Netflix's ‘One Piece' Crew Rallies Around Charithra Chandran After Racist Backlash
One of the new faces in the cast is Charithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi, also known in the long-running manga and anime as Miss Wednesday. The character in the comics is depicted as a light-skinned Egyptian woman, and a loud minority of racist One Piece nerds are criticizing Chandran's casting because the actor has darker skin. Because of course, they are mad at that being a plausible thing in a universe where a man can stretch his skin or a talking reindeer can be a medical professional.
In response actress Emily Rudd, who plays Nami, shared on her Instagram stories, 'Perceived 'canon' does not excuse blatant racism or hate of any kind. I am beyond proud of our show, our cast, and the opportunity we have to bring to life a story centered around a diverse found family—by an equally diverse found family.'
Rudd also shared a lengthy post from co-star Rob Colletti (who will debut as Wapol in season two):
As Colletti points out, 'Charithra was hand-selected by [One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda], and he has far more knowledge and understanding of his own characters than anyone else, particularly the hateful, unimaginative creeps who actually have the audacity to get on the internet to throw hate speech towards an actor without even seeing their absolutely amazing performance on the show.'
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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Abu Dhabi Set to Host First World Deaf Congress in the Middle East, Reveals Winning Logo by Jordanian Deaf Artist
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The logo emerged from a global design competition that attracted 41 entries from 14 countries, including strong participation from the Middle East — Palestine (11), UAE (8), Jordan (6), Sudan (3), Bahrain (2), Lebanon (2), and Yemen (2) — alongside submissions from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco, India, Iran, the USA, and Pakistan. After rigorous review, 19 designs were shortlisted, underscoring the dynamic creativity and global engagement of Deaf communities worldwide. The winning design by Husam Mohammad Elfara reflects the growing influence and creative talent of the region's Deaf communities in shaping the visual identity of this historic Congress. The logo blends universal Deaf culture with Emirati heritage. At its center is a stylized open hand — an international emblem of sign language and Deaf identity — symbolizing openness, communication, and inclusion. 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For more information on the 'XX World's Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf 2027', visit LinkedIn: XX World's Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf 2027 Instagram: @wfd2027uae Twitter: @wdf2027uae Facebook: XX World's Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf 2027 Notes to the Editor About Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination was established in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on April 19, 2004, corresponding to Safar 29, 1425 AH. It is an umbrella entity that includes all current and future humanitarian care centers and institutions, as well as social services for people of determination in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The organization's Board of Directors is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The organization includes centers and clubs dedicated to people of determination and provides integrated services that aim to rehabilitate people of determination in the community. 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Gaza's young musicians sing and play in the ruins of war
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The school's old home lies in ruins, according to a video released in January by a teacher. Walls had collapsed and rooms were littered with debris. A grand piano had disappeared. Reuters asked the Israeli military about the damage. The military declined to comment without more details, which Reuters could not establish. During last week's session, over a dozen students gathered under the tent's rustling plastic sheets to practice on instruments carefully preserved through the war and to join together in song and music. "No fig leaf will wither inside us," the boy sang, a line from a popular lament about Palestinian loss through generations of displacement since the 1948 creation of Israel. Three female students practised the song Greensleeves on guitar outside the tent, while another group of boys were tapping out rhythms on Middle Eastern hand drums. Few instruments have survived the fighting, said Fouad Khader, who coordinates the revived classes for the conservatory. Teachers have bought some from other displaced people for the students to use. But some of these have been smashed during bombardment, he said. Instructors have experimented with making their own percussion instruments from empty cans and containers to train children, Khader said. A BROAD SMILE Early last year, Ahmed Abu Amsha, a guitar and violin teacher with a big beard and a broad smile, was among the first of the conservatory's scattered teachers and students who began offering classes again, playing guitar in the evenings among the tents of displaced people in the south of Gaza, where much of the 2.1 million population had been forced to move by Israeli evacuation orders and bombing. Then, after a ceasefire began in January, Abu Amsha, 43, was among the tens of thousands of people who moved back north to Gaza City, much of which has been flattened by Israeli bombing. For the past six months, he has been living and working in the city's central district, along with colleagues teaching oud, guitar, hand drums and the ney, a reed flute, to students able to reach them in the tents or shell-pocked buildings of Gaza College. They also go into kindergartens for sessions with small children. Teachers are also offering music lessons in southern and central Gaza with 12 musicians and three singing tutors instructing nearly 600 students across the enclave in June, the conservatory said. Abu Amsha said teachers and parents of students were currently "deeply concerned" about being uprooted again after the Israeli cabinet's August 8 decision to take control of Gaza City. Israel has not said when it will launch the new offensive. HUNGER AND FATIGUE Outside the music teachers' tent, Gaza City lay in a mass of crumbling concrete, nearly all residents crammed into shelters or camps with hardly any food, clean water or medical aid. The students and teachers say they have to overcome their weakness from food shortages to attend the classes. Britain, Canada, Australia and several of their European allies said on August 12 that "famine was unfolding before our eyes" in Gaza. Israel disputes malnutrition figures for the Hamas-run enclave. Sarah al-Suwairki, 20, said sometimes hunger and tiredness mean she cannot manage the short walk to her two music classes each week, but she loves learning the guitar. "I love discovering new genres, but more specifically rock. I am very into rock," she said. Palestinian health authorities say Israel's military campaign has killed more than 61,000 people, including more than 1,400 going to aid points to get food. Israel says Hamas is responsible for the suffering after it started the war, the latest in decades of conflict, with the October 2023 attack from Gaza when its gunmen killed 1,200 people and seized 250 hostages according to Israeli tallies. MUSIC THERAPY In a surviving upstairs room at Gaza College, the walls pocked with shrapnel scars, the windows blown out, three girls and a boy sit for a guitar class. Their teacher Mohammed Abu Mahadi, 32, said he thought music could help heal Gazans psychologically from the pain of bombardments, loss and shortages. "What I do here is make children happy from music because it is one of the best ways for expressing feelings," he said. Elizabeth Coombes, who directs a music therapy programme at Britain's University of South Wales and has done research with Palestinians in the West Bank, also said the project could help young people deal with trauma and stress and strengthen their sense of belonging. "For children who have been very badly traumatised or living in conflict zones, the properties of music itself can really help and support people," she said. Ismail Daoud, 45, who teaches the oud, said the war had stripped people of their creativity and imagination, their lives reduced to securing basics like food and water. Returning to art was an escape and a reminder of a larger humanity. "The instrument represents the soul of the player, it represents his companion, his entity and his friend," he said. "Music is a glimmer of hope that all our children and people hold onto in darkness," he said.
