Megumi Ishitani’s work on One Piece anime has been widely praised by fans for its cinematic vision and emotional depth, with the episodes she directs often regarded as some of the franchise’s high-water marks. However, Ishitani recently noted that some overseas anime fans had come to the conclusion that she can’t do action sequences, prompting a candid response from her regarding the “weird theory.”
When conducting an “ego search” online, Ishitani revealed she frequently encountered the sentiment that “Ishitani can’t do action” among international viewers. Addressing the claim on her X (previously Twitter) account, the director explained that she actively avoids episodes that are “nothing but action” because of the technical difficulties involved. “The reason is that with action, the burden of guaranteeing quality shifts heavily toward the animation rather than the direction,” Ishitani wrote. “Also, it makes it difficult to construct a tension graph.”
One Piece’s Megumi Ishitani Explains Why She Avoids Action-Heavy Episodes
The director further elaborated that even if the animation quality was guaranteed, the “sheer workload would be insane,” placing her firmly in the camp of directors who prefer to use action sequences merely as an “accent” to the story. This preference aligns with what Ishitani is best known for: creative transitions, strong storyboarding and character-driven narratives that elevate the source material. Ishitani’s episodes in One Piece often focus on emotional resonance and visual storytelling, rather than the continuous, high-octane combat that characterizes standard shonen spectacles.
Ishitani is widely credited by the fan base as one of the primary staff members responsible for the significantly improved look and feel of the anime during the “Wano Country” arc. She first made headlines with her directorial debut on the series in Episode 957, before going on to storyboard and direct Episode 982 and the series’ 25th opening sequence. Despite her assessment of her own preferences, fans were quick to point out that her track record proves she is more than capable of handling heavy action.
Quoting her tweet, many noted that her direction for Dragon Ball Super’s series finale was exceptional. The episode, which featured Goku and Frieza teaming up to defeat Jinren, exceeded audience expectations with its fluid combat sequences. On top of that, the last canon episode of One Piece anime that Ishitani directed, Episode 1015, is widely regarded as one of the best installments of the “Wano” arc. Adapting the iconic 1,000th chapter of the manga, the episode garnered praise for its impeccable storyboarding and animation, specifically regarding the cinematic portrayal of the sequence building up to Luffy’s Red Roc and also the backstory between Yamato and Ace. Following that success, she directed the critically acclaimed special One Piece Fan Letter, before returning to the main series to provide storyboards for Episode 1072, which showcased Luffy’s newfound Gear 5 abilities against Kaido.
Meanwhile, the One Piece anime itself is moving toward a significant shift. The series is currently airing the “Egghead Island” arc, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2025. Following the arc’s conclusion, the anime will enter a three-month hiatus before returning with the highly anticipated “Elbaf” arc in 2026. Upon its return, the production format will undergo a major change to prioritize quality over the traditional continuous broadcast schedule. Starting with the “Elbaf” arc, the anime is expected to air a maximum of 26 episodes a year, ushering in a new era for the franchise.