The Grand Line Goes Global: One Piece Dominates Fan Polls, Netflix, and the Streets of the Philippines
Few anime franchises command the kind of cultural gravity that One Piece does in 2026. From fan-voted character polls that reveal the fandom's deepest obsessions, to Netflix commitments and real-world street activations on the other side of the globe, Eiichiro Oda's decades-long epic continues to expand its footprint in ways that feel less like a franchise in its twilight and more like one hitting a second wind.
The 2nd Global Popularity Poll: Who the World is Watching
The results for rankings 31 through 100 of the One Piece second global character popularity poll have been released, and the spread of names is nothing short of a window into the fandom's soul. The list reaches far beyond the predictable Straw Hat crew, surfacing beloved figures from across the series' sprawling lore — Gol D. Roger, the spectral Joyboy, the ever-menacing Blackbeard, the shadowy Imu, the revolutionary Monkey D. Dragon, and even the Going Merry herself, the beloved ship given a slot by fans who clearly view her as a character rather than a vessel.
The inclusion of characters like Imu and Dragon — who remain largely shrouded in mystery within the ongoing manga — signals just how invested the global fanbase is in the series' endgame storylines. These are not peripheral figures; they are the pillars around which the Final Saga's biggest revelations will hinge. The fact that they rank this high, despite limited screen time compared to core cast members, suggests that anticipation for their full roles is running extraordinarily high. Meanwhile, the appearance of the Going Merry among named characters is a testament to the emotional storytelling that has always set One Piece apart — in no other series would a ship generate enough fandom affection to compete in a character poll.
The full top-30 results have yet to be officially published as part of this release cycle, but the 31-100 window alone offers a compelling portrait of who the franchise's global audience cares most about as the story races toward its conclusion.
Netflix and THE ONE PIECE: A Remake With Momentum
Netflix used its Anime NYC appearance to deliver a slate of updates across its anime lineup, and THE ONE PIECE — WIT Studio's high-profile remake of the original series — was among the titles featured prominently in those announcements. Alongside updates for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, Blue Eye Samurai, and newcomer Bass x Machina, the inclusion of THE ONE PIECE in Netflix's official ANYC communications underscores how seriously the platform is treating the property.
WIT Studio's take on the saga — which began retelling Oda's story from the East Blue arc with higher production values and condensed pacing — has been positioned as an entry point for new viewers while simultaneously offering longtime fans a chance to revisit the world through a fresh visual lens. Netflix's continued promotion of the project at one of the anime calendar's major fan events suggests the remake remains on track and that the platform is investing in its visibility ahead of upcoming releases. Exact scheduling details were not disclosed, but the ANYC spotlight will have done its job in keeping interest simmering.
The Elbaph Arc Hits the Streets — of the Philippines
The most tangible evidence of One Piece's real-world cultural reach this week came from the Philippines, where two separate events tied to the franchise's current Elbaph arc unfolded in the Metro Manila area. Both speak to how deeply embedded One Piece has become as a live event property, particularly in Southeast Asia.
RunRio, one of the Philippines' major organised running event companies, unveiled details for the ONE PIECE Run 2026 at the Animezing North launch event held at SM North EDSA. Themed around the Elbaph arc — the current storyline in both the manga and anime, which takes the Straw Hats to the legendary land of giants — the run is set for September at SM Mall of Asia. The convergence of pop culture IP with the physical, participatory format of a fun run has proven an enduring promotional model across Asian markets, and One Piece is a natural fit: the series has always celebrated endurance, adventure, and the joy of pushing forward regardless of the odds.
Separately, an immersive installation titled "The Giants of Elbaph" took over The Block at SM North EDSA — and this was not a one-off event. According to reports, this marks the fourth consecutive year that One Piece has staged a major activation at this venue in Quezon City, cementing an annual tradition that few other anime franchises can claim in the region. The Elbaph theming is particularly apt: the Giants of Norse-inspired Elbaph are among the most visually striking figures in the entire series, and translating that scale to a physical installation makes for an obvious crowd draw. The fact that fans keep returning year after year is a testament to the event's appeal and to the franchise's sustained popularity in the Philippines, which has long been one of One Piece's most passionate global markets.
A Franchise in Full Sail
Taken together, this week's One Piece news paints the picture of a franchise that knows exactly where it stands: deep in its endgame, with fans more engaged than ever in the big mythological questions the story is finally beginning to answer. The global popularity poll results confirm that audiences are tracking every player on the board — not just the heroes, but the villains, the mysteries, and even the ships they sail. Netflix's ongoing investment in THE ONE PIECE remake ensures the series continues to onboard new viewers. And the Philippines events show that One Piece has achieved something rare: the ability to move off a screen and into the streets, year after year, without the excitement diminishing.
The Grand Line, it turns out, runs straight through Quezon City — and apparently all the way to your Netflix queue.