Mackenyu's Beauty & Wellness Routine | Skincare, Zoro Workout & Diet

Best known internationally for playing Roronoa Zoro in Netflix's live-action adaptation of ONE PIECE, Mackenyu has captured audiences' attention with his striking features, powerful screen presence and impressive sword-fighting skills. His athletic physique and commitment to action roles make him seem like someone whose entire life revolves around rigorous training and discipline.

Yet a closer look at his interviews reveals a more relaxed and surprisingly relatable side of the actor.

Mackenyu prefers a simple approach to skincare, enjoys lavender-scented bubble baths and loves everything from yakiniku and bubble tea to a comforting café latte. He sometimes calls his mother for recipes, can become completely absorbed in video games and treasures the time he spends with his dog.

When preparing for a demanding role, however, his determination takes on another dimension. For Knights of the Zodiac, he worked to reflect his character's development through his own physical transformation. While filming ONE PIECE, he even adopted a schedule that involved waking up at 3 a.m. to train before heading to the set.

His personal life has evolved as well. After getting married in 2023, Mackenyu spoke about making more time for proper sleep and meals at the dining table. Becoming a father also encouraged him to think more seriously about his long-term health.

From childhood sports and dramatic physical transformations to skincare, food, rest, family and friendships, this article explores Mackenyu's beauty and wellness habits through his own interviews and publicly available accounts.

1. Who Is Mackenyu? His Career, Famous Roles and Journey to International Stardom

Mackenyu was born on November 16, 1996, in Los Angeles, California. His father was Sonny Chiba, the internationally recognized Japanese actor and martial arts performer, while his younger brother, Gordon Maeda, has also established a successful acting career.

Growing up in the United States, Mackenyu was surrounded by opportunities to explore sports, music and performance. He began pursuing acting more seriously in Japan around 2014 and soon attracted attention for his combination of screen presence and physical ability.

One of his breakthrough roles came in the 2016 film Chihayafuru, in which he portrayed Arata Wataya, a gifted competitive karuta player and childhood friend of the protagonist, Chihaya Ayase, played by Suzu Hirose.

His performance earned him the Newcomer of the Year award at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize. The name Arata, which appears in his Japanese stage name, was inspired by that character.

He subsequently appeared in a wide range of films, including OVER DRIVE, 12 Suicidal Teens, Brave: Gunjyo Senki, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final and the concluding Fullmetal Alchemist films. His television work includes Ichikei's Crow and The 19th Medical Chart.

In 2023, Mackenyu starred in the Hollywood film Knights of the Zodiac and gained worldwide recognition as Roronoa Zoro in Netflix's ONE PIECE. He returned to the role for the second season, released in March 2026.

Looking across these projects, one particularly interesting characteristic stands out: each role requires a different kind of physical expression.

In Chihayafuru, he needed the precision and quick reactions of a competitive karuta player. In Rurouni Kenshin, his role demanded the speed and intensity of sword combat. In Knights of the Zodiac, the protagonist's physical development became part of the story. And in ONE PIECE, Mackenyu had to embody the imposing presence of a swordsman admired by fans around the world.

For him, physical preparation is closely connected to understanding a character and making that character believable on screen.

Sonny Chiba's Influence and the Performance That Inspired His Acting Ambitions

Growing up in Los Angeles, Mackenyu knew his father as both a parent and a prominent figure in the world of action cinema.

During a 2025 appearance on the Japanese television programme Jinsei Saikou Restaurant, he described Sonny Chiba as a gentle father who respected his children's interests and choices. Rather than insisting that his son become an actor, Chiba supported the direction Mackenyu wanted to pursue.

At the same time, Mackenyu had opportunities to participate in action-training camps associated with his father. Physical performance and martial arts were familiar parts of his childhood.

Another major influence came from watching the late Japanese actor Haruma Miura perform on stage. Mackenyu has explained that seeing Miura's acting as a teenager made a lasting impression on him.

Years later, the two worked together in Brave: Gunjyo Senki. Mackenyu has spoken warmly about learning from Miura and developing a friendship with an actor he had once admired from the audience.

His father's connection to action cinema and Miura's influence on his understanding of acting helped shape two important sides of his professional identity.

2. Mackenyu's Skincare Routine: Simple Habits and His Approach to Appearance

Alongside his athletic physique, Mackenyu is known for his striking facial features and polished appearance. Because his work regularly involves professional hair and makeup, many fans are naturally curious about how he cares for his skin in everyday life.

In a December 2023 interview with the Taiwanese edition of Marie Claire, Mackenyu described a surprisingly uncomplicated approach to skincare.

He explained that he generally did not follow an elaborate routine involving multiple layers of lotions, emulsions and other products. Instead, he expressed a preference for keeping things simple and respecting the natural condition of his skin.

That statement reflects his personal skincare philosophy at the time. Individual skincare needs vary, but the interview offers an interesting glimpse into how Mackenyu approaches his appearance away from the cameras.

In 2021, he also discussed using a cleansing balm in an interview connected with a skincare-product promotion. He mentioned enjoying its lavender fragrance and spoke about how the product felt during use.

Because the comments came from a promotional interview, they are best understood as a record of his experience at that time rather than confirmation of his current skincare products.

Still, his comments reveal an appreciation for fragrance and texture. Lavender would appear again when he later discussed one of his favourite ways to relax in the bath.

Why He Once Paid Special Attention to the Colour of His Teeth

At one point in his career, Mackenyu also paid close attention to the appearance of his teeth.

He previously explained that he had gone through a period when he avoided drinks such as coffee and tea, choosing mainly water because he was concerned about staining.

When the subject came up again during his 2023 interview in Taiwan, he looked back on that period with a sense of humour. He also discussed how an actor's appearance can change depending on the character being portrayed.

Hair, physique, clothing and even smaller visual details can contribute to how a fictional character is presented. Mackenyu's comments illustrate the attention he has sometimes given to these elements of performance.

In later interviews, he spoke openly about enjoying coffee and café lattes. His preferences have evolved with his work and daily circumstances.

During a 2019 ViVi interview, he identified his eyes as one of his most recognizable features and talked about their strong appearance. His everyday clothing preferences, meanwhile, were more practical: he often chose understated pieces that were easy to change out of during a busy working day.

There is an appealing contrast between the careful attention he gives to his appearance as an actor and his preference for comfort and simplicity in private life.

3. Karate, Wrestling and Water Polo: The Athletic Foundations of His Fitness Routine

Mackenyu's physical abilities did not begin with his career as an actor. Sports were an important part of his childhood in Los Angeles, where he explored karate, wrestling, water polo, swimming, gymnastics and several other disciplines.

During high school, he played water polo as a goalkeeper and also devoted considerable time to wrestling. He has spoken about enjoying competitions in which his individual decisions and movements could directly influence the result.

In a 2023 interview for DESCENTE, Mackenyu described sport as valuable not only for the enjoyment of physical activity but also for the communication skills that develop when working with other people.

Those experiences have particular relevance to his acting career. An action sequence depends on the coordination of performers, stunt teams, choreographers and camera crews. Having spent years learning physical skills alongside other athletes, Mackenyu entered the entertainment industry with a useful foundation.

He also had to balance his sporting commitments with academic responsibilities.

In a 2019 ViVi interview, he explained that school grades could affect students' eligibility to participate in extracurricular sports in the United States. Maintaining his studies therefore mattered alongside training and competition.

His student years were busy and varied, combining sports with music and other interests.

Why the Gym Is More Than a Place to Build Muscle

Mackenyu's enjoyment of physical activity has continued into adulthood.

In his DESCENTE interview, he described going to the gym as part of his regular routine and explained that he preferred training his body in a balanced way rather than concentrating exclusively on one area.

During his 2023 Marie Claire interview in Taiwan, he said that much of his everyday life involved spending time at home or visiting the gym. Exercise also provided a welcome change of pace from work and other pressures.

His enthusiasm is illustrated by a playful answer he once gave to GQ Japan. Asked what he would do with an entire week off, he said he would like to relax but would probably end up going to the gym anyway.

For Mackenyu, training is both part of his professional preparation and something he genuinely enjoys.

He has also expressed an interest in improving the sports he already knows rather than constantly taking up new disciplines. The idea of refining a skill through continued practice is consistent with the dedication he brings to acting.

4. Mackenyu's Zoro Workout: Training, Early Mornings and Transformations for Different Roles

Building a Physique Worthy of Roronoa Zoro

Roronoa Zoro, Mackenyu's character in Netflix's ONE PIECE, is a determined swordsman who dreams of becoming the world's greatest.

Mackenyu was already familiar with the original manga and has said that he relates to Zoro's competitive personality.

During an interview in Taiwan in 2023, he described a period of role-related preparation in which he visited the gym approximately six times a week and gained around 10 kilograms.

In a separate interview with Mynavi News in 2024, he discussed preparing for the second season of ONE PIECE through gym sessions around five or six times a week.

He explained that the preparation period for the first season had been limited. For the continuation, he wanted more time to build muscle while maintaining a defined physique, bringing his appearance closer to the Zoro familiar to manga and anime fans.

The underlying goal was not simply to become bigger. He wanted to give a beloved fictional character a convincing physical presence in live action.

The Filming Schedule That Had Him Waking Up at 3 A.M.

In a cast interview published in 2026, Mackenyu revealed an unusually disciplined routine from his time working on ONE PIECE.

He said he had been going to sleep at approximately 8:30 p.m. and waking at 3 a.m. so that he could complete his workout before arriving on set.

Although he had previously preferred a later schedule, the demands of portraying Zoro led him to reorganize his day.

He also spoke positively about the structured filming schedule, which made it easier to plan his activities and training.

Beginning the day with a workout before moving into a demanding production schedule illustrates the level of commitment he brought to the role.

This early-morning routine belonged to a particular filming period. It is an example of how Mackenyu adapted his lifestyle to a professional objective, rather than a fixed schedule he has described following throughout his life.

Action Training for Knights of the Zodiac, Rurouni Kenshin and Chihayafuru

Mackenyu had already undergone significant physical preparation for several productions before the second season of ONE PIECE.

For the 2023 film Knights of the Zodiac, he spent approximately three months developing a physique suited to the lead character, Seiya.

Seiya grows stronger as the story progresses, and Mackenyu wanted the character's physical development to be reflected in his own appearance on screen.

He continued training during production and worked extensively with the action team to refine choreography, timing, spacing and the visual impact of the fight sequences.

In Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, he portrayed Enishi Yukishiro, who confronts Kenshin Himura, played by Takeru Satoh. The demanding sword-fighting scenes became another important opportunity to develop his action skills.

His preparation for Chihayafuru, however, required an entirely different kind of physical precision.

To portray competitive karuta player Arata Wataya, Mackenyu spent approximately two weeks in Fukui Prefecture. There he trained with local karuta players, learned the region's dialect and even experienced working at a local yakiniku restaurant to better understand the character's environment.

The precise motion needed to take a karuta card and the larger movements required for sword combat are very different skills. Mackenyu has repeatedly embraced these contrasts, learning the physical language of each new role.

5. Mackenyu's Diet and Favourite Foods: Homemade Quinoa Salad, Bubble Tea and Family Memories

Mackenyu genuinely enjoys eating.

In a 2023 DESCENTE interview, he explained that outside periods of specific physical preparation, he generally preferred enjoying the foods he liked and balancing that enjoyment with exercise.

When a role required a particular physique, his approach changed. He adjusted his meals and training according to the demands of the production.

This distinction between professional preparation and everyday enjoyment is an important part of understanding his relationship with food.

Homemade Quinoa Salad and Recipes from His Mother

One of the most appealing details about Mackenyu's daily life is that he sometimes cooks for himself.

In a 2023 interview with GQ Japan, he explained that when he wanted to make a particular dish, he would occasionally call his mother to ask for the recipe.

One recent homemade meal he described was a quinoa salad.

His version combined quinoa with avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus and meat, seasoned with salt, pepper and olive oil.

The fact that he could describe the ingredients and preparation in detail offers a glimpse of how much he enjoys the cooking process.

There is also something endearing about an internationally recognized actor calling his mother for advice on what to make for dinner.

Among his favourite dishes, Mackenyu has frequently mentioned yakiniku, Japanese-style grilled meat, and shabu-shabu, a hot-pot dish featuring thinly sliced meat.

In earlier interviews, he also expressed his fondness for sushi, Korean food and Italian cuisine. Discovering good restaurants has been one of his pleasures outside work.

Three Memorable Foods: Bubble Tea, Hamburg Steak and Black Vinegar Ramen

A particularly revealing look at Mackenyu's relationship with food came during his appearance on the TBS television programme Jinsei Saikou Restaurant on July 12, 2025.

The programme explored three foods associated with different stages of his life.

The first was bubble tea, a drink he had loved since his early teens.

Urth Caffé in Beverly Hills held special memories of his childhood in Los Angeles. His fondness for bubble tea has continued into adulthood, as he has also discussed during interviews in Taiwan.

The second memorable dish was Japanese-style hamburg steak from Little Lima in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo.

For Mackenyu, whose international projects often take him away from Japan for extended periods, it is one of the foods he looks forward to eating when he returns.

The third was black vinegar ramen connected to memories of his father, Sonny Chiba.

The dish, served at the Akasaka location of the Chinese ramen restaurant Yoshu Shonin, was a favourite of his father and carried a particularly personal significance.

Food memories often preserve much more than flavour. They also bring back places, people and moments from different periods of life.

For Mackenyu, those three dishes connect his American childhood, his internationally mobile acting career and his relationship with his father.

Coffee, Café Lattes and His Love of Sweet Drinks

Mackenyu has also shared some specific preferences when it comes to drinks.

In a 2024 interview conducted during a stay in Los Angeles, he mentioned drinking coffee while dealing with jet lag. He explained that he enjoyed café lattes and coffee milk as well.

That is an interesting contrast with an earlier period when he had avoided certain drinks because he was concerned about the colour of his teeth.

Bubble tea remains one of his most recognizable favourites.

During his interview with Marie Claire in Taiwan, he described enjoying a generous serving of tapioca pearls in his drink. He has also spoken about looking forward to bubble tea after completing a demanding period of preparation for a film.

His eating habits reveal several sides of his personality: the actor who can follow a training-focused meal plan, the home cook who asks his mother for recipes, and the young man who enjoys his favourite sweets and drinks.

For Mackenyu, food is part of professional preparation, but it is also a source of pleasure and a way of preserving personal memories.

6. Baths, Sleep and Sauna: Lavender Bubble Baths and His Approach to Rest

Relaxing in the Bath with Lavender Fragrance

Although Mackenyu is often associated with demanding training and action scenes, he also appreciates quiet time at the end of a busy working day.

In a 2019 ViVi interview, he explained that after long filming sessions, he liked to relax by spending time soaking in the bath.

He offered more detail during a 2020 event connected with the film Our 30-Minute Sessions, also known by its Japanese title Sayonara Made no 30-pun.

He described enjoying bubble baths with bath products and mentioned lavender as a favourite fragrance. He also spoke about sometimes adding salt to his bath.

His co-star Takumi Kitamura joined the conversation about bathing, creating a relaxed and memorable exchange.

It is an unexpectedly gentle image of someone often seen performing intense sword fights on screen: Mackenyu enjoying a lavender-scented bath at home.

His earlier comments about enjoying the lavender scent of a cleansing balm make this preference even more interesting. Fragrance appears to have been something he appreciated in both skincare and bathing during those periods.

From Enjoying Long Sleeps to Planning Rest Around Filming

Mackenyu's relationship with sleep has evolved alongside his career.

In 2019, he told ViVi that if he could take an extended break, he would love to spend much of it sleeping. Rest itself felt like a welcome way to unwind after busy filming schedules.

As international projects became a larger part of his career, he developed strategies for long-distance travel.

In a 2023 DESCENTE interview, he explained that he sometimes adjusted his sleep schedule before a flight so that he could fall asleep around departure and wake closer to arrival.

He also preferred loose, comfortable clothing during flights, choosing outfits that made it easier to relax while sitting for long periods.

For ONE PIECE, the demands of preparation led to an even more dramatic change: sleeping at approximately 8:30 p.m. and waking at 3 a.m. to work out before filming.

These experiences show how he has adapted his routines to different professional circumstances while continuing to value rest.

How Marriage Changed His Sleep and Mealtime Habits

Marriage brought another important shift in Mackenyu's everyday life.

During a May 2023 appearance on the Japanese talk show A-Studio+, he reflected on how his routine had changed since getting married.

Before marriage, he sometimes became so absorbed in video games that he would continue playing for very long stretches.

After marriage, he began making more time for proper sleep and eating meals at the dining table.

He explained that his desire to spend meaningful time with his wife helped bring about these changes.

The story offers a different perspective on wellness. Alongside structured workouts and professional preparation, relationships and everyday shared moments have also influenced the way Mackenyu organizes his life.

Sauna as a Way to Connect with Family and Friends

Sauna has also appeared in conversations about Mackenyu's more recent interests.

In a 2025 Mynavi News interview, his younger brother Gordon Maeda mentioned receiving invitations from Mackenyu to go to the gym, enjoy a sauna or have a meal together.

Actor Ryo Yoshizawa, who participated in the same interview, also spoke about receiving sauna invitations from Mackenyu.

The conversations suggest that exercise, sauna and food are among the activities Mackenyu enjoys sharing with people close to him.

Whether through an active gym session or a relaxed social outing, his interests often become opportunities to maintain friendships and family connections.

7. Marriage, Fatherhood and Family: How His Perspective on Health Has Changed

Marriage in 2023 and a New Chapter of Family Life

On January 22, 2023, Mackenyu publicly announced his marriage to a woman who is not a public figure.

The date held special significance: it was the birthday of his late father, Sonny Chiba, who had passed away in 2021.

His younger brother, Gordon Maeda, also announced his marriage on the same day, making it a memorable occasion for the family.

During his appearance on A-Studio+, Mackenyu spoke about meeting his wife and feeling a strong desire to marry her from the beginning.

He also shared a lighthearted story about introducing her to his father. She had admired some tableware at his father's home, and Mackenyu later brought those pieces back from the family house.

He has also spoken about treasuring a cup once used by his father.

These small domestic details reveal how family memories continue to hold meaning in his everyday life, even as his career takes him around the world.

Fatherhood Brought a New Awareness of Long-Term Health

Mackenyu became a father in 2023.

In an August 2025 interview with Mynavi News, conducted in connection with his appearance in The 19th Medical Chart, he spoke about how fatherhood had changed both his personality and his approach to work.

He explained that he had previously been more firmly attached to his own ideas, including his approach to portraying characters.

With greater life experience and the responsibility of raising a child, he felt more able to listen to different opinions and consider other perspectives.

He also described a stronger sense of living for someone important to him, rather than thinking only about his own ambitions.

One especially relevant detail concerns his attitude toward his health.

Mackenyu said that becoming a father had made him more conscious of looking after himself. He also expressed a desire to undergo a comprehensive medical checkup, known in Japan as a ningen dock.

This represents an interesting development in his wellness story.

Much of his earlier public discussion of physical health focused on training hard and adapting his body for demanding roles. As a husband and father, he has also begun thinking about maintaining his health over the longer term.

His comment about a medical checkup was an intention expressed during the 2025 interview, rather than confirmation that he had already established a regular screening schedule.

He has also spoken about wanting to create work that his child can be proud of. Family life has added a new motivation to his professional ambitions.

Memories of Sonny Chiba and His Relationship with Gordon Maeda

During his 2025 appearance on Jinsei Saikou Restaurant, Mackenyu revisited memories of his father through food.

The black vinegar ramen he selected as a particularly meaningful dish was connected to time spent with Sonny Chiba.

He has also described his father as supportive of his children's individual interests and career choices.

His relationship with Gordon Maeda is similarly grounded in mutual understanding, even though the two have their own busy schedules.

In a 2025 interview, Gordon explained that they were comfortable speaking openly when something needed to be discussed, and that Mackenyu sometimes contacted him with invitations to go out together.

The influence of his father, the bond with his brother and his life with his wife and child form an important part of the personal story behind Mackenyu's career.

8. Co-Stars, His Dog and Personal Interests: The More Relaxed Side of Mackenyu

Friendships Formed Through Acting

Mackenyu's career has brought him into contact with many actors who have influenced his work and become important friends.

During the production of 12 Suicidal Teens, he worked alongside Ryota Bando and Riku Hagiwara.

In a 2019 ViVi interview, Mackenyu recalled that the two actors had helped him practise and memorize his lines at home.

He has admitted that forgetting lines can be a source of anxiety, so he sometimes concentrates on his scripts while sitting on his sofa or spending time in a café.

The story illustrates that his preparation involves much more than physical training. Memorizing dialogue, understanding a character's emotions and developing a natural connection with other performers all require sustained attention.

His friendship with Takumi Kitamura, his co-star in Our 30-Minute Sessions, has also appeared in several memorable interviews. The two have discussed music and their bathing habits, revealing a relaxed side of their relationship.

Mackenyu has also spoken fondly about working with Kento Yamazaki, including their collaboration on the animated film Ni no Kuni. In an earlier interview, he remembered Yamazaki waiting for him to finish work.

Other notable collaborations include Suzu Hirose and Shuhei Nomura in Chihayafuru, Takeru Satoh in Rurouni Kenshin and Haruma Miura in Brave: Gunjyo Senki.

Each collaboration has offered a different opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and develop his craft.

His Dog Is an Important Part of His Everyday Happiness

One of Mackenyu's most cherished companions away from the cameras is his dog.

In a 2023 DESCENTE interview, he described spending time with his dog as a source of comfort and motivation in his everyday life.

He explained that he had previously considered himself more of a cat person, but living with a dog had completely changed his preference.

With overseas productions, promotional events and frequent travel forming part of his career, the opportunity to spend peaceful time at home has special meaning.

He has even expressed the wish to have an entire year in which he could devote himself to spending time with his dog.

It is a touching contrast to his demanding professional schedule: an internationally recognized actor who dreams of having more ordinary days with a beloved pet.

Video Games, Music and Reading on His Days Off

Mackenyu has a wide range of interests beyond acting and fitness.

He has spoken about enjoying the tactical video game Rainbow Six Siege, as well as card games associated with ONE PIECE.

When something captures his interest, he tends to become deeply involved in it.

Reading is another pastime he has discussed. In earlier interviews, he mentioned enjoying books while travelling or relaxing in cafés, particularly mysteries and human dramas.

His lifelong interest in music has also continued into adulthood. He has spoken about singing songs from musicals and tracks by the Japanese band DISH// at karaoke.

Sport, music, gaming and reading may seem like very different pursuits, but each has provided Mackenyu with another way to explore his interests and enjoy life outside filming.

How Working Overseas Changed His Outlook

In a DESCENTE interview, Mackenyu reflected on how international work had changed his professional mindset.

He explained that he used to feel a stronger sense of urgency in his career, almost as though he were constantly being chased by the next task or expectation.

Experiencing different production environments helped him develop a calmer approach to individual projects.

Fatherhood later added another dimension to his ambitions. He began speaking about wanting to leave behind performances and projects that his child could feel proud of.

His life now brings together several sources of motivation: developing the physical skills needed for a role, spending time with family, enjoying his hobbies and continuing to challenge himself as an actor.