Toei Animation have announced that One Piece and Digimon Adventure: will both suspend their broadcasts due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The delay applied to Japanese broadcasting, and likewise will prevent simulcast with western streaming services. Digimon Adventure: had begun broadcasting April 5th, and had shown three episodes to date. One Piece meanwhile was up to episode 929 (broadcast on April 19th), and was part of the Cidre Guild Arc.

The announcement reads as follows, via Toei Animation’s official website.

“Due to the state of emergency in Japan caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have carefully considered the safety measures for the spread and have decided to suspend the simulcast and Japanese broadcasting of both “One Piece” & our new series, “Digimon Adventure:” for the time being. Updates on the return of both series will be provided as soon as we know. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. Please stay safe and healthy.”

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19 officially, or Chinese Flu to others) has affected many worldwide, from businesses to public gatherings and events. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].

This includes the postponement of GDC, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, along with the cancellation of E3 2020 (including digital events), the physical event for Gamescom 2020, and Comiket 98.

We also recently reported on Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time being delayed, and an employee at Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Tokyo offices contracted the virus. SiliconEra also reports a member of Capcom in Osaka also contracted the virus.

The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering are mapping the virus’ spread [1, 2]. As of this time of writing, there have been over 2.416 million total confirmed cases worldwide, and over 1.619 million active cases. There have been over 165,000 deaths, however over 632,000 people have made a “total recovery.”

Japan have had over 10,797 cases (9,402 active cases), 236 deaths, and 1,159 recoveries.