Wano Country

Lore & Background

Wano Country is a secluded nation in the New World, ruled for years by the corrupt shogun Kurozumi Orochi, who allied with the Beast Pirates led by one of the Four Emperors, Kaido. The season follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they form an alliance with samurai, minks, and ninja to liberate the country. Episodes 895 and 896 contain an original story arc, "Cidre Guild", which ties into the film One Piece: Stampede. Episode 907 adapts Oda's one-shot manga Romance Dawn, featuring a slightly different Luffy. Episodes 1029 and 1030 constitute a One Piece Film: Red tie-in called "Uta's Past", following Luffy's childhood interactions with Uta, the adoptive daughter of "Red-Haired" Shanks. At 197 episodes, season 20 is the first-ever longest season of the series.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the Flower Capital, carrying the scent of burning ash and distant rain. Above, the sky was choked with smoke from the factories that never slept, casting a grey shadow over the once-vibrant cherry blossoms. A lone figure in tattered armor stood atop a ruined pagoda, gripping a katana that had not been drawn in twenty years. Below, the rhythmic chanting of workers echoed through the streets, their eyes downcast, but in the shadows of the alleyways, eyes watched with renewed fire. The fog that usually hid Wano from the world was beginning to lift, revealing a storm that would wash away centuries of silence and bring a new dawn to the land.

Reader's Guide

Wano Country acts as the narrative climax of the second half of the series' journey so far, serving as the ultimate test for the Straw Hat Pirates. Unlike previous islands where the crew merely visited or fought a local warlord, Wano requires them to form a massive coalition, integrating with local rebels and former enemies to execute a complex invasion strategy. The arc explores themes of legacy, the cost of freedom, and the enduring power of hope against overwhelming odds. The setting is crucial because it houses the final Road Poneglyph, essential for finding the legendary treasure One Piece. Furthermore, the conflict here directly challenges the authority of the World Government by exposing the alliance between a Yonko and a corrupt Shogun. The liberation of Wano marks a turning point in the world's political landscape, signaling to the entire globe that the era of absolute tyranny is ending and that the age of pirates is truly entering its final phase.

Did You Know?

• Season 20 is the first-ever longest season of the series at 197 episodes.
• The season was delayed twice: first due to the COVID-19 pandemic (resuming June 28, 2020 from episode 930), and second due to a security breach at Toei Animation (resuming April 17, 2022 from episode 1014).
• Episodes 1029 and 1030 form a tie-in arc called 'Uta's Past', set over a decade before the present, focusing on Luffy's childhood with Uta, Shanks' adoptive daughter.
• Episode 907 adapts Eiichiro Oda's one-shot manga Romance Dawn, featuring a version of Luffy slightly different from the main series.
• The season used seven pieces of theme music, including a special opening theme for episode 1000: 'We Are!' performed by Hiroshi Kitadani.