Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Adds Four New Cast Members for Alabasta Arc

Casting announcements have become a hallmark of Netflix’s live-action ‘One Piece,’ with each new season unveiling its characters in meticulously planned reveals that excite fans long before the release. The series has earned a reputation for its thoughtful casting choices, appealing to both dedicated manga readers and newcomers meeting the Straw Hat crew for the first time.

This tradition continued over the weekend at ONE PIECE Day ’26, the franchise’s annual event held in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to major film announcements for the broader franchise, the live-action series took the opportunity to unveil its latest additions for Season 3.

Four new actors have officially joined the cast of ‘One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta’: Emilio Sakraya as Koza, Omid Abtahi as Toto, Jamie Ward as Pell, and Nabeel Khan as Chaka. This announcement was made at the end of the stage show, following the reveal of the second worldwide character popularity poll results, which once again named Luffy as the franchise’s most popular character.

Each new cast member takes on a role pivotal to the Alabasta storyline, one of the most cherished arcs in the entire ‘One Piece’ saga. Sakraya will portray Koza, Princess Vivi’s childhood friend and the leader of the Alabasta Rebel Forces, whose character arc is intricately linked to the kingdom’s escalating civil war. His previous credits include “Rheingold,” “Those About to Die,” and “Fortitude.”

Ward has been cast as Pell, recognized as the strongest warrior in Alabasta and one of the kingdom’s head royal guards. In the source material, he wields the powers of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon. Ward has appeared in “The Gentlemen” and “His Dark Materials,” bringing experience in both crime drama and fantasy adaptations to the role.

Khan joins the cast as Chaka, the second head guard serving alongside Pell and acting captain of the royal guard during Igaram’s absence. Known for his roles in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “Strike Back,” Khan complements the kingdom’s protective forces alongside Ward’s Pell.

Completing the group is Abtahi, who has been cast as Toto, the village elder of Yuba and Koza’s father. Abtahi brings notable genre credentials to the role, having previously appeared in “The Mandalorian” and “American Gods.”

These four newcomers join a Season 3 cast that already includes several previously announced additions, such as Cole Escola as Bon Clay, Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace, Daisy Head as Miss Doublefinger, and Awdo Awdo as Mr. 1. They will appear alongside the franchise’s returning core cast, including Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.

According to Netflix’s official synopsis, Season 3 finds the Straw Hat Pirates entering the perilous Grand Line as war looms in the desert kingdom of Alabasta, Princess Vivi’s homeland. A rebellion threatens to tear the nation apart, secretly fueled by Sir Crocodile and his underground syndicate Baroque Works, forcing the crew to confront both a civil war and a dangerous Warlord of the Sea to save Vivi’s kingdom.

Production for the season has already concluded in Cape Town, South Africa, keeping the show on track for its previously announced 2027 release on Netflix. Ian Stokes and Joe Tracz continue to serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers for this third installment.

The live-action adaptation has gained significant momentum since its 2023 debut, with the first season topping Netflix’s global English TV rankings with 18.5 million total views and 140.1 million hours viewed. With Season 2 having already progressed through the Drum Island arc earlier this year, fans now have a clearer understanding of how faithfully the show intends to bring Alabasta’s beloved characters to life.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!