After a two-week break, one piece Episode 1183 is scheduled to officially return in the 26th issue of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump on May 24, 2026.. As the manga returns after a two-week hiatus, the much-anticipated climax battle of the Elbaf arc is expected to proceed quickly. Following the arrival of Saint Nero or Imu in Chapter 1179 and the ongoing battle between the World Government forces and the Pirate-Giant Alliance, it seems very likely that Eiichiro Oda's goal of ending the arc in 2026 and marking the beginning of a new arc will be achieved.
As the arc ends, the question arises who the final Straw Hat will be. The recent development of Elbaf from Chapter 1180 to Chapter 1182 has provided an answer to this question, and it can be said that the candidates for the final Straw Hat position have now become narrower. Cursed Prince Loki will not participate. This means that Vivi, the blue-haired princess of Arabasta, is now a clear favorite to be the final member of the crew.
The climax of One Piece's Elbaf Arc got us all excited when Luffy and Loki started fighting together in Chapter 1175, which was officially released on March 2, 2026. This is because it was predicted that this legendary duo would fight together in Harley, which was introduced in episode 1138 of the story released in the 10th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, released on February 3, 2025. Since then, fans have been going crazy. A big reason to wait for these two to get together and fight was also because most fans saw Loki as the ideal candidate for the final straw hat. In One Piece Chapter 1152, Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, officially asked Loki to join his crew. Loki rejected the offer, but Luffy was adamant that he wanted him as part of the crew, and this is what gave rise to the idea of Loki being the last Straw Hat forward.
Fast forward to Chapter 1180, published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 21, April 20, 2026, and Loki reveals his desire to stay in Elbaph. This came as a shock to many of us, as we expected Loki to set sail with the Straw Hat Pirates. But if we look at everything that has happened in the Land of Giants over the past 40 chapters, we can see why Loki decided to stay in Elbaf.
“Here in the real world you are dealing with me and my Elbaf!” — Loki to Immu, One Piece Episode 1180
When Loki first encountered Imu, he made it clear that the only place he could be found was in the land of Elbaf. This suggests that Loki intends to fulfill the role given to him by Harold as protector of the nation, something he is willing to do no matter what, despite the entire nation hating him. Chapters 1181 and 1182 of One Piece showed Loki fighting for the very Elbaf who had hated him since birth, and we couldn't help but appreciate this great character writing by Eiichiro Oda.
One Piece, 3 types of God's Devil Fruit appear for the first time in 4 years
At the end of the Elbaf arc, One Piece officially revealed three new Devil Fruits that will change the course of the upcoming war.
Why Elbaf needs to capture Loki after the Immu War
As Loki clearly stated his intention to remain in Elbaf, fans may be disappointed, or they may feel that the writer was playing with their emotions and making them excited. However, to truly understand the meaning of the character Loki, we need to understand where Elbaf stands in the coming battle.
in one piece In Chapter 1146, Gunko, one of the Holy Knights, officially stated that whoever joins Elbaf's giants will gain significant strength in the coming battle. That is why the Elbaf War, which is said to be the prelude to the Great War, is very important. Beating the Giants means keeping the country safe, and we can't keep the country safe if the Rockies leave the country.
A great war will break out and draw the whole world into it! And which side the Giants pledge allegiance to will greatly affect the outcome of the war! — Gunko, One Piece Episode 1146
After Loki, the strongest people the country has to offer are Dori and Broggy, neither of whom are strong enough to beat a single top-level opponent on their own. A country has no king, and without a king it cannot prosper. Therefore, Loki's decision to stay and rule in Elbaf, officially declared in Chapter 1180, is the right decision despite the disappointment that followed. Elbaf needs Loki more than Loki needs Elbaf, and he knows it. This is why he has to stay in the country and not sail with Luffy and his crew.
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Nefertari Bibi is the only true candidate for the final Straw Hat spot
With Loki gone, Oda only has to look at episode 1130 of One Piece to find out who the last Straw Hat is officially. This person is none other than Nefertari Bibi, princess of Arabasta. Vivi is currently with Morgans and Wapol, and is sending a message to the Straw Hat Pirates through them. This message was shown by the author at the beginning of episode 1130, published in the 47th issue of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump on October 21, 2024.
“When Luffy transforms into freestyle, do X marks appear on his arms? It looks unnatural to me. The hands appear blurry, but the marks are very clear.” — Nico Robin About Vivi’s message to Luffy, One Piece Episode 1130
Although a lot of time has passed since then, the importance of the plot established by Oda is still paramount. Luffy and the Straw Hats will be able to read Vivi's message as soon as the battle is over, and a plan will be made to rescue her when that happens. After rescuing the princess, there will be no safe place for her because Imu wants her now. Therefore, Vivi's only place is with the Straw Hat Pirates, which makes her the last member of the crew.
It should also be noted that Vivi's importance to the production crew has increased dramatically with the recent reveal of Rain God Zaza in Chapter 1183. This is because he is a strong candidate to eat the Devil Fruit Hitohitonomi (Model: Zaza). This devil fruit transforms you into a rain god and makes it rain. Vivi is from a desert kingdom that has been praying for rain for a long time, and considering that she even appeared without rain in the Arabasta arc, it is only fitting that she takes on this role.
Appears to the rhythm of the rain ritual… Jaja, the god of rain! — Saint Killingham, One Piece Episode 1182
Plus, Vivi will be a thorn in Imu's side in the Final Saga, so it would be absolutely perfect for her to take on the role of the Rain God. For all of these reasons, Vivi's final Straw Hat setting is perfect, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds as the story continues.
The latest chapter of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga can be read through Manga Plus and Biz Media.
