Production for the third season of Netflix’s One Piece has officially started in Cape Town, South Africa. The original Straw Hat crew is back on set, but new behind-the-scenes excitement points toward a major character’s arrival. A special video has teased the larger role for fan-favorite Portgas D. Ace, Luffy’s powerful older brother, in the upcoming season.
The main crew—Iñaki Godoy (Monkey D. Luffy), Mackenyu (Zoro), Emily Rudd (Nami), Jacob Romero (Usopp), and Taz Skylar (Sanji)—has returned to South Africa to film the new episodes. They are joined by actors from Season 2, with several being promoted to series regulars for the third season.
The Major Tease for Portgas D. Ace
While the full story for Season 3 is under wraps, the biggest clue about its direction comes from teases around Portgas D. Ace. Actor Xolo Maridueña, known for Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, was previously announced for the role. Recent behind-the-scenes social media videos and official images now strongly suggest his character will have a significant presence.
One key image released by Netflix features props and a title that point directly to Ace. The image shows the title for Episode 301, called “Where There’s Smoke“. This title is a direct reference to Ace’s powers from the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit), which allows him to create and control fire. The picture also includes Ace’s signature dagger and his unique Log Pose, a three-needled navigational device. These details confirm Ace is not just a cameo but a central part of the upcoming story.
“We’ve taken a break between Season 2 and Season 3, I’ll be heading back later on this year, and we’ll be working on the next part of the story,” said Joe Manganiello (Mr. 0), hinting at the ongoing production plans for the new season.
The Expanding Cast for the New Season
The adventure is growing with both new faces and familiar ones taking on bigger roles. Cole Escola, a Tony Award-winning star, will play the theatrical assassin Bon Clay. Several actors from Season 2 have been promoted to series regulars for Season 3, meaning viewers will see much more of them. These include:
- Mikaela Hoover as the beloved reindeer Tony Tony Chopper
- Joe Manganiello as the villainous Mr. 0
- Lera Abova as the mysterious Miss All Sunday
- Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefartari Cobra
Charithra Chandran will also return as Miss Wednesday. This expansion indicates that the sprawling Alabasta Arc from the original manga, which involves a kingdom in crisis, will be a major focus of the new season.
Also Read:
Production Timeline and Release Window
Filming for One Piece Season 3 began on November 24, 2025, and is scheduled to continue until June 19, 2026. This makes it one of the show’s longest production shoots to date.
The release of Season 3 will follow Season 2, which is titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line. Season 2 is set to premiere on Netflix on March 10, 2026. Given the production schedule, Season 3 is expected to arrive sometime in 2027. Netflix announced the early renewal for the third season in August 2025, allowing the team to plan the stories back-to-back.
The series is produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix, with Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the original manga, serving as an executive producer. For Season 3, Joe Tracz will be joined by Ian Stokes as co-showrunner.
Also Read: Actor Rufus Sewell: The Man Who Became Lord Melbourne in ‘Victoria’
