One Piece continues as a multimedia franchise with a live-action season 3 wrapping filming, a WIT Studio remake set for February 2027, and a steady stream of merchandise collaborations and anime episodes airing weekly.
The One Piece franchise is in a period of intense activity across anime, live-action, and merchandise. The long-running anime is airing the Elbaph arc, with episodes 1166 and 1167 drawing mixed reviews-1166 criticized for slow pacing and 1167 praised as a return to form. Episode 1168 delivered action and new lore, including a connection between Shanks and Shamrock. A television special, "One Piece Heroines," aired on July 5, 2026, adapting a light novel story focused on Nami and other female characters, with a theme song by Aina the End.
Netflix's live-action adaptation is advancing: season 3, subtitled "The Battle of Alabasta," wrapped filming and is set to stream worldwide in 2027. Separately, Netflix and WIT Studio are producing a remake titled "The One Piece," with a seven-episode first season covering the East Blue saga. The remake will retain original voice actor Mayumi Tanaka as Luffy and is scheduled for February 2027. The remake's first episode art, titled "Romance Dawn -Dawn of the Adventure-", was unveiled at Annecy.
Merchandise output remains high. New figure lines include Bandai's STARTune diorama of Luffy, an S.H.Figuarts Nico Robin from the Enies Lobby arc, and multiple Ichiban Kuji lotteries themed around the Skypiea and Elbaf arcs. The Portrait.Of.Pirates line reissued a Bellamy figure and a repainted Sanji S.O.C figure for its 10th anniversary. Collaborations span fashion (Diana sandals for Nami), food (Matsuya Elbaf-themed meals), and sports (One Piece x NBA merchandise). A Round1 collaboration ran simultaneously in Japan and the U.S. from July to October 2026. Volume 115 of the manga released on July 3, 2026, with a price increase due to its record 13 chapters, a change Oda addressed with a joke about cleaning the bathtub.
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Mega Cat Project has released cat versions of One Piece characters as diner staff figures. The six-figure set includes Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Chopper, and Trafalgar Law, each with food accessories. Pre-orders are open now for a late December 2026 release at 6,600 yen per box.
The anime "One Piece Heroines" collaborated with shoe brand Diana to reproduce Nami's "battle-ready shoes" as wearable sandals. The sandals feature ocean-blue satin, a heel silhouette, and stones. They are available from July 6, 2026, for 25,300 yen at Diana stores and the web shop. A newly drawn Nami illustration is the collaboration visual.
Bandai is accepting reservations for a line of One Piece x NBA collaboration merchandise through its Premium Bandai online shop. The lineup includes a tote bag, a set of 10 acrylic stands, and seven T-shirt designs, all featuring newly drawn illustrations exclusive to the collaboration. The tote bag costs 3,850 yen and is made of 100% cotton. The acrylic stand set, priced at 2,200 yen, includes characters such as Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Law, Ace, Sabo, Shanks, Enel, and Yamato. The T-shirts are 6,600 yen each, available in white and black for each of the seven designs, and come in sizes S through XXL. Reservations close on July 12, 2026 at 23:00 JST, and all items are scheduled to ship in September 2026. The tote bag and T-shirts are produced in China, while the acrylic stands are made in Japan.
Billboard JAPAN's JAPAN Book Hot 100 chart for June 29-July 5 put HUNTER×HUNTER Volume 39 at number one, ahead of One Piece Volume 115 and Haruki Murakami's new novel KAHO -The Tale of KAHO-. The chart, launched in November 2025, aggregates physical sales, e-book downloads, library lending, and other data. Volume 39, released July 3, includes chapters 401-410 and features Hisoka on the cover alone for the first time.
The Harvey Awards announced nominees for the 2026 ceremony, with five anime and manga-related projects nominated for Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel. The Best Manga category includes seven titles. The winners will be announced at New York Comic Con on October 9.
Episode 1168 of One Piece offers a familiar but exciting mix of action and mystery. The episode features a confrontation between Loki and Shamrock, reveals a connection between Shanks and Shamrock, and showcases a visually striking sequence involving ancient lore. The review notes the episode's strengths in its cool attacks and cryptic background stories.
The anime 'One Piece Heroines' and shoe brand Diana have released their first collaboration: sandals reproducing Nami's 'fighting shoes' from the series. The ocean-blue satin sandals feature stones, gray outsoles, and anklets, priced at 25,300 yen. A newly drawn illustration of Nami accompanies the launch.
Nikken Hamono, an 80-year-old bladesmith in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, has recreated Shanks' sword Gryphon from One Piece as a paper knife. Advance sales begin July 6, 2026, at Village Vanguard and Animate, with general retail starting August 3. The knife features a stainless steel blade, a navy scabbard, and a green grip, priced at 5,500 yen.
One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda joked that fans may need to "clean the bathtub" to earn extra money for volume 115, which costs 20 yen more than previous volumes. The price hike is due to the volume containing 13 chapters, the most ever collected in a single One Piece volume. Oda explained that the extra chapter was essential and changed production costs. Volume 115 releases in Japan on July 3.
Round1 announced its first simultaneous Japan-United States collaboration with the TV anime "One Piece," running from July 18 to October 17, 2026, at 159 locations-100 in Japan and 59 in North America. The event features exclusive merchandise, themed attractions, crane game prizes, and a stamp rally. A newly drawn illustration was created for the campaign. Among the highlights is the "One Piece Card Game -ROUND1 Promotional Pack-" with 10 original card designs, given as a gift with each collaboration menu item ordered in Japan, or distributed through a registration lottery in the U.S. for qualifying Round1 Game Card reloads. Crane game prizes include Chopper plushies in collaboration colors, Gear 5 Luffy figures, and Straw Hat Crew mini plush collectibles. Large photo spots let visitors pose inside manga panels, and three stores will feature large wall decorations. Collaboration goods such as T-shirts, acrylic stands, and stickers will be sold in-store and via online reservation. The campaign marks Round1's largest cross-border anime partnership to date, according to company statements.
Netflix announced that filming for live-action One Piece season 3, subtitled The Battle of Alabasta, has concluded. The season adapts the Alabasta Arc from Eiichiro Oda's manga. A new visual shows the Straw Hat Pirates before a mural of Sir Crocodile, with bandaged left arms hinting at the Mark of Friendship scene. Season 3 streams worldwide in 2027.
MegaHouse is releasing new 'Nyampeace Nyan! DINER!' mascot figures featuring One Piece characters as cat diner staff, part of the series' 5th anniversary. The lineup includes six Straw Hat Pirates plus Trafalgar Law. Simultaneously, the 'Ochatomo Series: Pirates' Banquet' and 'Tobimasu One Piece' are being re-released. Pre-orders open July 2, 2026.
Bandai announced the STARTune "Monkey D. Luffy - Setting Sail for the New World" figure, the first release in a new sub-line of the Figuarts ZERO series. The vignette-style diorama depicts Luffy from the Fish-Man Island arc, including the Thousand Sunny's mast and descending bubbles. Preorders open July 1 at 8,250 yen.
Bandai Spirits announced a new S.H.Figuarts figure of Nico Robin from One Piece, based on her appearance during the Enies Lobby arc. The figure includes multiple interchangeable expression parts, optional clutch parts, and a bonus face part for a separately sold Luffy figure. Pre-orders open July 1, 2026, with shipment scheduled for December 2026 at 9,350 yen.
Bandai has opened pre-orders for the 27th volume of the One Piece gashapon figure series Wanpi no Mi on Gashapon Online. The set includes six figures: Luffy Gear 5, Chopper, and Franky in Elbaf versions, plus Loki, Dr. Kureha, and Dr. Hiriluk. Orders run from June 30 to July 23, 2026, with delivery around late November.
MegaHouse is reissuing the Bellamy the Hyena figure from its Portrait.Of.Pirates One Piece series as a limited edition. Pre-orders open July 3, 2026, at Premium Bandai and select stores, with a January 2027 release and a price of 19,800 yen.
Shueisha's summer comics fair Natsucomi 2026 runs from July 1 to August 31 at about 3,400 bookstores nationwide. The fair distributes all 22 types of newly drawn Metallic Cards for series including One Piece, SPY×FAMILY, and Kagurabachi. A preview campaign and a bookstore photo contest also run during the event.
MegaHouse has opened pre-orders for the Portrait.Of.Pirates One Piece S.O.C Sanji Ver.R figure at Premium Bandai. Priced at 19,800 yen, the 1/8 scale figure ships in November 2026. This is a reprint with renewed coloring celebrating the S.O.C series' 10th anniversary, featuring Sanji in a relaxed seated pose.
Netflix unveiled the first episode art for "The One Piece," WIT Studio's remake of the original One Piece anime, during its Annecy International Animation Film Festival showcase on Tuesday. The image, titled "Romance Dawn -Dawn of the Adventure-", matches the title of Eiichiro Oda's manga's first volume and chapter. The streamer also confirmed that Mayumi Tanaka will reprise her role as Monkey D. Luffy, a role she has held since 1999. The seven-episode first season, covering the East Blue saga through the first 50 manga chapters, will run approximately 300 minutes and stream worldwide on Netflix in February 2027. Masashi Koizuka directs, with Hideaki Abe as assistant director. Character designers and chief animation directors are Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. Taku Kishimoto handles series scripts. The teaser trailer debuted at a separate "Next on Netflix Animation" panel on June 24. The remake was first announced at Jump Festa '24 in December 2023.
Premium Bandai has opened reservations for a new wave of figures from the One Piece x NBA collaboration, including two large-scale MASTER STARS PIECE figures and a set of 10 deformed World Collectable Figures. The MASTER STARS PIECE line adds Sanji wearing an Indiana Pacers uniform and Nami in a Denver Nuggets uniform, each standing approximately 32 and 36 centimeters tall respectively and priced at 12,100 yen. The World Collectable Figure set, priced at 2,200 yen each, includes Luffy, Enel, Shanks, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Yamato, Law, Ace, and Sabo in a stubby style. Reservations began June 25, 2026, with shipments scheduled for December 2026. Earlier MASTER STARS PIECE releases included Shanks as a Chicago Bull and Zoro as a Boston Celtic, according to one source. Orders may close once the planned number is reached.
Episode 1167 of One Piece returns to the series' strong baseline, mixing grandiosity, mystery, and goofy powers. The review praises the Elbaph castle exposition and a visually striking interrogation sequence with Loki and the holy knights, calling the episode a return to form after recent weaker installments. The community score is 4.3 out of 5.
Bandai Spirits announced a new Ichiban Kuji lottery for the One Piece franchise, themed around the Skypiea arc. The lottery, titled "Ichiban Kuji ONE PIECE -Island's Song Played in the Sky (Love Song)-", will feature a set of MASTERLISE EXPIECE figures. The A prize is a figure of Monkey D. Luffy recreating the climax battle of the Skypiea arc. Additional figures for Nami, Montblanc Cricket, and Wyper have also been revealed. The lottery is priced at 850 yen per play and is scheduled to launch sequentially in Japan on October 29, 2026. It will be available at Ichiban Kuji ONLINE, official Ichiban Kuji shops, Mugiwara Store, and other locations, while stocks last. The announcement was made via the official Ichiban Kuji Club website.
The official website for the One Piece anime released a trailer on Tuesday for the television special "One Piece Heroines," based on the light novel series by Jun Esaka and Sayaka Suwa. The trailer announces the theme song "Blue Shining Star" by singer Aina the End. The special adapts the "episode: NAMI" story from the novel series, focusing on Nami and other heroines with original elements including appearances by Nico Robin. Aina the End commented that the song depicts women who possess strength and an "escape from the difficulty of living," describing it as a rhythmic, danceable track. The special is directed by Yu Kamatani, with character design by Takashi Kojima and script by Momoka Toyoda. Maaya Sakamoto voices Miucha and Takehito Koyasu voices Lubun. "One Piece Heroines" will air for one night only on July 5 at 11:15 p.m. JST on Fuji TV. Viz Media licensed the novel series in English and released the second volume in July 2025.
Anime Anime's reader survey on the most iconic dual-wielding characters placed Sword Art Online's Kirito first, followed by Demon Slayer's Inosuke Hashibira and One Piece's Roronoa Zoro. The poll ran from June 2 to June 9, 2026, and received 440 responses.
MegaHouse is re-releasing the Portrait.Of.Pirates S.O.C Sanji figure with repaint specifications to mark the 10th anniversary of the S.O.C series. The 1/8 scale figure features a navy blue jacket and pants with delicate shading, a seated cross-legged pose, and a cigarette. Pre-orders open June 26, 2026, at Premium Bandai and select stores, with a November 2026 release at 19,800 yen.
Circana BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for May 2026 features 15 manga volumes, with Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30 at #1. Other ranked titles include Witch Hat Atelier, Gachiakuta, Kagurabachi, One Piece, Steel Ball Run, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Demon Slayer.
Bandai Namco's budget Anime Heroes line released a Gear 5 Monkey D. Luffy figure for $19.99 to $23.99. The figure lacks accessories, extra hands, face plates, and effect parts. Its rubberized arms and legs do not hold poses, and the removable cloud scarf has a poor fit. The paint job is decent for the price.
Matsuya and the TV anime One Piece will run a collaboration campaign from June 30 to October 6, 2026, at Matsuya locations nationwide. The Elbaf arc-inspired Giant Serving Set and One Piece Set come with random acrylic block chopstick rests. Kids' menus offer stickers and name charms in two periods. A web lottery gives 100 winners an original collaboration bowl.
BANDAI SPIRITS has revealed the full lineup for "Ichiban Kuji One Piece -Elbaf Arc- GIANT BASH!! Vol.1," the first no-lose lottery installment focused on the Elbaf arc. The lineup includes MASTERLISE EXPIECE figures of Monkey D. Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Dorry, and Figarland Shamrock as A through E prizes. Luffy is depicted carrying a giant axe, while Nami appears in revealing clothing with a long sword. Prize F is an Imu magnet designed so the eyes appear to follow the viewer from any angle. Other prizes include a treasure chest sticker set, acrylic goods assortment, marker charm, and a GIANT-sized wanted poster. The Last One Prize, awarded to the final ticket drawn, is a Loki figure bound in chains to the Adam Tree, presented as a diorama. A Double Chance Campaign offers a three-dimensionalized logo "TO BE CONTINUED THE GIGANT NAME" via lottery. Each draw costs 790 yen. The lottery launches July 3, 2026, at 7-Eleven, Ito Yokado, Youme Town, and Mugiwara Store locations.
Anime News Network's review of One Piece episode 1166 criticizes the episode for maintaining the slow pace of the previous installment with little payoff. The reviewer found the episode boring, noting that the Elbaph giants feel one-note and that the episode fails to deliver interesting island mechanics, political intrigue, or character revelations. The review highlights the worship of Nika as a predictable reveal and praises only a few moments, such as Loki's scene and Usopp being celebrated as "Captain Usopp."
Azone has released six bamboo "wa-gu-mi" 3D craft art models of pirate ships from One Piece, including the Going Merry and Thousand Sunny. The kits, which require no glue or tools to assemble, went on sale June 12, 2026, priced at 3,850 yen each. Each model uses laser-cut bamboo and paper sails.
Bandai's Tamashii Nations announced a New York Knicks-themed S.H.Figuarts figure of One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, timed to the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship win. The figure, priced at 9,900 yen (about US$62), is set to ship in October. Pre-orders opened and closed in April, before the Knicks clinched the title. Tamashii Nations also produced variants in Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics colors. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Finals in 53 years. The One Piece x NBA collaboration began in February 2025 with an animated short featuring the Straw Hat Pirates in Lakers uniforms, and expanded in November 2025 with a static figure collection. The new S.H.Figuarts figures are poseable, unlike the earlier static releases.
Bandai Namco and Kairosoft announced One Piece: Grand Gourmet, a restaurant management simulation game, during the June 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game launches on October 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android at a price of $19.99. Players take charge of the Baratie Number Two, a floating restaurant, and work with the Straw Hat Crew to expand it. The game features over 400 One Piece characters rendered in pixel-art style, a first for the franchise. Players collect ingredients, cook dishes with Sanji, and customize the restaurant with more than 200 items inspired by locations like Whole Cake Island and Egghead. Recipes include dishes such as Water-Water Meat BBQ and Sea King Penne Gorgonzola, with additional recipes unlocked through exploration. The Switch 2 version supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Kairosoft previously developed a similar anime-themed management game, Doraemon's Dorayaki Story.
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced "One Piece: Ocean's Delight Restaurant" during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game is a restaurant management simulation developed by Kairosoft, known for titles like Game Dev Story. Players run a restaurant called Baratie No. 2 with the Straw Hat Pirates, cooking dishes using Devil Fruit abilities. Sanji is a central character for developing recipes. The game includes over 400 characters from the One Piece universe, including Enel and Boa Hancock. Players can go on adventures to find new ingredients, expand their menu, and use earnings to customize the restaurant's interior and layout. The title is scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
Episode 1165 of the One Piece anime gives the Straw Hat Pirates a full episode of downtime on Elbaph, trading dramatic battles for sightseeing, new costumes, and a feast. The review notes the reprieve from relentless action but finds the character beats mostly confirm existing traits rather than adding new depth.
Universal Studios Japan will host "One Piece Premier Summer 2026" from July 30 to November 19, featuring an enhanced live show, a new story ride, and a themed restaurant. The limited-time event, based on the anime "ONE PIECE" by Eiichiro Oda, brings back the Kuja Pirates leader Hancock to the main show for the first time in 12 years. The "One Piece Premier Show 2026" includes guest-participation dances, photo sessions, and stunt action with pyrotechnics. Smoker from Marine Headquarters and Lucci from Cipher Pol join the original story, which pits pirates, the World Government, and a mysterious enemy against each other. The show runs 84 performances, one per day, at the WaterWorld venue. Tickets go on general sale June 10, priced at 3,000 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children. The event also offers "One Piece × Story Ride," an adventure on the giant island of Elbaf using a cloud-floating boat, and "Sanji's Pirate Restaurant," where guests eat dishes cooked by the Straw Hat chef. Additional collaboration menus and merchandise will be announced later.
Episode 1164 of One Piece focuses on Nico Robin's reunion with Saul, a moment of pure joy after years of hardship. The episode also features the Straw Hats interacting with giants on Elbaph and reveals that Saul rebuilt the library of Ohara on the island, preserving its legacy.
MegaHouse is releasing new One Piece figure lines and re-releasing a popular set. The Lukapp series, featuring figures in a looking-up pose, now includes young Shanks and young Buggy. Each figure stands about 110mm tall and costs 4,400 yen. A two-figure set with an original drawstring pouch is available exclusively through Premium Bandai and the Toei Animation Official Store for 8,910 yen. The figures are scheduled for release in December 2026. The Nuip line, a flocked figure collection with a plush-like texture, includes Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Chopper, and Law. Each figure is about 60mm tall and costs 1,430 yen individually. A set of all six is available at Premium Bandai for 8,580 yen. The Nuip figures ship in November 2026. MegaHouse is also re-releasing the MEGA CAT PROJECT ONE PIECE NYANPIECE NYARN! Luffy and the Seven Warlords of the Sea set. The set includes eight figures: Monkey D. Luffy, Boa Hancock, Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, Jinbe, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Crocodile. Each figure is about 30mm long and costs 900 yen. The re-release ships in November 2026. Reservations for all three lines open on June 4, 2026.
Anime News Network's Answerman column explains why Wit Studio, not Toei Animation, is producing Netflix's The One Piece remake. Toei remains on the production committee alongside Shueisha and Fuji TV. Creator Eiichiro Oda wanted a modern retelling from the beginning with tighter pacing and consistent animation quality. Toei reportedly supported the parallel project.
Anime! Anime!'s annual reader survey on the most memorable traitor characters in anime ranked Wataru Kuon from Blue Lock first, Kanjuro Kurozumi from One Piece second, and Reiner Braun from Attack on Titan third. The poll received 238 responses between May 18 and May 24, 2026.
Anime Anime's annual reader survey asking which anime character has orange as their image color has placed Shoyo Hinata from "Haikyu!!" in first place for the seventh consecutive year. The poll, conducted from April 1 to April 8, 2026, received responses from 380 readers, with a gender ratio of about 40% male and 60% female. Hinata took roughly 19% of the vote. Voters cited his bright orange hair, sunny personality, and the series' association with the color orange, including the "Orange Court" of the Spring High volleyball tournament and the movie theme song titled "Orange." Nami from "One Piece" placed second with about 11% of the vote, holding that position for the fourth year in a row. Readers noted her orange hair, the tangerine groves tied to her backstory, and her representation of Ehime Prefecture in a music collaboration project. Jeremiah Gottwald from "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" rose from seventh place last year to third, with about 4% of the vote, boosted by the series' 20th anniversary revival screenings.
The official One Piece flagship store, ONE PIECE BASE SHOP, located on the fourth floor of Shinjuku Marui's main building, has announced a new limited-edition figure. The "Monkey D. Luffy - Gear 5 Shinjuku Marui Main Building - ONE PIECE BASE SHOP LIMITED" figure depicts Luffy in his Gear 5 form holding the store's logo. Priced at 11,000 yen (tax included), the figure is scheduled for release in summer 2026. It measures 145mm tall, 140mm wide, and 150mm deep, and is made from PVC and ABS. The figure is designed to be viewed from any angle, with an integrated base and background. Entry to the ONE PIECE BASE SHOP requires a prior reservation. The figure is a product of the Figuarts ZERO line. The announcement comes as the One Piece manga, created by Eiichiro Oda, has surpassed 600 million copies in circulation worldwide as of March 2026, and the anime is currently airing the Elbaf arc.
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for 11-17 March 2026 covers multiple stories. The lead piece examines how Oshi no Ko uses real-life tragedy to depict harassment and reality TV culture. A separate report from Unseen Japan details a sexual assault controversy involving manga publisher Shogakukan, where a victim spoke out about the company's handling of a creator who was arrested in 2020, had his manga canceled, and was rehired under a new name in 2022 before a settlement was reached. Shogakukan announced on March 2 that it would set up a third-party committee to investigate MangaONE's hiring processes. Other items include the news that Mega Man voice actor Spencer Diskin will not return for the game Dual Override because Capcom refused to make the project unionized, a retrospective on the anime Mayonaka Punch, a survey finding 62.6% of unmarried Japanese under 30 do not want children, and an interview with Charithra Chandran about backlash over her casting as Vivi in Netflix's One Piece Season 2.
Netflix announced a slate of new One Piece projects on April 7, headlined by The One Piece, a new anime series from Wit Studio that will re-adapt the East Blue saga from Eiichiro Oda's manga. The series is produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television. Unlike the original 1999 anime, this version is described as a reimagining using contemporary production techniques and updated visuals, suggesting a more compact, seasonal approach. Netflix also previewed LEGO One Piece, a two-part animated special premiering September 29. Produced with The LEGO Group, Shueisha, and Atomic Cartoons, it retells the story of the live-action series' first two seasons in LEGO form. The company confirmed that live-action Season 3, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, is in production for a 2027 release. Additional franchise expansions include a podcast, and merchandise lines from Moose Toys, NERF, Quiksilver, Funko, Netflix Shop, Penguin Random House, Hot Topic, and Primark.
The Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival and TIFFCOM, the Tokyo International Film Festival content market, are partnering to launch a new three-day event dedicated to Japanese intellectual properties. The inaugural Japan IP Market will run from May 15 to 17, 2026, aboard the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes' Vieux-Port. The market will feature pitch sessions, one-on-one meetings, and conferences aimed at connecting Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers for film and TV adaptations. Participating companies include Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Shochiku, Toei Company, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, and Shufu To Seikatsu Sha. A keynote titled "The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations" will be delivered by Tetsu Fujimura, executive producer of Netflix's live-action "One Piece" adaptation. Additional sessions include a France-Japan partnership focus and a discussion on manga and anime publishers and broadcasters featuring Crunchyroll and Glénat Editions. Japan is the country of honor at this year's Cannes Film Market. The announcement follows a 15 percent growth in Japan's anime industry, which exceeded $25 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the Anime Industry Report published at TIFFCOM last November.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 has taken the top spot in the Spring 2026 weekly anime rankings for the fifth time, according to the Week 8 poll from Anime Corner. The series received 20.08% of over 5,000 votes, the highest vote share any anime has achieved this season. Daemons of the Shadow Realm placed second with 5.15%, and Classroom of the Elite IV earned its first top-three finish of the season in third place with 4.65%. Witch Hat Atelier and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 4 rounded out the top five. Re:ZERO Season 4 has now won five of the first eight weekly polls, extending its lead as the season enters its final weeks. The series began on April 8 and previously ranked first in Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 6. The season consists of 19 episodes split into two arcs: the 11-episode Loss Arc starting April 8 and the 8-episode Recapture Arc beginning August 12, with a two-month break in between. Anime News Network also noted that Dorohedoro and One Piece kept Witch Hat Atelier just shy of first place in their own rankings.
The One Piece anime released a new trailer for its ongoing Elbaph arc on May 29, introducing the voice cast for the Knights of God, the elite guards serving the World Government. Kenjiro Tsuda had previously been announced as Saint Figarland Shamrock in November 2025. The new trailer adds Sumire Uesaka as Saint Gunko, Hiroki Yasumoto as Saint Sommers, and Shinnosuke Tachibana as Saint Killingham. Episode 1164, which will feature the Knights of God, is set to air on May 31. The Elbaph arc began airing in Japan on April 5, 2026, after a three-month production hiatus from January to March. The anime has adopted a new schedule of 26 episodes per year starting in 2026, a reduction from its historical weekly output. Crunchyroll streams the arc. The trailer also showcases the arc's theme songs: opening "Luminous" by Aina The End and ending "Sono Mirai" by 36km/h.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toei Animation will host another One Piece Night at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2026, during the team's home game against the San Diego Padres. The event, which follows a successful 2025 collaboration, will include a stadium-wide hat giveaway for the first 40,000 ticketed fans. Pregame activations are planned at Centerfield Plaza, along with a ceremonial first pitch and a postgame drone show featuring characters from the series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Lon Rosen, the Dodgers' Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said the collaboration has quickly become a can't-miss event. Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc., called last year's promotion one of the franchise's biggest in 2025 and said the company looks forward to welcoming a record crowd. The announcement follows Toei Animation's recent reveal of the first One Piece Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, further expanding the franchise's North American presence.
Ueni Trading, under its character collaboration brand GARRACK, will release four new Huawei smartwatch models themed after the Four Emperors from the One Piece anime on May 29. The lineup features Buggy, Shanks, Teach, and Luffy models, each priced at 12,980 yen. This is the second collaboration wave following an earlier set of Egghead arc models for Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. Each watch incorporates character-specific band designs, custom watch faces, and interactive features tied to health and notification data. The Buggy model uses a Bara Bara no Mi-inspired band and changes Buggy's pose as step count increases. The Shanks model includes shortcuts to weather and breathing exercises, with pose changes triggered by heart rate. The Teach model adapts its watch face to stress levels and offers sleep measurement shortcuts. The Luffy model, with a Gear 5 purple base, changes Luffy's pose according to heart rate and provides quick access to workout mode. The base hardware is the HUAWEI Band 11, which supports 100 workout modes, blood oxygen measurement, and sleep tracking, with a battery life of up to 14 days on a full charge.
Weekly Shonen Jump revealed a special cover for its 26th issue featuring Luffy in the Samurai Blue uniform, carrying a soccer ball. Luffy's straw hat is colored blue to match. The collaboration promotes the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada, and Mexico.