The upcoming Elbaph Arc of the ONE PIECE anime, set to begin airing in April 2026, has revealed new character design sheets featuring Luffy carrying a large axe on his back. The designs include ten outfit variations for the Straw Hat Pirates. The Egghead Arc will conclude at the end of December 2025, followed by a three-month hiatus before the Elbaph storyline begins.

Quick Summary

・ ONE PIECE Elbaph Arc to premiere in April 2026.
・ New character designs show Luffy with a large axe.
・ Ten design sheets of the Straw Hat Pirates revealed.
・ Egghead Arc ends in December 2025; January–March 2026 break planned.
・ From 2026, the anime will air up to 26 episodes annually.

What Do the New Elbaph Arc Designs Reveal?

The latest character design sheets for the upcoming ONE PIECE Elbaph Arc feature Luffy carrying a large axe, suggesting a new visual theme for the next storyline. The set includes ten design sheets showing the updated costumes of the Straw Hat Pirates. The designs highlight detailed textures and adventurous motifs that align with the mythology-inspired Elbaph setting, a long-anticipated island in the series.

When Will the Elbaph Arc Air?

According to the production announcement, the Egghead Arc will end in December 2025, followed by a scheduled broadcast break from January to March 2026. The Elbaph Arc will then begin in April 2026. Starting next year, the anime will eliminate recap episodes, with a new structure allowing up to 26 episodes per year. This marks a shift toward more streamlined and consistently paced storytelling.

What Is ONE PIECE About?

Based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 22, 1997, ONE PIECE follows the young pirate Monkey D. Luffy, who gains the power to stretch like rubber after eating the Gomu Gomu no Mi. With his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, he embarks on a journey across the seas to find the legendary treasure known as the “One Piece” left behind by the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The manga has sold over 510 million copies worldwide, and the anime has been airing since 1999.

How Has ONE PIECE Expanded in Recent Years?

The franchise continues to evolve across multiple formats. In 2022, the film ONE PIECE FILM RED became a social phenomenon in Japan, earning 20.34 billion yen domestically. In 2023, Netflix released a live-action adaptation that introduced the story to a global audience. The upcoming Elbaph Arc represents the next major chapter in the long-running anime series produced by Toei Animation and broadcast by Fuji TV.

FAQ

Q: When will the ONE PIECE Elbaph Arc start airing?
A: It will premiere in April 2026 following a short broadcast break.

Q: What does Luffy’s new design look like?
A: Luffy is shown carrying a large axe and wearing new adventure-themed attire.

Q: What happens to the Egghead Arc?
A: It concludes in December 2025 before the anime pauses from January to March 2026.

Q: How many new character designs were released?
A: Ten design sheets featuring Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates were unveiled.

Q: How many episodes will be produced annually starting in 2026?
A: Up to 26 episodes per year, with no recap compilations.

Source : ORICON NEWS