one piece Chapter 1188 was important in terms of building the Elbaf Arc narrative while also revealing key lore to all of us fans. Through the incredible battle between Nerona Imu and Monkey D. Luffy, series creator Eiichiro Oda revealed the core of the story from about 900 years ago. one piece world.
This story was revealed at the very beginning of the chapter where a conversation between Nerona Imu and a former user of Hito Hito no Mi, namely Joy Boy, was introduced. Through this, Eiichiro Oda revealed Joyboy's real face for the first time, while also highlighting the incredible power of model Nika, a former user of Hitohitonomi.
One Piece Episode 1188, former Hito Hitonomi, model: Nika – Joy Boy's face is revealed for the first time.
one piece Chapter 1188 started on a rather surprising note as a mini flashback between Nerona Imu and Joy Boy was explored. In this flashback, we are shown their first meeting, and Joyboy and Imu's first contact appears to have been through a Dendenmushi phone call. In this call, Imu was seen asking for help, and the person who answered the call was none other than Joyboy. What is especially surprising is that at the time, Yi Mu was a quite timid person with a certain degree of innocence. The Imu we see in the present is incredibly proud and full of arrogance, implying that Imu himself was corrupted through Akumanomi at some point.
Immu: Hello? Hello, are you coming in? Joy Boy: Hello? hmm? what? who are you? Lee Mu: What? I'm on a mission! Who are you? Joy Boy: Oh…me? I'm Joyboy!
— Oda shows the first meeting between Imu and Joyboy. One Piece Episode 1188
Nonetheless, the important detail here is the face of the former Hito Hito no Mi (model: Nika user Joy Boy). one piece In episode 1188, we got our first glimpse of his face, but only the lower half was visible. It's clear that Joyboy's face is strikingly similar to Luffy's, but nothing is revealed about his hair or eyes.
When Nerona Imu and Joy Boy first met, the two became friends. This was emphasized once again in One Piece Episode 1181, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issues 22-23 on April 27, 2026. This chapter featured Joy Boy and Imu talking to each other and explaining what the world order should be. Obviously, it was because of these differences of opinion that they split at some point and ended up with opposing results.
“Domination is the only true happiness in this world, isn’t it, Joyboy!” — Nerona Imu reminisces about her past with Joy Boy. One Piece Episode 1181
While Joy Boy believed that the world should be free and people should be able to live as they wanted, Imu believed that domination was the only true happiness in the world. This was officially confirmed by Eiichiro Oda. one piece April 27, Chapter 1181. With the brief appearance of Nero or Imu in Elbaf, Oda has already explained a lot about the relationship between the two Void Century characters, and it's something we're very excited about.
One Piece officially debuts Nika via Joy Boy and Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Imu.
Continuing the tradition of focusing on Imu's mini-flashbacks, with One Piece Chapter 1189 scheduled for release on July 26, 2026, Nerona Imu will likely once again give us a glimpse of Joy Boy's face and potentially reveal more details about Nika, a former user of the Hito Hito no Mi model.
“Of course I know you're not Joy Boy! Joy Boy wasn't that weak!!” — Nerona Imu calls Luffy weak. One Piece Episode 1188
In the current situation, Imu is reminded of Joy Boy due to Luffy's presence. In One Piece Chapter 1188, Nero and Imu stabbed Luffy directly in the torso with the Sword of Nothingness: Fufu, but this battle is not over yet. Luffy's battle resurrection is likely to happen sooner rather than later. Especially since Sanji and Zoro take down Sommers and Killingham, weakening Imu in the process. If that happens, Monkey D. Luffy will likely be revived once again, and Imu could potentially have more flashbacks to the time he spent with Joy Boy. That said, the end of the Elbaf arc may reveal to us the full design of former Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika user Joy Boy for the first time. This is exactly what we want to see in the story.
Why Joy Boy was a much better Hito Hito no Mi user than Luffy
while one piece Chapter 1188 gave us a glimpse of Joy Boy on July 12, 2026, and also did a lot to build an incredible aura of invincibility around him. Luffy and Joy Boy use the same abilities, but it is now a confirmed fact that Joy Boy is much stronger than Luffy. At the end of One Piece Chapter 1188, Nero or Imu stabs Luffy in the chest to express his disappointment at having to battle him. Imu also confirmed that Luffy can never become Joy Boy, as there is no way Joy Boy would be as weak as he is. This is a damning testament to the fact that Joy Boy was on a whole other level, and if Luffy truly wants to stop Nerona Imu, he needs to evolve even further, evolving into a power like Gear 6.
Imu: Sword of Nothingness: Vohu!
Luffy: What? The forest has dried up!
Imu: The vision is much clearer now.
Luffy: Same here!
— Imu reveals the sword of nothingness: Vohu, One Piece Chapter 1188
Clearly, Joy Boy's use of Hito Hito no Mi (model: Nika) was on a completely different level than Luffy's. If the Straw Hat Pirate really wants to surpass the Four Heavenly Kings and become the Pirate King, he must increase his strength accordingly. As of now, Luffy is too weak, but as always, an evolution will follow because Luffy always bounces back.
All new One Piece manga chapters by Eiichiro Oda can be read via MANGA Plus and Viz Media.
