After airing episode 1180 of the One Piece anime on Fuji TV on September 27, Toei Animation officially concluded the series' 2026 television broadcast run. That episode, which fell during the Elbaph arc, concluded with a major cliffhanger, while the next episode, 1181, will not air until 2027, with the exact air date to be announced later by the official channels.
Why the Anime is Going on Hiatus
This hiatus is part of a new broadcasting strategy formulated by Toei Animation and producer Ryuta Koike. Under the new system, the One Piece anime will air a maximum of 26 episodes per year moving forward, aimed at eliminating prolonged recap episodes and bringing the anime's pacing closer to the chapter progression of Eiichiro Oda's original manga.
Broadcast Arrangements During the Hiatus
During the hiatus of the One Piece anime, Fuji TV's original Sunday evening time slot will not remain empty. Starting October 11, the time slot will broadcast Dragon Ball Super: Beerus.
Projects for 2027
Although the television anime is on hiatus, 2027 still holds multiple projects for the One Piece franchise. The Wit Studio-produced anime remake THE ONE PIECE will debut on Netflix in February, releasing seven episodes. A new theatrical film, One Piece Film: God Valley, is scheduled to hit Japanese theaters in the summer of 2027. Additionally, the Netflix live-action series will launch its third season, featuring Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace.
Upcoming Announcements
The cliffhanger left by episode 1180 remains unresolved and will not see further development until the broadcast of episode 1181 in 2027. Toei Animation stated that the specific broadcasting period will be announced by official sources at a later date.
Will the Remake Replace Episode 1181?
The viewing access and formats for these projects differ: episode 1181 continues the arc of the original television anime, whereas Wit Studio's THE ONE PIECE is a separate remake project slated for release via Netflix, and God Valley is a theatrical film scheduled for release in Japanese theaters. Distinguishing the titles and distribution platforms helps clarify the continuation of the main anime series, the newly produced version, and the movie; the February release window on Netflix should not be mistaken for the confirmed air date of episode 1181.
