Regarded as one of the better live-action anime adaptations in recent memory, Netflix’s One Piece is set to return with another season a few years after its critically acclaimed debut on the streamer. Netflix moved quickly to renew the show in 2023, and despite a relatively quick turnaround on the big-budget production, the return of One Piece will mark a franchise record. Somehow, the live-action show has broken a record set by the long-running anime, which returns next month with episode 1123 (yes, that’s a real number).
As noted by The Direct, Netflix’s One Piece will be breaking the franchise record for the time spent between the release of new seasons. The first episodes of the live-action version of One Piece were released in 2023, and two years later, production finished on the highly anticipated second season. By the time it returns on Netflix, it will have an over two-year wait time before new episodes, while the longest gap between seasons for the anime and manga has been a handful of weeks to a few months. Of course, the nature of the live-action production explains the extended waiting period for fans, but it is still an unexpected record-breaking stat for a franchise that has spanned several decades over several mediums.

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As most fans of the anime know, One Piece has had one of its longest hiatuses in its history for the past few months, since late 2024. It’s finally set to return and release weekly episodes on Crunchyroll in early April. It was delayed initially because of the studio’s desire to improve the animation and sound quality, while franchise creator Eiichiro Oda helped oversee the production of Netflix’s show while it was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Meanwhile, live-action One Piece Season 2 is not officially expected to bow out on the streamer this year, with a 2026 release window in the cards.
‘One Piece’ Co-Showrunner Leaves Production Before Season 2 Debut

Netflix

One Piece co-showrunner Matt Owens, shortly after the conclusion of production, announced that he is taking a step back from developing the adaptation for the foreseeable future to focus on his own mental health. The ambitious series has, as he puts it, been “A LOT” for the creative, who acknowledged that it’s been a “life-changing journey.” He was an openly passionate fan of the franchise and worked closely with Oda to develop a faithful first season. It’s unfortunate that he felt compelled to leave the production, but it is reassuring that he is taking the time necessary to focus on his own health.

“The last six years working on the live-action One Piece have been a life-changing journey. A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. So I’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break and focus on myself and my mental health.”

The news arrives as One Piece Season 2 begins an extensive post-production process, which includes a major step-up in CGI from the first season. For at least two episodes, the show will feature an entirely CG character that will form part of the main crew moving forward. This is in addition to shooting another giant desert-based season soon, which is a direct follow-up to the events of Season 2. Netflix has yet to officially announce a third season, but it is reportedly already in the works.
Source: The Direct