Since June 2020, Netflix has been the streaming home of the One Piece anime series. Subscribers are able to watch all of the show's pre-time skip episodes, and even new weekly releases from the ongoing Egghead Island Arc.
But for the first time since February 2023, there's a possibility that Netflix could lose some seasons of the hit anime series. What's On Netflix reports that multiple seasons are scheduled to leave the streaming platform between May and July 2024. The first batch of episodes may be removed as early as this week.
According to the site, more than 60 episodes are scheduled to leave Netflix on May 22, 2024. This includes the following:
- TV Original 1 (13 episodes)
- Sky Island: Skypiea (30 episodes)
- Sky Island: The Golden Bell (22 episodes)
More episodes are scheduled to leave Netflix the following month on June 22, 2024:
- The Naval Fortress (11 episodes)
- The Foxy Pirate Crew (22 episodes)
- The “Water Seven” Chapter (35 episodes)
And finally, July 22, 2024, will see an additional 60-plus episodes leave:
- Enies Lobby (21 episodes)
- CP9 (22 episodes)
- Goodbye Going Merry (19 episodes)
Netflix is currently home to around 500 episodes of the One Piece anime. Assuming Netflix can't renew the licensing deal for these episodes, this would be a solid chunk of the series removed.
Given how much Netflix has invested in anime, especially the One Piece franchise, many expect that the streaming platform will reach a deal to renew the licenses for these seasons before they leave. But with the May 22 deadline looming, the tock is clicking. If they do end up leaving on schedule, many expect they will return to Netflix at some point.
In addition to the anime series, Netflix also recently launched its own live-action One Piece adaptation. The first season debuted in August 2023 to glowing reviews from critics and fans alike. The series sits at an 85% with critics, with an even more impressive 95% audience score.
"One Piece captures the essence of its beloved source material with a charmingly big-hearted adaptation that should entertain longtime fans as well as patient newcomers," the critics consensus reads.
Thankfully, the live-action One Piece series isn't going anywhere. In fact, Netflix renewed the live-action series for a second season which is scheduled to begin production this summer.
If the live-action series got you hooked on the anime and you've been using Netflix to watch all the old episodes, the good news is you'll still be able to find it on other streaming platforms. Crunchyroll currently features all 1,000-plus episodes of the anime series, including the new episodes.