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One Piece
The One Piece franchise is in a period of major expansion, with WIT Studio's remake of the East Blue saga set for a February 2027 release on Netflix, the live-action series in production for a third season, and the ongoing Elbaph arc of the original anime airing at a reduced pace of 26 episodes per year.
Synthesized from 30
Yomimono stories · updated
18h ago
Netflix is leading a multi-front expansion of the One Piece franchise. The streamer's remake, The One Piece from WIT Studio, will debut in February 2027 with seven episodes covering the East Blue saga. The first season runs approximately 300 minutes and retains original voice actor Mayumi Tanaka as Luffy. Masashi Koizuka directs, with Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda as character designers and chief animation directors. Toei Animation remains on the production committee alongside Shueisha and Fuji TV, though WIT Studio handles animation. Creator Eiichiro Oda wanted a modern retelling with tighter pacing and consistent quality.
The original anime, meanwhile, is airing the Elbaph arc at a reduced schedule of 26 episodes per year starting in 2026, after a three-month production hiatus. Episode quality has been uneven: episode 1164 delivered an emotional payoff for Nico Robin's reunion with Saul, and episode 1167 was praised as a return to form, but episode 1166 drew criticism for slow pacing and lack of novelty. The arc introduced the Knights of God with voice actors Kenjiro Tsuda, Sumire Uesaka, Hiroki Yasumoto, and Shinnosuke Tachibana. Theme songs for the arc are opening "Luminous" by Aina The End and ending "Sono Mirai" by 36km/h.
Netflix also announced a LEGO One Piece two-part special premiering September 29, produced with The LEGO Group, Shueisha, and Atomic Cartoons. Live-action Season 3, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, is in production for a 2027 release. The franchise is also expanding through merchandise collaborations, including an NBA-themed S.H.Figuarts line, a restaurant management game from Kairosoft launching October 23 on multiple platforms, and a television special titled One Piece Heroines airing July 5 on Fuji TV. The manga has surpassed 600 million copies in circulation worldwide as of March 2026.
Key facts
- Remake release window
- February 2027 on Netflix ↗
- Remake director
- Masashi Koizuka ↗
- Remake episode count and runtime
- Seven episodes, approximately 300 minutes ↗
- Original anime schedule change
- 26 episodes per year starting in 2026 ↗
- Elbaph arc start date
- April 5, 2026 ↗
- Manga circulation
- Over 600 million copies worldwide as of March 2026 ↗
- Live-action Season 3 title and release window
- One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, in production for 2027 ↗
- Game release date
- October 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android ↗
- Television special air date
- July 5, 2026, on Fuji TV ↗
Timeline
- Jun 27, 2026 Netflix Reveals Episode Art for The One Piece Remake at Annecy
- Jun 26, 2026 Premium Bandai Opens Reservations For One Piece x NBA Figures Of Nami And Sanji
- Jun 23, 2026 One Piece Episode 1167 Is a Return to Form
- Jun 23, 2026 One Piece Skypiea Arc Ichiban Kuji Reveals Luffy, Nami, Cricket, Wyper Figures
- Jun 23, 2026 One Piece Heroines Anime Trailer Reveals Aina the End Theme Song
- Jun 22, 2026 Kirito Tops Anime Anime's Dual-Wielding Character Poll
- Jun 21, 2026 One Piece P.O.P S.O.C Sanji Returns With Repaint for 10th Anniversary
- Jun 21, 2026 Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 30 Tops Bookscan's May Adult Graphic Novel List
- Jun 21, 2026 Anime Heroes One Piece Gear 5 Luffy Figure Has Posing Issues
- Jun 19, 2026 Matsuya And One Piece Collaboration Launches June 30 With Elbaf-Themed Meals
- Jun 19, 2026 Ichiban Kuji One Piece Elbaf Arc Vol.1 Full Lineup Revealed
- Jun 17, 2026 One Piece Episode 1166 Draws Criticism for Slow Pacing and Lack of Novelty
- Jun 17, 2026 Azone Launches Bamboo 3D Craft Art Models of Six One Piece Pirate Ships
- Jun 15, 2026 One Piece Luffy Joins NBA Champions, New York Knicks
- Jun 9, 2026 One Piece: Grand Gourmet Management Game Announced for October 2026
- Jun 9, 2026 Kairosoft and Bandai Namco Announce One Piece Restaurant Management Game
- Jun 9, 2026 One Piece Episode 1165 Offers a Leisurely Victory Lap on Elbaph
- Jun 4, 2026 One Piece Premier Summer 2026 Returns to USJ With Hancock After 12 Years
- Jun 3, 2026 One Piece Episode 1164 Celebrates Nico Robin With a Slow but Rewarding Reunion
- Jun 3, 2026 MegaHouse Releases One Piece Lukapp, Nuip Figures and Re-Releases Cat Warlords
- Jun 1, 2026 Wit Studio Lands The One Piece Remake While Toei Stays on the Committee
- Jun 1, 2026 Blue Lock's Wataru Kuon Tops Anime Traitor Character Poll
- May 31, 2026 Shoyo Hinata Tops Anime Anime Orange Character Poll for Seventh Year
- May 31, 2026 One Piece Gear 5 Luffy Figure Launches at Shinjuku Marui Base Shop
- May 30, 2026 AniFem Round-Up Covers Oshi No Ko, Shogakukan Controversy, and More
- May 30, 2026 Netflix Expands One Piece Slate With Wit Studio Reboot and LEGO Special
- May 30, 2026 Cannes Market and TIFFCOM Launch Japan IP Market
- May 30, 2026 Re:ZERO Season 4 Dominates Spring 2026 Rankings With Fifth Win
- May 29, 2026 One Piece Elbaph Arc Trailer Reveals Knights of God Cast
- May 28, 2026 One Piece Night Returns to Dodgers Stadium on July 2
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Noted
- Premium Bandai has opened reservations for a new wave of figures from the One Piece x NBA collaboration · 2026-06-26
- Noted
- Episode 1167 of One Piece returns to the series' strong baseline · 2026-06-23
- Noted
- The community score is 4.3 out of 5. · 2026-06-23
- Noted
- Matsuya and the TV anime One Piece will run a collaboration campaign from June 30 to October 6, 2026, at Matsuya locations nationwide. · 2026-06-19
- Noted
- One Piece's Nami took second place with about 11 percent, her fourth consecutive year at that rank. · 2026-05-31
- Noted
- Netflix's live-action "One Piece" adaptation · 2026-05-30
- Noted
- One Piece's Luffy Dons Samurai Blue Uniform Ahead of FIFA World Cup · 2026-05-27
- Noted
- The episode earned a community score of 4.0 on Anime News Network. · 2026-05-22
- Release
- manga · October 29, 2026 · Japan · 2026-06-23
- Release
- game · July 3, 2026 · Japan · 2026-06-19
- Release
- game · June 12, 2026 · Japan · 2026-06-17
- Release
- tv · 2026-06-09 · Japan · 2026-06-09
- Release
- live_action · 2026-07-30 to 2026-11-19 · Japan · 2026-06-04
- Release
- tv · 2026-06-03 · Japan · 2026-06-03
- Release
- manga · June 4, 2026 · Japan · 2026-06-03
- Release
- tv · TBA · Netflix · 2026-06-01
- Release
- manga · summer 2026 · Japan · 2026-05-31
- Release
- tv · TBA · global · 2026-05-30
- Release
- special · September 29 · global · 2026-05-30
- Release
- live_action · 2027 · global · 2026-05-30
- Release
- tv · 2026-04-05 · Japan · 2026-05-29
- Release
- game · 2026-05-29 · Japan · 2026-05-27
- Release
- manga · May 2026 · US and Canada · 2026-05-20
- Release
- tv · 2026-05-19 · worldwide · 2026-05-22
- Announced
- New York Knicks-themed S.H.Figuarts figure of Monkey D. Luffy · 2026-06-15
- Announced
- remake with modern retelling, tighter pacing, consistent animation quality · 2026-06-01
- Announced
- One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026 · 2026-05-28
- Announced
- sneak peek at Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 23, 2026 · 2026-05-17
- Licensed by
- Crunchyroll (global) · 2026-05-29
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/one-piece.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about One Piece was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed One Piece voices Shinnosuke Tachibana Jun 3 · source
- Confirmed One Piece voices Hiroki Yasumoto Jun 2 · source
- Confirmed One Piece voices Sumire Uesaka Jun 2 · source
- Confirmed manga May 2026 US and Canada May 31 · source
- Confirmed live_action 2027 global May 31 · source
- Confirmed special September 29 global May 31 · source
- Disputed tv TBA global May 31 · source
- Confirmed platform: Crunchyroll; region: global May 30 · source
- Confirmed tv 2026-04-05 Japan May 30 · source
- Debunked tv 2026-05-19 worldwide May 28 · source
- Confirmed One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026 May 28 · source
- Confirmed toei animation produces one piece May 28 · source
All coverage
18h ago
Shueisha's summer comics fair Natsucomi 2026 runs from July 1 to August 31 at about 3,400 bookstores nationwide. The fair distributes all 22 types of newly drawn Metallic Cards for series including One Piece, SPY×FAMILY, and Kagurabachi. A preview campaign and a bookstore photo contest also run during the event.
19h ago
MegaHouse has opened pre-orders for the Portrait.Of.Pirates One Piece S.O.C Sanji Ver.R figure at Premium Bandai. Priced at 19,800 yen, the 1/8 scale figure ships in November 2026. This is a reprint with renewed coloring celebrating the S.O.C series' 10th anniversary, featuring Sanji in a relaxed seated pose.
1d ago
Netflix unveiled the first episode art for "The One Piece," WIT Studio's remake of the original One Piece anime, during its Annecy International Animation Film Festival showcase on Tuesday. The image, titled "Romance Dawn -Dawn of the Adventure-", matches the title of Eiichiro Oda's manga's first volume and chapter. The streamer also confirmed that Mayumi Tanaka will reprise her role as Monkey D. Luffy, a role she has held since 1999. The seven-episode first season, covering the East Blue saga through the first 50 manga chapters, will run approximately 300 minutes and stream worldwide on Netflix in February 2027. Masashi Koizuka directs, with Hideaki Abe as assistant director. Character designers and chief animation directors are Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. Taku Kishimoto handles series scripts. The teaser trailer debuted at a separate "Next on Netflix Animation" panel on June 24. The remake was first announced at Jump Festa '24 in December 2023.
2d ago
Premium Bandai has opened reservations for a new wave of figures from the One Piece x NBA collaboration, including two large-scale MASTER STARS PIECE figures and a set of 10 deformed World Collectable Figures. The MASTER STARS PIECE line adds Sanji wearing an Indiana Pacers uniform and Nami in a Denver Nuggets uniform, each standing approximately 32 and 36 centimeters tall respectively and priced at 12,100 yen. The World Collectable Figure set, priced at 2,200 yen each, includes Luffy, Enel, Shanks, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Yamato, Law, Ace, and Sabo in a stubby style. Reservations began June 25, 2026, with shipments scheduled for December 2026. Earlier MASTER STARS PIECE releases included Shanks as a Chicago Bull and Zoro as a Boston Celtic, according to one source. Orders may close once the planned number is reached.
5d ago
Episode 1167 of One Piece returns to the series' strong baseline, mixing grandiosity, mystery, and goofy powers. The review praises the Elbaph castle exposition and a visually striking interrogation sequence with Loki and the holy knights, calling the episode a return to form after recent weaker installments. The community score is 4.3 out of 5.
5d ago
Bandai Spirits announced a new Ichiban Kuji lottery for the One Piece franchise, themed around the Skypiea arc. The lottery, titled "Ichiban Kuji ONE PIECE -Island's Song Played in the Sky (Love Song)-", will feature a set of MASTERLISE EXPIECE figures. The A prize is a figure of Monkey D. Luffy recreating the climax battle of the Skypiea arc. Additional figures for Nami, Montblanc Cricket, and Wyper have also been revealed. The lottery is priced at 850 yen per play and is scheduled to launch sequentially in Japan on October 29, 2026. It will be available at Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, official Ichiban Kuji shops, Mugiwara Store, and other locations, while stocks last. The announcement was made via the official Ichiban Kuji Club website.
5d ago
The official website for the One Piece anime released a trailer on Tuesday for the television special "One Piece Heroines," based on the light novel series by Jun Esaka and Sayaka Suwa. The trailer announces the theme song "Blue Shining Star" by singer Aina the End. The special adapts the "episode: NAMI" story from the novel series, focusing on Nami and other heroines with original elements including appearances by Nico Robin. Aina the End commented that the song depicts women who possess strength and an "escape from the difficulty of living," describing it as a rhythmic, danceable track. The special is directed by Yu Kamatani, with character design by Takashi Kojima and script by Momoka Toyoda. Maaya Sakamoto voices Miucha and Takehito Koyasu voices Lubun. "One Piece Heroines" will air for one night only on July 5 at 11:15 p.m. JST on Fuji TV. Viz Media licensed the novel series in English and released the second volume in July 2025.
6d ago
Anime Anime's reader survey on the most iconic dual-wielding characters placed Sword Art Online's Kirito first, followed by Demon Slayer's Inosuke Hashibira and One Piece's Roronoa Zoro. The poll ran from June 2 to June 9, 2026, and received 440 responses.
6d ago
MegaHouse is re-releasing the Portrait.Of.Pirates S.O.C Sanji figure with repaint specifications to mark the 10th anniversary of the S.O.C series. The 1/8 scale figure features a navy blue jacket and pants with delicate shading, a seated cross-legged pose, and a cigarette. Pre-orders open June 26, 2026, at Premium Bandai and select stores, with a November 2026 release at 19,800 yen.
Jun 21
Circana BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for May 2026 features 15 manga volumes, with Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30 at #1. Other ranked titles include Witch Hat Atelier, Gachiakuta, Kagurabachi, One Piece, Steel Ball Run, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Demon Slayer.
Jun 21
Bandai Namco's budget Anime Heroes line released a Gear 5 Monkey D. Luffy figure for $19.99 to $23.99. The figure lacks accessories, extra hands, face plates, and effect parts. Its rubberized arms and legs do not hold poses, and the removable cloud scarf has a poor fit. The paint job is decent for the price.
Jun 19
Matsuya and the TV anime One Piece will run a collaboration campaign from June 30 to October 6, 2026, at Matsuya locations nationwide. The Elbaf arc-inspired Giant Serving Set and One Piece Set come with random acrylic block chopstick rests. Kids' menus offer stickers and name charms in two periods. A web lottery gives 100 winners an original collaboration bowl.
Jun 19
BANDAI SPIRITS has revealed the full lineup for "Ichiban Kuji One Piece -Elbaf Arc- GIANT BASH!! Vol.1," the first no-lose lottery installment focused on the Elbaf arc. The lineup includes MASTERLISE EXPIECE figures of Monkey D. Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Dorry, and Figarland Shamrock as A through E prizes. Luffy is depicted carrying a giant axe, while Nami appears in revealing clothing with a long sword. Prize F is an Imu magnet designed so the eyes appear to follow the viewer from any angle. Other prizes include a treasure chest sticker set, acrylic goods assortment, marker charm, and a GIANT-sized wanted poster. The Last One Prize, awarded to the final ticket drawn, is a Loki figure bound in chains to the Adam Tree, presented as a diorama. A Double Chance Campaign offers a three-dimensionalized logo "TO BE CONTINUED THE GIGANT NAME" via lottery. Each draw costs 790 yen. The lottery launches July 3, 2026, at 7-Eleven, Ito Yokado, Youme Town, and Mugiwara Store locations.
Jun 17
Anime News Network's review of One Piece episode 1166 criticizes the episode for maintaining the slow pace of the previous installment with little payoff. The reviewer found the episode boring, noting that the Elbaph giants feel one-note and that the episode fails to deliver interesting island mechanics, political intrigue, or character revelations. The review highlights the worship of Nika as a predictable reveal and praises only a few moments, such as Loki's scene and Usopp being celebrated as "Captain Usopp."
Jun 17
Azone has released six bamboo "wa-gu-mi" 3D craft art models of pirate ships from One Piece, including the Going Merry and Thousand Sunny. The kits, which require no glue or tools to assemble, went on sale June 12, 2026, priced at 3,850 yen each. Each model uses laser-cut bamboo and paper sails.
Jun 15
Bandai's Tamashii Nations announced a New York Knicks-themed S.H.Figuarts figure of One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, timed to the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship win. The figure, priced at 9,900 yen (about US$62), is set to ship in October. Pre-orders opened and closed in April, before the Knicks clinched the title. Tamashii Nations also produced variants in Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics colors. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Finals in 53 years. The One Piece x NBA collaboration began in February 2025 with an animated short featuring the Straw Hat Pirates in Lakers uniforms, and expanded in November 2025 with a static figure collection. The new S.H.Figuarts figures are poseable, unlike the earlier static releases.
Jun 9
Bandai Namco and Kairosoft announced One Piece: Grand Gourmet, a restaurant management simulation game, during the June 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game launches on October 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android at a price of $19.99. Players take charge of the Baratie Number Two, a floating restaurant, and work with the Straw Hat Crew to expand it. The game features over 400 One Piece characters rendered in pixel-art style, a first for the franchise. Players collect ingredients, cook dishes with Sanji, and customize the restaurant with more than 200 items inspired by locations like Whole Cake Island and Egghead. Recipes include dishes such as Water-Water Meat BBQ and Sea King Penne Gorgonzola, with additional recipes unlocked through exploration. The Switch 2 version supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Kairosoft previously developed a similar anime-themed management game, Doraemon's Dorayaki Story.
Jun 9
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced "One Piece: Ocean's Delight Restaurant" during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game is a restaurant management simulation developed by Kairosoft, known for titles like Game Dev Story. Players run a restaurant called Baratie No. 2 with the Straw Hat Pirates, cooking dishes using Devil Fruit abilities. Sanji is a central character for developing recipes. The game includes over 400 characters from the One Piece universe, including Enel and Boa Hancock. Players can go on adventures to find new ingredients, expand their menu, and use earnings to customize the restaurant's interior and layout. The title is scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
Jun 9
Episode 1165 of the One Piece anime gives the Straw Hat Pirates a full episode of downtime on Elbaph, trading dramatic battles for sightseeing, new costumes, and a feast. The review notes the reprieve from relentless action but finds the character beats mostly confirm existing traits rather than adding new depth.
Jun 4
Universal Studios Japan will host "One Piece Premier Summer 2026" from July 30 to November 19, featuring an enhanced live show, a new story ride, and a themed restaurant. The limited-time event, based on the anime "ONE PIECE" by Eiichiro Oda, brings back the Kuja Pirates leader Hancock to the main show for the first time in 12 years. The "One Piece Premier Show 2026" includes guest-participation dances, photo sessions, and stunt action with pyrotechnics. Smoker from Marine Headquarters and Lucci from Cipher Pol join the original story, which pits pirates, the World Government, and a mysterious enemy against each other. The show runs 84 performances, one per day, at the WaterWorld venue. Tickets go on general sale June 10, priced at 3,000 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children. The event also offers "One Piece × Story Ride," an adventure on the giant island of Elbaf using a cloud-floating boat, and "Sanji's Pirate Restaurant," where guests eat dishes cooked by the Straw Hat chef. Additional collaboration menus and merchandise will be announced later.
Jun 3
Episode 1164 of One Piece focuses on Nico Robin's reunion with Saul, a moment of pure joy after years of hardship. The episode also features the Straw Hats interacting with giants on Elbaph and reveals that Saul rebuilt the library of Ohara on the island, preserving its legacy.
Jun 3
MegaHouse is releasing new One Piece figure lines and re-releasing a popular set. The Lukapp series, featuring figures in a looking-up pose, now includes young Shanks and young Buggy. Each figure stands about 110mm tall and costs 4,400 yen. A two-figure set with an original drawstring pouch is available exclusively through Premium Bandai and the Toei Animation Official Store for 8,910 yen. The figures are scheduled for release in December 2026. The Nuip line, a flocked figure collection with a plush-like texture, includes Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Chopper, and Law. Each figure is about 60mm tall and costs 1,430 yen individually. A set of all six is available at Premium Bandai for 8,580 yen. The Nuip figures ship in November 2026. MegaHouse is also re-releasing the MEGA CAT PROJECT ONE PIECE NYANPIECE NYARN! Luffy and the Seven Warlords of the Sea set. The set includes eight figures: Monkey D. Luffy, Boa Hancock, Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, Jinbe, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Crocodile. Each figure is about 30mm long and costs 900 yen. The re-release ships in November 2026. Reservations for all three lines open on June 4, 2026.
Jun 1
Anime News Network's Answerman column explains why Wit Studio, not Toei Animation, is producing Netflix's The One Piece remake. Toei remains on the production committee alongside Shueisha and Fuji TV. Creator Eiichiro Oda wanted a modern retelling from the beginning with tighter pacing and consistent animation quality. Toei reportedly supported the parallel project.
Jun 1
Anime! Anime!'s annual reader survey on the most memorable traitor characters in anime ranked Wataru Kuon from Blue Lock first, Kanjuro Kurozumi from One Piece second, and Reiner Braun from Attack on Titan third. The poll received 238 responses between May 18 and May 24, 2026.
May 31
Anime Anime's annual reader survey asking which anime character has orange as their image color has placed Shoyo Hinata from "Haikyu!!" in first place for the seventh consecutive year. The poll, conducted from April 1 to April 8, 2026, received responses from 380 readers, with a gender ratio of about 40% male and 60% female. Hinata took roughly 19% of the vote. Voters cited his bright orange hair, sunny personality, and the series' association with the color orange, including the "Orange Court" of the Spring High volleyball tournament and the movie theme song titled "Orange." Nami from "One Piece" placed second with about 11% of the vote, holding that position for the fourth year in a row. Readers noted her orange hair, the tangerine groves tied to her backstory, and her representation of Ehime Prefecture in a music collaboration project. Jeremiah Gottwald from "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" rose from seventh place last year to third, with about 4% of the vote, boosted by the series' 20th anniversary revival screenings.
May 31
The official One Piece flagship store, ONE PIECE BASE SHOP, located on the fourth floor of Shinjuku Marui's main building, has announced a new limited-edition figure. The "Monkey D. Luffy - Gear 5 Shinjuku Marui Main Building - ONE PIECE BASE SHOP LIMITED" figure depicts Luffy in his Gear 5 form holding the store's logo. Priced at 11,000 yen (tax included), the figure is scheduled for release in summer 2026. It measures 145mm tall, 140mm wide, and 150mm deep, and is made from PVC and ABS. The figure is designed to be viewed from any angle, with an integrated base and background. Entry to the ONE PIECE BASE SHOP requires a prior reservation. The figure is a product of the Figuarts ZERO line. The announcement comes as the One Piece manga, created by Eiichiro Oda, has surpassed 600 million copies in circulation worldwide as of March 2026, and the anime is currently airing the Elbaf arc.
May 30
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for 11-17 March 2026 covers multiple stories. The lead piece examines how Oshi no Ko uses real-life tragedy to depict harassment and reality TV culture. A separate report from Unseen Japan details a sexual assault controversy involving manga publisher Shogakukan, where a victim spoke out about the company's handling of a creator who was arrested in 2020, had his manga canceled, and was rehired under a new name in 2022 before a settlement was reached. Shogakukan announced on March 2 that it would set up a third-party committee to investigate MangaONE's hiring processes. Other items include the news that Mega Man voice actor Spencer Diskin will not return for the game Dual Override because Capcom refused to make the project unionized, a retrospective on the anime Mayonaka Punch, a survey finding 62.6% of unmarried Japanese under 30 do not want children, and an interview with Charithra Chandran about backlash over her casting as Vivi in Netflix's One Piece Season 2.
May 30
Netflix announced a slate of new One Piece projects on April 7, headlined by The One Piece, a new anime series from Wit Studio that will re-adapt the East Blue saga from Eiichiro Oda's manga. The series is produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television. Unlike the original 1999 anime, this version is described as a reimagining using contemporary production techniques and updated visuals, suggesting a more compact, seasonal approach. Netflix also previewed LEGO One Piece, a two-part animated special premiering September 29. Produced with The LEGO Group, Shueisha, and Atomic Cartoons, it retells the story of the live-action series' first two seasons in LEGO form. The company confirmed that live-action Season 3, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, is in production for a 2027 release. Additional franchise expansions include a podcast, and merchandise lines from Moose Toys, NERF, Quiksilver, Funko, Netflix Shop, Penguin Random House, Hot Topic, and Primark.
May 30
The Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival and TIFFCOM, the Tokyo International Film Festival content market, are partnering to launch a new three-day event dedicated to Japanese intellectual properties. The inaugural Japan IP Market will run from May 15 to 17, 2026, aboard the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes' Vieux-Port. The market will feature pitch sessions, one-on-one meetings, and conferences aimed at connecting Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers for film and TV adaptations. Participating companies include Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Shochiku, Toei Company, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, and Shufu To Seikatsu Sha. A keynote titled "The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations" will be delivered by Tetsu Fujimura, executive producer of Netflix's live-action "One Piece" adaptation. Additional sessions include a France-Japan partnership focus and a discussion on manga and anime publishers and broadcasters featuring Crunchyroll and Glénat Editions. Japan is the country of honor at this year's Cannes Film Market. The announcement follows a 15 percent growth in Japan's anime industry, which exceeded $25 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the Anime Industry Report published at TIFFCOM last November.
May 30
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 has taken the top spot in the Spring 2026 weekly anime rankings for the fifth time, according to the Week 8 poll from Anime Corner. The series received 20.08% of over 5,000 votes, the highest vote share any anime has achieved this season. Daemons of the Shadow Realm placed second with 5.15%, and Classroom of the Elite IV earned its first top-three finish of the season in third place with 4.65%. Witch Hat Atelier and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 4 rounded out the top five. Re:ZERO Season 4 has now won five of the first eight weekly polls, extending its lead as the season enters its final weeks. The series began on April 8 and previously ranked first in Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 6. The season consists of 19 episodes split into two arcs: the 11-episode Loss Arc starting April 8 and the 8-episode Recapture Arc beginning August 12, with a two-month break in between. Anime News Network also noted that Dorohedoro and One Piece kept Witch Hat Atelier just shy of first place in their own rankings.
May 29
The One Piece anime released a new trailer for its ongoing Elbaph arc on May 29, introducing the voice cast for the Knights of God, the elite guards serving the World Government. Kenjiro Tsuda had previously been announced as Saint Figarland Shamrock in November 2025. The new trailer adds Sumire Uesaka as Saint Gunko, Hiroki Yasumoto as Saint Sommers, and Shinnosuke Tachibana as Saint Killingham. Episode 1164, which will feature the Knights of God, is set to air on May 31. The Elbaph arc began airing in Japan on April 5, 2026, after a three-month production hiatus from January to March. The anime has adopted a new schedule of 26 episodes per year starting in 2026, a reduction from its historical weekly output. Crunchyroll streams the arc. The trailer also showcases the arc's theme songs: opening "Luminous" by Aina The End and ending "Sono Mirai" by 36km/h.
May 28
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toei Animation will host another One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026, during the team's home game against the San Diego Padres. The event, which follows a successful 2025 collaboration, will include a stadium-wide hat giveaway for the first 40,000 ticketed fans. Pregame activations are planned at Centerfield Plaza, along with a ceremonial first pitch and a postgame drone show featuring characters from the series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Lon Rosen, the Dodgers' Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said the collaboration has quickly become a can't-miss event. Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc., called last year's promotion one of the franchise's biggest in 2025 and said the company looks forward to welcoming a record crowd. The announcement follows Toei Animation's recent reveal of the first One Piece Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, further expanding the franchise's North American presence.
May 27
Ueni Trading, under its character collaboration brand GARRACK, will release four new Huawei smartwatch models themed after the Four Emperors from the One Piece anime on May 29. The lineup features Buggy, Shanks, Teach, and Luffy models, each priced at 12,980 yen. This is the second collaboration wave following an earlier set of Egghead arc models for Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. Each watch incorporates character-specific band designs, custom watch faces, and interactive features tied to health and notification data. The Buggy model uses a Bara Bara no Mi-inspired band and changes Buggy's pose as step count increases. The Shanks model includes shortcuts to weather and breathing exercises, with pose changes triggered by heart rate. The Teach model adapts its watch face to stress levels and offers sleep measurement shortcuts. The Luffy model, with a Gear 5 purple base, changes Luffy's pose according to heart rate and provides quick access to workout mode. The base hardware is the HUAWEI Band 11, which supports 100 workout modes, blood oxygen measurement, and sleep tracking, with a battery life of up to 14 days on a full charge.
May 27
Weekly Shonen Jump revealed a special cover for its 26th issue featuring Luffy in the Samurai Blue uniform, carrying a soccer ball. Luffy's straw hat is colored blue to match. The collaboration promotes the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
May 25
Netflix has confirmed that "The One Piece," a brand-new anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's manga, will premiere in February 2027. Produced by Wit Studio, the series will adapt the story from the beginning of the East Blue saga. Season 1 will cover approximately the first 50 chapters of the manga across seven episodes, with a total runtime of around 300 minutes. All seven episodes will be released simultaneously on Netflix as a global exclusive. The announcement includes a concept art image showing Luffy at Windmill Village's PARTY'S BAR alongside Shanks, Benn Beckman, and Makino. The series is directed by Masashi Koizuka, with series composition by Taku Kishimoto. Character design and chief animation direction are handled by Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. The adaptation will run through Luffy's encounter with Sanji at the floating restaurant Baratie. The original manga, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997, had surpassed 600 million copies in circulation worldwide as of March 2026.
May 22
Bandai opened reservations for the second wave of the ONE PIECE×NBA MASTER STARS PIECE collaboration figures. Shanks wears a Chicago Bulls uniform, and Zoro wears a Boston Celtics uniform. Both ship in November 2026.
May 22
The May 19 episode of the One Piece anime, episode 1162, spends most of its runtime on slow-paced setup before delivering a visually striking final sequence. According to Anime News Network's review, roughly three-quarters of the episode consists of two Viking parties meeting and exchanging words, while Nami and Chopper flee from a giant antagonist. The review describes the early scenes as lacking substantial exposition, character development, or lore drops. The episode's highlight comes in the final act, when the crew arrives at the Elbaph village. The animation quality jumps sharply for the reveal, showing a detailed backdrop, the giant tree, and close-ups of the crew's faces. A flashback recalls Luffy and Usopp's childhood promise to visit the land of the giant warriors, with Usopp's tearful expression carrying emotional weight. The episode earned a community score of 4.0 on Anime News Network. The episode is streaming on Crunchyroll.
May 20
Bandai Namco confirmed two Onepi no Mi figure sets are arriving in US and Canadian Gashapon machines in May 2026. One is a rerun of Volume 5 from July 2022 featuring heroines and Sanji, and the other is the new Volume 24 with recent character designs including Luffy's Gear 5 form.
May 17
Roronoa Zoro has taken first place in every region in the latest weekly results of the One Piece World Top 100 2nd character popularity poll, overtaking Monkey D. Luffy who led the midterm rankings. The data covers votes from April 27 to May 3, 2026. Final results will be announced at One Piece Day '26 in August 2026.
May 17
Netflix has scheduled a sneak peek of the upcoming "The One Piece" remake anime for June 23, 2026, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The event will also include the first episode premiere of Kyoto Animation's "Sparks of Tomorrow," the world premiere of Twin Engine's "The Ribbon Hero" (produced by studio OUTLINE, adapting Osamu Tezuka's "Princess Knight"), and in-depth looks at "Blue Eye Samurai" Season 2 and "Bass X Machina." The remake, produced by WIT Studio, is a new adaptation starting from the East Blue saga of Eiichiro Oda's original manga. It is separate from the long-running TV anime series and aims to use modern technology for a fresh take on the story. "The One Piece" is set to premiere in February 2027, with all seven episodes releasing at once. The announcement was made via Netflix's official lineup for the festival, as reported by Anime Corner.
May 16
WIT Studio's The One Piece will stream on Netflix starting February 2027, the production committee announced on the series' official X account. The first season consists of seven episodes that run roughly 300 minutes in total, and all seven will be released at once. The season adapts about the first 50 chapters of Eiichiro Oda's manga, covering Luffy's early journey through the East Blue saga and ending at the Baratie arc where he meets Sanji. Ahead of the premiere, the team released concept art from episode 1 that shows Luffy as a child in Windmill Village at Partys Bar with Shanks, Benn Beckman, and Makino. The remake was first announced at Jump Festa '24 in December 2023. Director Masashi Koizuka leads the production, with assistant director Hideaki Abe, series composition by Taku Kishimoto, and character design shared by Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. Animation producer Ryoma Kawamura oversees the project. In a recent interview with the YouTube channel Ai Show, producer Shinji Wada said Oda supported revisiting the anime to connect with newer audiences.