One Piece Chapter 1175: The Legend of Nidhogg and the War of Gods

The Elbaph arc has just reached a boiling point in One Piece Chapter 1175, titled "Nidhogg." After a grueling week-long break, Eiichiro Oda returns with a chapter that blends high-octane action with some of the most significant mythological lore we’ve seen in years.

The Rescue: Zoro and Sanji Step Up

The chapter kicks off with immediate action as the Straw Hats defend the giant children and Robin from Saint Sommers.

• Sanji utilizes his Diable Jambe to incinerate the thorny vines trapping Robin.

• Zoro showcases his precision by dicing the thorns surrounding the children, earning a rare moment of direct praise from Luffy: "As expected of you, Zoro! I believed in you!"

  Loki’s Mythical Power: The Dragon-Dragon Fruit Model Nidhogg

  The centerpiece of the chapter is the massive reveal of Loki’s Devil Fruit. Through a flashback from Elder Jarul, we learn the terrifying truth:

• The Fruit: Loki ate the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Nidhogg.

• The Ability: This fruit allows the user to become the largest dragon in the world. However, its scale is proportional to the user. While a human would be large, an Ancient Giant like Loki can draw out its true world-ending potential.

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The Legend: Jarul mentions a "God of War" from Elbaph’s past who held this fruit and wielded the legendary hammer Ragnir. This deity once famously clashed with the Sun God (Nika), establishing a historical rivalry that mirrors the current alliance/rivalry between Luffy and Loki.

• New Gear 5 Technique: Gomu Gomu no Dawn Thor Rifle

  Luffy isn't staying on the sidelines. To finish off Sommers, Luffy debuts a brand-new Gear 5 move: Gomu Gomu no Dawn Thor Rifle. Taking the "Thor Rifle" from Dressrosa to a Divine level, Luffy’s giant, white-hot fist connects with Sommers, electrocuting him with enough force to literally split the Holy Knight’s face into pieces. To add insult to injury, Loki follows up by simply stomping on the remains.

  Imu’s Reaction: The Final Cliffhanger

  As Loki wipes out the remaining "Dream Monsters" with a massive lightning blast called Thor Heim, the scene shifts to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

  In the Room of Flowers, Imu is shown with a look of pure fury. Recognizing the surge of power from Elbaph, Imu mutters:

  "I see... Nidhogg... You... were in Elbaph all along!!"

  This confirms that Imu has a personal, likely ancient history with the Nidhogg fruit, setting the stage for a collision between the World Government and the land of the Giants.

  One Piece 1175 Release Date and Next Chapter

• Official Release Date: March 1, 2026

• Status: NO BREAK next week. Chapter 1176 is expected on March 8.

The battle for Elbaph has officially shifted from a local skirmish to a global event. With Imu now personally focused on Loki and Luffy, the "Final Saga" is moving faster than ever.

1. The "Ancient Rivals" Theory: Nika vs. Nidhogg

The most popular theory suggests that Joy Boy (Nika) and the previous user of the Nidhogg fruit were actually rivals during the Void Century. In Norse mythology, Nidhogg gnaws at the roots of the World Tree (Yggdrasil).

• The Twist: If the Giant Jack/Sun Tree in Elbaph is a version of Yggdrasil, Loki might be the only person capable of "uprooting" the current world order something even Joy Boy couldn't finish. Imu isn't just angry; Imu is afraid of that specific power.

2. Imu is the "Third Brother" of Elbaph

A wild but growing theory posits that Imu has a biological or royal connection to the Elbaph bloodline. Fans noticed Imu’s reaction to Loki felt personal ("You... were in Elbaph all along!"). This suggests Imu has been searching for the Nidhogg fruit for 800 years. Did a previous Elbaph King hide the fruit from the 20 Kingdoms?

3. The "Thor Heim" Connection to Uranus

Loki’s massive lightning blast, Thor Heim, looked suspiciously similar to the Mother Flame-powered attack that erased Lulusia. Some theorists believe the Ancient Weapon Uranus might actually be tied to the Nidhogg fruit’s lineage, or that Loki is using a "primitive" version of the weapon’s power through his Mythical Zoan awakening.

4. Shanks’ True Mission in Elbaph

With Imu now focusing on Elbaph, the role of Shanks becomes critical. Was Shanks guarding Elbaph specifically to keep the Nidhogg fruit out of the World Government's hands? If Loki is the "World Ender," Shanks might be the only one who knows how to keep him in check or how to use him to help Luffy reach Laugh Tale.

5. The Prince of Destruction vs. The Warrior of Liberation

The final theory focuses on the inevitable Luffy vs. Loki clash. While they are currently "allies" against the Holy Knights, their ideologies are polar opposites. Luffy wants everyone to be free (Liberation), while Loki seems to want to burn the world down (Destruction). Imu’s interference might be the only thing that forces these two "Gods" to work together before they eventually fight each other.

One Piece Elbaf Arc: Release Date, Trailer & Everything We Know

If you're a One Piece fan, you've probably been dreaming about the Elbaf arc for years. Well, the wait is almost over. Toei Animation just dropped some major news at Jump Festa 2026, and honestly? It's everything we hoped for and more.

The Long-Awaited Journey to the Land of Giants

Let's be real elbaf has been one of those mythical places in One Piece that we've heard about since forever. Remember when Usopp first talked about wanting to visit the land of the giants? Or those epic flashbacks with Dorry and Brogy? Yeah, we've been waiting a long time to actually see this place.

The Elbaf arc takes our favorite pirate crew to the homeland of the giants, and it's shaping up to be absolutely massive (pun intended). This isn't just another island stop this is a location that's been building up narrative weight for literally decades.

Mark Your Calendars: April 5, 2026

Here's the big one: the Elbaf arc officially drops on April 5, 2026 in Japan on Fuji TV. I know, I know that feels like forever from now, but there's actually a good reason for the wait.

The current Egghead arc is wrapping up around late December 2025, and then we're getting a three-month break before Elbaf kicks off. Before you groan about the hiatus, hear me out this break is actually going to benefit the anime in a huge way.

That Trailer Though

The first official trailer premiered at Jump Festa 2026, and wow. We finally got to see those towering landscapes, the massive architecture, and the Straw Hats taking their first steps into giant territory. The scale of everything looks incredible, and you can tell the animation team is really leaning into the epic scope of this setting.

The key visuals they released alongside the trailer show off updated designs for each crew member, and fans are already obsessing over the details. The art direction looks gorgeous, with a more refined and detailed aesthetic that suggests we're in for some seriously beautiful animation.

Vikings, Giants, and New Fits

Speaking of those new designs can we talk about how cool everyone looks? The crew's sporting fresh outfits that have this Norse or Viking-inspired aesthetic, which makes perfect sense given Elbaf's cultural influences.

Luffy's new look is particularly striking. He's got this rugged warrior vibe going on, complete with what looks like a large axe. It's a far cry from his usual carefree appearance, suggesting that Elbaf is going to push the crew in some intense new directions.

A Game-Changing Production Shift

Now, here's where things get interesting. Toei Animation announced that starting in 2026, One Piece is ditching the weekly year-round format we've had for over two decades. Instead, we're moving to a seasonal model.

What does that mean? Basically, we'll get a maximum of 26 episodes per year think of it as two seasons (or "cours" in anime terms) with breaks in between. I get it, fewer episodes per year sounds scary. But here's why this is actually great news:

The weekly grind has been tough on the anime. We've all noticed the pacing issues, the stretched-out scenes, the sometimes inconsistent animation quality. By switching to seasons, the animators get breathing room. They can focus on quality over quantity, better align episodes with story beats from the manga, and deliver the kind of epic moments this series deserves especially as we head into the final saga.

Why This Arc Matters So Much

Elbaf isn't just another adventure it's a pivotal piece of the One Piece puzzle. This kingdom has been teased and referenced since way back in the Little Garden arc. We've had giants pop up throughout the series, always mentioning their homeland with this mix of pride and mystery.

The arc promises to dive deep into giant culture, uncover ancient lore about the world, and deliver battles that could fundamentally change what we understand about the One Piece universe. Plus, considering where we are in the overall story closing in on the series' endgame whatever happens in Elbaf is bound to have major implications for the final saga.

For characters like Usopp, this is a dream come true. His whole thing about wanting to become a brave warrior of the sea has always been tied to the giants. This arc could be massive for his character development.

How to Watch When It Drops

Once the arc premieres in Japan, international fans will likely be able to stream it on Crunchyroll pretty quickly that's been the pattern for One Piece releases. Netflix might also pick it up for certain regions, though timing can vary depending on where you are.

Your best bet is to keep an eye on your preferred anime streaming platform as we get closer to April. They'll announce whether you're getting subtitles, dubs, or both as the release approaches.

The Community's Reaction

The fan response has been overwhelming in the best way possible. Social media exploded after the announcement, with people sharing their excitement, breaking down every frame of the trailer, and debating what the seasonal format means for the show's future.

Most fans seem to agree that the production changes are worth it if we get consistently high-quality episodes. After all, we've waited this long for Elbaf. Waiting a bit longer for a polished, well-paced adaptation? That's a trade-off most people are willing to make.

Final Thoughts

The Elbaf arc represents a major turning point for One Piece both in terms of story and production. We're getting a highly anticipated storyline that's been building for years, told through a new production model designed to let the anime shine.

April 2026 can't come soon enough. The land of giants is finally within reach, and if that trailer is any indication, we're in for something truly special. After over 25 years of adventure with the Straw Hat Pirates, Elbaf might just be one of their greatest journeys yet.

So yeah get ready. The giants are waiting.