Netflix could lose hundreds of One Piece anime episodes between now and July 2024. What's On Netflix reports (via Toonado) that multiple season of the hit anime series are scheduled to leave the streaming platform over the next couple of months.
In fact, the first batch of episodes could be removed as soon 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)
Even more episodes are scheduled to leave Netflix the following month on June 22, 2024, and again on July 22, 2024.
- The Naval Fortress (11 episodes) - June 22, 2024
- The Foxy Pirate Crew (22 episodes) - June 22, 2024
- The “Water Seven” Chapter (35 episodes) - June 22, 2024
- Enies Lobby (21 episodes) - July 22, 2024
- CP9 (22 episodes) - July 22, 2024
- Goodbye Going Merry (19 episodes) - July 22, 2024
With how much Netflix has invested in the One Piece franchise, many expect the streamer to renew the licensing deal before the episodes are removed. But with just a few days to go until the May 22nd deadline, we may temporarily lose some of them. If Netflix is unable to reach a deal by the deadlines, many expect they will return to the platform at some point.
Netflix is currently home to around 500 episodes of the One Piece anime, and recently launched its own live-action adaptation. The first season of the live-action series 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 at risk of going anywhere. In fact, Netflix renewed the live-action series for a second season which is scheduled to begin production this summer and possibly premiere in 2025.
Anime has become of increasing interest to streaming platform, especially given the genre's growth globally over the years. While there are hundreds of anime shows and movies to enjoy on Netflix, One Piece remains one of the most popular though. Losing these episodes, even temporarily, may cause some viewers to look elsewhere.
If 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. Hulu also has 11 seasons of One Piece with 744 episodes.