One Piece anime fans are having the biggest summer of all time

One Piece is experiencing a massive surge in cultural relevance and fan engagement, establishing itself as the most relevant survivor of the “Big Three” anime franchises alongside Bleach and Naruto.

Netflix’s live-action adaptation returned earlier this year and was already renewed for a third season, demonstrating strong audience interest. LEGO is launching additional merchandise sets tied to the live-action series’ second season, expanding the franchise’s physical product offerings.

Most significantly, One Piece is opening its first official “Mugiwara Store” (Mugiwara being Japanese for “Straw Hats,” the protagonist group’s name) in the United States. This marks a major milestone for the franchise, as fans have long needed to travel to Japan to access official merchandise. The retail expansion represents a substantial increase in the franchise’s physical presence for Western audiences.

These developments underscore One Piece’s continued dominance in global anime culture, with multiple revenue streams—streaming television, collectibles, and retail experiences—driving sustained engagement and growth.

Sources