Toei Animation revealed the cast for the enigmatic Knights of God in the One Piece Elbaph arc on Friday, alongside a new trailer that has fans buzzing across social media. The announcement came via the official One Piece anime X/Twitter account on May 29, confirming four voice actors for the Holy Knights serving under the World Government.
Knights of God Cast Revealed
Kenjiro Tsuda, previously confirmed for the role, voices Saint Shamrock — a figure whose cryptic connection to the Red Hair Pirates has been hotly debated since his manga introduction. The newly announced cast members include:
- Sumire Uesaka as Gunko
- Hiroki Yasumoto as Sommers
- Shinnosuke Tachibana as Killingham
Yuichi Nakamura also voices Loki, the cursed prince of Elbaph, whose capture kicked off the current arc's central conflict.
Theme Songs and Trailer
Singer Aina The End performs the opening theme song “Luminous,” while rock band 36km/h perform the ending theme “Sono Mirai” (That Future). The promotional video showcases the Elbaph arc's sweeping visuals alongside the new musical accompaniment.
Production Shift to Seasonal Model
The Elbaph arc premiered in April 2026 following a three-month production hiatus from January to March. This break marks a historic shift for the franchise: Toei Animation has announced that starting in 2026, One Piece will produce a maximum of 26 episodes per year, moving from its iconic year-round weekly schedule to a seasonal cour-based model.
“The new schedule will allow episodes to incorporate more content, tempo, and pacing of the manga while continuing to leverage the unique storytelling that is only possible with animation.”
— Toei Animation (via official statement)
During the Egghead arc's break, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga — a 21-episode abridged version of the Fish-Man Island arc with reshot scenes and retouched art — aired as a bridge.
Community Reception
The announcement has generated significant excitement across One Piece fandom. Kenjiro Tsuda's casting as Shamrock is particularly well-received, given his acclaimed performances in Jujutsu Kaisen (Nanami) and Hell's Paradise (Yamada Asaemon Senta). The reveal of Loki's voice actor Yuichi Nakamura — known for Gojo Satoru in Jujutsu Kaisen — has added to the hype around the arc's unfolding drama.
Fans on Reddit's r/OnePiece have noted the striking character designs for the Knights of God, with Gunko's visual under Sumire Uesaka drawing particular praise. The transition to a seasonal release schedule has received mixed but generally understanding reactions, with many viewers hoping it leads to higher animation quality and better pacing.
The Elbaph arc is currently streaming on Crunchyroll worldwide outside Japan.