October 2024 has been an emotional rollercoaster for One Piece fans. With the anime and manga both taking unexpected breaks and the cancellation of a highly anticipated game, fans of this legendary franchise are left wondering what lies ahead.
One Piece Anime Goes on a Six-Month Hiatus
The first blow came when Toei Animation announced a lengthy six-month hiatus for the One Piece anime. This break, effective immediately after the airing of Episode 1122 on October 13, will allow the production team to enhance the quality and presentation of the series. The anime is now set to return in April 2025.
During this hiatus, Toei will air a remastered version of the Fish-Man Island Arc, titled One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga. This special will include 21 abridged episodes featuring enhanced visuals and new animation sequences, providing fans with a fresh take on this beloved arc. The remaster is scheduled to stream on Crunchyroll and other platforms starting October 27, 2024, offering fans something to hold onto while waiting for the anime’s return.
One Piece Manga on a Two-Week Hiatus
Adding to the disappointment, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, has announced a brief two-week hiatus for the manga. After the release of Chapter 1130 in Weekly Shonen Jump on October 20, the manga will take a short break and return in the magazine’s November 11 issue. Although Oda has taken longer breaks in the past, this two-week pause combined with the anime’s extended hiatus has left fans with no new One Piece content until November, making October particularly rough for the fandom.
Bandai Namco Cancels One Piece Game Project
Capping off the tough news, Bandai Namco revealed the cancellation of at least one upcoming game based on One Piece. This decision, although surprising, stems from the company’s broader strategy to scale back game production due to inconsistent demand. The cancellation is particularly puzzling given the recent success of One Piece Odyssey, which sold over 26,000 copies in its first week on PlayStation 5 and performed well with a Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch.
Adding to the concerns, Bandai Namco has faced criticism for its internal practices, reportedly relocating around 200 employees to “expulsion rooms” (known as oidashi beya) and pressuring them to resign. While the company denies these claims, the controversy has heightened unease among fans and employees alike.
The Future of One Piece: What’s Next?
Despite the challenging news, there remains much to look forward to for One Piece fans. The remaster of the Fish-Man Island Saga promises a nostalgic experience with updated visuals, and the anime is set to return stronger than ever in April 2025 with the continuation of the Egghead Arc. Meanwhile, the One Piece manga will resume in November, and rumours of exciting developments suggest that these hiatuses could ultimately enhance the overall experience.
In the meantime, fans can dive into the remastered episodes and look forward to special projects, including a highly anticipated 25th-anniversary episode One Piece Fan Letter airing on October 20, 2024.
If you’re a One Piece fan, stay tuned for updates and join the conversation on our platform! Share your thoughts on the recent hiatuses and game cancellations in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out the upcoming Fish-Man Island Saga remaster on Crunchyroll, and be sure to follow us for the latest One Piece news and developments!