One Piece – History, Crew, Anime & Collectibles
The longest continuously running anime just changed everything. After 27 years and more than 1,150 episodes, One Piece has entered a new era. Here is the history, the crew, what is happening now, and what is worth owning in One Piece collectibles.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
The history: one story, thirty years
In 1997 Eiichiro Oda began a story about a rubber boy who wants to become King of the Pirates. Almost thirty years later he is still writing it – and it is not finished.
The manga is the best-selling comic series in history by a single author. In 2025 it was again number one in Japan, with over 4.2 million physical copies sold.
Why this matters to collectors: few franchises have such a large cast. Dozens of characters each with their own devoted following – which means every collector is chasing something different, and the figures never stop coming.
The Straw Hat crew
The captain. Ate the Devil Fruit that turned him to rubber.
The swordsman who fights with three blades – one held in his teeth.
The crew's navigator and cartographer.
The cook who fights only with his legs – he protects his hands.
The sniper, the reindeer doctor and the archaeologist.
The shipwright, the skeleton musician and the helmsman.
Beyond the crew, characters such as Ace, Law and Shanks carry their own, equally large followings in collectibles.
What is happening now – the biggest change in 27 years
The anime has gone seasonal
From 1999 until 2026, One Piece released an episode every week without pause, reaching more than 1,150. With the Elbaf arc, Toei Animation moved it to a seasonal format: a maximum of 26 episodes a year, split into two parts. The reason: to stop the anime catching up with the manga, and to fix the pacing.
The Elbaf arc
It began on 5 April 2026 with episode 1156. The crew finally reaches Elbaf, the homeland of the giants that Oda has been teasing for two decades. Part two started in July 2026.
Netflix's live-action series
Season two, Into the Grand Line, arrived on 10 March 2026 and topped global streaming charts. Season three is already filming in South Africa.
And a third One Piece
Netflix is also producing The One Piece – a ground-up remake of the anime by WIT Studio (Attack on Titan). No release date has been announced.
Where to start
Eleven hundred and fifty episodes is intimidating. Three realistic routes:
- The manga: the fastest. One volume covers what 8–10 episodes do, without the anime's pacing.
- Netflix's live-action: two seasons, easy to get through, and it works even if you have seen nothing before.
- The anime from the start: the complete experience, but it asks for commitment.
What is worth collecting
- Figures: Banpresto and Bandai release new lines constantly – from small figures to large statues.
- Manga: official English-language volumes, well suited to collecting.
- Funko POP: the whole crew and the main antagonists.
- Plush: mainly Chopper – the most huggable character in the series.
- Apparel & accessories: t-shirts, mugs, keyrings, posters.
Gift guide
The first manga volume, or a Luffy Funko POP.
A Chopper plush, play figures, t-shirts.
Premium Banpresto figures, volume sets, limited editions.
Keyrings, mugs, small figures, a single manga volume.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does One Piece release fewer episodes now?
- From the Elbaf arc onward, Toei Animation moved it to a seasonal format with a maximum of 26 episodes a year, in two parts. Before that it ran weekly for 27 years. The aim is to stop the anime overtaking the manga and to improve the pacing.
- What is Elbaf?
- The homeland of the giants, which Oda has been teasing for two decades. The arc began in April 2026 and is among the most anticipated in the series.
- Is the Netflix live-action series any good?
- It is the most successful anime adaptation Netflix has made. Season two arrived in March 2026 and season three is already filming. It works even for someone who has never watched the anime.
- Where can I find authentic One Piece collectibles in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
- Are your One Piece products official?
- Yes. Everything is officially licensed and comes from authorised distributors.
