‘One Piece’ anime returns in April with long-awaited Elbaph Arc

The long-running One Piece anime is set to return this April with the launch of the much-anticipated Elbaph Arc, marking a major new chapter in the Straw Hats’ journey. Toei Animation and Crunchyroll have confirmed that new episodes will begin streaming as a simulcast on April 5, 2026, bringing the series back after its pause following the Egghead Arc storyline.

The Elbaph Arc picks up after the crew’s dramatic escape from the futuristic Egghead Island. With Monkey D. Luffy and his crew charting a new course, the story takes them to Elbaph, the legendary Land of Giants that has been teased for years in both the One Piece anime and Eiichiro Oda’s original One Piece manga. Joined by the Giant Warrior Pirates, the Straw Hats encounter towering new allies, long-awaited reunions, and formidable challenges as their pursuit of the fabled One Piece continues.

Crunchyroll has confirmed that the Elbaph Arc will stream weekly across multiple regions, including the United States, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Latin America. The platform has also announced that the final batch of English-dubbed episodes from the Egghead Arc, covering Episodes 1144 to 1155, will arrive starting March 24, 2026, completing that storyline for dub audiences.

The Elbaph Arc is currently unfolding in the pages of the One Piece manga and is regarded as one of the most significant story arcs in recent years, both for its scale and its narrative revelations. Fans are especially eager to see the anime debut of key figures tied to Elbaph’s mythology, including new Giant characters and long-rumoured players connected to the series’ broader lore.

Director Wataru Matsumi has previously spoken about Toei Animation’s evolving creative approach, highlighting the involvement of a diverse animation team and a renewed focus on visual experimentation while maintaining balance with the series’ established style.