One Piece Returns With Elbaph Arc Under New Seasonal Format

For over 25 years, the legendary anime One Piece was a staple of weekly television, but a major shift has arrived.

As of April 5, 2026, the series officially transitioned to a seasonal format starting with the long-awaited Elbaph arc.

Moving away from its non-stop production schedule that began in 1999, Toei Animation has adopted a new two-cour annual structure, capping output at 26 episodes per year.

By committing to adapting roughly one manga chapter per episode, the production team intends to eliminate the filler content that often stretched out the story in the past.

This transition reflects modern industry trends favoring higher visual quality and sustainable working conditions, similar to other major series like Jujutsu Kaisen.

With the series approaching its thrilling conclusion, this shift ensures that the adaptation remains as engaging and faithful to the original manga as possible.

Whether you are a long-time fan or just joining the adventure, the Elbaph arc marks a bold, exciting new chapter for the Straw Hat Pirates.