Wano Country

A land of cherry blossoms and steel where a new shogun rises to reclaim his nation's honor.

The twentieth season of the One Piece anime television series is produced by Toei Animation and directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, Satoshi Itō and Yasunori Koyama. The season was broadcast in Japan on Fuji Television from July 7, 2019, to December 17, 2023. The main story arc, called "Wano Country", adapts material from the rest of the 90th volume to the beginning of the 105th volume of the manga by Eiichiro Oda. It deals with the alliance between the pirates, samurai, minks and ninja to liberate Wano Country from the corrupt shogun Kurozumi Orochi, who has allied with the Beast Pirates led by one of the Four Emperors, Kaido.

Quick Facts

Location: New World
Ruler (former): Kurozumi Orochi

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.

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. 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.

Did You Know?

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).
The season used seven pieces of theme music, including a special opening theme for episode 1000: 'We Are!' performed by Hiroshi Kitadani.