One Piece could be setting up for a major reveal in chapter 1127, and a chapter 1122 callback is the key

Modified Aug 12, 2024 05:15 GMT

One Piece could be setting up for a major reveal in chapter 1127, and a chapter 1122 callback is the key (Image via Toei Animation)

Arguably, the aspect of author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s writing style in his One Piece manga series which he’s best known for is the general ability of foreshadowing and callback. The two are opposite sides of the same coin, very similar in purpose but largely differing only in execution; both can be used to establish plot points which will later be expanded on and become key to the series’ story, either before or after the fact of a major narrative moment.

One Piece chapter 1122 may have had such a callback by nature of its introduction of Joy Boy’s appearance in the issue. While the figure is silhouetted in typical Oda introduction fashion, there are aspects of his body which can clearly be made out. However, what’s truly significant here is that this appearance comes in chapter 1122.

Oda very rarely gives out dates throughout the One Piece series, yet one notable exception is the story of Montblanc Noland. During the Noland flashback, it’s confirmed that he stepped foot on Jaya for the first time in the year 1122, matching the chapter number of Joy Boy’s introduction. Fans have since parlayed this into an analysis on the Japanese linguistics of this number, in turn suggesting that a major reveal could be coming in chapter 1127.

One Piece chapter 1127 may link Noland and Joy Boy together in a way only Japanese fans could see coming

The breakdown of the coincidences in One Piece's latest chapter and beyond (Image via X user @BallsBali)

As mentioned above, fans immediately noticed the strange coincidence between the only year ever directly mentioned in the series just so happens to be the same number as Joy Boy’s first appearance. The coincidence goes further when diving into the linguistics of the number 1122 in the Japanese language, which can be read as “hitotsuni,” or “hi to tsu ni” to break it up number by number.

Spoken aloud, this can mean “the one” in Japanese. However, 1127 can be read as “hitotsunagi” instead, or “hi to tsu nagi” to break it up number by number. This translates to “the one piece,” which fans are asserting simply cannot be a coincidence. Given Eiichiro Oda’s modus operandi, this seems to be a likely interpretation of these commonalities between varying plot points.

Further adding evidence to an element of deliberateness behind this is the fact that the Noland flashback takes place in the Skypiea arc. From the Wano arc onward, the Skypiea arc has proven to be incredibly valuable in terms of setting up future developments. This includes the introduction of Sun God Nika as a concept, as well as the idea of Luffy being a god by nature of inheriting the Devil Fruit based on Sun God Nika.

Montblanc Noland as seen during the Skypiea arc (Image via Toei Animation)

There’s also another apparent commonality between the Egghead arc, where Joy Boy is first seen, and the Skypiea arc, which is instrumental to the series’ lore and worldbuilding. The Skypiea arc ended with 66 chapters, while the Egghead arc is rapidly approaching its end with 64 chapters released. Likewise, it’s clear that the arc will conclude with a very similar number, or possibly the exact same number if Oda is planning all this out.

That being said, this is all speculative as of this article’s writing, and gives significant (albeit earned) credit to Oda with respect to his potential planning of the story. Nevertheless, the coincidences seem too similar to neglect, and suggest a major reveal in chapter 1127 once it releases in the coming weeks and months.