What You’ll Learn
- Highlights from the opening-night performance of ONE PIECE Premier Show 2026
- Featured characters, including Hancock, the Kuja Pirates, and the Straw Hat crew
- What happens during the roughly six-minute special greeting and audience interactions
ONE PIECE Premier Show 2026 opened at Universal Studios Japan on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
This year, Boa Hancock is at the heart of the story as the Kuja Pirates, the Straw Hat crew, the Marines, and CP0 collide in an all-out melee.
The most memorable parts of opening night were an unbelievably “cute Luffy” unlike anything seen before and the roughly six-minute special greeting after the main story. Keeping spoilers to a minimum, here are the highlights I experienced at the venue.
Opening Night of ONE PIECE Premier Show 2026: Hancock and an Adorably Cute Luffy
Summer has arrived at USJ.
Even with the temperature still at 33°C at night, the guests’ energy made this an incredibly exciting show!!
The 2026 story revolves around Boa Hancock and the Kuja Pirates!
Hancock’s signature techniques include Mero Mero Mellow and Pistol Kiss!
They are moves unique to the anime, but ONE PIECE Premier Show brought them vividly to life!!
Her expressions toward Luffy also looked as if they had come straight out of the anime!!
And no Hancock appearance would be complete without that pose: “She’s looking down on you so much, she’s actually looking up!”
Of course, the pose appears during the show!!
She also struck it during the special greeting!
A Small Spoiler
Because of the power used by the enemy Bendigar, Luffy and certain other characters are transformed into forms no one could have expected.
They are so adorable that the audience could be heard saying, “Cute!” This may be the cutest Luffy in Premier Show history!!
And there is one other adorable character!! Plus another one
Be sure to see these cute forms that would probably never appear in the anime.
The Straw Hats Reunite with the Kuja Pirates on a Festival Island—and Bendigar’s Power Strikes
During their voyage, the Straw Hat crew stops at a certain island. The people there are busy preparing for the island’s annual festival.
There, the Straw Hats reunite with the Kuja Pirates led by Hancock.
But the festive mood is shattered by Bendigar, a mysterious man who has sworn revenge against the World Government.
Bendigar’s horrifying power targets not only Luffy and his friends, but Hancock as well.
Also keep an eye on Sid from Bendigar’s forces!!
Although he is an enemy, he gets huge laughs from the audience.
Another recurring highlight is Franky’s Nipple Lights!
They have even been used for attacks before, though they have also earned him plenty of “pervert” jokes!!
He will make you laugh again this year.
Duval Steals the Laughs Again This Year
Duval returns this year amid a series of tense scenes.
The moment he appears, he creates his own distinctive atmosphere and gets the audience laughing. Coming in the middle of the heated battles, his scene provides a welcome change of pace.
Nonstop Excitement Through the Finale: A Roughly Six-Minute Special Greeting
After the main show ends, a special greeting lasting about six minutes begins.
Photography is allowed only during this segment, and photos taken then may be posted on social media.
This year, the characters come farther into the audience than ever before.
And they approach from both the front and the back!!
Watch only the front and someone may pass right behind you!!
Luffy, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Brook, Robin, Franky, Chopper, and Jinbe
Alongside Hancock, Rindou, Ran, and Daisy of the Kuja Pirates also play active roles.
CP0’s Rob Lucci and Kaku also appear,
along with the Marines Smoker and Tashigi.
Ace and Sabo make a surprise appearance, although only during the special greeting. Later in the greeting, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo are together in the same scene.
The guests erupted in cheers.
Luffy Comes Right Into the Audience!
One of the biggest surprises was Luffy entering the audience area.
He does not just walk along the aisle—he comes right into the seating sections, so even guests who are not in aisle seats may get a chance to high-five him.
How to Get the Most Out of the Show: Lessons from Opening Night
No Pre-Show
There is no pre-show this year.
The show starts at 6:45 p.m., and nothing takes place beforehand.
Elements that used to be part of the pre-show now appear during the main show.
Characters Visit the Side Sections Too, Not Just the Center
This year, no particular characters are concentrated only on the right or left. Plenty of characters also visit the outer aisles.
Even if you cannot buy an S-seat ticket, an A-seat should still provide a satisfying experience.
Of course, if you can get a center S seat, you will have an excellent view of the battles onstage.
ONE PIECE Premier Show 2026: Dates and Prices
Price: Adults from US$18.75 including tax; children from US$12.50 including tax
A separate USJ admission ticket or Annual Pass is required.
Dates: Thursday, July 30 through Thursday, November 19, 2026, with select no-show dates
Time: Doors open at 6:15 p.m.; show starts at 6:45 p.m.; approximately 80 minutes
After the show, guests can also enjoy USJ Summer Matsuri and Halloween Horror Nights.
Exchange rate used: US$1 = ¥160.
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