Summary
The upcoming live-action adaptation of One Piece on Netflix will feature the major mentor figure Chef Zeff, played by Craig Fairbrass.
Chef Zeff, the head chef and owner of the floating restaurant Baratie, plays a vital role in introducing Sanji as a crucial member of Luffy's crew. His presence in the show hints at a deeper backstory between him and Sanji, which promises to shed light on Sanji's underlying reasons and motivations.
A new image has been unveiled by the official Twitter account of Netflix's One Piece, adding to the ever-expanding lineup of characters from the beloved manga. As the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's masterpiece draws near, viewers can look forward to following the thrilling journey of the spirited young protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, who aspires to gather his own pirate crew, famously known as the Straw Hat Pirates. In their quest for the fabled treasure known as the One Piece and the title of the Pirate King, Luffy and his comrades will set sail on countless adventures. Leading the talented ensemble cast is Iñaki Godoy, who portrays the determined Luffy, joined by Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, and Taz Skylar. With only a fortnight left until the show's debut, fans eagerly await the arrival of this exciting new addition to the One Piece universe.
The image, as shown above, ultimately presents a long-awaited glimpse of Chef Zeff's prominent mentor character, masterfully portrayed by Craig Fairbrass in the live-action series. Observing the image, one can witness Fairbrass effortlessly embodying Zeff's distinctive chef's hat, which stands almost as tall as the character himself, and his braided mustache gracefully extending just beneath his shoulders.
Why Chef Zeff Is Important For One Piece's Story
Chapter 43 of the One Piece manga and episode 20 of the anime introduced Chef Zeff, the head chef and owner of Baratie, a floating restaurant. It was at the Baratie that Luffy accidentally blocked a cannonball fired by Navy lieutenant Fullbody. This incident caused damage to the ship, resulting in Luffy having to work for a year to repay the damages. Despite being a minor setback, this encounter led to Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, and Usopp meeting Sanji, the master chef and the fifth main member to join their crew.
The initial encounter between Zeff and Sanji in One Piece was filled with tension, but later on, their intertwined history was revealed. When Sanji was just a young apprentice chef, he met Zeff on a passenger ship that was hijacked by Zeff and his Cook Pirates, with Zeff leading the crew under the name "Red Foot" Zeff. Sadly, the ship sank, stranding both Zeff and Sanji on a deserted island. In a selfless act of survival, Zeff saved Sanji's life by offering him the only bag of food he found, despite having to amputate one of his own legs.
Although the extent to which Zeff and Sanji's backstory will be explored in the live-action One Piece show remains uncertain, Zeff's inclusion suggests that some version of their past will be delved into. Given author Oda's close involvement in the show's production and his praise for Netflix's commitment to staying true to the source material, it is likely that their past will be depicted. This will provide a deeper understanding of Sanji's character and his reasons for leaving his mentor to embark on a journey with Luffy.
One Piece premieres on Netflix on August 31.
Source: Netflix/Twitter