Tag: One Piece

After more than a quarter-century of almost nonstop episodes, the ONE PIECE anime has reached the end of what many fans are calling “Season 1.” The long-running series concluded its current run with over 1,155 episodes and has officially closed its weekly broadcast era, ushering in a brand-new seasonal format set to begin in April 2026. 

Launched in October 1999, ONE PIECE has been a Sunday staple for anime fans around the world. For 26 years, the show delivered fresh episodes nearly every week, becoming one of the most enduring and beloved anime series in history. This uninterrupted run spanning more than 1,000 episodes is now ending as the anime finishes the Egghead Island arc in late December 2025. 

Toei Animation; the studio behind ONE PIECE  has announced a major overhaul of the anime’s production schedule. Here’s what fans should expect: 

Seasonal Format

Instead of year-round weekly episodes, ONE PIECE will adopt a seasonal release structure starting in April 2026. Under this new format:

• The anime will air around 26 episodes per year.
• Episodes will be split into two separate blocks (called “cours”) each year.
• There will be planned breaks between seasons to allow for better pacing and animation quality. 

The anime will go on a three-month break from January to March 2026 after the finale of the Egghead Arc. It will then return with fresh episodes beginning in April 2026. 

Elbaph Arc Kicks Things Off

The first chapter of this new season will be the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc, starting on April 5, 2026. The Elbaph Arc follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they enter the land of giants, setting the stage for some of the most epic adventures yet. 

This shift isn’t just a scheduling update; it’s a creative decision. For years, fans and critics have pointed out issues with ONE PIECE’s pacing, where extended storylines sometimes felt too slow compared to the original manga. The seasonal format is intended to give the production team more time for quality animation and tighter storytelling.

Netflix’s One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Season 2) is set to release in 2026. Here’s everything we know so far; cast, story arcs, new characters, and what to expect from the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey into the Grand Line.

Netflix’s One Piece Into The Grand Line

When Netflix’s live-action One Piece launched in 2023, it surprised fans and critics alike by delivering a faithful, fun, and visually daring adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s legendary manga. The first season charted the rise of Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his ragtag crew through the East Blue saga, culminating in their setting sail toward the dangerous, mysterious, and endlessly exciting Grand Line.

Now, the voyage continues with One Piece: Into the Grand Line, the official title for Season 2.

When Will One Piece Season 2 Release on Netflix?

Netflix has confirmed that One Piece: Into the Grand Line is scheduled to debut in 2026, though no exact date has been announced yet. Filming wrapped in early 2025, meaning the show is now in the heavy visual effects and post-production stage.

Even better, Netflix has already given the series a Season 3 renewal, proving confidence in the franchise’s long-term potential.

What Story Arcs Will Season 2 Cover?

Season 2 promises to expand the world of One Piece beyond the relatively small seas of East Blue. Expect to see the Straw Hat Pirates navigate major fan-favorite arcs, including:

• Loguetown: The town where Gold Roger was executed, and where Luffy faces Marine Captain Smoker for the first time.
• Reverse Mountain & Whiskey Peak: The gateway into the Grand Line, introducing dangerous new foes and allies.
• Drum Island: Where the crew meets Tony Tony Chopper, the reindeer doctor who will officially join the Straw Hats.
• Little Garden: A prehistoric island filled with giants and hidden threats.

New Characters Joining the Adventure

The cast is expanding in exciting ways for Into the Grand Line:

• Tony Tony Chopper: Played via CGI and performance capture, Chopper is a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit. He becomes the Straw Hats’ beloved doctor.
• Smoker: A chain-smoking Marine captain with a Logia-type Devil Fruit ability, making him a formidable new rival.
• Miss All Sunday (Nico Robin): Mysterious, intelligent, and dangerous, she plays a pivotal role in the Baroque Works storyline.
• Dr. Kureha: The eccentric doctor who mentors Chopper on Drum Island.
• Crocodile: The mastermind villain of Baroque Works, one of the first major warlords Luffy must overcome.

Production Team

The creative team remains mostly intact, with Joe Tracz leading Season 2 as showrunner and Matt Owens staying on as executive producer. Season 3 will see Ian Stokes join the leadership team, but for now, Into the Grand Line continues with the same insight that made Season 1.

Why Into the Grand Line Could Define Netflix’s One Piece

Season 1 was all about introducing Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Season 2 is about testing them as a crew. The Grand Line is where the real adventure begins, where Devil Fruits, warlords, Marines, and ancient mysteries intertwine in ways that cement One Piece as one of the greatest sagas ever written.

If Netflix can balance emotional depth with the high-stakes action and outrageous creativity of Oda’s world, Into the Grand Line may not just satisfy fans but also prove that live-action anime adaptations can truly thrive.