Overview of Changes to One Piece Streaming
- Effective December 23, Crunchyroll will begin moving One Piece episodes to premium tiers in phases.
- This transition follows Sony/Aniplex’s acquisition, although fans can still find some episodes available for free on Pluto TV.
- Other streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu also feature select episodes of One Piece.
For many years, fans of One Piece enjoyed the ability to watch the expansive series on Crunchyroll without a paid membership. However, the platform is now implementing significant changes to its free access model for One Piece episodes.
Crunchyroll has been the go-to destination for newly released One Piece episodes for over a decade. Up until this point, nearly all subbed episodes were accessible to subscribers, with only the latest episode reserved for Premium members for a limited time. Crunchyroll has stated that these adjustments aim to enhance the viewer experience.
Importantly, this transition will not occur all at once. Initially, the first 206 episodes will remain available to all subscribers. The rest of the series will shift to premium tiers in three distinct phases starting December 23.
Details of Upcoming Phase Changes
- **Phase 1** (Beginning December 23): Episodes covering arcs from Water 7 to Fishman Island (approximately episodes 207-574) will switch to the premium tier.
- **Phase 2** (Starting January 20): Episodes from Punk Hazard to Whole Cake Island arcs (around episodes 575-877), including six special episodes, will be moved to premium access.
- **Phase 3** (Effective February 17): This phase will encompass episodes from the Reverie arc onwards, beginning with episode 878.
Accessing One Piece: Free and Paid Options
Though many fans may be disheartened by this news, such a transition was anticipated. The adjustment follows Crunchyroll’s strategy shift after its acquisition by Sony/Aniplex, which led to most previously free titles transitioning to premium access. Many were surprised that One Piece had remained available, making its shift now feel less abrupt.
Fortunately, there are still options for fans looking to watch One Piece without incurring costs. Services like Pluto TV continue to offer a limited selection of episodes, providing an alternative for those seeking free access. While the selection may fall short compared to Crunchyroll, it serves as a viable starting point. Additionally, other paid streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu, also carry portions of the One Piece series.
To summarize, One Piece can be accessed through multiple platforms, including Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, and Pluto TV, with Crunchyroll being the sole service offering the full series.
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