One Piece season 3 has received a massive production update, alongside a number of major returning cast changes as Netflix’s live-action adaptation continues. Ahead of One Piece season 2 arriving on Netflix in early 2026, the adventure show based on Eiichiro Oda’s acclaimed manga was renewed for season 3. The story is expected to continue adapting the Alabasta Saga.

Now, Netflix has confirmed One Piece season 3 has started filming today, November 24, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to the returning main cast members who are part of the Straw Hat Pirates, Mikaela Hoover as Chopper, Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0, Lera Abova as Miss All Sunday, and Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefartari Cobra will be series regulars.

The filming update and One Piece cast changes were accompanied by a promotional image, showcasing a skull, a sheathed knife, and a Log Pose, used to navigate the Grand Line. The three objects surround a script for the season 3 premiere. All four objects are in a desert, reminiscent of the setting for Alabasta from the manga:

The front page of the script reveals One Piece season 3, episode 1 is titled “Where There’s Smoke.” The episode was written by Ashley Wigfield and will be directed by Christoph Schrewe. In addition to the existing cast members and cast promotions, Cole Escola will be joining as Bon Clay, while Xolo Maridueña will be portraying Portgas D. Ace.

The story of One Piece season 3 will pick up during the Alabasta Arc, the final stretch of the Alabasta Saga from the manga. One Piece season 1 ended by setting up this Saga, briefly introducing Smoker while hinting at the group’s upcoming adventure into the Grand Line. Season 3 will be the culmination of the first big threat they face.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed whether season 3 will only be covering the Alabasta Arc, the length of the storyline in comparison to other, smaller Arcs makes it a very likely possibility. This means a major focus on events that will be set up in season 2, including Baroque Works’ involvement in the larger story as a long-term threat.

With One Piece season 3 now filming, it likely won’t be long until more information about the upcoming episodes is revealed. The filming beginning months before season 2’s premiere also indicates there could be a shorter wait time between seasons. It’s also a good sign for just how much faith Netflix has in the ongoing manga adaptation.

One Piece season 2 — titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line — arrives Tuesday, March 10, 2026 on Netflix.

Release Date

August 31, 2023

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Owens

Directors

Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka

Writers

Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand

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  Monkey D. Luffy

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