One Piecehas become one of Netflix’s most popular fantasy hits, and deserves multiple seasons to bring the biggest moments to screens without the risk of cancellation. The series is an adaptation of Eichirou Oda’s beloved manga focused on a golden age of piracy.One Piecefollows Inaki Godoy’s Monkey D. Luffy, as he attempts to shape his legacy.
AcrossOne Pieceseason 1, audiences were introduced to Luffy and his crew, as they began their quest to find the mythical One Piece, a legendary haul of treasure hidden by the legendary Gol D. Roger. After facing pirates, Marines, and monsters, the crew began their voyage towards the Grand Line.
One Piece Season 3 Is All But Confirmed, But The Show Needs More Seasons
Various Stars Have Already Given Production Hints
While audiences are currently awaitingOne Pieceseason 2, season 3 of Netflix’s celebrated anime adaptation appears to be all but confirmed.No official renewal has been given, but stars Vincent Reagan and Joe Manganiello, who portray Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp and Crocodile, respectively, have stated that they expect to be filming season 3 in late 2025.
As such, it is clear that even though they have yet to make an official announcement,Netflix remains committed to the franchise. Alongside merchandising deals with Bandai and LEGO,One Piecewill also become one of the platform’s major assets as other shows wind down.Stranger Thingswill end in late 2025, whileThe Witcherwill end with season 5.
With two of the streaming service’s major series coming to a close,Netflix will likely be looking for its next big hitthat can continue the platform’s prominence going into the latter half of the 2020s.Wednesday’s pre-season 2 renewal highlights it as a similar hit that Netflix wishes to capitalize on.
However,One Piece’s renewal stands out due to how much of a visual effects commitment bringing Oda’s fantasy world would be. Despite the undertaking, Netflix’s commitment to a quick season 3 turnaround shows that the platform sees it as a priority, though there still remains a risk to the live-action series' future.
Netflix’s Live-Action Show Has Only Scratched The Surface Of One Piece’s Story
One Piece’s Live-Action Adaptation Has Only Covered A Portion Of The Pre-Time Skip Story
As ofOne Pieceseason 1, 7 arcs have been adapted into live-action that cover theEast Blue saga, while season 2 will adapt theLoguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden,andDrum Islandarcs. The upcoming season will also lay the groundwork for theArabasta saga, which season 3 is expected to adapt.
However, the series has also managed to incorporate several other side stories into its runtime.Season 1 expanded the roles of Koby(Morgan Davies) and Helmeppo (Aidan Scott), taking inspiration from theDiary of Koby-Meppostory arc to make them a more major presence in the early chapters of Luffy’s story.
Yet, even with this scope,One Piece’sNetflix adaptation has still only scratched the surface of the universe, with the main series currently being composed of 1128 chapters as of November 2024. Furthermore, the narrative can be divided into two distinct periods. Between chapters 597 and 598, the series has a major time skip of two years.
One Piece Needs At Least 5 Seasons To Cover Some Of The Key Pre-Time Skip Arcs
Netflix Has An Affinity For Five-Season Runs
ShouldOne Pieceseason 3 adapt the complete run of theArabastaarc, it would have still only just covered a third of the pre-timeskip period of the manga, taking it up to chapter 217 of 597. If the series continues to adapt the following arcs at the same rate as past seasons, that would mean the two following seasons could adapt the remaining 11 arcs.
A five-season run ofOne Piecewould match the standard length of other hit Netflix series. As mentioned,Stranger Thingswill come to a closewith five seasons, andThe Witcherwill come to an end with its fifth season. Similarly,Youcame to an end in 2025 after a five-season run, indicating that the service sees it as an ideal length for its major titles.
ShouldOne Piecemaintain this precedent, a five-season run would allow the series to at least deliver a satisfying story for the live-action series. By running up until the point of the timeskip, the series can provide audiences with a satisfying note to leave Luffy’s journey on, complete with an impactful and emotional final act.
Netflix’s One Piece Can’t Realistically Cover Much Of The Anime
One Piece’s Length Makes A Complete Adaptation Impossible
With the main story spanning over 1000 chapters, it isunlikely that Netflix will be able to deliver a complete adaptation ofOne Piecein live-action. By the time season 2 releases in the estimated 2026 release window, there will have been a two-year gap between seasons. Furthermore, each season will have a greater VFX commitment as the world expands.
As such, between the VFX commitment and potential casting issues,One Piece’s long-term run is uncertain. Furthermore, while Netflix is committed to adapting the Arabasta arc, it is unclear whether they will directly dive into the fourth season or wait to see season 2’s viewership to decide its future. As such,One Piececould become another unfinished Netflix adaptation.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy’s relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
