For over two decades, fans of One Piece have been able to count on a new episode of the beloved anime nearly every single week. Since its debut in 1999, the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have been a constant presence in the anime world. But now, one of the last remaining titans of the weekly anime format is making a massive change. Toei Animation has officially announced that the One Piece anime will be shifting to a seasonal release schedule starting in 2026, marking the end of an era for the long-running series and the anime industry as a whole.
[Image failed to load: The Straw Hat Pirates have been sailing weekly since 1999, but that’s about to change with the new seasonal release schedule.] Caption: The Straw Hat Pirates have been sailing weekly since 1999, but that’s about to change with the new seasonal release schedule. Credit: Toei Animation / Eiichiro Oda Source: One Piece Wiki
The End of an Era: Toei Animation Confirms Major Production Shift
On October 28, 2025, Toei Animation delivered the landmark news during a special livestream event on the official One Piece YouTube channel. The announcement, which has sent waves through the fan community, confirms that the anime will undergo a significant production overhaul. The weekly, year-round broadcast schedule that has defined One Piece for over 25 years will be coming to an end.
Beginning in April 2026, the One Piece anime will adopt a seasonal, two-cour release format. This means that the series will air in two separate blocks, with a maximum of 26 episodes per year. To facilitate this transition, the anime will take a three-month hiatus from January to March 2026. This break will give the production team at Toei Animation the time needed to prepare for the new schedule and the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc.
Ryuta Koike, the series producer for One Piece at Toei Animation, explained the reasoning behind this monumental decision in a press release. He described the change as a “strategic decision to support the advancement and evolution of the anime series.” This move is intended to bring the production of One Piece more in line with the current standards of the anime industry, which has largely moved away from the weekly release model in favor of seasonal productions.
Why the Change to a Seasonal Anime?
The shift to a seasonal format for One Piece is a significant move, but it’s one that comes with a number of potential benefits. The most immediate and noticeable improvement for fans will likely be the animation quality. With a more spread-out production schedule, the animation team will have more time to work on each episode, which should result in a higher level of polish and visual fidelity. This is especially exciting for fans who have enjoyed the stunning animation of the Wano and Egghead Arcs.
In addition to improved animation, the seasonal format will also allow for better pacing. One of the long-standing criticisms of the One Piece anime has been its slow pacing, with some episodes adapting less than a full chapter of the manga. The new two-cour structure will allow the anime to adapt the manga at a more natural and engaging pace, creating a more enjoyable viewing experience for fans. This change will allow the anime to better capture the tempo and pacing of Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, something fans have been requesting for years. For more on how streaming services have impacted the anime industry, check out our article on the impact of streaming services on the comics industry.
This move also aligns One Piece with other modern, popular shonen anime like Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan, all of which have found massive success with seasonal release schedules. The weekly anime format, once the standard for the industry, has become a relic of the past, and this change signals that Toei Animation is ready to embrace the future of anime production.
Caption: Official teaser art for the upcoming Elbaph Arc, which will premiere in April 2026 under the new seasonal format.
Credit: Toei Animation
Source: Reddit
What This Means for the Future of One Piece
The transition to a seasonal format is a major turning point for the One Piece franchise. While some fans may be disappointed by the end of the weekly episodes, the long-term benefits of this change are likely to be well worth the wait. The new schedule will allow the anime to maintain a higher level of quality and adapt the manga more faithfully, which will ultimately lead to a better overall experience for viewers.
The timing of this change is also significant, as it coincides with the start of the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc. This new arc is one of the most eagerly awaited in the series, and the seasonal format will ensure that it gets the high-quality adaptation it deserves. The announcement was accompanied by the release of new teaser art for the Elbaph Arc, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
Furthermore, this change will allow the One Piece franchise to continue to expand in other areas. During the three-month hiatus, Toei Animation has promised to provide fans with numerous opportunities to enjoy the “World of One Piece.” This could include new movies, video games, and other licensed merchandise, giving fans plenty of ways to engage with the series while they wait for new episodes. For more on the business of anime, you can read about the global market boom on Animation Magazine.
A Look Back at Weekly Shonen Anime
The era of weekly shonen anime is truly drawing to a close. For decades, series like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Bleach dominated the anime landscape with their year-round broadcast schedules. These shows were a constant presence in the lives of anime fans, providing a steady stream of new content every week. However, as the anime industry has evolved, the weekly format has become increasingly rare. For a look at how another major franchise has evolved, check out our article on the evolution of Spider-Man’s costume.
Most modern anime have adopted a seasonal release schedule, which allows for higher production values and more faithful adaptations of the source material. One Piece was one of the last major weekly shonen anime still standing, and its transition to a seasonal format marks the end of an era. While it may be sad to see the weekly episodes go, this change is a positive step for the future of the One Piece anime and the industry as a whole. For more on the history of anime, you can read about the rise of anime on Crunchyroll.
A New Voyage Begins
The shift to a seasonal format is a bold and exciting move for the One Piece franchise. While the end of the weekly episodes may be bittersweet for some, the long-term benefits of this change are undeniable. With improved animation, better pacing, and a more sustainable production schedule, the One Piece anime is poised to enter a new golden age. As Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates set sail for the Elbaph Arc, fans can look forward to a new and improved anime that will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
References
- CBR: New One Piece Announcement Just Changed Anime Forever – https://www.cbr.com/one-piece-anime-toei-animation-production-change-seasonal-release/
- Crunchyroll: ONE PIECE Anime Announces New Broadcast Schedule Starting in 2026 – https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/10/28/one-piece-anime-new-broadcast-schedule-2026
- Animation Magazine: Toei Announces New Production Schedule for ‘One Piece’ Anime – https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/10/toei-announces-new-production-schedule-for-one-piece-anime/
