Mayumi Tanaka Returns as Luffy in THE ONE PIECE as First Footage Reveals Netflix 2027 Release

THE ONE PIECE has announced its Japanese cast, confirming that 71 year old Mayumi Tanaka will continue voicing Monkey D. Luffy in the new anime series. The casting was realized after a passionate request from the production team.

Tanaka commented, “I am Mayumi Tanaka, the voice of Monkey D. Luffy. I am happy to be joining this new series, THE ONE PIECE, once again as Luffy. I did feel a little anxious about starting something new at this age, but once I actually tried it, I made new discoveries and was able to play Luffy with a fresh feeling.”

The first footage from the anime has also been revealed. THE ONE PIECE will begin streaming worldwide on Netflix in February 2027.

THE ONE PIECE Reanimates the Story from the East Blue Arc

THE ONE PIECE is a completely new anime adaptation that begins from Chapter 1 of Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, starting with the East Blue Arc. Production is moving from Toei Animation, which works on the current television anime, to WIT STUDIO, with a new animation team handling the project.

Separate from the current television anime series, which has continued for more than 25 years, the new adaptation aims to pursue visual expression suited to the modern era while portraying Luffy and his friends’ adventure in a way that feels both nostalgic and new.

Season 1 will cover 50 chapters of the original manga. The story will follow Luffy until he meets Sanji, the sous chef of the floating restaurant Baratie. All seven episodes will be released at once, with a total runtime of about 300 minutes.

First Footage Shows Luffy Setting Out for the Great Pirate Era

The newly released footage begins with the famous words spoken at the moment of death by Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King who once obtained wealth, fame, and power. His final words drive people across the world to the sea, ushering in the Great Pirate Era.

The footage shows Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist, setting sail with the straw hat entrusted to him by Red Haired Shanks as he begins his journey in search of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece and sets his sights on becoming the Pirate King.

After leaving Foosha Village, Luffy is shown facing various enemies and encountering new people, building anticipation for the start of a grand adventure. The footage also reveals major characters for the first time, including Red Haired Shanks, the pirate Luffy admires, as well as Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji.

The footage ends with Luffy powerfully launching a Gum Gum Pistol at the Lord of the Coast, closing the preview with overwhelming impact.

Mayumi Tanaka Shares Her Thoughts on Returning as Luffy

Speaking about her return to the role, Tanaka said, “I am Mayumi Tanaka, the voice of Monkey D. Luffy. I am happy to be joining this new series, THE ONE PIECE, once again as Luffy. I did feel a little anxious about starting something new at this age, but once I actually tried it, I made new discoveries and was able to play Luffy with a fresh feeling.”

She added, “I really enjoyed recording the dialogue, so I hope many people will watch it. The series will begin streaming in February 2027, so please look forward to it!”

Director Masashi Koizuka also commented on the production, saying, “The voice actors gave such passionate and wonderful performances that the animation team is constantly giving 120 percent so that we will not be outdone.”

Koizuka continued, “When the original comic first began serialization, I remember feeling the same kind of excitement that Luffy had when he set out onto the unknown sea, wondering what would happen next every week.”

He added, “What we are focused on above all is adapting the fun and fascinating manga ONE PIECE that Oda sensei created with everything we have. We are making this series while cherishing the desire for viewers to experience a new ONE PIECE from the beginning once again.”

About ONE PIECE

ONE PIECE began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump on July 22, 1997. The series is a maritime adventure romance centered on the legendary treasure known as the One Piece, left behind by the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

The story follows Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who ate the Devil Fruit known as the Gum Gum Fruit and became a rubber human with the special ability to stretch his body like rubber. As he gathers friends and forms the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy sets out on an epic journey to become the Pirate King.

ONE PIECE is a globally popular series with more than 600 million copies of its manga in circulation worldwide. The television anime has been airing since 1999. The 2022 anime film ONE PIECE FILM RED became a social phenomenon in Japan, surpassing 20.34 billion yen at the domestic box office. The Elbaph Arc of the television anime ONE PIECE is currently airing.

Staff

Original Creator: Eiichiro Oda, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump by Shueisha
Director: Masashi Koizuka
Series Composition and Script: Taku Kishimoto
Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Kyoji Asano, Takatoshi Honda
Assistant Director: Hideaki Abe
Creature Design and Image Board: Yasuhiro Kajino
Prop Design: Eri Taguchi
Action Animator: Shuhei Fukuda, Ken Imaizumi
Main Animator: Taisei Kudo
Art Director: Tomonori Kubota
Art Setting: Kazushi Fujii, Kazuo Nagai
Ship Setting: Miyon
Color Design: Ayaka Nakamura, Yui Mochizuki
3DCG Director: Shigenori Hirozumi
Effects Supervisor: Masanori Sakakibara
Look Development Artist: Ryo Ohashi
Director of Photography: Koji Tanaka, Shun Arimura
Editing: Aya Hida
Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
Music: Yuki Hayashi
Animation Producer: Ryoma Kawamura

Cast

Monkey D. Luffy: Mayumi Tanaka

Source : ORICON NEWS