R
Rafael Motamayor
Guest
(Photo by Netflix)
One Piece is a story that simply keeps resonating with audiences no matter the medium. Eiichiro Oda’s legendary manga is among the best-selling comics of all time, while the anime has been running for over 25 years and only growing in popularity. Then there’s the live-action remake from Netflix, which managed to surpass every expectation and debut to wide acclaim from critics and viewers alike.
After the first season introduced audiences to a fantastical world of pirates and supernatural powers, season 2 deepened the world and the characters. We followed Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his pirate crew, the Straw Hats, as they ventured into the dangerous Grand Line ocean route. Along the way, they faced other pirates, giants, marines, and more while gaining allies throughout the journey. By the end, the Straw Hats gained a new crow in the adorable doctor Tony Tony Chopper (voiced by Mikaela Hoover) and were on their way to help Miss Wednesday aka Princess Vivi (Charithra Chandran) save her kingdom of Alabasta. But they’ll have to face both the remaining Baroque Works agents and their fearful leader, as well as a Marine Captain hellbent on bringing Luffy to justice.
Netflix confirmed a third season of One Piece even before season 2 premiered, but what will it look like? The Alabasta Arc of the anime and manga is remembered as one of the best in the story, a pivotal moment for One Piece as it grew from a fun adventure into a proper epic. This means the stakes are high for the live-action adaptation. So before you become King of the Pirates, get ready to set sail, because here’s what you need to know about One Piece: Season 3.
What will the plot of One Piece: Season 3 be?
(Photo by Netflix)
The main thrust of the season will be the fight to stop a civil war from breaking out in the kingdom of Alabasta. Ultimately, the Straw Hats have to defeat the remaining Baroque Works officers as well as their leader Mr. 0 aka Crocodile (Joe Manganiello), the head of the criminal syndicate. Based on how the story arc plays out in the anime and manga, the crew will face plenty of issues before they find Crocodile, including a shape-shifter, a man with a familiar bond to Luffy, an army of turtle-dugongs that know kung-fu, and much more. We’ll get to learn about Alabasta, its culture, and its tragic past.
We don’t know if One Piece: Season 3 will cover more than the Alabasta arc and go into the Jaya arc. In late 2025, Eiichiro Oda released a special message (via Twitter) saying that season 3 will “conclude the Alabasta Saga,” but he didn’t say whether the season will only focus on this one arc or not. Regardless, Alabasta is a much bigger story arc than what we’ve seen in One Piece until now, with huge battles, spectacular devil fruit powers, and an explosive climax.
Who can we expect to see?
(Photo by Casey Crafford/Netflix)
Plenty of the characters from season 2 of One Piece will return for season 3. In addition to our Straw Hats — Nami (Emily Rudd), Zoro (Mackenyu), Sanji (Taz Skylar), Usopp (Jacob Gibson) and Chopper — we know Charithra Chandran’s Vivi and Sendhil Ramamurthy’s Nefertari Cobra are returning, as are Callum Kerr’s Smoker and Julia Rehwald’s Tashigi. Meanwhile, in addition to Crocodile, Miss All Sunday (Lera Abova), aka Nico Robin, will return.
As for new faces, season 3 will introduce the beloved character of Mr 2. Bon Clay (Cole Escola), a member of Baroque Works with a flamboyant style and a devil fruit that allows them to change into the shape of anyone they touch. We’ll also meet Mr. 1 Daz Bonez (Awdo Awdo), the highest-ranking male officer of Baroque Works who can turn any part of his body into a steel blade, as well as Miss Doublefinger (Daisy Head), the highest-ranking female Baroque Works officer, with the power to grow pointy spikes from any part of her body.
On the non-villain side, season 3 of One Piece will introduce Portgas D. Ace, a young pirate with a long history with Luffy. Ace will be played by Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña, a brilliant piece of casting fans have been asking for for years. Ace has the power to manipulate, create, and transform into fire, and is the 2nd division commander of the mighty Whitebeard Pirates.
Who is behind The New Season?
(Photo by Casey Crafford/Netflix)
Matt Owens, who developed the live-action adaptation of One Piece alongside Steve Maeda, officially left the show in March of 2025 to focus on his mental health. Joseph E. Tracz remained as showrunner to oversee post-production on season 2. Ian Strokes officially joined as co-showrunner for season 3.
Neither Tracz nor Strokes are strangers to the world of One Piece. Both served as writers on the show, with Ian Strokes writing episodes of both the first and second seasons, while Tracz wrote an episode of season 2.
When will it premiere?
(Photo by Casey Crafford/Netflix)
Unfortunately, considering season 2 only dropped on Netflix earlier this week, we don’t know yet. But we do know that season 3 filmed back-to-back with season 2, so the wait will hopefully be shorter this time around.
One Piece: Into the Grand Line is currently available to stream on Netflix.
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