One Piece fans in the U.S. will have a hard time this February because two popular movies, One Piece Movie: The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta and One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura, which were available only to US viewers on famous streaming platforms will leave Netflix on February 15, 2025.
These movies retell two of the most emotional and famous stories from the series. Once they are removed, it will be much harder for fans to watch them.
Are The Movies Getting banned in U.S.
Although these movies are not technically banned, they will no longer be available on any major streaming platforms in the U.S. This makes them much harder to access legally, as physical copies are also rare. Without an official way to watch them, fans might struggle to relive these classic anime moments.
Netflix regularly removes movies and shows due to licensing agreements. This means the rights to stream these One Piece movies are expiring, and Netflix is not renewing them. Unfortunately, there is no information on whether another streaming service in the U.S. will pick them up.
Why Are These Movies Special for One Piece Fans
What makes these movies special among fans is that they take long, detailed story arcs and turn them into shorter, two-hour films. While fans can always watch the anime or read the manga to experience the full stories, the movies let them quickly enjoy the emotional moments and key scenes without spending hours watching or reading.
For fans wanting to revisit these story arcs before Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action One Piece series, these movies have been a popular choice. Season 2 will cover big parts of the Alabasta Saga, including Vivi’s introduction and the crew’s journey through the desert kingdom. With these movies leaving, fans will need to go back to the original anime or manga to get ready for the live-action show.
Limited Availability Outside Netflix
Once these films leave Netflix, it will be hard for fans in the U.S. to watch them. Right now, neither movie is available to stream on any other platform in the country. This shows how difficult it can be for fans to find legal and easy ways to watch older or less popular One Piece content.
For now, U.S. fans can still watch the main One Piece anime on Netflix, along with the special One Piece Fan Letter anniversary episode. However, losing these two movies is a big disappointment for fans who have relied on Netflix for One Piece content.
What’s More to Come For Fans
Even though these movies are leaving, there’s still a lot of exciting One Piece content to look forward to in 2025. Netflix is working with Wit Studio, the team behind Attack on Titan (Seasons 1-3) and Spy × Family, to create a new One Piece anime series. This new show will explore new stories within the One Piece world, giving fans something fresh to enjoy.
Also, Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action One Piece series is already in the works. This season will focus on the Alabasta Saga, covering important storylines from Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, Drum Island, and Alabasta itself. These arcs are some of the most loved in the series, so fans are very excited for the new season.
Exploring Alternatives for Fans
For fans who want to keep following the One Piece story, there are still a few ways to do so. The original manga, created by Eiichiro Oda, can be read digitally through Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app and the Manga Plus app. These apps let fans read the latest chapters as well as the entire series, so they can revisit the Alabasta and Drum Island arcs in their original form.
The One Piece anime by Toei Animation is still available on Netflix, so fans can watch the Alabasta and Drum Island arcs all the way through. Plus, physical copies of the movies can still be bought, but they might be harder to find as they leave streaming platforms.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
As One Piece fans get ready to say goodbye to The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta and Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura on Netflix, it serves as a reminder of how quickly digital media can change and how hard it can be to access favorite content.
While it’s disappointing to see these movies leave, the lasting impact of these story arcs and all the new One Piece content coming up means there’s still a lot to look forward to in the world of pirates and adventures.
The Alabasta and Drum Island arcs are important parts of the anime’s history and will continue to be key in the live-action series. These stories will stay meaningful to fans, no matter how they experience them—whether through manga, anime, or live-action. The One Piece legacy is far from over.