Everything you need to know about the most anticipated anime remake of the decade — release date, episodes, staff, what’s changing, and how to experience the real Japan behind it.
After years of teasers, concept art, and patient waiting, the One Piece remake finally has a name, a studio, a release window, and — at last — a trailer. THE ONE PIECE is a brand-new anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s record-breaking manga, produced by WIT Studio and streaming exclusively on Netflix.
If you’ve never touched the original 1,100-plus episode series, or you’re a longtime fan wondering what this remake will actually change, this guide breaks down everything we know so far — and, in true JAPANOTAKU fashion, where you can experience the real Japan behind the story.
What is THE ONE PIECE?
THE ONE PIECE is a complete re-adaptation of Oda’s manga, starting from chapter one. It is not a sequel, a spinoff, or a recap movie. It retells the journey of Monkey D. Luffy from the very beginning — but with a new studio, modern animation, tighter pacing, and a completely fresh production team.
The project was first announced at Jump Festa 2024 in December 2023, and the production staff and early concept art were revealed during One Piece Day 2024. Since then, fans had been waiting for any meaningful update beyond storyboards — until 2026, when the release window and the first trailer finally arrived.
Release date: When does THE ONE PIECE come out?
THE ONE PIECE premieres on Netflix in February 2027. A specific day within the month has yet to be confirmed, but the window is locked.
Here’s the part that sets it apart from the original anime: all of Season 1’s seven episodes drop at once, following Netflix’s binge-friendly seasonal model. No waiting week to week — you can experience the entire opening of the story in a single weekend.
How many episodes, and what does Season 1 cover?
Season 1 consists of 7 episodes with a total runtime of around 300 minutes — averaging roughly 42 minutes per episode, nearly double the length of a standard anime episode.
The season adapts the first 50 chapters of the manga: the East Blue Saga, from the Romance Dawn Arc through to Luffy’s first encounter with Sanji at the floating restaurant Baratie. For newcomers, this is the perfect entry point — it’s where fans first meet Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and the rest of the early Straw Hat crew.
Because these seven episodes are labeled “Season 1,” more are certainly on the way. The remake is expected to cover the entire East Blue Saga and beyond.
Who is making it? The staff behind the remake
WIT Studio is best known for Attack on Titan (Seasons 1–3), Vinland Saga, and Spy x Family — a track record that has fans optimistic. The core team includes:
- Director: Masashi Koizuka (Attack on Titan)
- Series composition: Taku Kishimoto (Sakamoto Days, Haikyuu!!)
- Character design & chief animation directors: Kyoji Asano (Spy x Family, Attack on Titan) and Takatoshi Honda
- Production partners: Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation
Early concept art points to a warm, watercolor-influenced visual identity, with more grounded, expressive character designs and the kind of detailed, lived-in world that made WIT’s Vinland Saga so striking.
Who voices Luffy? The cast
This is the question on every longtime fan’s mind: with a brand-new studio, is the cast being replaced too? The first answer is a reassuring one.
Mayumi Tanaka is reprising her role as Monkey D. Luffy. Tanaka has voiced Luffy since the original anime began in 1999 — a 27-year run — and her return was confirmed during Netflix’s announcement at the Annecy 2026 festival. Now 71, she admitted that starting a new series at this stage of her career gave her some initial unease, but said diving into the performance brought fresh discoveries and let her play Luffy with renewed spirit. She added that she thoroughly enjoyed the recording sessions and hopes fans around the world will embrace the new series, which begins streaming in February 2027.
The production team noted that her return came about through their own enthusiastic invitation, and director Masashi Koizuka praised the voice cast’s passion, saying their performances push the animation team to give more than their full effort on every episode.
One important caveat: as of now, only Luffy’s voice actor has been confirmed. The rest of the Straw Hat cast — Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and beyond — has not been announced, and it’s still unknown whether the rest of the original anime cast will return. Expect the remaining voice cast reveals to be one of the biggest talking points as the premiere approaches.
The first trailer and first look
At the Annecy 2026 International Animation Film Festival in June 2026, Netflix revealed episodic art for the very first episode and dropped the first official teaser trailer. It gave fans their first look at the re-animated Luffy setting sail, along with the rest of the Straw Hats, Shanks, and his ship the Red Force. One striking piece of concept art depicts Windmill Village’s Partys Bar, with Shanks smiling at a young Luffy — a quiet, warm moment that signals the tone WIT is going for.
Does this replace the original One Piece anime?
No — and this is important. THE ONE PIECE does not replace Toei Animation’s long-running series. The two will run side by side.
The original anime is currently airing the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc of the Final Saga and continues weekly on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Think of the two productions the way fans think of the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime and FMA: Brotherhood — two different adaptations of the same source, each offering something distinct.
So why make a remake at all? The early Toei episodes from 1999 are beloved but dated — a 4:3 aspect ratio, slow pacing, and padded reaction shots and flashbacks. WIT’s version aims to trim that “filler feel” and deliver a tighter, modern adaptation that’s far more accessible for newcomers who don’t want to wade through decades of episodes first.
Should you watch it? Who it’s for
If you’re new to One Piece: THE ONE PIECE is designed for you. Seven movie-length episodes, modern animation, and a clean starting point make it the most approachable way to begin the journey.
If you’re a veteran: It’s a fresh, beautifully animated take on the arcs that started it all — and since it runs alongside the Toei original, you lose nothing by watching both.
Either way, with a Netflix global release, this remake is poised to bring an entirely new wave of fans into the franchise, much like the live-action series did.
Experience the real Japan behind One Piece
Here at JAPANOTAKU, our mission is to help you discover the real Japan behind the anime you love — and One Piece offers plenty of ways to do exactly that without leaving the country.
While much of One Piece’s world is fictional, many of its islands and kingdoms were shaped by real-world places that inspired One Piece — and the fandom has a very real home in Japan, too. Fans can visit official One Piece-themed attractions, Jump-branded stores, and pop-up exhibitions that tour major cities, and seek out the life-size Straw Hat statues installed across Kumamoto Prefecture — Oda’s home region — each placed in towns recovering from the 2016 earthquake. Tokyo’s anime districts, from Akihabara to the shops of Shibuya and Ikebukuro, are also packed with One Piece merchandise, art, and collector culture year-round.
As the February 2027 release approaches, expect a wave of remake-themed campaigns, café collaborations, and limited merchandise — perfect timing for an anime pilgrimage built around the series. We’ll be tracking the best spots as they’re announced.
Frequently asked questions
When does THE ONE PIECE come out? February 2027, exclusively on Netflix. All seven Season 1 episodes release at once.
How many episodes is Season 1? Seven episodes, around 300 minutes total, covering the first 50 chapters (the East Blue Saga, up to Luffy meeting Sanji).
Who is animating it? WIT Studio, known for Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, and Spy x Family.
Is this a sequel? No. It’s a complete re-adaptation from chapter one, running alongside the original Toei anime.
Do I need to watch the original first? Not at all. THE ONE PIECE is built to be a starting point for new fans.
Planning an anime pilgrimage around One Piece? Have a destination tip to share? Get in touch with us — we’d love to feature community itineraries and travel stories.