‘One Piece’ Movie 2016 Release Confirmed; Sabo And Luffy Teaming Up?

A new "One Piece" movie for 2016 has been announced on the anime's official home page, according to Crunchy Roll. There is no title yet, but fans are speculating that the film might feature Luffy's brother, Sabo.

The 2016 "One Piece" movie will be the 13th theatrical film for the hit anime. The last movie, "One Piece Film: Z," was released in Dec. 2012.

The announcement, made last August in the "One Piece" website, did not give away any detail. It only featured the Mugiwara skull and crossbones on a black background, and the words "One Piece Film 2016" right below.

A similar announcement was revealed in the Weekly Shonen Jump, home of the original "One Piece" manga, as reported by Shonen Gamez. The print announcement revealed more information than the website. Aside from a summer release date, original creator Eiichiro Oda confirmed that he is involved in the film.

Oda was also involved in the creation of fan favorites "One Piece Film: Z" and the 2009 movie "One Piece Film: Strong World." The 12th movie "One Piece Film: Z" is the top-earning film in the franchise, raking in more than 6 billion yen in Japan alone, according to another Crunchy Roll report.

Plot rumors are already making rounds in the Internet, and the most prominent one is that Sabo will be featured alongside Luffy in the "One Piece" movie 2016 offering. The initial announcement for the film was released after the "Episode of Sabo" special. This coincidence probably fueled the abovementioned rumors.

The special "One Piece Episode of Sabo: The Three Brother's Bond - The Miraculous Reunion and the Inherited Resolve" is a retelling of Luffy, Ace, and Sabo's childhood, as seen by the latter, according to Anime News Network. The highlight of the special episode was Sabo's reunion with Luffy during the Dressrosa arc of the anime.