The long-running One Piece anime marked a significant turning point on December 28, 2025, with the airing of Episode 1155, which concluded the explosive Egghead Arc and signaled the end of its continuous weekly release schedule. After 26 years, Toei Animation is transitioning the beloved series to a seasonal format, with new episodes set to resume in April 2026. This shift ushers in a new era for the Straw Hat Pirates’ animated adventures, promising a refreshed production approach and a temporary hiatus for fans.
The End of an Era: Weekly Releases Conclude
For over two and a half decades, One Piece fans have grown accustomed to a nearly uninterrupted stream of new episodes every week. This consistent delivery cemented its status as one of anime’s most enduring and prolific series. However, this tradition officially concluded with Episode 1155, bringing down the curtain on an impressive 26-year run of non-stop weekly releases. The move to a seasonal schedule is a monumental change, one that has been anticipated since the announcement of the production overhaul.
Egghead Arc’s Epic Conclusion Leaves Fans Buzzed
Episode 1155, titled “The Promised Horizon – Off to the Long-Awaited Elbaph!”, delivered an emotionally charged and action-packed finale to the Egghead Arc. The episode wrapped up major storylines, offering memorable moments that resonated deeply with the fanbase. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, praising the thrilling action, significant plot twists, and emotional depth of the conclusion.
Key events in the finale included the widely discussed demise of St. Jaygarcia Saturn, Godhead of Science & Defense, which many viewers found to be a satisfying, albeit brutal, end for the cruel villain. His failure to suppress Vegapunk’s broadcast regarding the Void Century and the state of the planet led to his punishment by the mysterious Imu, who revoked his immortality, causing him to wither away. The episode also set the stage for the upcoming Elbaph Arc, creating immense anticipation for the series’ return.
Transition to a Seasonal Format Explained
Toei Animation’s decision to shift One Piece to a seasonal release model aims to enhance production quality and better align the anime’s pacing with the manga’s storyline, avoiding filler content and maintaining fidelity to Eiichiro Oda’s original work. Under the new structure, the anime will release a maximum of 26 episodes per year, divided into two halves.
This new era for the anime will commence on April 5, 2026, following a three-month hiatus. The first half of the season will consist of 13 weekly episodes, followed by another three-month break before the second half, also comprising 13 episodes, begins airing. This schedule is expected to allow animators more time to “cook properly,” ensuring a higher standard of animation and storytelling. Ryoya Kaneko, a production manager who worked on One Piece through the Wano Kingdom and Egghead arcs, announced his departure from the series following this finale, further signifying the structural changes behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead: The Elbaph Arc and Beyond
The conclusion of the Egghead Arc and the subsequent hiatus have primed fans for the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc. Teasers for the Elbaph Arc have already been released, building excitement for what’s next for Luffy and the Straw Hats. This arc is part of One Piece‘s “Final Saga,” which began in 2022 with the Egghead Arc.
While the anime undergoes its format change, other One Piece projects are also in the pipeline. These include the second season of the live-action adaptation, scheduled for release in 2026, new films, and even a remake anime by WIT Studio. Creator Eiichiro Oda has also hinted at major revelations in the manga, with discussions surrounding the “man with the burn scar” and the “island that only the King of the Pirates had previously reached.” The manga itself is steadily moving towards its conclusion, with Oda stating it is in its “very last stretch.”
