The epic show, based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga, will cut back the maximum number of new annual episodes to 26 starting in April 2026, broken into 2 different parts (cours) of up to 13 each.
Toei Animation has announced a restructuring of the production schedule for its global hit series beginning in 2026, coinciding with the start of the show’s Elbaph Arc.
During an hour-long news livestream, series producer Ryūta Koike revealed that beginning this January, the series’ broadcast will be divided into two cours (“parts”) per year — totaling up to 26 new episodes in 2026 and thereafter.Koike explained that this decrease in the number of new episodes each year was a strategic decision to support the advancement and evolution of the anime series.
He explained that the anime is based on the manga, and historically, 11 – 12 episodes would encompass 4-5 volumes of the source material.Going forward, under the two cours structure, new episodes will incorporate more content, tempo, and pacing of the manga while continuing to leverage the unique storytelling that is only possible with animation.The new episodic production schedule and broadcast of Cour 1 for 2026 will commence in April 2026, following a three-month production hiatus from January through March.
In addition to series production update, the global stream also discussed the manga, new projects, marketing highlights over the past year and updates on local Japanese events like Jump Festa.This included an in-depth look at new Issue 113 of the manga and numerous visual reveals from both the upcoming anime and , like new teaser art for the Elbaph Arc.Based on the best-selling manga of all time created by Eiichiro Oda and brought to life by Toei Animation, the iconic episodic anime series follows pirate Monkey D.
Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew on their epic quest to find the “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of Gol D.Roger, former King of the Pirates.In the 25 years since the episodic series’ Japanese TV debut in 1999, the show has taken its place in mainstream pop culture as one of the most successful and enduring anime franchises of all time, attracting millions of fans of all ages around the world.
Today, the franchise currently spans 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game and an ever-growing catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment.Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
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