How to get started with One Piece: manga, anime, or card game?
Where to start with One Piece when the anime has nearly 1,200 episodes? Pick up the first volume of the manga or watch the live-action series on Netflix. To get started, you only need the first 12 volumes, which make up the self-contained East Blue saga. If you're mainly here to play, grab a card game starter deck and catch up on the story later.
Below you'll find a decision tree, a comparison of all paths, and tips on what to get first. You can find our entire pirate collection in the One Piece category.
Where to start with One Piece: decision tree
Answer three questions. You'll know how to get on board in a minute.
- Do you mainly want to play with friends?
- Yes: start with One Piece TCG. A starter deck is a ready-to-play set, and you don't need to know the story.
- No: continue to question 2.
- Do you prefer reading or watching?
- Reading: start with the manga from volume 1. It's the original, and it has been published in Czech since 2024.
- Watching: continue to question 3.
- How much time do you have?
- A few evenings: watch the One Piece live-action series on Netflix.
- Months to spare: watch the anime from the first episode and skip the fillers.
Don't want to read or watch and just want to support Luffy's crew? Then head straight to the merch at the bottom of the page.
One Piece manga: the best entry point for most fans
The manga is the original source material for everything else. The author, Eiichiro Oda, has been drawing it since 1997. In Japan, it has over 1,100 chapters and 114 volumes (as of March 2026). You don't need to know them all to understand what's going on. The story is clear from the very first volume, and the pacing is perfectly handled.
One Piece manga in Czech
One Piece has been published in Czech by Crew since May 2024. It is translated by Petr Kabelka and Eliška Kabelková Vítová, who also worked on the live-action series. You can find volumes ranging from One Piece 1: Romance Dawn to One Piece 17: Hirilukovy sakury.
You can find all released volumes together in the One Piece manga category.
East Blue and Alabasta collector's boxes
The East Blue saga covers the first 12 volumes and ends with One Piece 12: Legenda začíná. It's a natural point to decide if you want to sail further.
There is a East Blue collector's box for these volumes. You can also grab the complete set of volumes 1–12 in a box.
Volumes 13 to 24 are then housed in the Alabasta box.
Why read from the beginning
The first volumes feel like a lighthearted adventure starring a rubber boy. However, Oda establishes characters and themes that return hundreds of chapters later. You'll reach powerful moments quickly. Zoro's duel for the title of the world's greatest swordsman or Nami's story in Arlong Park are among the best in the entire series. If you grow fond of the three-sword-style swordsman, you can find him in the Roronoa Zoro category.
One Piece anime: how not to drown in 1,200 episodes
The anime has been running since 1999, and on October 25, 2026, it airs its 1,183rd episode. Since April 2026, it no longer airs weekly. Toei Animation switched to seasons with a maximum of 26 episodes per year and is currently adapting the Elbaf arc. For a newcomer, this means one thing: a long voyage awaits, but there's no rush.
Where to watch One Piece anime
You'll find the most episodes legally on Crunchyroll, which has been streaming One Piece in Europe since 2020. Some episodes are also on Netflix. However, the selection varies by country and changes periodically. Before subscribing, check how many episodes are actually available in your region.
Fillers: what you can skip
A filler is an episode that doesn't exist in the manga at all. One Piece has very few of them. According to Dexerto's overview, they make up 94 out of 1,096 episodes, which is about 9%. Feel free to skip arcs like G-8 (episodes 196–206) or Ice Hunter (326–335). A bigger trap than fillers is the slow pacing of newer episodes. If you get bored, switch to the manga.
Live-action series and The One Piece remake
The fastest way into the story is the live-action series from Netflix. The first season from 2023 covers East Blue. The second season was released on March 10, 2026, and takes you all the way to Drum Island, with a third season already in development. The second season ends roughly where the Czech manga is now. After the last episode, you can seamlessly continue on paper.
In February 2027, Netflix is also planning The One Piece, a new anime from Wit Studio. It will start over from East Blue and promises a faster pace than the original series. If the date holds, it will be the most convenient animated entry for newcomers.
One Piece TCG: into the pirate world via cards
One Piece TCG is a card game from Bandai for two players. You don't need to know the story. You'll get to know the characters from the cards, and the craving for the manga will come naturally.
Start with a ready-to-play deck. For example, the SD01 Sail Deck Set contains two 51-card decks, DON!! cards, a playmat, and a booster. When you want to upgrade your deck, boosters like OP17 come into play.
We break down the rules, deck types, and tips for your first matches in a separate article:
One Piece TCG: A Guide to the Card Game from the World of Pirates
The One Piece TCG phenomenon has stormed the world of collectible card games. Read about the magic of the game system, how it compares to the competition, and who this pirate adventure is for. full article…
4. 9. 2026 Karel Krajča 7 minManga vs. anime vs. TCG: comparison
| Manga | Anime | Live-action | TCG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time commitment | medium, read at your own pace | high, nearly 1,200 episodes | low, two seasons | matches for an evening |
| Language | yes, volumes 1–17 | subtitles vary by service | subtitles available | cards are not in Czech |
| For whom | those who want the original and the full story | those who like Japanese dubbing, music, and long marathons | those who want a quick taste | players and collectors |
| Where to start | vol. 1 or East Blue box | ep. 1, skip fillers | season 1 (2023) | starter deck |
| What to get first | One Piece 1 | streaming subscription | Netflix subscription | SD01 Sail Deck Set |
For us, the manga wins. It's available in Czech, affordable to start, and leads you fastest to why One Piece is the world's best-selling manga. The live-action series is an ideal appetizer, and the TCG is a great reason to meet up with friends at the table.
Merch for budding pirates
The first piece is usually Luffy's straw hat; you can't become a pirate without it. A wanted poster belongs on the wall, like the Wanted Luffy poster.
Figures are great for your collection, especially the ones that glow in the dark. Fans of the cute reindeer doctor will appreciate the Tony Tony Chopper category. You can find the complete offer in the One Piece merch category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does One Piece have?
In Japan, 114 manga volumes have been released (as of March 2026) with over 1,100 chapters. The anime airs its 1,183rd episode on October 25, 2026. 17 volumes are currently out in Czech.
What is the age rating for One Piece?
The manga is published in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump, which targets teenagers. You'll find fights and sad stories, but also plenty of humor. We think it's suitable from about 12 years old; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent.
Is the One Piece manga published in Czech?
Yes. Since May 2024, it has been published by Crew, translated by Petr Kabelka and Eliška Kabelková Vítová. You can find all released volumes in the One Piece manga category.
Do I need to know the anime to play One Piece TCG?
You don't. The game works on its own, and you'll get to know the characters from the cards. Knowing the story just adds to the joy when you pull your favorite hero.
When will One Piece end?
Eiichiro Oda announced in 2022 that the story had entered its final saga. However, he hasn't revealed an end date. Expect the manga to be published for a few more years.