8 Anime Series Including an Epic Adventure to Get You Through the One Piece Hiatus

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Fans of the popular anime series One Piece will have to wait a while for new episodes. Starting in January 2026, the show will go on hiatus and switch from releasing episodes weekly to releasing them seasonally. This means fans can expect a maximum of 26 episodes per year. This change is meant to improve the quality of the animation and give the creators a much-needed break. The show is scheduled to return in April 2026 with the Elbaph arc, leaving those who have followed the series’ 1150+ episodes facing a long wait for Luffy and his crew’s next adventure.

It’s hard to find an anime as long and exciting as One Piece, but several others capture some of what makes it great – like long voyages, strong friendships, and a good sense of humor. If you’re looking for something to watch while waiting for new One Piece episodes in early 2026, here are nine adventure series worth checking out.

All anime series on this list are available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Inspired by the stories of One Thousand and One Nights, Magi centers around Aladdin and his incredible journey to explore and overcome dangerous dungeons. Each dungeon is ruled by a powerful Djinn who rewards successful adventurers with a special item. The story takes an unexpected turn when Aladdin and his friend Alibaba uncover secrets about their pasts, leading them on a longer adventure filled with both allies and rivals.

When Magi first came out in 2012, it quickly became a hit, running for two seasons with a total of 50 episodes. Fans who enjoy adventure and strong friendships, especially those missing One Piece while waiting for new episodes, might really love this show.

To Your Eternity

Many consider the first episode of To Your Eternity to be one of the most impactful and memorable anime premieres ever. The story centers on Fushi, an immortal being who starts as an emotionless orb. Fushi can transform into any living thing, copying their appearance and skills. As the series progresses, Fushi learns what it means to be human, building connections with others, mastering language, and developing its own personality.

Though Fushi travels extensively, the anime To Your Eternity is primarily about his emotional and personal development. If you enjoy thoughtful, character-focused stories, this series delivers, and its third season will finish airing on December 20th.

Yona of the Dawn

Things have fallen apart, as people have abandoned spiritual values in favor of selfishness. Long ago, a king and four brave warriors cleansed the land of Kouka, and their descendants became the leaders of five different tribes. Princess Yona enjoys a peaceful life within the Sky Tribe, but her world is shattered by a sudden attack and a power grab. Now, she must go on a dangerous journey to find the legendary warriors and reclaim her kingdom.

The popular fantasy series Yona of the Dawn, which began in 2014, is nearing its conclusion after a long run. Fans of adventure stories like One Piece might enjoy the 24-episode anime, and those who do can continue the story with the ongoing manga – a truly long-lasting series!

Faraway Paladin

I’ve been watching Will grow up in a strange situation – he’s a boy living in a completely deserted city, but he isn’t alone. He’s being raised by an unlikely family: a skeleton warrior, a mummified priestess, and a ghostly sorcerer. They’re doing their best to teach him everything they know, and for a long time, he’s happy with them. But as he gets older, he starts to wonder about other people, other humans. He feels a strong need to find them, and so he sets off on a big adventure. He wants to understand who he is and what this world is all about, and along the way, he’s determined to become a paladin, collecting a rather unusual group of friends.

Will immediately became a fan favorite thanks to his honorable nature and inner strength, quickly becoming a positive role model. This touching adventure series offers significant character development, and The Faraway Paladin avoids common clichés found in similar anime, offering a fresh and unique story.

The Twelve Kingdoms

I remember watching The Twelve Kingdoms when it first came out in 2002 – it was a really long series with 45 episodes! It’s based on a set of fantasy novels by Fuyumi Ono. The story centers around Youko Nakajima, a pretty down high school student, whose life gets turned upside down when she’s attacked by strange creatures and then approached by a really odd guy who claims to be loyal to her. Suddenly, she and her classmates are pulled into another world, and they have to figure out why. It quickly becomes clear that Youko is treated differently than the others; while she receives special attention, her classmates are being hunted simply because of where they came from – Earth.

Many consider The Twelve Kingdoms to be one of the greatest isekai anime ever made, and it truly lives up to the word ‘epic.’ The main character, Youko, feels like a real person, and the strange new world she finds herself in is full of secrets and excitement, making it a perfect series to get completely lost in.

Reborn!

Tsunayoshi Sawada is an ordinary, unassuming teenager who’s surprisingly next in line to lead the powerful Vongola crime family. The current boss, Timoteo, realizes Tsunayoshi needs preparation, so he sends Reborn – a baby with incredible skills – to train him. Tsunayoshi’s journey won’t be easy, as he’ll face challenges like sudden trips through time, mysterious curses, and the discovery of hidden talents he never knew he had.

Reborn is a long-running and popular anime known for its exciting action, interesting characters, and creative fantasy world. Fans of One Piece will likely enjoy its humor. With 203 episodes, it’s the longest series on this list. Although the anime will be 20 years old in 2026, there are rumors that a remake is coming soon, potentially bringing Reborn back to the screen.

Record of Lodoss War

The original Record of Lodoss War is a beloved 13-episode animated fantasy series from 1990, based on the popular RPG-style novels by Ryo Mizuno. When an ancient witch threatens the land of Lodoss, six heroes, including the brave warrior Parn, must journey to defeat her. Among the most memorable characters are Deedlit, a graceful high elf, and Ghim, a wise old dwarf.

Those unfamiliar with the original 90s anime might recognize the name Record of Lodoss War from its video game adaptation. In 2021, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth was released in the West – the first game based on the series in over 20 years – and quickly became a popular 2D action-adventure title. If you enjoy the game, you might want to check out the short anime series it’s based on!

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet

The anime series Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet takes place in a future where humans have ventured into deep space and formed the Galactic Alliance. However, this alliance is constantly battling the Hideauze, a hostile alien race resembling squids. Ledo, a soldier fighting in this war, is unexpectedly pulled through a wormhole and finds himself on Earth – a planet he’s never even known. Now, he must adapt to this new world and discover a reason to keep fighting.

Traveling from the vastness of space to Earth makes for a truly grand story, and Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet is a surprisingly overlooked gem. Though it’s short with just 13 episodes, the animation is beautiful, the characters are compelling, and anyone looking for a fresh adventure beyond the typical pirate stories might really enjoy this series from Production I.G.

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2025-12-18 17:37