Netflix’s One Piece Season 3 Gets Early Rave Review From Original Creator

2 weeks ago 29

Though the public is still a long way off from seeing One Piece season 3, Eiichiro Oda, creator of the original manga, is sharing some early praise for it.

After being officially announced in August 2025, the live-action One Piece’s forthcoming season began filming in November and is still rolling cameras. The next batch of episodes, subtitled The Battle for Alabasta, isn’t expected to premiere on Netflix until 2027. Oda, however, already has kind words to share about season 3 after visiting the set.

Weekly Shonen Jump (via @PewPiece) passed along Oda revealing that he recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, to visit the One Piece set. Noting that he saw “some incredible visuals,” the writer/artist proclaimed that he’s “looking forward” to seeing how season 3 looks as a completed product. Oda serves as a creative consultant on the live-action adaptation.

Oda’s comments come two months after One Piece season 2 ended with some significant groundwork laid for season 3. Tony Tony Chopper joined the Straw Hat Pirates after Wapol’s attempted reclamation of the Drum Kingdom was foiled; Baroque Works leader Mr. 0 was revealed to be Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea; and Miss All-Sunday was identified as Nico Robin, who’s been wanted by the World Government since she was a child.

These plot developments and various other teases and twists throughout season 2 (including the late Gold Roger having a son) give fans enough to ponder as the wait for season 3 continues. Based on his latest comment, Oda is impressed by what he witnessed during his visit to the Cape Town set. So, just like the continually-growing One Piece fandom, he’s eager to see how it all comes together in the finalized third season.

The Battle for Alabasta arc will see Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates helping Princess Nefertari Vivi liberate her kingdom from Crocodile. The hook-handed antagonist shared with Nico Robin in One Piece season 2’s final moments that conquering Alabasta is part of his plan to ultimately find the One Piece treasure and become the new King of the Pirates. Robin, however, is working towards her own mysterious goal that requires access to Baroque Works’ resources.

Joe Manganiello, Lera Abova, and Sendhil Ramamurthy, who respectively play Crocodile, Nico Robin, and King Nefertari Cobra, have been promoted to series regulars for One Piece season 3. The newcomers for the upcoming episodes include Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace, Cole Escola as Bon Clay/Mr. 2, Awdo Awdo as Mr. 1, and Daisy Head as Miss Doublefinger. The season 3 premiere, titled “Where There's Smoke,” is directed by Christoph Schrewe and written by Ashley Wigfield.

One Piece season 2 was met with critical acclaim upon premiering this past March. It boasts a 100% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 professional reviews, and a 95% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter. The One Piece anime is also available to watch on Netflix, and the streamer will be the exclusive home for the upcoming animated remake The One Piece.