Here's why:
* Anime seasons are a Western concept. In Japan, shows are typically run as single continuous series. They may have story arcs and breaks, but the official labeling of "seasons" comes from how distributors outside of Japan group episodes for release.
* "One Piece" episode 174 doesn't necessarily "skip to another season". It's the final episode of the "Loguetown" arc and the beginning of the "Baratie" arc, all within the overarching "East Blue Saga". It's a natural transition within the story.
Here's how it might look in the eyes of Western distributors:
* They might have decided to end "Season 1" at episode 174 because it's a good stopping point, a change in location, and a shift in the storyline.
* Then, "Season 2" would pick up directly where episode 174 left off.
Therefore, there's no real skip. It's just a matter of how episodes are grouped together and labeled for international release.
Let me know if you have any other questions about "One Piece" or anime distribution.