One Piece Voice Actor Reveals Major Anime Change That Boosted Ratings

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Despite the enjoyable distractions provided by series such as “Solo Leveling,” it’s undeniable that “One Piece” reigns supreme among shonen anime. After a lengthy break, it has made its grand return, and with it comes a host of changes – a new director, a replacement for Kazuki Yao as Franky’s voice actor, fresh opening and ending themes, and notably, a revised broadcast schedule. Surprisingly, “One Piece” has moved to a late-night time slot, and this adjustment appears to be driving up viewership numbers already.

Based on a post by @pewpiece, Mayumi Tanaka, the Japanese voice actor for Luffy, mentioned that the viewership of One Piece has grown since the anime was shifted to a late-night schedule. Although the authenticity of this comment is yet to be confirmed, it’s not surprising that the viewership increased due to the buzz around the anime’s comeback and the excitement surrounding the Egghead Arc and its upcoming events. Moreover, there might be another significant factor contributing to the success of One Piece’s new time slot, which appears to be favorable for the series’ dedicated fanbase.

With the shift to airing later in the evening, I’ve noticed a surge in viewers!” (As if spoken by Mayumi Tanaka, Luffy’s voice actor)

— Pew (@pewpiece) April 12, 2025

One Piece’s Rising Viewership Proves the Series’ Audience Has Changed

Initially, One Piece explained that the shift in broadcast schedule was primarily designed to allow viewers to transition seamlessly from watching the fresh episode to reading the newest manga chapter, which is published online in Japan at midnight on Mondays, only a few minutes after One Piece’s new air time of 11:15 PM. This undoubtedly boosts the popularity of the manga and could inspire more anime-only fans to delve into the printed version. However, it appeared that the revised schedule did not seem to offer any obvious advantages for the anime itself.

It’s quite logical that One Piece is moving to a late-night timeslot, as the fanbase has evolved alongside the series over the past two decades. The earlier morning slot was primarily aimed at young children; however, the main audience for One Piece consists of those who have grown up with the show and may not find the early hours as practical now that they’re adults. For other shows, a Sunday night release might be considered a “graveyard” time, but it surprisingly suits One Piece well. In fact, this change also benefits Western fans by offering a more convenient viewing experience.

Most significantly, since One Piece is now tailoring towards its mature audience, it won’t need to tone down the violence or censor graphic scenes from the narrative anymore. Consequently, this shift promises a more genuine and fulfilling portrayal for fans to enjoy.

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2025-04-13 06:09