Next week, one of the best animes in television history returns

The acclaimed anime One Piece, which has been continuously airing since 1999, is about to undergo a significant change in its format. Starting in April 2026, the series will transition to a seasonal model, dividing into annual seasons with a total of 26 episodes each year.

This change aims to improve the quality of the animation and avoid the pacing issues that have characterized certain sagas in the past.

An anime that has over 1,000 episodes and counting

The series, which is currently in its Final Saga, has managed to adapt to the changing times of the anime industry. Since its debut, ‘One Piece’ has been a constant in television programming, but the success of modern animes like ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba’ and ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ has inspired Toei Animation to rethink the production of the series.

By adopting this new approach, it is expected that the animators will have more time to create a higher quality finish, bringing to the screen the complex world of Eiichiro Oda’s manga.

On April 5, 2026, ‘One Piece’ will return with the Elbaph Arc and will be available for simulcast on Crunchyroll and AnimeBox, while Netflix will offer the episodes starting April 11.

This return represents a historic moment not only for the series but also for the future of anime in general, as it marks a deviation from the traditional duration of productions. Toei Animation’s decision also aims to prevent unnecessary filler that has affected previous arcs such as Dressrosa and Wano.

The fan community eagerly awaits the return of Luffy and his crew, which promises to take them on thrilling adventures in the land of giants, while this new broadcasting model is established that could influence other series in the future.