Beyond anime announcements, JUMP Festa 2026 stunned the audience when actor Mackenyu Arata unexpectedly shared a special message from the set, confirming exciting news about the future of the One Piece Live-Action series.
Mackenyu confirms season 3 is now filming
At this year’s JUMP Festa, attention wasn’t just on new anime projects but also on Netflix’s live-action production team. Through a video message shared live at the event, Mackenyu Arata, who plays the “Pirate Hunter” Roronoa Zoro, officially confirmed that production on season 3 has begun.
In the clip, the actor smiled brightly and said, “Hello everyone, this is Mackenyu Arata. Are you enjoying JUMP Festa? Season 2 will be released in just a few months, and I’m really looking forward to it. But right now, I’m in Cape Town, South Africa, filming season 3. The whole team is working extremely hard to deliver an even stronger performance. So please look forward to it!”
This news comes as a thrilling surprise for fans. Earlier industry reports only hinted that season 3 might start filming late 2025, with no official confirmation on whether production had begun or been delayed. Mackenyu’s statement shows Netflix is confident and accelerating the Straw Hat crew’s journey.
Zoro’s more muscular look shows real evolution
Alongside the season 3 announcement, what really set social media buzzing was Mackenyu’s physique in the video. The actor appeared noticeably more muscular and defined compared to before. This perfectly matches Zoro’s development in the original manga, a swordsman who pushes his body to the absolute limit to become the world’s strongest.
In season 1, Zoro suffered a harsh defeat at the hands of Dracule Mihawk. That loss completely changed his mindset, turning him into an unstoppable training machine. Mackenyu’s serious commitment to his physique shows he wants to portray a stronger, more imposing Zoro as the story moves deeper into the Grand Line.
Reportedly, Mackenyu has followed an intense weight training and swordsmanship regimen since filming season 2 (Into the Grand Line). His powerful build now stands as clear proof that Zoro will be carrying the team through some heavy battles ahead.
One Piece Live-Action’s roadmap for the coming years
According to reports, the series’ schedule is becoming clearer:
Season 2 will cover arcs like Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, Loguetown, and Drum Island. This season also introduces new member Tony Tony Chopper. Netflix has set the release date for the 8-episode season 2 on March 10, 2026.
Season 3 is expected to focus entirely on the epic Alabasta war and the explosive events that follow. Since Zoro plays a crucial role in battles against Baroque Works members, Mackenyu’s physical preparation is essential.
Mackenyu’s physical transformation and Netflix’s rapid production pace not only reassure fans about the quality but also confirm the studio’s long-term commitment to Eiichiro Oda’s legacy.