The female characters of Eiichiro Oda’s globally popular One Piece franchise are set to take center stage with the official announcement of an anime adaptation for the One Piece: Heroines novel series. The news, a highlight of ONE PIECE DAY ’25, was revealed during the Egghead Saga Voice Actors Special Stage Event, exciting fans eager for more adventures featuring the prominent women of the One Piece world.
Diving into the Heroines’ Tales
The One Piece: Heroines novels offer a collection of standalone short stories, diverging from the main narrative to explore the lives and unique adventures of various prominent female characters. Written by Jun Esaka with illustrations by Sayaka Suwa, and based on Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, these novels delve into the personalities and backstories of fan favorites.
The first volume of the One Piece: Heroines series focuses on Nami, Robin, Vivi, and Perona. For instance, readers experience Nami as a style icon at a fashion show, follow Robin as she aids in deciphering an ancient tablet alongside Koala and Sabo, witness Princess Vivi receiving an unexpected love letter, and enjoy Ghost Princess Perona’s humorous skirmish with Zoro and Mihawk over a bottle of wine. The second volume, titled One Piece novel HEROINES [Colorful], expands the roster to include stories centered around Hancock, Tashigi, Reiju, and Uta, concluding with a conversation between Nami and Robin about the Straw Hat crew’s hygiene. VIZ Media has licensed both volumes for English release, with the first volume released in April 2025 and the second in July 2025.
Creative Team and What to Expect
While specific details regarding the anime’s release date and format (such as whether it will be a TV series, OVA, or movie) are yet to be announced, key staff members for the adaptation have been confirmed. Yu Kamatani, known for his work on ONE PIECE in LOVE, is directing the One Piece: Heroines anime. Character designs will be handled by Takashi Kojima, recognized for Flip Flappers, and the scripts are being penned by Momoka Toyoda, who has worked on One Piece Fan Letter.
The announcement at ONE PIECE DAY ’25 was accompanied by the release of a key visual, prominently featuring Nami and Robin in the anime’s art style, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse into the upcoming adaptation. This anime will offer a fresh perspective on the One Piece universe, providing dedicated storylines that highlight the depth and appeal of its diverse female cast, separate from the ongoing main anime series by Toei Animation.
Fans of the One Piece franchise have a lot to look forward to, with the main anime continuing, a remake by WIT Studio in the pipeline, and a second season of the live-action series already announced with a third season also on the horizon. The One Piece: Heroines anime adaptation adds another exciting layer to the ever-expanding world of the Straw Hat Pirates.
