KessCo is diving deeper into licensed tabletop adventures, and this time they’re tackling one of the biggest anime worlds on the planet. One Piece: Dawn of Liberation is on the way – a fully cooperative board game that adapts the Land of Wano arc into a sprawling, story-driven quest for one to four players. If you’ve ever wanted to sail with Luffy’s crew without leaving your dining room, this might be your shot.
Developed in partnership with Toei Animation, the game aims to capture that larger-than-life energy One Piece fans know so well. Alex Kessler, KessCo’s CEO, says the team wanted a tabletop experience “as epic as the story itself,” and working directly with Toei apparently made bringing Wano to cardboard a surprisingly smooth voyage.
So what’s the pitch? Dawn of Liberation blends narrative progression with crew-building, resource gathering, and a healthy dose of teamwork. You’ll assemble a squad of familiar faces from the Wano storyline, take on missions across the region, gather materials, and recruit allies as you edge closer to the showdown with Kaido. Think of it as a long-form campaign game – the kind built for multi-hour play sessions – but with a clever pause-and-resume system baked in so groups can split the adventure across several nights without losing their place.
Fans heading to PAX Unplugged can get the first hands-on look at the game at Booth #2257, well before release. For everyone else, the wait isn’t too long: an online pre-order campaign is set for March 2026, and shipping is planned to kick off in the third quarter of the same year.
It’s no surprise the franchise keeps expanding its tabletop footprint. After more than 25 years, One Piece shows no signs of slowing down – with movies, video games, the TCG, and merch all thriving. KessCo’s latest project slots neatly into that growing collection, giving fans another way to experience the Wano arc’s drama, alliances, and big, flashy battles.
Expect more details to drop as we get closer to launch – but for now, keep an eye on the horizon and maybe start brushing up on your Haki.
