One Piece: WIT Studio reveals how it will fix the anime’s biggest flaw

WIT Studio has confirmed that the new One Piece anime, produced for Netflix, will fix one of the most criticized problems of the original version: its extreme slowness. According to George Wada, the studio’s CEO, the idea is to modernize Eiichiro Oda’s work to attract young viewers who don’t connect with the dragged-out pacing of the 1999 episodes.

In a recent interview, Wada explained that the decision came from a concern raised by the creator himself, Eiichiro Oda. The author believed the old screen format (4:3) and the slow pacing drove potential new viewers away. That’s why the new version, titled THE ONE PIECE, will use cutting-edge animation techniques to deliver a dynamic, visually striking experience in 16:9.

Fast pacing and zero filler

The production promises to cut the excess filler and unnecessary stretching that marked Toei’s classic animation. With heavyweight names on the team, such as director Masashi Koizuka (Attack on Titan), the project will start from scratch with the East Blue saga. That way, the studio aims to deliver the same fluidity seen in modern hits like Spy x Family and Vinland Saga.

Although fans eagerly await a premiere date later this 2026, Netflix is still keeping the schedule under wraps. Still, the addition of Hideaki Abe (Jujutsu Kaisen) as assistant director underscores the commitment to technical quality. Meanwhile, the live-action hit keeps fueling global interest in Luffy’s journey in search of the legendary treasure.