After 26 years of continuous weekly episodes, the One Piece anime schedule is getting a major update in 2026. The long-running series is shifting to a seasonal format, releasing two cours per year with up to 26 episodes annually.
The change marks the first major shift in production since the anime debuted in 1999. Toei Animation confirmed the new One Piece anime schedule on YouTube, announcing a break from January to March 2026 before the series returns in April.
Each cour’s exact episode count has yet to be revealed, however. Most anime cours typically include 12 to 13 episodes.
Major change in One Piece anime schedule announced for 2026
The new One Piece anime schedule allows the series to match the manga’s content, tempo, and pacing more closely while maintaining the creative storytelling unique to animation, according to a statement by Toei Animation.
Before the new schedule begins, the anime will conclude its current arc, Egghead, and prepare for the Elbaph Arc, the second story arc of the Final Saga. The teaser art revealed during the announcement shows Luffy in a new outfit, seemingly inspired by Viking attire.
The Elbaph Arc is the next chapter in One Piece, set in the land of giants long teased throughout the series. As part of the Final Saga, the arc is expected to reveal key details about the world’s history and move Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates closer to the secrets of the One Piece itself.
Since its debut in 1999, the One Piece anime has aired over 1,100 episodes, following the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas in search of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.
The anime is adapted from the manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in July 1997.
Due to its immense popularity, One Piece has expanded far beyond its anime adaptation. The franchise includes multiple feature films, video games, stage productions, merchandise lines, and a live-action series produced by Netflix.
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