Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña to play Ace, Luffy’s brother, in One Piece Season 3

Graphic: Polygon | Images: Netflix/Shueisha/Eiichiro Oda

After casting news confirmed Cole Escola as Bon Clay, Netflix revealed that Cobra Kai alumnus Xolo Maridueña has been tapped to play Ace in season 3 of the live-action One Piece.

One Piece was renewed for a third season ahead of season 2’s premiere and is scheduled to resume production in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year.

Maridueña is already a familiar face on Netflix thanks to his role as Miguel Diaz across all six seasons of the Karate Kid sequel, Cobra Kai. He also led the superhero film Blue Beetle, which remains part of James Gunn’s evolving DC slate. His charisma and screen presence anchor both franchise television and feature work—qualities that align well with Ace’s fiery but tender-hearted nature. Additionally, Maridueña’s look pairs convincingly with Iñaki Godoy’s Luffy, reinforcing the on-screen sibling chemistry.

Ace is introduced as Luffy’s older brother during the Straw Hats’ journey through the Arabasta Kingdom. He sails the seas ahead of Luffy, builds a formidable reputation, and ultimately becomes a member of a celebrated pirate crew—an influential figure whose choices propel key events later in the story.

One Piece returns for season 2, subtitled Into the Grand Line, on March 10, 2026. Expect Luffy and the Straw Hats—Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero), and Sanji (Taz Skylar)—to embark on fresh adventures across the legendary Grand Line in pursuit of the fabled One Piece.

Source: Polygon