One Piece TV Anime’s Elbaph Arc Announces Theme Song Artists and Cast for Loki
During the recent AnimeJapan 2026 event, the One Piece stage presentation unveiled exciting details about the upcoming Elbaph arc in the TV anime series. Fans can look forward to captivating new theme songs performed by talented artists and the addition of a new cast member to the show.
Singer Aina The End will be lending her voice to the opening theme song titled “Luminous,” while the energetic rock band 36km/h will be responsible for the ending theme song called “Sono Mirai” (That Future). The teaser video released during the event not only gives fans a sneak peek at the opening song “Luminous” but also introduces Yūichi Nakamura as the voice behind the character Loki.
The highly anticipated Elbaph arc is set to premiere in Japan on April 5, and fans can catch all the action on Crunchyroll as the arc gets streamed. One Piece anime producer Ryūta Koike, along with Toei Animation, made an important announcement on October 28 regarding the future of the anime series. Moving forward, the annual episode output will be limited to a maximum of 26 episodes per year. This change comes after the conclusion of the Egghead arc last year, during which the anime took a much-needed three-month production hiatus from January to March 2026.
Returning in April 2026, the anime will kick off the Elbaph arc as part of the first of two cour (quarters of a year). This revamped schedule is aimed at allowing the episodes to align more closely with the manga’s content, tempo, and pacing, while still maintaining the unique storytelling elements that animation brings to the table. Since its debut in 1999, the One Piece anime has maintained a consistent airing schedule, but the decision to slow down the pace reflects a deliberate effort to deliver a more immersive viewing experience for fans.
The Egghead arc, which began in January 2024, saw a temporary pause in mid-October 2024 to recharge and regroup, with a planned return in April 2025. Part 2 of the Egghead arc premiered on Fuji TV on April 5, 2025, alongside a recap episode of Part 1, signaling the arc’s continuation. To keep fans engaged during the hiatus, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga—a condensed version of the Fish-Man Island arc—was aired in its place, featuring enhanced visuals and tweaked scenes.
The stage presentation at AnimeJapan 2026 not only serves as a platform for exciting announcements but also builds anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the One Piece anime series. With fresh theme songs, a new cast member, and a revamped production schedule, fans can expect a whole new level of excitement and adventure as the Elbaph arc takes center stage.