Planning 'One Piece' season 3 even before Season 2 release?

In a recent interview with Crunchyroll, Mackenyu, who plays Roronoa Zoro in the live-action series, hinted that work on Season 3 is already in progress. While discussing his role in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, he casually mentioned that filming for One Piece Season 3 is expected to start later this year.
Although Netflix has not officially announced a third season, Mackenyu’s statement supports rumors that the streaming platform has long-term plans for the hit adaptation. His comment also aligns with earlier reports suggesting that Netflix had already given the green light for more seasons.
While not much is known about the third season yet, the decision to start production soon suggests that Netflix is confident in the show’s future. Some reports claim that Season 2 will have fewer episodes than the first season, possibly seven instead of eight. This could explain why Netflix is already planning Season 3—to keep the story going smoothly without long gaps.
Filming for One Piece Season 2 was completed earlier this year in Cape Town, South Africa. Insiders have hinted that the upcoming season will be even more visually impressive and ambitious than the first, as Netflix continues to invest in expanding the world of One Piece.
Despite the excitement around Season 3, Netflix has not yet revealed an official release date for One Piece Season 2. The series was not included in Netflix’s list of upcoming 2025 releases, leading to speculation that it might arrive around Christmas 2025.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see new characters, including Tony Tony Chopper, who is expected to appear in Season 2. The upcoming season will likely take viewers to Drum Island, a snowy location that plays a key role in the story.
With Netflix pushing forward with One Piece Season 3, it’s clear that the live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga is here to stay.