Sound engulfs us. Yet, it’s not something we notice until it is gone. In fact, the type of noises we tend to ignore are the ones that repeat. A breeze brushing against the leaves, or the drumming beat of our hearts. Soon, they blend into the environment; ever-present but incognito.

In journalism, conversations make the story. A question given, an answer returned. A short chuckle, a natural snort or a telling sigh. And what of a void? How does one relay what was not said?

Mackenyu’s résumé chimes with what we know of him. Born Mackenyu Maeda in LA, California; son of famed actor Sonny Chiba, with both brother and half-sister likewise in the business. Fifteen was the age when he decided to become an actor after watching Haruma Miura, whom he later acted alongside.

From first lead roles in Take a Chance and Tadaima to a slew of Japanese adaptations, he eventually found worldwide recognition in Netflix’s live-action One Piece. While a swordfighter on screen, Mackenyu is also a greater athlete off-screen in diverse sports like kyokushin karate and water polo. A musical triple threat versed in multiple instruments, dancing and singing. A husband, and recently, a father.

We were stoked to have some face time with the Japanese-American actor, but his schedule prevented it. So, we opted for e-mail correspondence. A list of queries was sent his way, and we waited. The silence continued until it was quickly replaced by a ticking clock as deadlines loomed.

We had the photospread, but nothing directly uttered by the 29-year-old. With a driving need for a feature, we had to be inventive. Harnessing our creative license, we pulled his verbatim from previous interviews and fed them through an AI programme to formulate new responses.

Are these the words we expect from Mackenyu? Or are they just replies from an echo chamber of celebrity-hood that we want to believe is from him?

With the absence of information, can new insights be gained?

Nature abhors a vacuum, and in its place, a story fills the hollow.

The following interview was produced with Claude, Copilot, and edited by humans.

ESQUIRE SINGAPORE: How important is it to you to draw boundaries in your career?

(AI) MACKENYU: Boundaries are important, but I didn't always have them. When you’re young, you want to say yes to everything. I had this anxiety that if I stop, I disappear. Many young actors feel that way. It took the pandemic for me to slow down. It was the first real silence I'd had in years, and I heard myself for the first time.

ESQ: What are the biggest differences between your first acting job and now?

(AI) M: In my first job, I was excited to be on set. I didn’t think about legacy, audience expectations, or even my own growth. Now, I ask myself how the character connects to people? The mindset shifted from “I’m lucky to be here” to “I’ve something to contribute.”

ESQ: How do you deal with disillusionment over the years, if any?

(AI) M: I go home and spend time with family. It may sound boring, but I give my best when I'm working, so those moments help me reset. Disillusionment happens when you lose sight of why you started. Doing the simple things reminds me that this is a job I chose, and love. It puts the hard parts in perspective.

ESQ: Any advice on how to deal with pressure and expectations?

(AI) M: I separate pressure from weight. Pressure is external; like people's expectations. That I can't control, but the weight of family legacy… the goal isn’t to match my father. It's to make him proud, and maybe inspire someone else to do the same. Pressure can crush you, but weight can ground you.

ESQ: As someone both athletically and musically inclined, what is something else you would love to pursue if you had the time?

(AI) M: Piano, actually. I've never shown it on screen. I've been playing since I was little, and music has always been close to me. I'd love to find a project one day where that side of me is relevant.

ESQ: You studied Japanese as a second language. What are some words or phrases that appear in your head in your native tongue?

(AI) M: It's interesting because English is where I'm most natural. But Japanese seeps in in very specific ways that don't translate cleanly. Like natsukashii—that feeling of nostalgic longing for something precious that's passed. There's no English word for it.

ESQ: What are your top priorities in family?

(AI) M: Being present. My family deserves the version of me that isn't performing. Everything I do professionally only means something because I have that to return to.

ESQ: What has fatherhood taught you?

(AI) M: That you can't rehearse it. (laughs) Everything else in my life I can prepare. Fatherhood has no script. No second take. You're just there, and you figure it out in real time. It's humbling in a way nothing else is.

ESQ: How do you compare being a young father with how you were raised?

(AI) M: My father worked constantly. I understand that now, in a way I couldn't as a kid. The demand on him was immense. I want to give my child both the drive that I inherited from him, but also the ordinary moments. I think about how my father's career shaped me, and I wonder what shape I'm making for my child.

ESQ: What is one thing about yourself that you want to improve on?

(AI) M: Patience—with myself. I'm always pushing, wanting to do more. I tell myself to look at what I've already done, and let that breathe for a moment before running toward the next thing.

ESQ: Lastly, what makes you laugh these days?

(AI) M: My dog. She snores like an old man.

Photography: Beau Grealy
Creative Direction: Asri Jasman
Art Direction: Joan Tai
Styling: Avo Yermagyan at FORWARD ARTISTS
Grooming: Jeni Chua at EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS
Executive Producer: Alex T
Producer: Nika Bregvadze at KYNN PRODUCTIONS
Production Coordinator: KC Filzen
Digitech: Porter Counts
1st Assistant: Richard Luong
Styling Assistant: Mary Yermagyan
Studio & Equipment: Dust Studios LA