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One Piece: The return of Egghead already has a date; one of the Straw Hat Pirates will have a new voice when the anime arc resumes

Actor Kazuki Yao announced his retirement and revealed who will replace him

One Piece: The return of Egghead already has a date; one of the Straw Hat Pirates will have a new voice when the anime arc resumes

Actor Kazuki Yao announced his retirement and revealed who will replace him

In mid-October, the One Piece anime unexpectedly went on hiatus. Naturally, this news disappointed fans of Luffy and his crew, as the Egghead arc was left at one of its most exciting moments. Fortunately, there is now a confirmed date for the return of the latest arc in the animated series.

However, not all the news is good, as one of the anime’s most iconic voices has decided to retire. We're talking about actor Kazuki Yao, known for bringing Franky, one of the Straw Hat Pirates, to life. During Jump Festa 2025, the return date for Egghead was confirmed, and the actor taking over Yao’s role to voice the powerful shipwright pirate was also revealed.

When will Egghead, the current One Piece arc, return?

Since Egghead went on hiatus, fans have enjoyed various productions related to the franchise, such as the One Piece Fan Card Special, which debuted to celebrate the anime's 25th anniversary. Additionally, a remastered edition of the Fish-Man Island arc began airing, featuring just 21 episodes.

Fans of the franchise can mark their calendars, but they'll need to be patient, as Egghead still has several months before its return. Specifically, the anime’s latest arc will resume on April 6, 2025.

Toei Animation shared a teaser to announce the news. It highlights one of the most anticipated moments in Egghead: the confrontation between Luffy and Kizaru, as well as the start of the battle against the Gorosei.

Furthermore, we’ll learn more about the backstory of Bartholomew Kuma and the fate of Dr. Vegapunk. Once resumed, the series will pick up its usual pace before eventually transitioning to the Elbaph arc, a crucial chapter in the franchise.

New promotional image for One Piece
New promotional image for One Piece

Who will be the new voice of Franky in One Piece?

After working on One Piece for decades, actor Kazuki Yao decided to retire. This news saddened many fans of the franchise, as they adored his work as Franky and Bon Chan. During a special presentation at Jump Festa 2025, Yao officially stepped down from the role of Franky and passed it on to Subaru Kimura, an actor known for his work in popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Doraemon.

In a symbolic act that every One Piece fan would understand, Yao handed over Franky’s iconic underwear to Kimura, who accepted it to take on this important role in the series. Additionally, the veteran actor taught him how to say Franky’s signature catchphrase, “Super!” live on stage. Below are videos showcasing this moment:

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