This year marks the 50th anniversary of the full opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen, and JR West has launched something special to commemorate the occasion — the “ONE PIECE Shinkansen,” a collaboration with the globally popular TV anime ONE PIECE, created by Eiichiro Oda. While anime-themed “pilgrimage” trips to iconic locations have gained popularity, this collaboration goes a step further by turning even the mode of transportation into a part of the fan experience. With the hope that travelers will feel the excitement of setting off on an adventure, the project was born. We spoke with those involved to learn more about the train’s origin story, behind-the-scenes development, and the meticulous attention paid to its design.

■ Why ‘ONE PIECE’ Was Chosen: A Natural Fit Between Storytelling and Railway Travel

The “ONE PIECE Shinkansen” currently operates between Shin-Osaka and Hakata Stations. The idea for the project first emerged about two to three years ago.

“At JR West, we’ve always wanted to show people of all generations that traveling by Shinkansen can be just as enjoyable as by car or airplane. With that in mind, we’ve collaborated with brands like Plarail, Evangelion, and Hello Kitty to help younger and family audiences feel more connected to the Shinkansen and make them want to ride. This new collaboration project was born from the same intention,” explains Nanahi Hayakawa from JR West’s Marketing Department.

Several characters were considered for the collaboration, but ONE PIECE was ultimately chosen—not only because of its massive global fanbase, but for the following three key reasons:

“First, we saw a natural affinity between the story of ONE PIECE, which centers around an adventurous journey, and the nature of rail travel. Second, themes like ‘connecting people and communities’ and ‘evolving bonds,’ which appear frequently in the series, align perfectly with the vision we uphold as a company. Third, we felt that we could link the unique local attractions and specialties of the western Japan region—where the Shinkansen runs—to the ‘treasures’ in ONE PIECE, offering a fun experience where travelers collect these ‘treasures’ at each stop.”

With full consensus on these points, the ONE PIECE project was launched. Toei Animation, which produces the anime, was also excited about the collaboration. “They told us it was their first time working with something as physically large as a Shinkansen, and they accepted enthusiastically,” Hayakawa says with a smile.

The first train of the series, the “Setouchi Blue Train,” began operating on April 12, the day before the opening of Expo 2025 in Osaka. Tadashi Egami from the Marketing Department recalls, “It wasn’t planned that way, but once we realized the timing, everyone—from the modification teams to other departments and group companies—worked hard to make it happen, and we were able to launch just in time.”

From the very beginning, social media buzzed with excitement—“I saw it!” “I got to ride it!”—as fans shared their joy. Following that, the second train, the “Tony Tony Chopper Train,” launched on May 28, and the third, the “Monkey D. Luffy Train,” debuted on July 2.

“Decorations Are Placed in Deck Areas Between Cars” – Designed with Crowd Control in Mind…

Unique Features of Each Train Set Currently, three types of ONE PIECE-themed Shinkansen are running and gaining attention, but what makes each of them special?

“The first train, the ‘Setouchi Blue,’ is themed after a ‘Setouchi Journey’ along the ‘Grand Rail,’ inspired by ONE PIECE’s ‘Grand Line.’ The blue exterior evokes the beautiful sea visible from the train windows, and the highlight is the gathering of ONE PIECE characters, embarking on an adventure along the coastal railway with the Straw Hat Crew,” said Mr. Hayakawa.

Launching a new collaborative Shinkansen, “We aimed for a striking design for the first train to attract attention,” explained Mr. Egami. He added, “Even Toei Animation said, ‘We've never had this many characters drawn specially and featured at once,’” reflecting the strong enthusiasm behind the project.

For the second and third trains, the concept shifted to spotlight individual characters, contrasting with the character-packed first train.

“We wanted to incorporate detailed and thoughtful design elements both inside and outside the train, tailored to each theme. So we had many in-depth discussions,” said Mr. Egami.

The second train features Chopper, a popular mascot-like character beloved by a broad audience. The “Tony Tony Chopper Train” showcases a friendly and charming design, with Chopper’s signature pink and blue colors used throughout the exterior and interior.

“The third train, the ‘Monkey D. Luffy Train,’ incorporates Luffy’s iconic straw hat into the color scheme. A major highlight is the 32 original illustrations of Luffy, each showing a different pose or expression from throughout the series. It’s the first time so many versions of Luffy have been created, and honestly, I didn’t expect it. I could really feel Toei Animation’s passion for this Shinkansen, and I’m extremely grateful,” said Mr. Egami.

All train sets are thoroughly immersed in the world of ONE PIECE, with custom touches from door decorations to headrest covers. Even the washroom mirrors feature wanted poster designs, allowing passengers to imagine themselves as infamous pirates with huge bounties.

While one might worry that the numerous photo-worthy spots could cause congestion, “The decorations meant for photos are placed in deck areas between cars rather than inside passenger compartments, so passengers can stop there without disrupting others,” explained Mr. Egami. Other measures include announcements requesting passengers to be considerate. Even these announcements are specially produced, and at certain stations, Luffy and Chopper make special appearances in the audio broadcasts.

Appealing to a Diverse Fan Base: “We Want Fans to Enjoy the Collaboration Before, During, and After the Journey”

However, the journey to bring the project to life wasn’t without challenges. The biggest hurdle, according to Mr. Egami, was “meeting the expectations of die-hard fans without disappointing them, while also making the experience enjoyable for casual fans.”

“I personally love ONE PIECE, but if we packed the train with only niche references that only hardcore fans would understand, it would stray from the concept of this collaboration. We had to consider what kind of expressions would allow both devoted and casual fans to enjoy the experience. We had numerous detailed discussions with the production team. Both our company and the creators were very particular about the details, which made the process more difficult than expected, to the point that we worried whether we could make the deadline,” he said.

They did manage to include a few hidden details meant to give “a little chuckle” to core fans.

“For example, the bounty amounts shown on the wanted posters in the restroom of the second train—the Chopper train—aren’t all the same. Also, on the first train—the Luffy train—you’ll find a variety of characters, both allies and enemies, and even some obscure ones only die-hard fans might recognize. We hope people enjoy finding them,” Mr. Egami revealed.

The ONE PIECE Shinkansen operates on the "Kodama" service, which is frequently used for weekday commutes and shorter business trips. Compared to "Nozomi" or "Mizuho," it's known for its affordability and shorter-distance use. While “pilgrimage tourism” to anime-related locations is a growing trend, this collaboration takes it a step further—turning the train ride itself into an otaku travel experience.

“We're currently planning projects that will let fans enjoy the world of ONE PIECE not only during the train ride, but also before and after the journey. Imagine setting off on an adventure with the Straw Hat Crew, meeting new companions along the way, discovering delicious treasures, and enjoying a feast together. We’re aiming to roll out a unified experience across the Sanyo Shinkansen region that links the journey itself with the spirit of ONE PIECE. We hope everyone looks forward to it,” said Mr. Hayakawa.

(Written by Itsuko Kawakami)

Source : ORICON NEWS