How Akainu’s Past Influences the Elbaph Arc in One Piece

The character of Akainu has sparked intense discussions among the One Piece fandom since his introduction during the Marineford saga. Though he initially came across as a quintessential antagonist, his actions and dialogues reveal a persona deeply committed to upholding the law, albeit to an extreme degree.

A pivotal moment highlighting Akainu’s unwavering application of justice occurred when he destroyed a civilian vessel, eradicating any potential survivors from Ohara. As significant figures such as Jaguar D. Saul, Robin, and Luffy—each representing Akainu’s failures in justice enforcement—are currently on their way to Elbaph, there’s a strong possibility that Akainu may soon arrive to address unresolved matters.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.

Elbaph: A Foreboding Future with Akainu

The forthcoming Elbaph arc is heavily infused with elements of Norse mythology, marked by the presence of characters like Loki and a giant tree reminiscent of Yggdrasil. While Loki’s narrative may not substantially enhance Elbaph’s world-building, the giant tree certainly serves as a key focal point for the arc’s overarching themes.

Yggdrasil, depicted across various cultures as the World Tree, symbolizes a connection between different realms, allowing interaction among gods, giants, and humans. While One Piece does not explicitly reference these nine realms, the mythological inspiration hints that Elbaph may play a critical role in an eventual catastrophe, possibly linked to the flooding event recently mentioned by Vegapunk.

In Norse tradition, Ragnarok signifies a catastrophic event leading to the world’s end, often associated with natural disasters and subsequent rebirth. Elements of this impending doom have been integrated into One Piece’s narrative framework, notably highlighted during the Egghead Island arc.

Ragnarok closely intertwines with the character Surtr, a formidable fire giant whose flames herald this apocalyptic phase. Although Loki is introduced as a potential instigator, Akainu arguably embodies this role more convincingly through his demonstrated ability to reshape landscapes, evidenced by his earlier transformation of Punk Hazard with his magma-based Devil Fruit powers.

Akainu as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation) — Akainu as depicted in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Akainu stands as one of the most divisive characters in One Piece, combining a merciless approach to justice that sometimes verges on villainy with a clear disapproval of certain Marine protocols and the World Government’s interference in his quest for ‘true’ justice. As key figures like Nico Robin, Jaguar D. Saul, and Luffy converge toward Elbaph, tensions are poised to escalate markedly.

The World Government’s passive response to Elbaph, where the knowledge of Ohara has been preserved among the giants, raises concerns that Akainu might take matters into his own hands by launching an assault on Elbaph. This scenario becomes even more plausible if prominent characters such as Dragon and Aokiji also make their way to this mythical land.

Concluding Thoughts

The upcoming One Piece chapter 1131, scheduled for release on November 10, 2024, will showcase a dialogue between Loki and Luffy. While Loki has been positioned as the primary antagonist of the arc, his confinement hints that he could be a pawn in a much grander scheme—a recurring motif throughout the series. As one of the concluding arcs, Elbaph promises to draw together nearly every significant force in the One Piece universe, underscoring its narrative importance.

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