Nico Robin fan art against Lera Abova's casting.

What Is The Lera Abova 'Nico Robin' Casting Controversy? The One Piece Live Action Backlash Explained

Netflix just revealed two additions to the cast of One Piece Season 2. Joe Manganiello was cast as the classic villain Crocodile, while the Russian actress Lera Abova is set to take on the role of Nico Robin, a.k.a Miss All Sunday.


Although the casting choice for the characters was widely received with a positive and excited sentiment from both fans of the original manga series and the Netflix series, some outrage and intense debate took over the internet about the streaming company's decision to cast a Russian actress as Robin.

Why is Lera Abova's nationally being the target of xenophobic comments and even sparked a boycott campaign to fire her from the One Piece Live Action series? Here's what we know!

Who Is Lera Abova?

Lera Abova is an actress and model born in Siberia, Russia on November 4th, 1992. According to her Wikipedia page, when she was 13, she moved to Germany and used an electronic translator to communicate until she learned German.

On September 18th, 2024, Abova's name was suddenly a massive trending topic on the internet, after Netflix revealed she was cast to play the fan-favorite character Nico Robin in One Piece Season 2.


LERA ABOVA NICO ROBIN Anna, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, Honey Don't!, Exterritorial XOOPLAfandom r/OnePieceLiveAction discord.gg/opla XOOP_NETFLIX_FAN

Why Is Lera Abova's Cast As Nico Robin Receiving Backlash Online?

The decision to cast a Russian actress for the role of Nico Robin attracted some backlash from netizens who claimed it's inappropriate due to Robin's complex backstory as a victim of genocide and persecution by the World Government for years, relating the fictional character with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

One of the viral posts criticizing Nico Robin's casting was a drawing uploaded by X user @OtomiruTomoshi on September 20th, 2024, in which they drew the character pointing at a picture of Lera Abova with the text, "I'm not a terrorist and I don't want to be a terrorist!"

I'm not a terrorist LER ABOVA MISS ALL SUNDAY and I dont Want to be a Terrorist!


Some alleged Ukrainian fans of the live-action series started posting under the "#boycottNetflix" hashtag, accusing the streaming company of supporting Russia in the ongoing war, while also sharing screenshots of them canceling their subscriptions to the service.

For instance, X user @istota__ tweeted in Ukranian that they hoped the boycott of Netflix would reach many people, "because well, they went to hell. Think about it, take on the role of a woman whose house was destroyed, a victim of genocide… you bastard. You're stupid #boycottNetflix," they wrote.

дед інсайд @istota__. Sep 20 Сподіваюсь бойкот нетфліксу вийде на великий рівень, бо ну пішли вони нахуй. Ви вдумайтесь, брати на роль жінки чий дім знищели,жертви геноциду...довбану росню. Тупо лециміри #boycottNetflix


It is important to mention the author of the series, Eiichiro Oda, has claimed numerous times before that Nico Robin's real-world nationality is Russian.

What Has Lera Abova Said About The Controversy?

Lera Abova has not directly commented about the wave of hateful and xenophobic comments about her heritage, but she posted a long statement via Instagram stories on September 24th thanking all the support and heartwarming reception by One Piece fans, writing that she "discovered so much about Miss All Sunday that resonates deeply with my own heart, soul, and who I am as a person."

A few days ago, I was introduced to something I didn't know existed: a whole community of such loyal fans who will protect and uplift you, just like each of the Straw Hats would. Thank you to everyone on the team for casting me, and especially to Matt for fighting for Miss All Sunday and opening up a whole new world to me. I wasn't very familiar with Miss All Sunday at first, but I've come to understand what she means to people and what she represents. I realize that some may not appreciate the fact that I wasn't initially very knowledgeable about the show (though I was aware of the "I WANT TO LIVE" part!) and its significance to so many. I've done my research and continue to do so. I've discovered so much about Miss All Sunday that resonates deeply with my own heart, soul, and who I am as a person. That's what I love about the show - you can see yourself in the characters you admire. I feel so loved by so many incredible people. Deep people. Strong people. People who are so special, both individually and as a community. After seeing all the fan casting, I can finally say:Jojo, you were right all along the cope was real! So many great and talented actors were considered for this role, and it was a really hard journey to get here. I still can't believe I was the one chosen - it feels surreal, even now. I used to work in Japan for about four years in my 20s. I loved everything about my time there, and I can't wait to be back- not as a model, but as one of the most iconic characters in the history of manga and anime. I can't wait for you to see what we've done for Season Two, and I will, of course, do my absolute best to bring Miss All Sunday to life, so that you, as the biggest part of the One Piece family, feel proud and happy. Thank you, Oda Sensei, for creating this wonderful piece of culture that shows us life is about friendship and love for one another. That together we can conquer any battle that comes our way, and that life truly comes from within us. ありがとうございます I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who's been part of my journey since I began acting. To my incredible team: @paradigmtalentagency, @afa_primetalent, @partnerincrimemgmt - thank you for standing by me through thick and thin, for always believing in me, and for seeing something special in me, even when I couldn't always see it myself. It might sound cliché, but it's the absolute truth. A huge thank you to my amazing coach @goli.samii, who pours her heart and soul into our work. She's been by my side 24/7, and her dedication has been such a key part of my growth - not just as an actor but as an artist as whole. And of course, my family & friends who held me close during my darkest times, when I couldn't see the light or a future at the end of the tunnel. I love you all! You'll always have a special place in my heart. I've received so, so, so much love over the past few days, and while I can't respond to each of you individually, I truly wish I could. Please know that I see you all - your edits, your comments, your videos - on every platform. You guys are funny, dedicated, and simply amazing. BIG LOVE TO YOU, NAKAMA! Being on that stage at @netflixgeeked felt like I was on top of the world! YOU made me feel that way. Thank you to @netflix, @onepiecenetflix, @cinemattic1, and everyone else involved in everything surrounding One Piece. You are all doing an incredible job. P.S. I apologize for taking a whole week to get back to you with my feedback; I was truly overwhelmed - in the best way possible.


How Did The Internet React To Lera Abova's Cast As Nico Robin Backlash?

Most of the fans came out in support of the casting choice for Nico Robin, bringing several mentions from the series' many inspirational and educational messages about the dangers of hate and prejudice in the world. For example, on September X user @RevivalOfPotara shared a panel from the manga in which the character Franky says to Nico Robin "It's never a crime just to exist!!!" in reference to @OtomiruTomoshi tweet for "calling an actor a terrorist for existing because of their ethnicity."

Alexander The Vegito King | @RevivalOfPotara · Follow Calling an actor a terrorist for existing because of their ethnicity meanwhile you're a zionist get off my f------ series you scum. X IT'S Tomoshi Otomiru @OtomiruTomoshi Follow тестина всю історію існування Ізраїлю напада NEVER чеї і творила повний піздець, і це відбувалося А CRIMEЖИ для того щоб забрати собі території і Чернути євреїв в іслам. І тут коли Ізраїль нареш JUST і відсіч, його засрали і назвали терористами. пестина нічим не краще за Росію. TO EXIST slated from Ukrainian by Google !!! stine has been attacking Israel for the entire history of tence and making a complete mess, and this happened in order to take the territories and convert the Jews to n. And here, when Israel finally fought back, it was f--- nd called terrorists. Palestine is no better than Russia.




For the full history of the Lera Abova "Nico Robin" Casting Controversy, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.




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