One Piece Episode 1153, titled “The Upheaval of an Era. The Color of the Supreme King That Leads Luffy,” premiered on December 14, 2025, delivering a highly anticipated moment for fans: the first on-screen appearance of the legendary figure Joyboy. This pivotal episode significantly advanced the Egghead Arc, concluding a major segment of the storyline before the anime embarks on a planned three-month hiatus.
A Pivotal Episode for the Egghead Arc
Episode 1153 arrived with considerable hype, marking a crucial development in the ongoing Egghead Island Arc, which has been unfolding key events involving Bonney, Emet, and the Five Elders. The episode is considered one of the final installments before a significant break in the anime’s broadcast.
Joyboy’s Long-Awaited Debut
A central highlight of Episode 1153 is the introduction of Joyboy, a mythical figure whose name has been mentioned several times throughout the One Piece saga but whose appearance has remained elusive. Through a flashback featuring Emet, the legendary character finally makes his debut. Emet had previously indicated knowledge of Joyboy, even claiming to have fought alongside him centuries ago. This revelation has been a long time coming for fans, offering a deeper dive into the world’s history and the mysteries surrounding the Void Century.
Key Events and Revelations
Beyond Joyboy’s appearance, Episode 1153 continued the intense narrative set in motion by Episode 1152, which featured Bonney’s confrontation with St. Saturn and Vegapunk’s crucial speech. The episode also saw the tragic sacrifice of Atlas to protect the Straw Hats from Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, highlighting the high stakes on Egghead Island. The unfolding events are setting the stage for the Straw Hats’ desperate escape from the island, as the Egghead arc draws towards its initial conclusion.
The Anime’s Shifting Schedule
Following the intense events of Episode 1153 and the wrapping up of this segment of the Egghead Arc, the One Piece anime is set to undergo a significant scheduling change.
Post-Episode 1153 Hiatus
After Episode 1153, the anime will enter a three-month hiatus, pausing from January to March 2026. This break is scheduled before the series returns in April 2026 to begin adapting the manga’s Elbaf arc, which is expected to be split into two 12-13 episode cours. This temporary halt aims to allow for better alignment with the manga’s pacing and to manage the extensive production demands of the long-running series.
Future of One Piece Anime
Starting in 2026, Toei Animation’s adaptation of One Piece will transition to a seasonal format, releasing a maximum of 26 episodes per year. This change marks a significant shift for the anime, which has run almost weekly since 1999. The new schedule is also designed to better synchronize with the weekly Shonen Jump manga releases, allowing fans to transition from watching the latest anime episode to reading the newest manga chapter almost immediately. This move caters to the series’ now adult fanbase, offering a more streamlined consumption experience.
Where to Watch Episode 1153
One Piece Episode 1153, along with other new episodes, is available to stream on Crunchyroll shortly after its initial broadcast in Japan. Crunchyroll provides the Japanese audio with English subtitles, with English dubbed versions typically released several weeks later. Fans in various regions can access the episode at different times due to time zone differences, with Crunchyroll’s release calendar often showing new episodes dropping on Saturdays in Pacific and Eastern Time zones, and Sundays in the UK and Central European Summer Time.
Episode 1153 is a landmark installment for One Piece fans, not only for its narrative breakthroughs like Joyboy’s appearance and critical developments in the Egghead Arc but also for marking a significant shift in the anime’s long-term release strategy.
