2024’s Jump Festa, held in December 2023, sent ripples through the internet with the announcement of WIT Studio’s remake of the iconic series “One Piece”. Netflix has confirmed its role as the streaming platform for this highly-anticipated show. Known for their stunning animation, as demonstrated in the first three seasons of “Attack on Titan” and Netflix’s “Moonrise”, WIT Studio is a renowned name in the anime industry. While updates about the remake have been scarce, with only a set of stunning concept sketches shared by the studio in August 2024, these glimpses into the upcoming series have only fueled fan excitement further. These concept sketches were met with wide acclaim from the fandom, adding to their eagerness for the new series.
Initially, One Piece was well-liked due to Eiichiro Oda’s exceptional storytelling and world creation, but its popularity soared even higher following Netflix’s live-action version. Given that the initial anime aired in 1999, numerous fans eagerly anticipate seeing the same tale depicted with contemporary animation. The upcoming remake is projected to cover the entire East Blue Saga, which introduces us to Luffy, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp before they venture towards the Grand Line. However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the release of this remake will be delayed beyond initial expectations.
Yesterday, Kyoji Asano, the character designer for the One Piece remake, shared in an interview that he had created a few One Piece sketches only the previous day. He’s continually working on it, although advancements have been moving quite gradually.
— Pew (@pewpiece) June 13, 2025
One Piece Remake Is Making Slow Progress
Based on trustworthy information from the popular One Piece fan account @pewpiece, insiders indicate that fans may need to be patient for the upcoming One Piece animation by Wit Studio. Kyoji Asano, the character designer for this remake, mentioned in a recent interview that he was working on some One Piece sketches only a day ago. However, progress appears to be moving slowly. This update comes from a dependable source, and although it’s not surprising, it’s still disheartening considering the high expectations for other classic anime remakes that have experienced similar delays.
In his career, Asano has made a name for himself with his contributions to shows like “Attack on Titan” (2013), “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” (2004), and “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” (2016). He is also set to serve as the character designer for an upcoming project, which, according to his recent interview, is a remake. This remake will incorporate modern technology and feature a fresh soundtrack and new cast members, indicating that the production team is essentially starting from scratch on everything.
Wit Studio Has Had Scheduling Issues in the Past
Due to the continuous expansion of the anime industry, many animation studios often face issues meeting tight deadlines and dealing with capacity constraints. Wit Studio is one such studio, as they were forced to relinquish control over both “Attack on Titan” and “Vinland Saga” because of time pressures. Given the high popularity of these series, MAPPA quickly stepped in to take them over. They found it challenging to handle multiple demanding projects concurrently, leading to an overwhelming workload.
Without further ado, let me tell you that Netflix’s original anime series titled Moonrise took six long years for development. The project was first unveiled in 2018, and production commenced roughly in 2021. After a meticulous process, the show was finally released in April 2025. Interestingly, with two significant projects now completed, WIT Studio has more breathing room for their future series.
One Piece Remake Will Be Worth the Wait
Toei Animation has been responsible for producing the “One Piece” anime since 1999 and played a crucial part in its popularity worldwide. They have produced some stunningly animated episodes during the Wano Country Saga and the ongoing Egghead Incident Arc. However, the main concern with the anime is its pacing, which has significantly deteriorated compared to its initial phases. Typically, an episode covers around three to five chapters’ worth of content, but “One Piece” only adapts a single chapter.
The studio compensates for lengthy segments and unnecessary anime additions with slow-paced scenes. Since “One Piece” and its source material are weekly series, Toei Animation can’t follow the same approach as other productions. However, Wit Studio intends to address this issue in the remake. The long-running “One Piece” anime, comprising over 1100 episodes, deters potential new fans who may find such an extensive narrative daunting.
But if they’re watching an anime series with a finite number of episodes that airs seasonally, it’s a whole new situation. Additionally, the animation in the East Blue Saga is quite old-fashioned, and the 4:3 aspect ratio has largely fallen out of use, which Wit Studio intends to rectify. Although the release seems delayed compared to normal standards, it promises to be an outstanding watch given Wit Studio’s history of producing exceptional work.
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2025-06-14 04:10