Mackenyu joins Assassin’s Creed Shadows, exciting fans and hinting at a potential live-action adaptation. Could he be the franchise’s next big star?

Mackenyu has quickly become a fan-favorite in the world of live-action adaptations. His portrayal of Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece was widely praised, with fans really appreciating how well he brought the iconic swordsman to life.

Players are excited to see him bring a character to life in Shadows. | Image Credit: Netflix

With One Piece Season 2 on the horizon, fans are eagerly awaiting his return as Zoro. However, it seems like the swordsman has once again lost his way, this time, wandering into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. He has officially joined Ubisoft’s upcoming game, voicing Gennojo.

Mackenyu’s entry into Assassin’s Creed Shadows raises excitement

Players are excited to recruit his character on March 20th. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Fans are thrilled to hear that Mackenyu is now part of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. His involvement not only raises the excitement for the game but also adds credibility to the project, which has been surrounded by controversy since its initial announcement.

In an interview with Variety, he revealed that Assassin’s Creed holds a special place in his heart. He even shared his childhood memory of when he used to sneak over to a friend’s house just to experience the game. So, when he got the offer to join Shadows, he knew he had to be part of it.

Mackenyu will voice and serve as the face of Gennojo, a key supporting character in the game. According to Ubisoft, Gennojo is described as a flirtatious rogue and trickster known for his wit and swagger, a role that seems like a perfect fit for him.

Beyond just voicing the character, he showed his real enthusiasm for the Assassin’s Creed universe when he was asked about starring in a live-action adaptation (if it ever becomes a reality). His response?

Please get my name in that.

It’s obvious he wants to step into a live-action Assassin’s Creed role. While One Piece certainly has the potential and material for so many seasons, he won’t be playing Zoro forever. And what’s better than becoming an Assassin? Given his action skills, he might just be the perfect fit.

Assassin’s Creed needs a live-action redemption

A live-action adaptation would be great if done correctly. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Video game adaptations have always been a mixed bag of hit or miss. Some, like HBO’s The Last of Us, have been massive successes, proving that faithful adaptations can work.

Others, like the 2016 Assassin’s Creed, or a recent Borderlands movie, have completely missed the mark, failing to capture what made the games special. So, if Ubisoft and Netflix ever decide to greenlight another live-action adaptation of Assassin’s World, two things must happen.

Firstly, the adaptation must stay true to the source material. While bringing something new to the table can be good, straying too far away from what makes the game special is a recipe for disaster. You can see the various adaptations.

Secondly, Mackenyu needs to be part of it. Given his excellent portrayal of Zoro and his great passion for the franchise, not casting him in a lead role would be a missed opportunity.

In the end, Mackenyu’s involvement in Shadows is already a major win for the game, and his excitement for the franchise makes him a perfect choice for a future live-action adaptation. Ubisoft, Netflix- make it happen.