Why Is the One Piece Anime on Hiatus? Its 2027 Return and New Release Schedule Explained

The Anime Is Going on Hiatus

The One Piece anime has finished its broadcast for 2026. Episode 1180 aired on September 27 on Fuji TV. It was the last new episode fans will get this year. The series’ official social media accounts confirmed that episode 1181 will not arrive until 2027. They thanked viewers and asked them to wait for further details. The post said, “Thank you for watching the final episode of the ONE PIECE TV anime this year. The next episode will air in 2027! Please stay tuned for further details on the broadcast schedule.”

A Cliffhanger Ending

The timing is tough for fans because episode 1180 ended on a cliffhanger. The episode was part of the Elbaph arc. That arc launched on April 5 as season 22. Fans will have to wait months to see what happens next. The break is the second stretch of downtime built into a new schedule. Toei Animation and producer Ryuta Koike laid out this schedule in October 2025. Starting this year, the anime is capped at 26 episodes annually. This change followed a three-month hiatus from January to March.

What Will Replace One Piece on Fuji TV

Fuji TV is not leaving the time slot empty. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus will take over Sundays at 11:15 p.m. starting October 11. So fans of anime will still have something to watch in that slot. But for One Piece fans, the wait for new episodes will be a long one.

What’s Coming in 2027

There is plenty to look forward to next year. Wit Studio’s THE ONE PIECE will land on Netflix in February. All seven episodes of its first season will drop at once. This is a new adaptation of the series, so it will offer a different take on the story. Also, One Piece Film: God Valley will open in Japan next summer. This is a new theatrical film. And season 3 of the live-action series will arrive. Xolo Maridueña is joining the cast as Portgas D. Ace. That is a major addition for fans of the live-action adaptation.

Why the Break Is Happening

The decision to cap the anime at 26 episodes per year is a change from the previous schedule. In the past, One Piece aired new episodes almost every week. That put a lot of pressure on the animation team. The new schedule allows for more time between episodes. This should improve the quality of the animation. It also gives the staff time to rest. The break from January to March was the first part of this plan. Now the rest of 2026 will be another break. The anime will return in 2027 with new episodes.

What This Means for Fans

Fans will have to be patient. The cliffhanger will not be resolved for months. But the break also means the animation quality should be better when the show returns. The new schedule is designed to give the team more time. In the meantime, fans have the Netflix adaptation, the new film, and the live-action series to look forward to. So there is still plenty of One Piece content coming. The anime may be on break, but the franchise is as busy as ever.

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