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Despite what people think, making a show is hard, especially one on the size and scale of Netflix’s One Piece. There is intense pressure to follow up on the success of season one, which proved to fans that Netflix was capable of making a live-action anime adaptation that didn’t completely miss the point. Perhaps because of that pressure, the showrunner for One Piece seasons one and two has had to walk away from the show.

Matt Owens has been part of Netflix’s One Piece since the very beginning, serving as executive producer and co-showrunner for both seasons so far. However, on Saturday, he broke the news on his social media that he would be stepping away from One Piece even before we get an announcement for season two’s release date.

“The last 6 years working on the live action One Piece have been a life changing journey,” Owens wrote on Instagram. “A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. So I’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break and focus on myself and my mental health… For now, I’m going to take a breath, do some therapy, try and rank in Marvel Rivals, and come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.”

For now, it appears Joe Tracz is expected to guide One Piece through season two post-production. With Zoro’s actor already confirming that Netflix is bringing them back for season three, it isn’t clear if Owens will return to the show for future seasons. 

One Piece season two is expected to come out sometime in 2026 on Netflix with season three beginning filming before the end of 2025.

THE ONE PIECE IS REAL...ly important to Popverse! That's why we've put together the key articles to keep your fandom of the manga-turned-anime-turned-live-action-show alive:

• How to watch One Piece One Piece in chronological and release order (All 1,100+ episodes plus the movies!)
• When the next episode of One Piece is coming
• Netflix almost missed casting Superman star Mikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper because the audition materials were too vague
• Netflix enlists a Bridgerton star to show off the first big set piece of One Piece season 2, with a Loguetown that is full of easter eggs from the manga
• Why One Piece's Monkey D. Luffy is the perfect hero for the dark times ahead
• Every difference between the live-action One Piece and the original manga
• One Piece Gear 5 Form: Everything we know about Luffy's latest transformation
• Ranking the One Piece anime's arcs, from best to worst
• Why is One Piece more popular now that the anime is 25 years old? We asked around and found out
• The English cast of One Piece explain what they love about Eiichiro Oda's storytelling - "He's a genius!"