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One Piece Chapter 1140 Review/Recap

All of Elbaph is in grave danger, and they don’t even know it yet. While the Giants are busy celebrating the arrival of the Straw Hats, the evil that rules from Mariejois is already in their midst. The God’s Knights have infiltrated Warland with orders to seize control of it using any means necessary. Being the awful people they are, they’re willing to take kids hostage to force the adults to submit to World Government rule. Meanwhile, the ones who might be able to stop them don’t fully grasp how much trouble they’re in.

Suddenly, letting Loki out might not be a bad idea.

Recap

After hearing Scopper challenge him to a fight, Luffy is left confused why he can’t just give the key to him. Once Scopper taunts him, though, he doesn’t hesitate to try and force his way past the older Pirate. To everyone’s surprise, though, the former Roger Pirate proceeds to run roughshod until Zoro intervenes. Much to Road and Nami’s shock, Scopper’s last attack manages to slice part of the tower clean off!

Forced to take things seriously, Luffy turns into his Gear Fifth form as he and Zoro prepare to take on Scopper. Except…Scopper gives up right away, much to their irritation. As the two say they never want to see him again, Scopper tells them to come find him if Elbaph is still safe before they leave, and departs.

Back at the school, the kids notice a bird flying overhead that manages to disappear. That bird is actually Gunko and Shamrock, who proceed to summon two more God’s Knights, Summers and Qinglam. While Shamrock is ordered to return to HQ, the remaining three are ordered to kidnap the Giant kids and bring them back to Mariejois.

Oh no…

Review

Firstly, that was pretty cool fight between Scopper, Luffy, and Zoro. It may not have lasted long, but the fact that Scopper forced Luffy to enter Gear Fifth is a testament to his strength. If he were to face Luffy and Zoro in a serious fight, he could stand a very good chance of winning! It’s a reminder of how strong the Roger Pirates were at their peak and that the Straw Hats still have some growing left to do.

The real highlight of the chapter, though, was the arrival of more God’s Knights. They may have had a goofy entrance, but fans should know by now not to underestimate someone for that. The God’s Knights are the Celestial Dragon’s top enforcers, meaning that they’re among the best fighters in the world. We have yet to see how they compare to the Straw Hats, but given how badly Shamrock hurt Loki, it’s safe to say they’re a threat. And now that there are four of them, Elbaph is in serious danger. The only consolation is the fact that Shamrock is being ordered to return to Mariejois. Though, that’s more of a disappointment since it means we may not get to see Luffy and Shamrock fight.

Seriously Important Details

As scary as the presence of such powerful figures is, their conversation did reveal two key details. Firstly, in order to travel through those summoning circles, one needs some sort of mark. Presumably, the God’s Knights and the Five Elders have this mark on them, but since the Giant Kids don’t, they plan on taking them away by ship. In addition, one of the Knights asked Gunko and Shamrock if they came to Elbaph to visit Harald’s grave. Several fans have suspected that Harald might have collaborating with the World Government in secret, and this statement has only added fuel to the fire. If that’s the case, then Loki’s decision to fight and kill his father takes on a whole new meaning.

As of now, Luffy has the means to free Loki if he wants to. Should he do so, though, he risks having to fight someone that only Shanks managed to beat. However, if the fans are right about Loki not being as bad as his people think, then he could be a valuable ally. It should also be noted that, right now, Loki is going to be more interested in getting revenge on the Knights for hurting him and killing his animal friends. So long as that remains the case, he might choose to work with Luffy. Fingers crossed that that is the case!

Sadly, it looks like Elbaph is about to become a battlefield, one the Straw Hats cannot afford to lose. From its people to its historical records, Elbaph is too important to fall into the hands of the Celestial Dragons. The Straw Hats will have to fight harder than ever if they want to protect this mythical land, and I can’t wait to see them humble the God’s Knights!

I Give “Scopper Gaban” a 4.5/5

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Speculation on how the Avatar Having a Twin could Affect Seven Havens

With the announcement that Avatar would be getting another animated series, the fandom is freaking out. The beloved franchise from Nickelodeon has just reached its 20th anniversary, and it’s clear Nick and Paramount aim to make the most of it. Once people read the actual synopsis, though, they were left divided. According to the premise, the world has been rocked by a great cataclysm. Civilization seems to only survive in a handful of locations. And worst of all, the Avatar is now considered a destroyer rather than savior of humanity. However, there was another key detail mentioned that needs to be addressed: this time around, the Avatar is going to have a sibling. Not just any sibling, but their long-lost twin sister!

You can already tell how awkward this could end up being. However, you can also tell just how interesting this could make things.

An Avatar with a Sibling?

It should be noted that this is not the first time in history that an Avatar has been born with a sibling. As revealed in the book The Reckoning of Roku, Avatar Roku had a twin brother named Yasu. However, Yasu would tragically drown at the age of twelve, four years before Roku would learn he was the Avatar. While his death would deeply affect Roku and their friend, Sozin, it also means we’ll never know how he would have reacted to his twin brother being the Avatar.

For all intents and purposes, Seven Havens will be the first time we’ll see an Avatar know they’re the Avatar and have a sibling who also knows it. And that could lead to a very complex relationship between the two.

Consider how it would feel to know that your brother or sister is the next Avatar. On the one hand, you would likely feel proud to have them as a sibling. In most eras, the Avatar is the most respected figure in the world, trusted of humans and many of the spirits. They’re often one of, if not the most, powerful people alive. At the same time, though, one cannot help but think that having the Avatar as your sibling could be a problem. They would likely overshadow everything you do, forcing you to live in their shadow, and watch as everyone would consider you an afterthought. Anyone who has a super-successful sibling can understand how frustrating that can feel.

Seven Havens Looks to be a Post-Apocalyptic World

All of that is during a good time. As previously stated, Seven Havens takes place in a time when people hate the Avatar. Now imagine meeting a twin sister that you likely had no idea existed. That sister could have lived a life and experiences that are different from what you know. Now add in the possibility that you’re not a bender, much like how Sokka wasn’t while Katara was. Bending isn’t always genetic, after all. And, for the cherry on top, you learn this long-lost sibling is the reincarnation of the being people now hate.

When you consider all these factors, your relationship is going to be complex from the get go. These two siblings are likely going to have to put in a lot of work if they want to get on the same page.

How Will the New Avatar’s Sibling React to, well…you know?

While Seven Havens will mark the first time an Avatar will have a sibling who plays an active role in their lives, thankfully, it won’t be the first time Avatar has shown us complicated sibling dynamics. Arguably, the best example of how things can get comes from the relationship between Aang and Katara’s kids. While Aang obviously loved all of them dearly, it was inevitable that he would spend more time with Tenzin. He was the only other Airbender in the world, so Aang had to pass down everything about the Air Nomads to him. Bumi, in particular, seemed to take not being a bender at all pretty hard, making him feel like he had to prove he wasn’t a disappointment to his Dad. Thankfully, they worked things out in the end.

It’s hard being part of a family. It can get even harder when your sibling is misunderstood as a threat to others. Which is why I think giving the next Avatar a twin sister will make for an interesting story. Will these two long-lost siblings be able to find common ground. Will they be able to work together to help the world? Or will they wind up being at odds for one reason or another? The potential for this new series is both exciting and concerning, which is why I’m looking forward to seeing Seven Havens. Here’s hoping we learn more about it in the coming months!

A Fan’s Thoughts on Avatar: Seven Havens

Do you know those stories where someone leaves the house to get something, but when they get back, they find their home destroyed? That feeling sums up what the Avatar fandom is feeling right now. The one consolation is that the house is not a metaphor for the state of the fandom itself but for the world Avatar takes place.

Earlier this month, Avatar: The Last Airbender reached an important milestone as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. The franchise has continued to thrive, growing even more popular since being added to streaming platforms. A new animated film is due to come out in theaters in 2026, and rumors spoke of even more projects in the pipeline. Then, less than a day before its 20th birthday, the creators of the show announced the next chapter in the world of Avatar, Avatar: Seven Havens.

Then, people started reading the synopsis…and started to worry.

What Happened to the World of Avatar?

The details remain scarce, but it seems that (hopefully) decades after the events of Legend of Korra, the world of Avatar experienced a disaster of potentially apocalyptic proportions. The nations as we knew them are likely gone or only survive in small pockets. That alone is a bittersweet pill to swallow, as it could mean many places we came to know throughout the franchise no longer exist. Or, if they do, they may no longer be recognizable. However, the worst part about the synopsis for Seven Havens is it says that Korra’s successor as the Avatar is no longer considered humanity’s savior, but a destroyer. That line alone has left many fans asking the same question:

“What the heck happened to make things get so bad?!?!”

Korra Still Can’t Catch a Break.

From what I’ve seen based on the comments, the general consensus seems to be that something horrible happened to Korra. Something that marred the Avatar’s reputation so badly that all of humanity turned on them. However, as to what happened and where Korra fits into all this, fans remain divided. Some people believe that Korra could have been directly responsible for whatever catastrophe rocked the world. Others believe that she might have been set up and made out to be the bad guy. And some think it’s both: she might have caused a disaster, but only because the alternative would have been far too horrific to be allowed to happen. What is certain, though, is that we are missing a great deal of context that Seven Havens will hopefully provide.

As for what I think, I’m in the camp that she is getting unfairly blamed for whatever happened to leave the world in the state it’s in during Seven Havens. I also think that this is a deliberate ploy by DiMartino and Konietzko to discuss the hate that Korra got.

Korra Wasn’t a Bad Avatar, you Know!

As a show and as a character, Korra has become infamous for being a divisive character. Many OG fans consider her an inferior successor to Aang, and her detractors cite her shortcomings throughout the show. The most egregious, though, is the fact that she got Raava ripped out of her and their connection to her past lives severed, resetting the Avatar Cycle altogether. In other words, fans may never get to see Aang, Roku, Kiyoshi, and the other past Avatars again!

They’re not wrong to be upset. I loved Aang, and the idea that we may never see him again as a guide to future Avatars is heartbreaking. However, I do not consider what happened to be entirely Korra’s fault.

like how can you look at this and say yeah this is korra’s fault pic.twitter.com/yroson2O5m

— c (@racerkuvira) February 22, 2025

Keep in mind that Korra was fighting an uphill battle when she went into that fight with Unalaq. She knew this, and so she tried to get help from the President of the United Republic. And he refused to do anything, thinking it better to defend Republic City. To this day, I believe that if Raiko had sent support, Korra wouldn’t have had to fight so many enemies at once, and Unalaq and Vaatu wouldn’t have been able to rip Raava out of her. What makes it even worse is that, afterward, Raiko still blamed her for the destruction UnaVaatu caused!

Korra Had a Tough Act to Follow, and She Knew it

A big theme in The Legend of Korra is how people would not stop comparing her to how great Aang was, which is understandable. Like many, I grew up watching Aang and wasn’t entirely comfortable with seeing someone succeed him. But does that mean Korra was an inferior successor? No! People held her to these impossible standards and wanted her to be as good a character as Aang was. And while Aang was an amazing character, he wasn’t perfect and made mistakes—many Avatar’s made mistakes during their lifetimes. The whole reason the Avatar Cycle started was because Avatar Wan made a mistake. But the entire point of the Avatar is that they’re not this perfect being that can solve everything.

The point of the Avatar being human is for them to be flawed and mess up like everyone else. That’s part of being human; regardless of their godlike power, the Avatar is still human. And through their collective experiences, Raava also learned what it meant to be human. That’s something that plenty of Korra haters seem to forget, and it’s something that people during the time of Seven Havens will have to remember.

But with that rant out of the way, what do you guys think? Does this sound like something you’re going to watch? Do you think the premise of Seven Havens is a mistake? Let’s get some fan discussion going!

And be on the lookout for a second part talking about the other big thing regarding Seven Havens.

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A Fan’s Look back on Avatar: the Last Airbender on its 20th Anniversary

It was November, 2004, and ten-year-old me was going to the movies with my family. We were going to see The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie together, and I was beyond excited. SpongeBob was my all-time favorite cartoon and my hero, and I was getting to see his movie! We got our snacks, sat, and waited for the previews to finish so the film could start. That was when a preview for a show that wasn’t out yet flashed across our screens. It’s name was Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I didn’t think too much of it at the time. After all, I was too excited to see SpongeBob on the big screen. Little did I realize it, but that one preview of Avatar would be my introduction to what would be the best cartoon of my childhood.

Slowly Gaining an Interest in Avatar

Over the next three months, Nickelodeon would slowly ramp up its promotion for this new show called Avatar. Their entire channel became inundated with commercials explaining what Avatar would be about. How it took place in this fantastical world filled with strange animals and people who could wield the elements. That there was an entire nation bent on conquering everyone. And that the only person who could hope to stop them was a kid who spent the last hundred years frozen in ice.

Emphasis on the kid part, as several ads repeatedly mentioned his age.

One of the Best Nights of My Life

I don’t know when it started to pique my interest, but sometime during those three months, I had gone from shrugging my shoulders at this funny-looking show (how was I supposed to know it was based on anime? I didn’t even know what that was yet) to wanting to see what it was like. So, fast forward to Monday, February 21st, 2005, the premiere day. I just got out of school for the day (probably did my homework), turned on the TV, and went to Nickelodeon to watch their programming block U-Pick Live. My sister eventually joined me, and together, we waited as U-Pick Live counted down to the premiere of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I remain thankful that my curiosity compelled me to watch the premiere, because it became one of the best nights of my life.

An Incredible Three Years Ahead

Saying that the first two episodes of Avatar blew me away would be an understatement. I was utterly floored by what I saw! There was the whole premise of this fantasy world ravaged by a century of war. The way it balanced the profound moments with a goofy sense of humor. And above all, there were the characters, most of whom were only a few years older than me. The fact that Aang was only two years older than me, had this enormous responsibility he never asked for, but was also this goofy kid who just wanted to have fun really resonated with me. He was like the cool friend I always wanted, and I quickly became attached to him! Though, honestly, I grew attached to all of the characters.

I spent the next three years devotedly watching Avatar and saw almost every episode. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined a cartoon on Nickelodeon could tell such a compelling story. The best part is that as I grew older, I began to understand the complex themes behind the story. While it wasn’t unheard of for kids’ shows to focus on important themes and morals to impart them to viewers, Avatar was different. It was willing to dive into topics its peers rarely ever did. From the cost of war to the effects of discrimination and abusive parenting, this kid’s cartoon was pretty mature! And like a fine wine, it’s only seemed to get better with age!

Avatar is as Good as I Remember

To this day, the night the series finale came out is among the best nights of my life. That’s how significant an impact this show had on me! And while the creators could have decided to call it a day after that, they didn’t. Instead of being a one-hit wonder, Avatar would spawn a franchise consisting of novels, comics, a sequel series, and another sequel series coming in the near future! And thanks to the pandemic keeping everyone stuck at home for a year, Avatar experienced a renaissance in popularity at the start of the decade.

And now, it’s more than twenty years old. Man, how time flies! But no matter how old it may get, Avatar was, is, and always will be one of the greatest shows ever created. And I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without it during those pivotal years of my childhood.

One Piece Chapter 1139 Review/Recap

Fourteen years ago, a One Piece cover story introduced readers to a mysterious person in a striped coat. Since then, fans have guessed who this person might be, with speculation reach an all-time high near the Elbaph Arc’s start. The top two candidates most fans had were either Shiki the Golden Lion, or Scopper Gaban, another member of the Roger Pirates. Now, everyone who invested in Scopper Gaban stocks can pat themselves on the back, because they were right! We’re meeting another member of the Roger Pirates, the Mountain Eater!

Recap

So far, Luffy’s group hasn’t been able to find the keys to let Loki out, but since they can’t ask any of the other Giants for help, they’re on their own. Their search eventually takes them to the remains of the throne room. That’s where they find the demonic circle Shamrock and Gunko used to arrive in Elbaph. Before Luffy can remember where he’s seen it before, making them try to run for it. However, they get stopped by the voice, revealed to be Ya-san, former pirate and the father of Colon.

Having heard Luffy might let Loki out, Ya-san asks him what he’ll do if the Giant Prince runs amok. After all, only Shanks was able to bring him down the last time. Luffy’s answer: he’ll beat Loki to a pulp. Happy to hear this answer, Ya-San tells Road to turn the throne, revealing a secret passage filled with empty treasure chests, much to Nami’s dismay. The one item that’s still of interest is the key to Loki’s locks. However, Ya-San says that if Luffy wants them, he has to beat him in a fight, revealing his true name. He is the left-hand man of Gol D. Roger the Pirate King, Scopper Gaban!

Review

This was a notably short chapter of One Piece. When the day comes for the anime to adapt it, I’d say it would only cover half an episode in length. However, given what was revealed in the previous chapter, one can forgive this one for being so short. That, and this is the first time in a long time that Oda’s given fans four chapters without a break. That’s a win in and of itself.

The big win of this chapter, though, goes to the fans who came up with the theories about Scopper Gaban. For years, fans wondered about the identity of the one who visited Crocus after the time-skip. And since Crocus was part of the Roger Pirates on their final voyage, many guessed this guest was another former crewmember. Lo and behold, those fans were right. It’s Scopper Gaban, one of Roger’s top two crewmembers!

I was never that interested in the idea of Scopper Gaban being the mysterious pirate we kept seeing, to be honest. However, as someone who loves big reveals regarding the past, I whole-heartedly welcome it. We already know how strong he is, having seen him hold his own against Oden Kozuki in flashbacks. However, the Giants reveal that he fought hundreds of pirates protecting a hospital Roger was staying at is equally as impressive. Scopper Gaban has earned the right to be one of the strongest pirates, and will serve as a good teacher to Luffy.

What Happens Next Could Prove Luffy’s on Shanks’ level

It should be noted that when Luffy admits he might free Loki, Scopper doesn’t admonish him. Instead, he questions if Luffy has the ability to return Loki to captivity if things go south. After all, Shanks was the only one who ever managed to pull that off, the feat cementing his Yonko status. That’s why he’s challenging Luffy to a fight to get the key. If Luffy can beat Scopper, then he can likely defeat Loki. In addition, I took this to mean that Luffy would finally be on the same level of strength as that of Shanks. Given how the two may end up fighting to reach the One Piece soon, Luffy needs to get that strong. Plus, getting to see one of the Roger Pirates in action is always good for us!

It’s unfortunate that we have to wait two weeks for the next chapter, but fans have known Oda has to take regular breaks. The last thing we need is for him to work himself into an early grave! That being said, I’m glad he managed to follow-up his biggest lore-drop to date with confirming a popular fan theory. Assuming the God’s Knights don’t interfere, the fight between Luffy and Scopper should be quite the show!

I Give “Mountain Eater” a 4/5

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A fan’s argument of why the final war in One Piece could be called Ragnarok

If you’ve been keeping up with One Piece lately, you know that the long-running Shonen series is nearing its endgame. Luffy and the Straw Hat pirates are closing in on the titular treasure. The other strongest pirate crews in the world are mobilizing to do the same. The World Government is trying desperately to maintain control, only to keep failing. With Oda promising the finale will make Marineford look tame, fans know there’s a war coming that few can even comprehend. However, even the most eagle-eyed fans might not have realized just what this final war will decide. Thanks to Dr. Vegapunk, we now know that this coming war could be an apocalypse. An apocalypse that only has one word to describe itself: Ragnarok.

Where is this coming from?

To recap, during the climax of the Egghead Island Arc, Dr. Vegapunk was murdered by his old friend, Admiral Kizaru. However, his death led to the activation of a pre-recorded that he and his Satellites broadcast to the entire world. Thus, the world learned a horrifying truth: it had, for the past 800 years, been slowly sinking into the ocean. What’s more, this wouldn’t be the first time that it happened. 900 years ago, the world was covered in massive continents that were subsequently lost to the seas. The “islands” everyone lived on were merely the highest points of those continents, and even they were now at risk.

With this revelation, Oda had taken the flood myth, one of the oldest and most recurring motifs in cultures around the world, and used it to re-contextualize how we view One Piece. It had been taking place in a post-apocalyptic world, and nobody knew. Had this not been revealed, most of us likely wouldn’t have realized it. Suddenly, Luffy’s quest for the titular treasure had become more imporant than ever. It now has the potential to decide whether or not the world will live to see another tomorrow at all. And thus far, the events in the proceeding Elbaph arc have only hammered this point home. In addition, though, the most recent chapters of One Piece have shown the other apocalyptic myth from which Oda is getting inspiration: Ragnarok.

Ragnarok is what is coming

The Harley's text is a poem that is very similar to the Voluspa, the best known poem of the Poetic Edda.

The Voluspa tells the story from Norse Mythology of the creation of the world, its coming end, and its subsequent rebirth. pic.twitter.com/3UK0KFhySZ

— panini 🍔 (@writingpanini) January 30, 2025

In Norse mythology, Ragnarok is said to be their version of Armageddon. In it, the forces of the Norse pantheon of gods and their many enemies will clash in one, final battle. Few of them will survive what is to come, and the world will be burned by cataclysms as the sun and moon are devoured before the sea swallows everything. However, that same prophecy reveals that not all is lost. Those who survive Ragnarok will come to build a new world, one better than the one that preceded it.

With the latest chapter of One Piece revealing the ancient history as told by the Giants of Elbaph, many fans have noted the similarities to Ragnarok. The text that Robin reads talks about the three eras, or worlds, that the world of One Piece has been through. The more fans analyze the text and mural, the more the similarities to Ragnarok become obvious. Despite this, several differences need to be noted.

Why the Ragnarok of One Piece is Incomplete

Firstly, whereas the Ragnarok of Norse myth will only happen once, it has already happened twice in One Piece. Secondly, while Ragnarok is said to give rise to a new and better world, in One Piece, it has only led to a worse one.

It’s currently unknown what happened in the first Ragnarok, but the series has already given fans enough details on the second time. The founders of the World Government toppled an ancient, advanced kingdom. The sea would swallow most of the planet, and the World Government would cover up the truth for the next eight hundred years. Thus, the descendants of those who survived would remain ignorant to the truth and the fact that the ocean continued to rise until Vegapunk revealed it. Everything below the Red Line will be lost unless something is done soon. But what can be done?

One Piece fans already know the answer: it’s Luffy.

Admit it. We all knew Luffy is going to save the world.

Monkey D. Luffy has always been special thanks to his cheerful attitude, rubber body, and carrying the Will of D. However, time and time again, One Piece has noted just how special Luffy truly is, even amongst those who carry the Will of D. Wherever he goes, he makes friends. He frees people from whatever sorrows they may face so they can laugh again. And with the revelation that his Devil Fruit powers were the same as that of Joy Boy, many have concluded that he is the second coming of Joy Boy. Or, in the words of this blog, he’s Pirate Jesus.

The mural and text from the latest chapter of One Piece lend further credence to the idea that Luffy is the successor of Joy Boy, while also revealing that Joy Boy might have been the successor to Nika. That latter half would explain why the legends call the Sun God both a savior and destroyer. Over time, stories of Joy Boy and Nika were fused into one, leading to his reputation in the modern world.

The last part of the text talks about the return of the sun to bring about a new dawn and help the world “meet again.” As many fans will guess, that sun is talking about the return of the next person to wield the power of the sun god. In other words, it’s talking about Luffy. Luffy is being set up as the one who can break the cycle of Ragnarok for good. Then, the world can become the better place it was meant to be.

And from the looks of things, he and the Straw Hats will not be alone in this fight.

The Straw Hats could unite the world in a final war

Plenty of people have started pointing out the meaning behind the images on the mural and the meaning behind the Harley text. However, the images that stand out the most are the ones that Franky and Ripley themselves point out. The chapter makes it a point to have the two point out how beings from different races and backgrounds fight against a great monster. Something like that seems so unbelievable that Ripley dismisses it as some children’s dream. However, those who have kept on the story know that it’s not a mere dream. In fact, it’s already becoming a reality.

As previously mentioned, wherever Luffy and the Straw Hats have gone, they have changed things for the better. They’ve liberated kingdoms, stopped wars, and brought down tyrants. Thanks to that, they’ve gained friendships with people from the East Blue to the Grand Line. If the day finally came when Luffy wanted to ask for their help, you can bet their friends would drop everything and come to his aid, just as he would do the same for them. They aren’t just friends anymore; they’re an army that will fight for him.

If Luffy calls for help, will the world come to him?

While those images on the mural likely depict the war between the Ancient Kingdom and the proto-World Government, they could also be said to be showing what will happen in the near future. When Ragnarok comes once more, those loyal to Luffy and his crew might raise entire armies and join his cause. It’s a long shot, but it would serve as a great way to round out the series by having everyone Luffy has helped return the favor. In addition, it would help fulfill the prophecy of the sun god, allowing Luffy to guide the world to the new dawn it was always meant to reach. Which, in hindsight, makes the original name for One Piece, Romance Dawn, all the more impactful.

This might be one of the most important chapters in all of One Piece history, and Oda did not disappoint! Whatever he’s got planned for the rest of the series, it’s going to be an absolute banger from start to finish!

Click here to see more animanga stuff. That includes my review for the latest chapter.

One Piece Chapter 1138 Review/Recap

Just who was the Sun God, Nika? For that matter, who was the man known to history as Joy Boy? One Piece fans have known about Joy Boy since Fishman Island. However, it wasn’t until the Wano Country Arc that we learned about the existence of Nika. That arc would not only reveal that the two were one and the same, but Luffy inherited their powers. Everything we learned at Egghead only reaffirmed that Luffy was connected to Nika and Joy Boy. Yet it didn’t do much beyond reveal the basic details. That all ends with the latest chapter, “Harley”. Oda manages to drop a massive bombshell, revealing that Luffy is part of a story bigger than he can possibly imagine.

That, and it proved that a fan theory about Shanks was both right and wrong.

Recap

In the Underworld, Loki is left reeling from Gunko’s last attack. Despite being blindfolded, his Haki allows him to see that Shamrock is the spitting image of Shanks. Much to Loki’s fury, Shamrock reveals Shanks is his younger twin who abandoned the Celestial Dragons. As the Prince of Elbaph vows revenge, Shamrock’s sword transforms into a monstrous, three-headed dog that he sics on the Giant. Loki can only wait in horror as Shamrock and Gunko leave him to his fate as they fly off.

Back in the castle, Luffy refuses to believe that the person who attacked the guards was Shanks. Others present speculate it might have been a brother, but Luffy comments that Shanks never talked about his family. From what he understood, his mentor saw the Roger Pirates as his real family.

Elsewhere, Franky is looking at the Treasure Tree Adam with Ripley, marveling at its size. That, and noting the irony of how expensive it is despite its abundance. That’s when Franky notices this massive drawing carved into the tree bark, one that seems to defy what they know about Elbaph. Ripley explains that the drawing was left around the Void Century. What Franky sees in this mural compels him to want to get Robin right away.

Meanwhile, Saul pulls out an ancient book called the Harley detailing Elbaph’s myths and legends, including about the Sun God. Robin begins to read the text aloud, with the chapter ending as readers see what it was Franky is seeing. The mural, one of Oda’s greatest drawings ever, depicts the entire history of the world as the Giants know it!

Review

When the leaks for this week’s chapter of One Piece said this was one of the biggest in series history, they weren’t joking. In fact, even all the hype surrounding the chapter didn’t do it enough justice. Oda just gave us the biggest piece to the puzzle that is One Piece to date, and already, fans are going rabid trying to breakdown this entire mural! There’s so much to unpack from this chapter that I can only afford to cover the short version here. The longer version is getting its own post!

Yes this is the short version

To sum up everything we learned from the story and mural, the world of One Piece has had a pretty grim past. Twice now, someone wielding the power of the sun god tried to change the world for the better. And twice now, they lost their battle, which led to the world being destroyed, only to be rebuilt more divided than ever. It’s safe to say, though, that Nika the sun god and Joy Boy were two wholly separate people. With Luffy serving as their modern-day successor, it seems to fall to him to finish their fight against this great evil, presumably Imu or someone else. As bad as things are, though, the Harley ends on hopeful note, saying how this time, the sun will bring about the new dawn.

Beyond the hints at the past and future, what stood out to me most was the mention of the “Devil of the Forest.” My best guess is that is a hint to the origins of the Devil Fruits. That’s something many fans would like to learn the truth about, and it’s great that Oda is obliging our curiosity like this. In addition, fans have been quick to point out that the “half-crescent moon” in the Harley is a reference to the Will of D. See?

#ONEPIECE1138

The people of half the moon 🥹 pic.twitter.com/IPljfdSGz8

— RAKEEM | Shooter 📸 (@rakeem_madeit) January 30, 2025

There has to be a bigger story to this, and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

The Shanks Theories were true!

Besides the mural and Harley text, though, the best part of the chapter was confirming that Shanks is a Celestial Dragon by birth. People have been theorizing that for years now, and this chapter pretty much confirmed it. According to lore, Roger found him in a treasure chest they took after the God Valley incident. It’s likely that amidst the chaos of what happened on that day, Shanks was abandoned by the Celestial Dragons. Good! It proves that it’s the super-toxic influence of the World Nobles that make them turn out the way they do. And if Shamrock is as strong as Shanks, then Luffy’s going to be in for his toughest battle to date.

This arc is definitely giving me the idea that the Straw Hats will be fighting the God’s Knights for the freedom of Elbaph, and I look forward to seeing it. Any chance to knock the Celestial Dragons down a peg is good. Plus, seeing how they can’t afford to give up fighting now might be what convinces the Giants to take up arms en masse again.

This might be the best One Piece chapter that we’ve gotten since Luffy unlocked Gear Fifth. People will be spending weeks pouring over every little detail to be found, including the mystery man who’s approaching the castle. I, for one, am looking forward to listening to every part of this!

Now, as soon as it comes out, go read my longer breakdown on why the Elbaph mural is telling the One Piece equivalent to Ragnarok.

I Give “The Harley” a 1000000000000/50

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