The live-action One Piece series is moving forward at full speed. Netflix has officially started filming for Season 3, even before Season 2 premieres in 2026. The third season will focus on a fan-favorite story, the Arabasta arc, promising to bring one of the manga’s most popular adventures to life.
The full crew has returned to Cape Town, South Africa, to begin work on the new episodes. This news comes directly from creator Eiichiro Oda, who confirmed that filming has started and gave fans a clear idea of what story to expect next.
Season 3 will adapt the Arabasta saga from the original manga and anime. This storyline follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they travel to the desert kingdom of Arabasta. There, they aim to stop a massive civil war from breaking out.
The main villain for this arc is Crocodile, a powerful and feared pirate. Creator Eiichiro Oda stated that with this season, the “Arabasta arc will be completed”. This suggests the live-action version will cover the entire saga. The story is known for its high stakes, intense battles, and major growth for the main characters.
The five core actors are all back for the new season. This includes Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.
Four actors from Season 2 have been upgraded to series regulars for Season 3. This means their characters will have much larger roles. The promoted cast includes:
Other returning actors include Charithra Chandran, who plays Miss Wednesday. Two new faces joining the cast for Season 3 are Cole Escola, playing the theatrical assassin Bon Clay, and Xolo Maridueña, portraying Luffy’s brother, Portgas D. Ace.
Filming for Season 3 is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, the same location used for the first two seasons. Netflix announced the start of production on November 24, 2025.
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The leadership team for the show has been updated. Joe Tracz returns as co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer. He is now joined by Ian Stokes as the new co-showrunner for the third season. The series continues to be produced in partnership with Shueisha, the publisher of the One Piece manga.
For fans eager for more One Piece, there is plenty to watch for in 2026. The live-action Season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, is scheduled to premiere on March 10, 2026. This season will introduce new islands and enemies as Luffy and his crew sail into the legendary Grand Line.
“Chopper will make his debut! Every time new footage comes in, I can’t help but say, ‘So cuuuute, so cuuuute.’ Come March next year, you’ll all be saying the same thing too!!” – Eiichiro Oda shared in a message at Jump Festa.
The original anime is also undergoing a major change. It will conclude its weekly release schedule at the end of 2025 and return in April 2026 with a new seasonal format, starting with the Elbaph Arc. Oda also confirmed that a new One Piece anime movie is in early development, though details and a release date are not yet available.
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