David Bridges
Exciting Return of One Piece: New Episodes Premiere April 6, 2025
After a brief hiatus since October, fans of One Piece can rejoice as new episodes are set to launch once again on April 6, 2025. This thrilling news was announced during the recent Jump Festa event, capturing the attention of the anime community. The storyline is currently deep into the “Egghead” arc, and the latest preview hints at intense action as the Straw Hat Pirates gear up to clandestinely assist Dr. Vegapunk in escaping the island. This escape coincides with an impending siege by the Marines, promising a dramatic cliffhanger. Additionally, this arc will see One Piece shifting to a new timeslot, airing Sundays at 11:15 PM JST, which is sure to excite viewers.
Major Voice Actor Changes: Franky Welcomes Subaru Kimura
In addition to the new timeslot, significant changes are on the horizon for the beloved characters. The Straw Hat crew’s charismatic shipwright, Franky, will now be voiced by Subaru Kimura, known for his previous role as young Buggy in the Japanese dub. This transition follows the retirement announcement of Franky’s longstanding voice actor, Kazuki Yao, in early December. To mark this official passing of the torch, Yao humorously presented Kimura with a pair of Franky’s underwear during a ceremony. Creator Eiichiro Oda expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Yao for his years of dedication to the character, saying, “No matter where you go, you’ll always be our nakama!! And Subaru-san, I’m excited to have you on board!!”
Celebrating Milestones and Future Projects for One Piece
This year is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary of the One Piece anime. Oda shared his “deepest gratitude to our large team of staff” and acknowledged the success of Netflix’s live-action adaptation. He teased that 2025 would unveil “various projects and announcements” related to One Piece. Fans can look forward to Netflix’s second season and a remake of the anime aimed at attracting newcomers. With the franchise typically releasing a new film every three years, speculation about an upcoming film is rife. Meanwhile, the ongoing manga’s Elbaph arc is set to introduce “a particular man,” leading to increased tensions across the seas as “that one guy begins shaking up the world.”
Kazuki Yao teaching Subaru Kimura how to say “SUUUUPPPEEEEER!” pic.twitter.com/Pok54X2LO3
— Pookie Piece (@PookiePiece) December 22, 2024
Anticipating a “SUUUUUUPER Year” for One Piece
Oda has declared that 2025 will be a “SUUUUUUPER year of One Piece,” starting with the return of the anime featuring “Egghead Part II” on April 6. Fans are eagerly awaiting these developments as the series continues to evolve and expand its universe, promising more adventures and captivating storytelling.
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Daniel Mercer
