'One Piece' announces that it will have a spin-off based on one of its most beloved characters

In a significant turn for the popular franchise, One Piece will transform into a seasonal anime starting in April, when the Elbaf Arc begins. This change comes right after the anime said goodbye to its traditional format, marking the start of a new era for the series, as well as the opening to new parallel projects.

Nami, the ultimate heroine

One of the most anticipated projects is the spin-off titled One Piece: Heroines, focused on the female characters of Eiichiro Oda’s work. This series will adapt the novel written by Jun Esaka, which presents various short stories about characters like Nami, Nico Robin, Vivi, and Boa Hancock, separate from the main plot of the manga. The inaugural episode, which will focus on Nami, will premiere on July 5, 2026, through Fuji TV in Japan, and is likely to be available internationally on Crunchyroll, as was the case with the One Piece Fan Letter special.

One Piece: Heroines features a remarkable production team. Director Haruka Kamatani, known for her work on the short series Koisuru One Piece, leads the project alongside screenwriter Momoka Toyoda, who has worked on Fan Letter and the remastering of the Fish-Man Island arc. Additionally, Takashi Kojima will handle character design, bringing his experience from previous works such as Your Color and Monsters: The Dragon’s Hell. With this talented group, the spin-off is expected to provide a new perspective on the heroines of the One Piece universe.

In the first episode, Nami, after an unfortunate incident with a pair of shoes, will meet the designer Lebno, who will propose that she participate in a fashion runway. This plot promises to offer a fresh and engaging approach for fans while tying into the rich history of One Piece.