ONE PIECE is back on the menu, and the next stop is massive.
Toei Animation and Crunchyroll have announced the return of the ONE PIECE simulcast on April 5, 2026, launching the highly anticipated Elbaph Arc and pushing the Straw Hats into a brand-new chapter of their journey.
Elbaph Arc lands April 5 on Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll confirmed that ONE PIECE will return “with the start of the Elbaph Arc,” continuing the series’ status as a global anime phenomenon. That date matters, because Elbaph has lived in fan conversations for years. It’s the long-awaited “Land of Giants,” and the story finally takes us there.
According to the official synopsis, “After a daring escape from the Future Island Egghead, the Straw Hat Crew set their course for a legendary destination.” From there, the scale only goes up. The crew arrives at Elbaph “joined by the mighty Giant Warrior Pirates,” where “new encounters with Giants, and long hoped for reunions unfold.”
In other words: expect big worldbuilding, bigger emotions, and the kind of momentum that makes Sunday feel like a fandom holiday again. Even if you’re not a longtime weekly watcher, Elbaph reads like a clean re-entry point. You get the thrill of something new, but you still feel the weight of the journey behind it.
Final Egghead English dub batch starts March 24
Before Elbaph arrives, Crunchyroll also confirmed a March 2026 release window for the final English dub batch of the Egghead Arc. The rollout begins March 24, 2026, covering Episodes 1144–1155. This drop brings the complete Egghead Arc to Crunchyroll in English dub, which is a big win for dub-first fans and anyone catching up with friends.
Just as importantly, the release isn’t limited to one region. Crunchyroll lists availability across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), and Latin America. So whether you’re watching from Manila, Sydney, or São Paulo, the same hype can hit at the same time.
Ultimately, this announcement signals a clean two-step: finish Egghead in dub, then sprint into Elbaph with fresh energy. Or, if you’re a sub watcher, mark April 5 now and prepare for a “colossal new chapter” as the crew continues the chase for the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece!”
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to come back, this is it.
Cover image credit: Crunchyroll
