‘One Piece’ Episode 1178 Release Date, Time, and Where to Watch Ahead of Elbaph Arc Climax

The ‘One Piece’ anime is approaching another significant milestone, and fans of the Elbaph Arc are eagerly anticipating the upcoming episode. Toei Animation has been consistently delivering new content throughout the latter half of 2026, with Episode 1178 being the next highlight in this journey.

As the Straw Hats navigate a war-torn landscape and the consequences of recent battles unfold, the anticipation for this release has sparked considerable discussion among fans. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where to watch the latest episode of the ‘One Piece‘ anime.

According to the latest Elbaph schedule that has circulated online, Episode 1178 is scheduled to air on September 20th, 2026. This timing follows the release of Episode 1177, maintaining the arc’s pattern of dropping new episodes approximately every week.

Recent episodes have adhered to a consistent broadcast schedule in Japan. Episode 1172 premiered on a Sunday evening on Fuji TV at 11:15 PM JST, and this late-night slot has been the anime’s regular home throughout the arc. Fans can expect Episode 1178 to follow suit unless any schedule changes are announced.

For those tracking the international release, the Crunchyroll simulcast has also established a reliable schedule. Episode 1176 was available on Crunchyroll at 7:15 AM Pacific and 10:15 AM Eastern, which corresponds to 3:15 PM British Summer Time for viewers in the UK. Unless there are last-minute adjustments, Episode 1178 should be available around the same Sunday morning time for audiences in America and Europe.

International viewers have found a dependable two-platform system for watching new episodes of the Elbaph Arc. ‘One Piece’ is accessible on Crunchyroll for viewers in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, provided they have a paid subscription.

For those outside these regions or without a Crunchyroll membership, there is still a way to catch the episode. The Elbaph Arc will be available on Netflix with a slight delay for viewers outside of Crunchyroll’s supported areas. This delay has become a familiar routine for fans who alternate between the two services.

This delay has recently extended to about a week. Netflix viewers can anticipate an episode to become available roughly seven days after its debut on Crunchyroll, based on the platform’s ongoing lag behind the simulcast. If this pattern continues, Episode 1178 should be accessible to Netflix subscribers the following Sunday.

Crunchyroll remains the preferred choice for anyone wanting to stay as close to the Japanese broadcast as possible. Crunchyroll offers the weekly simulcast of ‘One Piece’ along with its extensive back catalog of over a thousand episodes, making it the primary platform for the series’ current run throughout the Elbaph arc. Meanwhile, Netflix viewers will need to exercise a bit more patience each week.

Longtime fans have observed that the anime is not progressing at the pace they have come to expect in previous years. ‘One Piece’ has entered its Elbaph Arc with a schedule change for the first time since its debut in 1999, adopting a seasonal format after 26 years of weekly episodes. This adjustment has altered the frequency of new content.

The overall episode count for the year reflects this change significantly. In 2026, ‘One Piece’ is reverting to a schedule of 26 episodes per year, down from the usual total of around 40 to 50 episodes. For an anime that has been running for over two decades without interruption, this marks a notable shift from the norm.

The reason behind this slowdown is less about the anime falling behind and more about allowing the source material to develop. This change has been implemented to give the manga more time to progress ahead of the anime, as well as to address any pacing issues in the adaptation. Given the complexity of the Elbaph Arc, this extra time appears to be a deliberate creative decision rather than a production setback.

Structurally, the arc itself is also designed differently than previous sagas. The Elbaph Arc is set to consist of 26 episodes, divided into two parts, or cours, of 13 episodes each. Episode 1178 falls within the second half, positioning it in the segment of episodes that will drive the story toward its climax.

The stakes in Elbaf have been escalating for weeks, and the anime is approaching a pivotal moment. Recent episodes have depicted the Knights of God tightening their control over the giants’ homeland, forcing the Straw Hats to battle on multiple fronts to safeguard the island and its inhabitants.

Loki’s storyline has been a significant focus in this segment of episodes, as his liberation and growing involvement in the fight against the Holy Knights have introduced new dynamics to the conflict. With Toei maintaining a one episode per chapter adaptation pace for this arc, viewers can expect Episode 1178 to continue advancing this narrative thread rather than jumping ahead.

As Toei Animation persists in adapting Eiichiro Oda’s manga at this steady pace, the anticipation for new episodes has become part of the experience for longtime viewers. This segment of the Elbaph Arc has done little to alleviate the tension, with the giants’ fate hanging in the balance and Imu’s shadow looming over every encounter. What aspects of Elbaf’s endgame are you most eager to see Toei Animation bring to life in Episode 1178?