Netflix’s live-action One Piece has become one of the platform’s most successful projects of recent years, and the streamer is already charting a confident course towards Season 3. Here is what we know so far about when the new season could arrive, what it will cover, and which characters viewers can expect to see next.
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Will there be a Season 3?
Yes, there will. Netflix renewed One Piece for a third season back in August 2025 — before the second season had even been released. In November of the same year, Tudum confirmed that production on the new episodes was already under way, with the core Straw Hat cast returning to their roles.
When will Season 3 be released?
There is still no official premiere date for One Piece Season 3, but the production schedule already offers some clues as to the likely release window.
Filming began on 25 November 2025 and is scheduled to continue until 19 June 2026, meaning production will span more than 200 shooting days. As with previous instalments, the season is being filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.
Based on the timeline of the first two seasons, a summer 2027 premiere currently looks like the most likely scenario. As soon as Netflix officially confirms the release date, we will update this article. Follow us on Telegram so you do not miss any updates.
What will the next chapter be about?
Season 3 will continue the adaptation of the iconic Alabasta arc, one of the most beloved storylines among One Piece fans. The second season was already steering the story in that direction, so the stakes for the Straw Hat crew are now set to rise even higher.
This time, Luffy and his crew will head to the desert kingdom of Alabasta to help Princess Vivi stop a civil war. At first glance, it may seem like a local conflict within the country, but the reality is far more complex. Behind the chaos stands Crocodile, the leader of the criminal organisation Baroque Works, who is secretly manipulating events in a bid to overthrow the ruling family.
If the first seasons introduced viewers to the world of One Piece and gradually brought the crew together, Season 3 looks set to take the live-action series to a new level in scale. Expect more political intrigue, more tension and significantly higher stakes, as this is no longer just another adventure — it is a battle over the fate of an entire kingdom.
At the same time, the story will not lose what made Netflix’s live-action adaptation so appealing in the first place: the humour, the team chemistry, the colourful characters and the spirit of grand adventure will all remain intact. The difference is that all of it will now unfold against the backdrop of a far more serious conflict, giving each hero a chance to shine in new ways.
Who will return in the new episodes?
The full main cast is set to return for Season 3:
- Iñaki Godoy — Luffy
- Mackenyu — Zoro
- Emily Rudd — Nami
- Jacob Romero Gibson — Usopp
- Taz Skylar — Sanji
The return of several key Season 2 characters has also been confirmed: Charithra Chandran as Vivi, Mikaela Hoover as Chopper, Joe Manganiello as Mr 0, Lera Abova as Miss All Sunday / Nico Robin, and Sendhil Ramamurthy as Cobra. Netflix has separately noted that Hoover, Manganiello, Abova and Ramamurthy have all been made series regulars for the new season, meaning they are expected to receive more screen time.
Which new characters will appear?
Netflix has already announced several major new additions for Season 3.
Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace
The most high-profile new casting is Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai) as Portgas D. Ace, Luffy’s older brother. He is one of the most anticipated characters yet to appear in the series, and the casting announcement alone quickly became one of the biggest talking points among fans.
Cole Escola as Bon Clay (Mr 2)
Another newcomer is Cole Escola as Bon Clay. In the manga, Bon Clay is one of the most colourful characters in the arc — charismatic, unpredictable, and almost certain to bring both comedy and emotional weight to the series.
Daisy Head and Awdo Awdo as Miss Doublefinger and Mr 1
Season 3 will also introduce two more Baroque Works agents: Daisy Head as Miss Doublefinger and Awdo Awdo as Mr 1 — new adversaries for the Straw Hat crew.
Who is behind the camera?
Season 3 brings a change to the showrunning team, with Ian Stokes stepping in to replace Matt Owens as co-showrunner alongside Joe Tracz. Original manga creator Eiichiro Oda remains on board as an executive producer.
Owens spent six years working on the series and stepped away voluntarily. In March 2025, he wrote on Instagram that it had been “a life-changing journey”, but also that there had been “a lot”, so he was “getting off the Going Merry” — the Straw Hats’ ship — in order to focus on himself and his mental health. It is worth noting that Ian Stokes is not new to the project: he has been a writer on the series from the very beginning and has written episodes for both previous seasons.
Season 2’s success as a springboard for Season 3
Season 2, which premiered on 10 March 2026, topped Netflix charts in 43 countries the very next day, while earning a 100% critics’ score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series has long proven that it can engage both newcomers and long-time anime fans alike, and the story is now moving towards one of the strongest arcs in the early One Piece saga.
For now, all that remains is to wait for the official release date — and prepare for the Straw Hats’ journey to become even bigger in scale.
