The One Piece the story has continued to be serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump since July 18, 1997. Since then, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the story, has introduced a fairly diverse cast of characters, and with a few arcs, Oda highlights a princess in particular. To this day, Nefertari Vivi of Arabasta, the first princess ever to play a major role in One Piece story and the one that probably started Oda's trend, is still the most popular. Vivi, who was officially introduced as an Arabasta princess in One Piece Chapter 110 October 25, 1999 is still recognized as an honorary straw hat pirate and one of the best female characters.
Now, in Elbaf's climax, Eiichiro Oda officially expands the knowledge of Princess Shuri of the Esperia Kingdom, starting with One Piece Chapter 1183, which was officially released on May 24, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26. Princess Shuri is the true identity of the Holy Knight Gunko, and she will be the best princess since Vivi, with big plans by Eiichiro Oda.
Why Nefertari Vivi of Arabasta was One Piece's first and best princess
After East Blue Saga of One PieceThe Straw Hat Pirates, consisting of Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp and Sanji, officially entered the Grand Line. Immediately after, they would go on to meet a mysterious person known as Miss Wednesday. Miss Wednesday began as an enemy of Straw Hat and a member of Baroque Works, as an assistant to Mr. 9. However, during the Whiskey Peak arc, specifically in One Piece Chapter 110, which was released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #48 in 1999, it was revealed that she had much more than meets the eye.
Miss Wednesday was the secret identity of the princess of Arabasta, named Nefertari Vivi. Vivi joined the Baroque Works only for one goal – to free her country from the Shichibukai, Sir Crocodile. Quickly realizing that she could not achieve her goal on her own, she instead turned to Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats for help.
Together, the Straw Hat Pirates traveled in quite a few arcs until they reached Arabasta, and there Luffy and the others helped free Arabasta, which was officially achieved in One Piece Chapter 210. With that, Vivi became the first of many princesses introduced in One Piece. In fact, most of us had hoped that Vivi would continue to travel with the Straw Hat Pirates. But unfortunately it didn't turn out that way. Vivi had her own responsibilities that she needed to fulfill, as the heir to Arabasta's throne, which was officially confirmed in One Piece Chapter 216, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #9 on January 28, 2002. Now, in the final saga, Vivi takes on a major role again, and fans hope to see her Straw fans again soon.
One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda finally makes the monster trio stronger than admirals
Oda's Monster Trio has grown in strength, and he is about to put them a level above the admirals of One Piece.
One Piece chapters 1183 and 1184 highlight Shuri as One Piece's next great princess
Vivi is the most iconic One Piece the princess, but Eiichiro Oda just added another to the mix who just might be a character on a similar level to Vivi. This princess is none other than a recently revealed character in Elbaf, Princess Shuri. Princess Shuri is the true identity of the Holy Knight Gunko. Her name was only recently revealed through Brook, in One Piece Chapter 1173, which was officially released on February 6, 2026. Brook knew from their time together 70 years ago, as he worked directly under her father, King Reuven of the Esperia Kingdom, and mother, Lady Candelle.
“I never wanted to think about you, for the rest of my life! Not the father-killing princess! The life you stole belonged to the man I owed everything to!” — Brook to Shuri, One Piece Chapter #1173
IN One Piece Chapter 1183, Shuri's past is very well covered. It's clear to see that she had a lot of affection for Brook as he practically raised her himself. In addition to that, Shuri was also trained in battle by Brook on various occasions. Together, Brook and Shuri enjoyed the everyday things in life, and that's the beauty of their relationship.
Since the Shuri flashback has not been fully explored, she remains largely a mysterious character. The only big thing we know so far is that despite her immense love for Brook and Reuven, she ended up killing her father earlier at an unknown time. On May 24, 2026, in One Piece Chapter 1183, Brook also officially declared that his contact with Shuri was severed when she went to Marijoa after a tragedy occurred in Esperia.
“If it's really her, then she must be 77 years old by now. At the time, she was the princess of my homeland. And I lost contact with her when she traveled to the holy land of Marijoa.” — Brook, One Piece Chapter 1183
However, it has become apparent that Shuri is not truly evil; instead, she is simply brainwashed and controlled by Imu. We can't wait for all the circumstances surrounding her to be fully revealed as she is set to be a major player in the Elbaf arc, and potentially beyond.
One Piece's Elbaf Climax sets up Princess Shuri as the next potential Straw Hat Pirate
During the Arabasta Saga, we were all hoping that Vivi would join the Straw Hat Pirates officially. Unfortunately, it never happened. While fans haven't completely given up hope of her joining, especially now that her father, King Cobra, has been killed in Reverie, there are other candidates around as well, and Shuri is also one of them.
With Vivi nowhere near the Straw Hat Pirates, Shuri has emerged as a prime candidate to join the Straw Hat Pirates. Princess Shuri has a history with Brook, and we know that deep down she's not really evil and just brainwashed by Imu. This was confirmed when she freed Brook and called out to him, asking him to run inside One Piece Chapter 1173, February 9, 2026.
Brook: Princess Shuri! You there, you're Princess Shuri, aren't you?
Shuri: Brook, you have to drive!
— Exchange between Shuri and Brook, One Piece Chapters #1173
Right now, Shuri is frozen, but at the end of the arc, she must be freed from Imu's shackles, just like all the other princesses are saved in One Piece. When that happens, she will have nowhere else to go, especially as Brook already confirmed in One Piece Chapter 1183 that the Esperia Kingdom, where she comes from, no longer exists. Her only option is to sail on with the Straw Hat Pirates.
“A long time ago, a really long time ago! She was just a child and I was also a young man! It was in a land that no longer exists… Esperia! Esperia was the land of music, full of workshops that made instruments of all kinds!” — Brook highlights the destruction of Esperia, One Piece Chapter #1183
Not only would this enhance the character of Shuri and Brook, but she would definitely be a great asset to the Straw Hat Pirates since, unlike Vivi, she is actually a powerful fighter that would add a great strength to the crew. Shuri is so strong that even Shamrock Figarland thought she could fight Loki, and such strength is always welcome on board.
All the latest One Piece chapters by Eiichiro Oda can be read on Manga Plus and Viz Media.
