It's the end of an iconic period for long-running series, with the production studio announcing a new production schedule for the beloved series, which has been airing for more than 25 years and included dozens of non-canon storylines. Starting in the new year, after the current storyline wraps up, the animated series will go on a three-month hiatus until spring, when the next major arc begins.
Updated Production Plan
From now on, the series will release a pair of cours every year for a cap of two dozen installments. Toei explains this will help the anime to “explore further into the heart of the universe — including more content, tempo, and timing of the original manga.” However, Toei conclude by hinting at “exciting surprises” during the series' break, which suggests more related projects, such as the upcoming live-action adaptation, scheduled to debut in the interim.
Previous Hiatus Benefits
The series anime had a six-month pause that began in late 2024 and ended in April 2025. The hiatus was for the animators to improve the visuals and allow the comic to get further ahead to avoid a faster anime pace and lengthy recap episodes. The anime couldn't benefit more from this respite, and it has been able to supply fans with countless action sequences, superior graphics, and less filler than previously.
Embracing Seasonal Format
Although some recap episodes appeared during this season, the positive effects of this updated approach far surpass the occasional interruption in the story. This also gives the manga, which is currently in the thick of the latest arc, to extend its lead on the adaptation. According to the news, this may lead to one episode of the series covering a single manga chapter, with others instead handling more material or additional to make up for scheduling.
This concludes of a generation for anime, as the epic saga is the final major title to abandon the old-school way of creation, which prioritized airing for almost the entire year. This explains why classics such as Bleach, and of course One Piece have so many side stories, and the quality of the animation can change drastically between installments and the following. Today, anime production is structured in seasons, with one or two maximum coming out each annually, allowing for improved visuals and greater accuracy to the original work.
