One Piece, Dragon Ball Z and Toriko Crossover is Finally Streaming, What Took it So Long?

One Piece, Dragon Ball Z and Toriko Crossover is Finally Streaming, What Took it So Long?

Key Takeaways

  • One Piece episode 590 is available on Netflix with a special crossover featuring Dragon Ball Z and Toriko characters.
  • The episode reveals a plot to capture Akami, a creature who can steal living beings’ power.
  • Licensing issues caused delays; Adult Swim aired it in 2023, while Crunchyroll never streamed it.

As a die-hard fan of anime and manga who has been following One Piece since its early days, I can say that the release of episode 590 on Netflix was a long-awaited moment! The crossover featuring characters from Dragon Ball Z and Toriko added an extra layer of excitement to an already captivating storyline.


A few days ago, on November 1, 2024, Netflix began streaming episode 590 of One Piece, both subbed and dubbed. This is the first time it has been officially available to stream in the US. The unique aspect of this episode lies in its crossover format where characters from One Piece participate in a tournament alongside those from Dragon Ball Z and Toriko. However, what made it stand out for international fans was the extended wait for its release outside Japan.

The episode debuted in Japan back in April 2013, during the run of the “Punk Hazard” arc for One Piece. Interestingly, this episode was essentially the second half of a story that was broadcast simultaneously on both Toriko (episode #99) and One Piece (episode #590), with one following after the other on Fuji TV on the same day.

What’s So Special About this Crossover?

Major Characters Fighting Together

One Piece, Dragon Ball Z and Toriko Crossover is Finally Streaming, What Took it So Long?

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the Shonen Jump universe, I recently stumbled upon two episodes that might seem like side stories, but they pack quite a punch. These episodes bring together some of my favorite characters from not one, not two, but three major series!

In the subsequent scenes, they’re all in motion, and Luffy, Toriko, and Goku cross the finish line simultaneously. Since there can only be one victor, they engage in a fierce battle among themselves. By sheer luck, Mr. Satan manages to emerge as the winner. He generously distributes the meat among everyone present, and as the 99th episode of Toriko comes to a close, an enigmatic creature appears on the scene.

In the One Piece series, certain characters grow wary of the IGO, uncovering that the tournament was actually a trick to assemble the world’s strongest individuals for the purpose of capturing Akami, the Deep Sea Glutton, who can seize the powers of living beings. Essentially, this episode primarily focuses on the characters pursuing and battling against this formidable creature.

The Airing Saga in the US

In 2005, the anime series One Piece first aired on Cartoon Network’s Toonami. Unfortunately, the block eventually ceased broadcasting. Later, Toonami resurfaced on Adult Swim and began showing One Piece from episode 207, but it was taken off the air in 2017 before reaching the Punk Hazard arc. It returned to Toonami again in 2022 with episode 517. However, after episode 590 aired, it was skipped. In contrast, Toriko has never been shown on Toonami.

In contrast, neither Crunchyroll nor Funimation have broadcast the 99th episode of Toriko or the 590th episode of One Piece. Interestingly, these two series, One Piece and Toriko, had another crossover (episode 492), which both services have streamed. However, this special episode was never made available on home video.

It seems that this particular episode isn’t part of the two series and requires separate licensing due to complexities in the production process. Although all three series were animated by Toei, it doesn’t necessarily mean the committees behind these anime are identical. The licensing might involve negotiations with the three different production committees. It could be that the episode is costly or complex to obtain, or perhaps there was a disagreement among parties involved regarding the terms of licensing.

In 2022, Adult Swim may have found it inappropriate to air only half of the story, or they were still in the process of securing licensing rights. However, on March 4, 2023, the episode was aired with an English dub. Similarly, Netflix might have recognized the value in streaming this episode and obtained the necessary licensing as well. Consequently, it’s now accessible for all viewers to enjoy.

Summarized Timeline

  • One Piece started airing on Cartoon Network’s Toonami in 2005.
  • CN canceled Toonami in 2008.
  • Adult Swim revived Toonami in 2012 and started airing One Piece in 2013.
  • One Piece is removed from Adult Swim’s programming in 2017, not reaching episode 590.
  • One Piece returns to Adult Swim in 2022, but the crossover is skipped.
  • Adult Swim finally airs the crossover on March 4, 2023.
  • Netflix streams the special crossover episode from November 1, 2023.

In case you’re a fan of “One Piece”, here’s some exciting news! Episode 590 is currently airing on Netflix, with both subtitled and dubbed versions. Unfortunately, unlike Netflix, Crunchyroll doesn’t seem to have this particular episode streaming at the moment.

Sources: CBR, JBox

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2024-11-17 20:55