Monkey D. Luffy Makes Grand Entrance at Fan Fest Nights with New ‘One Piece’ Pirate Show at Universal Studios Hollywood
A new live show based on One Piece is now part of the latest fan event at Universal Studios Hollywood, bringing the world of pirates to life in a big way. The production is part of Fan Fest Nights and takes over the well-known WaterWorld stage with a fresh story and live action performances.
The show puts Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat crew at the center of the action. Fans can expect to see characters like Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper as they take on a new adventure. The story follows the group as they search for special seeds while facing enemies along the way, including familiar faces like Buggy.
According to executive producer Stephen Siercks, the idea came after strong fan response to last year’s anime-themed experiences. He explained, “We just saw such overwhelming popularity and success from it, that we knew that there was more that we could activate around, more stories that we can tell and we can do it in a grander way.” This led the team to expand the concept into a full stage show.
Monkey D. Luffy makes his entrance at the new ‘ONE PIECE’ pirate show that takes over Waterworld for Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/8PcZuBdcbU
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 25, 2026
The project was developed with help from Universal Studios Japan, which has been producing One Piece stage shows for years. Siercks said the team looked closely at what works in Japan and adjusted it for the Hollywood park. “We’ve taken a lot of inspiration from our Universal Studios Japan entertainment partners,” he said, adding that their experience helped shape the final result.
The performance runs for about 20 minutes and is designed to be easy to follow, even for people who are new to the series. The setting is a fictional island, where the story introduces the characters while building a simple but engaging plot. The show uses stunts, fight scenes, and special effects, all built around the WaterWorld venue’s style. There is also a strong focus on bringing the action closer to the audience.
Music is also a key part of the experience. The team worked to create an audio style that matches the tone of the series and helps drive the story forward. Siercks noted that the goal was to make the show feel familiar to longtime fans while still being fun for newcomers.
Outside the stage show, visitors can meet the characters in person and take photos. There are also themed food and drink options inspired by the series. These parts of the event return from last year but have been expanded to connect more closely with the show itself.
The One Piece event is running on select nights and is part of a larger fan celebration that includes other themed attractions and experiences across the park.
This kind of event shows how popular anime has become outside Japan. Bringing a story like One Piece into a live setting is not easy, but it looks like the team is trying to make it fun for both fans and new visitors. What do you think about turning anime into live shows like this? Would you go see it? Share your thoughts in the comments.