Netflix’s blockbuster live-action adaptation of One Piece is officially getting a third season before Season 2 has even premiered. The streamer announced the early renewal during the annual One Piece Day celebration in Tokyo, delivering both fresh casting news and a significant behind-the-scenes shift in leadership.

The announcement confirmed that Ian Stokes, who served as co-executive producer on Season 1, will join Joe Tracz as co-showrunner for Season 3. Stokes’ promotion comes after a revolving door of showrunner changes in the series’ brief but turbulent history. Production for the third season is slated to begin later this year in Cape Town, South Africa.

Season 2 Sets Sail in 2026

While Netflix did not drop an exact release date, One Piece Season 2 is officially slated for 2026 under the title “One Piece: Into the Grand Line.” The streamer also revealed a set of first-look images, teasing the grand scale and treacherous beauty of the next chapter in Luffy’s pirate odyssey.

According to the official synopsis, Season 2 promises “fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet” as the Straw Hat crew enters the mythical Grand Line, a stretch of ocean famed for bizarre islands, unpredictable seas, and notorious enemies. “As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies,” the description reads.

Returning cast members include:

Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy

Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro

They will be joined by Vincent Regan, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Alexander Maniatis, McKinley Belcher III, Craig Fairbrass, Steven Ward, and Chioma Umeala.

Season 2 will also welcome a slate of high-profile newcomers: David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3, Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha, Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra, and Joe Manganiello as the infamous Mr. 0.

A Tumultuous Journey Behind the Camera

The live-action One Piece has navigated as much drama off-screen as its characters face on the high seas. The series was originally developed by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, who co-showran Season 1. Ahead of Season 2, Maeda stepped away, with Joe Tracz stepping into the role of co-showrunner. Owens remained for Season 2 but later confirmed his departure after production wrapped.

Season 3 will now be helmed by Tracz and Stokes, marking the third major showrunner reshuffle since the series’ inception.

A Global Collaboration Anchored by Oda

The show is produced in partnership with One Piece’s original publisher Shueisha, Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios partner), and Netflix. Season 2’s creative team includes Owens and Tracz as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners, alongside One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda in his role as executive producer.

Additional executive producers include Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements for Tomorrow Studios, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Christoph Schrewe, and Maeda.

With Season 2’s massive expansion into the Grand Line and Season 3 already on the horizon, Netflix appears fully committed to making One Piece one of its flagship global franchises, even as the series continues to weather waves of creative change behind the scenes.

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