One Piece's Elbaph arc will be Oda at his best, and his own words prove it

Modified Dec 16, 2024 02:30 GMT

One Piece's story has featured numerous arcs with varying levels of writing quality. Although most arcs have been inspired by pieces of literature or information that Eiichiro Oda encountered, the Elbaph arc's inspiration might make it one of Oda's most prized works. Eiichiro Oda has previously expressed his fondness for Vikings in his earliest extra pages. He also cited them as the origin of his love for pirates.

While Oda's version of Vikings did not appear prominently in the One Piece story until now, the current Elbaph arc bears many similarities to the show Vicky the Viking. This show is often referred to as the inspiration that sparked Oda's fascination with both Vikings and pirates. The current focus on the Elbaph giants and their culture, which is evidently inspired by depictions of Vikings, highlights this influence.

Given these parallels and the cultural richness being explored in Elbaph, it is almost certain that this arc will become one of Oda's best works. Its significance lies in its deep connection to the origins of the One Piece story itself.

Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.

One Piece: Elbaph arc's connection with Oda's past makes ensures its quality

Luffy and Ace in Marineford as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece's story has always been deeply personal to Eiichiro Oda, as evidenced by the meticulous and planned unfolding of the plotlines throughout the series. While there have been many arcs that stand as a testament to Oda's storytelling and writing prowess, the Arabasta arc and the Marineford arc are often regarded as the pinnacle of his work.

The Arabasta arc tells the story of a nation embroiled in a power struggle. Although the premise is simple, Oda masterfully uses this arc to exemplify the bond between the Straw Hats and Vivi. On the other hand, the Marineford arc serves a different purpose. It primarily establishes the power gap between Luffy and the rest of the world while also depicting his deep bond with Ace.

New Giant Pirates of Elbaph as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The recent Elbaph arc has begun in the region of Elbaph, inhabited by giants. Although it has not been officially confirmed, the entire region appears heavily inspired by Viking culture and its depictions in other media. In the extra pages of Oda's earliest One Piece chapters, he mentioned the significance of the show Vicky the Viking and how it sparked his lifelong fascination with Vikings and pirates.

Colon, the giant child introduced in chapter 1076 of the manga, bears an uncanny resemblance to Vicky from Vicky the Viking. The bar scenes, along with Stensen's design, also appear inspired by characters and settings from the series. While bar scenes, giant castles, and flying boats are common in fantasy, it seems plausible that Oda is recreating elements of the original series that catalyzed the creation of One Piece.

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Given the significance of Vicky the Viking, it is likely that Oda will construct Elbaph’s lore and narrative to position this arc as the centerpiece or origin of everything that has occurred so far. With its roots in Oda's earliest inspirations, the Elbaph arc is poised to become his greatest arc yet.

Final thoughts

One Piece chapter 1134 will be released on December 22, 2024, and will be available for reading on Shueisha's MANGA Plus platform. Chapter 1133 ended with Robin and Saul’s reunion, accompanied by a significant tease of Saul possibly being "The Man Marked by the Flames."

The actual plot of the Elbaph arc has already been set in motion, highlighted by a rather secret conversation between Luffy and Loki. Although no details about this conversation have been revealed, its consequences may become apparent in future chapters.