One Piece Director Drops Ambitious Elbaph Plan After First Look

Egghead is almost wrapped, and One Piece is already lining up its next big swing: Elbaph. We just got a first look at the arc at New York Comic Con 2025, and director Wataru Matsumi is talking about how the team plans to tackle it. Short version: let the artists cook, but keep an eye on the clock.

Where things stand

The anime is currently animating the finale of the Egghead arc. Once that lands, the show is rolling straight into Elbaph. NYCC 2025 brought the first look, plus a fresh key visual that has fans buzzing.

Let the animators run

Matsumi says the approach for Elbaph is to give the staff more freedom than usual. That includes bringing in talent from outside Japan, which he credits with adding new creative textures and a different sensitivity to the show. For a series this old and this massive, that is a pretty notable shift.

"So basically, as a rule of thumb, you know, we want for animators and every staff member to feel like they can do what they want to do, and we don't want to limit their abilities and imagination."

- Wataru Matsumi

Translation: expect some flex. With Elbaph packing major revelations and big fights, the team is clearly aiming for spectacle. If they actually follow through on this philosophy, Elbaph could be a candy store for animation nerds.

But not too far

There is a catch: freedom can wreck schedules if you chase every tiny detail. Matsumi says the job now is to be selective about what to push, especially when animating Nika, where the cartoon energy invites wild ideas.

"So, especially with, you know, something like Nika's actions and stuff, we are able to create a much more interesting picture than before, but we try not to go overboard - you know, we do need to rein it in. I need to see the balance, but it's been very exciting."

- Wataru Matsumi

That balance-first mindset makes sense if they want blockbuster moments without blowing deadlines. Sounds like the process has been energizing for the crew, which is a good sign heading into a monster arc.

Egghead is landing strong

While we wait for Elbaph, Egghead has delivered some bangers. Recent standouts on IMDb:

• Episode 1136: 'Kuma's Life' - 9.8/10
• Episode 1137: 'I'm Sorry, Dad - Bonney's Tears and Kuma's Fist' - 9.8/10
• Episode 1144: 'The Worst Nightmare - The Five Elders Come Together' - 9.8/10

Elbaph kicks off right after Egghead ends, with that NYCC 2025 first look and the new key visual setting the tone. If the team really does loosen the reins while keeping the schedule sane, we could be in for something special.

One Piece is streaming on Crunchyroll. Are you expecting Elbaph to be the most ambitious animated arc yet, or do you want them to keep it grounded? Drop your take.