ONE PIECE DAY 2025: Celebrating the Legacy of an Iconic Franchise
The excitement surrounding the beloved anime and manga series, ONE PIECE, reached new heights during the fourth annual ONE PIECE DAY, held at Tokyo Big Sight over the weekend. This two-day extravaganza, organized by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Shueisha, and Toei Animation, featured a plethora of exhibitions, live performances, and thrilling announcements that delighted fans from around the globe. The event was streamed live on the official ONE PIECE YouTube channel, offering simultaneous English translations for key segments, ensuring fans worldwide could partake in the festivities.
Main Stage Highlights: A Star-Studded Lineup
The main stage of ONE PIECE DAY was nothing short of spectacular, kicking off with electrifying performances by Hiroshi Kitadani, renowned for his contributions to various anime opening themes. Among the most notable moments was the surprise appearance of Iñaki Godoy, the actor portraying Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix’s live-action adaptation. Godoy joined the stage after a pre-recorded video call with Kappei Yamaguchi, the voice actor for Luffy in the anime series, creating a heartwarming connection between the different mediums of ONE PIECE.
During his appearance, Iñaki Godoy shared an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming ONE PIECE Season 2: Into the Grand Line, which is set to premiere in 2026. He also confirmed that the series has been greenlit for a third season, much to the excitement of the audience.
Egghead Arc Voice Cast Performance: Bringing Characters to Life
The event showcased a live performance by the talented voice actors from the current Egghead Arc. This ensemble included Akemi Okamura (Nami), Kappei Yamaguchi (Usopp), Hiroaki Hirata (Sanji), Ikue Ohtani (Chopper), Yuriko Yamaguchi (Robin), Katsuhisa Hoki (Jinbe), and Reiko Takagi (Bonney). They performed pivotal scenes from the arc, including Luffy’s iconic “end of dream” moment and the poignant flashback featuring Kuma and Bonney. The cast shared emotional stories from behind the scenes, with Takagi expressing how she was moved to tears upon reading the script for the first time.
New Anime Adaptation Announcement: ONE PIECE: HEROINES
A thrilling announcement revealed the adaptation of the novel "ONE PIECE: HEROINES," written by Jun Esaka and illustrated by Sayaka Suwa. This new anime adaptation will delve into the stories of various heroines from the ONE PIECE universe, promising to bring fresh narratives and beloved characters to the forefront. The novel consists of two volumes, each containing eight chapters along with additional content focusing on different heroines, enhancing the depth of the ONE PIECE saga.
ONE PIECE Knowledge King Finals: A Celebration of Fandom
The event also featured the 7th installment of the ONE PIECE Knowledge King Finals, themed around the Paramount War saga. The semifinals took place on August 9, culminating in an emotional championship won by Kyan, a returning competitor known for his passion and knowledge of the series. In a heartfelt speech, Kyan expressed his deep appreciation for the ONE PIECE franchise, resonating with fans who share a similar affection for the story and its characters.
Attendees were treated to the premiere of "ONE PIECE in LOVE: FESTIVAL EVE SPECIAL," a new adaptation based on Chapter 159, released on Shonen Jump+ just days before the event, further showcasing the franchise’s commitment to delivering fresh content to its audience.
Special Live Concert: A Musical Celebration
The ONE PIECE DAY 2025 Special Live Concert was another highlight of the event, featuring performances from Hiroshi Kitadani, muque, and CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE. These artists entertained the crowd with memorable opening and ending themes from the series. GRe4N BOYZ, the creators behind the EGGHEAD Arc opening “ANGEL & DEVIL,” made a special appearance via video, prompting Kitadani to perform their song live. Muque showcased tracks like “The 1” and “carnival,” while CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE debuted their new song “PUNKS” and performed “Crush Style.” The concert concluded with a powerful rendition of Kitadani’s “OVER THE TOP” and “ONE DAY,” culminating in a group performance of “We Are!” featuring the Egghead Arc cast, Godoy, and other special guests. Mayumi Tanaka, the iconic voice of Luffy, delivered a heartfelt video message, ending with the memorable line, “You all are my NAKAMA!!”
Exhibition Hall: Immersive Experiences Await
The exhibition hall was a treasure trove of ONE PIECE experiences. Visitors were greeted by an impressive 7-meter-tall balloon of Prince Loki, marking the entrance to the Episode of ELBAPH exhibit. Inside, fans could explore reproduced illustrations and 3D displays that vividly depicted scenes from the arc.
The LEGO ONE PIECE exhibit was another must-see attraction, featuring a booth designed to resemble the Going Merry ship, showcasing brick recreations from the Netflix live-action series. This area included a mosaic-building activity, a Transponder snail prop, and various themed photo spots, allowing fans to engage interactively with their favorite moments from the series.
Upcoming Merchandise and Fan Engagement Opportunities
As anticipation builds for the winter opening of the ONE PIECE BASE SHOP, the event provided a sneak peek at upcoming products and the new CHOPPER’s project, which imagines the character in real-world scenarios. Attendees received promotional giveaways, including exclusive clear photo cards and special bandages for social media followers.
The FAV Card Lounge offered fans the chance to showcase their favorite characters. By forming groups of three with fellow fans who shared the same favorite character, attendees could earn exclusive stickers, fostering a sense of community and interaction among participants.
Additional Attractions: Fun and Games for All
The event featured a range of additional attractions designed to entertain and engage fans of all ages. Attendees could immerse themselves in a 3D Sound Theater experience, showcasing the ONE PIECE LOG: FISH-MAN ISLAND SAGA with Dolby Atmos technology. The Immersive Photo Spot allowed fans to pose as their favorite characters, while Character Greetings provided opportunities for mascot appearances featuring Luffy and Chopper, along with a handshake event with Hiroshi Kitadani.
The Bounty Rush Zone offered interactive 4v4 battles, and life-sized character panels inspired by the Bounty Rush game added to the excitement. Toy and Hobby World showcased upcoming releases from Bandai, BANDAI SPIRITS, and MegaHouse, including the latest figures and entries for the upcoming ONE PIECE World Figure Colosseum. A collaborative fan art piece was created on a 30-meter wall, allowing visitors to contribute their artistic talents.
The event also featured a Card Game Exhibition, showcasing oversized displays and on-site booster pack sales from a large vending machine, while the Gashapon Corner offered limited and early-release capsule toys, including the popular “ONEPI NO MI” series. For those looking for a challenge, a scavenger-style mission encouraged fans to search for 1,400 hidden characters throughout the venue.
ONE PIECE DAY 2025 was an unforgettable celebration of the franchise, bringing together fans from around the world to honor the legacy of this iconic series. With exciting announcements, live performances, and immersive experiences, the event truly captured the spirit of adventure that defines ONE PIECE and its dedicated fanbase.