it is unfortunately something that is somewhat the status quo,” she said. “It is absolutely not acceptable but I’m not the first person in this position, I will not be the last” .
Despite the noise, Chandran found validation from the one voice that mattered most: “One Piece” creator Eiichiro Oda. In a letter to fans, Oda explained that while casting was initially done through photos and videos, after meeting the season two cast in person, he was convinced they were “absolutely the perfect choice” . Chandran holds this endorsement close. “If Oda Sensei, the person whose brilliant mind this has all come out of says, ‘you are the right person to portray this character’, that to me is the only validation that matters,” she affirmed .
Her co-stars also rallied around her. Rob Colletti, who plays Wapol, publicly called the criticism from a “vocal minority” astonishing. Chandran noted the private support as well: “Even if you didn’t see it publicly, all of them are here for me and hyping me up”.
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A Season of New Alliances and Adventures
“One Piece” Season 2, subtitled “Into the Grand Line,” officially launched on Netflix March 10, 2026, with all eight episodes available for streaming . The season follows Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his crew as they finally enter the treacherous waters of the Grand Line. Along the way, they encounter new allies and face formidable enemies from the Baroque Works organization .
The cast sees the return of Mackenyu as Zoro, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. New additions include Sendhil Ramamurthy as King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta, Joe Manganiello as the villainous Sir Crocodile, and Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha . The season introduces the beloved character Tony Tony Chopper, a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit and dreams of becoming a great doctor .
Co-showrunner Joe Tracz explained that the season focuses on how the crew’s priorities shift as they discover larger threats. Their mission evolves into helping Vivi protect her kingdom of Alabasta from the clutches of Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea . With Netflix already confirming a third season, the Straw Hats’ journey is far from over .
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Relive all the exciting new moments from the Straw Hats’ Grand Line adventure with our complete season two recap.
