Published Feb 17, 2026, 1:05 PM EST
Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher for the anime section at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things anime and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature.
Her published works can be found on ScreenRant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes.
After months of anticipation, one of anime’s most iconic adventures is officially charting its next course. One Piece has confirmed its long-awaited return in 2026, with a brand-new arc set to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll. For longtime fans, the next chapter promises towering revelations and emotional reunions.
The announcement via a press release not only confirms the premiere window for the anime’s next saga, but also delivers good news for dub viewers. As the story sails beyond Egghead Island, the Straw Hat Pirates prepare to step into one of the most legendary locations in the series’ history in a land fans have waited years to see animated.
The Elbaph Arc Sets Sail This April
The upcoming Elbaph Arc will debut on April 5, 2026, marking the anime’s full return to weekly streaming. Following the chaos and technological intrigue of Egghead Island, the Straw Hat crew now steers toward a destination deeply rooted in the world’s lore: Elbaph, the fabled homeland of giants.
Elbaph has long been teased as a place of immense strength, warrior pride, and ancient history. With the crew joined by formidable Giant Warrior Pirates, the arc is positioned to expand the series’ mythology in bold ways. Early descriptions promise dramatic reunions, new alliances, and an adventure that dwarfs anything the Straw Hats have faced before.
This storyline is expected to shift the tone from futuristic spectacle to mythic grandeur. By finally bringing the Land of Giants to life, the anime continues its tradition of escalating stakes while deepening the mystery surrounding the ultimate treasure, the One Piece.
The Egghead Island Dub Nears Its Finale
Before the Elbaph Arc begins, English dub fans will receive a major milestone. The final batch of Egghead Island episodes, covering the arc’s closing stretch, will begin streaming March 24, 2026. These episodes bring the high-tech Future Island storyline to its dramatic conclusion.
Egghead has been one of the most concept-heavy arcs in recent memory, blending science fiction elements with world-shaking revelations. The concluding dubbed episodes are expected to spotlight intense confrontations and pivotal character moments that set the stage for what lies ahead in Elbaph.
With both sub and dub formats available, viewers can revisit earlier arcs or catch up before the April premiere. As the Straw Hats leave behind the mechanical marvels of Egghead and head toward a land of colossal warriors, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for One Piece’s enduring voyage.
Release Date October 20, 1999
Network Fuji TV
Directors Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
Writers Jin Tanaka, Akiko Inoue, Junki Takegami, Shinzo Fujita, Shouji Yonemura, Yoshiyuki Suga, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hirohiko Uesaka, Michiru Shimada, Isao Murayama, Takuya Masumoto, Yoichi Takahashi, Momoka Toyoda
-
Mayumi Tanaka
Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
-
Kazuya Nakai
Roronoa Zoro (voice)
English (US) ·