'One Piece': Ace actor Xolo Maridueña promises 'impressive' Alabasta sets

Portgas D. Ace has landed in Alabasta!

Actor Xolo Maridueña gave an interview on the set of Netflix's live-action "One Piece," saying he was most impressed by the set of Alabasta, particularly the town of Nanohana.

Nanohana is a port town, the Straw Hats' first stop in the Alabasta Arc. It is also where Ace and Luffy run into each other.

"There was 10,000 or 100,000 tons of sand that they made to build some of these sets," Xolo said. "I mean, it's proper filmmaking."

The cast and crew have already wrapped up filming Season 3, which will focus on the Alabasta Arc.

"I'm gonna miss the sun, being out here, it's been really nice," Xolo said.

"But the cast and crew, the family that makes this show is the thing I'm gonna miss the most," he added.

Xolo also shared a message for his character, Ace.

"He should smile a little bit more, he should show those pearly whites more often," he said.

Xolo, known for his roles as Miguel Diaz in “Cobra Kai” and Jaime Reyes in “Blue Beetle,” was announced as Portgas D. Ace in November 2025.

"One Piece" also stars Inaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Gibson, and Taz Skylar, who play the members of the Straw Hats Pirates.

The show is based on the long-running manga by Eiichiro Oda.

The story follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat pirate crew, in his quest to find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and become King of the Pirates.

—JCB, GMA News