One Piece fans are in for a rough three months, as the legendary anime series is slated to go on hiatus from January to March 2026. The switch from a weekly episode to a seasonal release will take some getting used to, as Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus will now only see a maximum of 26 episodes a year for quality control and to give the production team a little bit of a break. Set to kick things off again in April 2026 with the Elbaph arc, those who have kept up with the over 1150 episodes of One Piece are in for a rough winter as they await Luffy and the crew’s return to the small screen.
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Few anime match both the length and sense of adventure that One Piece brings to the table, but many include facets of the series that may make the upcoming wait less painful. Whether it be a lengthy journey, a collection of close comrades, or a similar sense of humor, these nine adventure series are worth binging in the early months of 2026.
All anime series on this list are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Largely inspired by the folktales found in One Thousand and One Nights, Magi follows Aladdin as he embarks on a series of epic dungeon-conquering adventures. In each dungeon, a Djinn is in control, and upon conquering each of these mysterious locales, the mysterious beings offer up a powerful and useful trinket. The fantasy series takes a sudden turn when Aladdin discovers his true identity and that of his friend, Alibaba. Soon, the pair finds themselves embarking on even more lengthy travels, meeting new friends and making new enemies along the way.
Upon its release in 2012, Magi was exceptionally popular, with 50 episodes released across two seasons. The treasure hunting and journeying aspects of the series, along with the close-knit relationships formed by its characters, may make this very appealing to One Piece fans going through withdrawals.
To Your Eternity
To Your Eternity has, in many people’s minds, one of the most unforgettable and powerful first episodes of anime in history. Fushi, an immortal orb without emotion, can shapeshift into any being it wishes, taking on others’ likenesses and abilities. Over time, it begins to understand what it means to be human, forming relationships, learning the ins and outs of written language and speech, and developing a unique sense of self.
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While the mysterious white-haired being Fushi does embark on a series of physical journeys, much of To Your Eternity focuses on his character’s mentality and growth. For viewers who prefer something more introspective, this character-driven drama series offers plenty, with To Your Eternity‘s third season about to conclude on December 20.
Yona of the Dawn
The world has taken a turn for the worse, with human beings turning their backs on the divine and choosing greed instead. An ancient king, along with four powerful warriors, purges the nation of Kouka of evil, with the five going on to form five tribes. Princess Yona lives a simple life in the Sky Tribe, but one day, a terrible tragedy leads to a coup, forcing Yona to embark on a difficult quest to seek out the warriors of old and save her kingdom.
This 2014 epic fantasy has been a shoujo mainstay for years, recently finding its way into the news yet again, as the long-running Yona of the Dawn manga series will soon come to an end. One Piece fans looking for a powerful adventure should give the 24-episode series a try, and if it ticks enough boxes, the manga, which remains one of the longest-running of all time, can offer some additional excitement.
Faraway Paladin
Will is a human child living in a dead city far away from others of his kind. Instead, he is raised by three undead beings: a skeleton warrior, a mummified priestess, and a ghostly sorcerer. They strive to teach Will all they know, and while he lives a happy life with them, the desire to meet other humans eventually becomes too strong to ignore. Embarking on an epic quest to understand both himself and his surroundings, the young man strives to become a paladin, making plenty of odd friends along the way.
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As a main character, Will quickly won over viewers’ hearts, as his chivalrous spirit and quiet strength made him an instant role model for many. There’s ample character growth to be had in this heartfelt adventure series, and The Faraway Paladin shies away from many of the cliches and tropes often found in isekai anime for a more novel experience.
The Twelve Kingdoms
A 45-episode epic fantasy series released in 2002, The Twelve Kingdoms was inspired by a series of fantasy novels penned by Fuyumi Ono. The story follows depressed high school student Youko Nakajima, who is suddenly attacked by terrifying beasts and approached by a bizarre man who swears his allegiance to her. Swept away to another world, Youko and her classmates must seek out the reason why they are there. While Youko is given special treatment, the same cannot be said for her classmates, who are hunted due to their connection to Earth.
Said to be one of the best isekai anime series of all time, The Twelve Kingdoms remains the very definition of the word ‘epic.’ Youko is one of the more realistic and relatable protagonists out there, and the world she is brought to is filled with mystery and intrigue, sure to appease those looking for an adventure to lose themselves in.
Reborn!
The shy and talentless Tsunayoshi Sawada is next in line to become boss of the Vongola crime family. Timoteo, the current boss, decides that the boy needs some training before taking on the difficult position, sending Reborn, a gun-toting baby, to show him the ropes. Not everything will go smoothly, and before all is said and done, Tsunayoshi will have to deal with impromptu time travel, troublesome curses, and the appearance of some unexpected abilities.
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Reborn remains a mainstay of the shonen genre and is packed with plenty of action, memorable characters, and unique fantasy elements. Its sense of humor is also something that One Piece fans may appreciate, and it is the longest anime on this list, coming in at 203 episodes. While the anime series is turning 20 in 2026, Reborn may soon be making a comeback, as a remake is rumored to be announced soon.
Record of Lodoss War
Inspired by a series of RPG-inspired fantasy novels written by Ryo Mizuno, the original 13-episode Record of Lodoss War OVA released in 1990 remains a fan favorite fantasy epic. Evil begins to stir in Lodoss due to the actions of an ancient witch, and six champions must embark on a quest to stop it, led by the warrior Parn. The female high elf Deedlit is one of the series’ more recognizable characters, along with the elderly dwarf, Ghim.
While the 90s series may not be familiar to younger anime fans, the title may still ring a bell due to its inclusion in the gaming world. In 2021, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth became the first game inspired by the series to make its way to the West in two decades, with the 2D Metroidvania becoming a major hit with players. Maybe bingeing this brief series will lead to even more distraction in the form of the action role-playing title.
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
In the sci-fi anime series Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, humanity has reached the dark depths of space, forming the Galactic Alliance of Humankind. Unfortunately, there is no peace to be found in the great beyond, as the collective is constantly at war with the Hideauze, a squid-like alien species. Ledo is a soldier fighting back against these beasts, but one day, he is sucked into a wormhole and awakens somewhere he could never have anticipated: Earth. Having never been to the birthplace of humanity, Ledo has to adjust to his new life, all while finding something new to live for.
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A journey from the depths of space to Earth certainly qualifies as an epic adventure, and Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet is one of the more underrated series on this list. While it’s brief at only 13 episodes, the animation and characters don’t disappoint, and those seeking to embark on a new quest away from the high seas may find some value in this Production I.G release.
One Piece
- Release Date
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October 20, 1999
- Network
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Fuji TV
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Mayumi Tanaka
Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
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Kazuya Nakai
Roronoa Zoro (voice)
