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
— RAKEEM | Shooter 📸 (@rakeem_madeit) January 30, 2025
The people of half the moon 🥹 pic.twitter.com/IPljfdSGz8
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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