One Piece Chapter 1188 was significant both in terms of building up the story of the Elbaf Arc while also revealing important pieces of lore to all of us fans. Through the incredible battle between Nerona Imu and Monkey D. Luffy, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the series, revealed important pieces of science from around 900 years ago in One Piece world.
This knowledge was revealed at the beginning of the chapter, where a conversation between Nerona Imu and the former user of Hito Hito no Mi, i.e. Joy Boy, was shown. In doing so, Eiichiro Oda revealed Joy Boy's true face for the very first time and at the same time hyped up the immense power of the former user of Hito Hito no Mi, model: Nika
One Piece Chapter 1188 Gives a First Look at the Former Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika – Joy Boy's Face
One Piece Chapter 1188 began on a rather surprising note as a mini-flashback between Nerona Imu and Joy Boy was explored. In this flashback, we were shown their first meeting, and it seems that Joy Boy and Imu's first contact came through a Dendenmushi conversation. In this call, Imu was seen calling for help, and the person who answered the call was none other than Joy Boy. What is particularly surprising is that back then, Imu was a rather shy person with a certain level of innocence to the character. The current Imu we see is incredibly boastful and full of arrogance, suggesting that Imu herself was corrupted at some point through Akuma no Mi.
Imu: Hello? Hi, come in? Joy Boy: Hello? Huh? What? Who are you? Imu: Mu? I am…Imu! who are you Joy Boy: Oh…Me? I'm Joy Boy!
— Oda shows the first meeting between Imu and Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter #1188
Regardless, the main important detail here is the face of the former Hito Hito no Mi, model: Nika user, Joy Boy. One Piece Chapter 1188 gave us our first glimpse of his face, though only the lower half was visible. It's clear that Joy Boy's face looks remarkably like Luffy's, but nothing about his hair or eyes was revealed to us.
After the first meeting between Nerona Imu and Joy Boy, the two continued to become friends. This was highlighted once again in One Piece Chapter 1181, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 22-23 on April 27, 2026. In this chapter, both Joy Boy and Imu were seen talking to each other and explaining how the world order should be. It is apparently this difference of opinion that caused them to split at some point and be on opposite ends.
“Domination is the only true happiness in this world. Isn't that right, Joy Boy!” — Nerona Imu remembers her past with Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter #1181
While Joy Boy believed that the world should be free and people should be allowed to live as they wish, Imu believed that domination was the only true happiness in the world. This was also officially confirmed by Eiichiro Oda i One Piece Chapter 1181 on April 27th. Through this brief appearance of Nerona Imu in Elbaf, Oda has already delivered quite a bit of exposition on the relationship between these two Void Century individuals, which is something we're incredibly excited about.
One Piece will officially give the first look at Joy Boy and Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika Through Imu
Continuing the tradition of focusing on Imu's mini-flashbacks, it is highly likely that Nerona Imu, as we move forward with One Piece Chapter 1189, which will be released on July 26, 2026, will once again give us a glimpse of Joy Boy's face and potentially reveal even more details about the former user of the Hito: Nikao no Mi Model.
“Of course I know you're not Joy Boy! Joy Boy wasn't that weak!!” — Nerona Imu calls Luffy weak, One Piece Chapter #1188
As it stands, Imu is only reminded of Joy Boy because of Luffy's presence. While Nerona Imu in One Piece Chapter 1188 directly stabbed Luffy through the torso with the Blade of Nothingness: Vofu, this battle is far from over. It's highly likely that Luffy will be resurrected in battle sooner rather than later, especially when Sanji and Zoro take down Sommers and Killingham, weakening Imu in the process. When that happens, Monkey D. Luffy will likely be resurrected again, and Imu could potentially have even more flashbacks of her time with Joy Boy. In other words, the end of the Elbaf arc may reveal the full design of Joy Boy, the former Hito Hito no Mi user, model: Nika user, to us for the very first time. This is something we absolutely cannot wait to see in the story.
Why Joy Boy was a much better Hito Hito no Mi user than Luffy
While One Piece Chapter 1188 gave a glimpse of Joy Boy on July 12, 2026, it also did a lot to build the huge aura of invincibility around him. While Luffy and Joy Boy have the same abilities, it is now a confirmed fact that Joy Boy was much stronger than Luffy is at the moment. At the end of One Piece Chapter 1188, Nerona Imu stabbed Luffy right through the chest, expressing her disappointment at fighting him in battle. Imu also confirmed that Luffy could never be Joy Boy because there was no way Joy Boy would be as weak as he was. This is damning proof that Joy Boy was on a whole other level and that Luffy needs to evolve further, possibly evolve into powers like Gear 6 if he really wants to stop Nerona Imu.
Imu: Blade of Nothingness: Whoo!
Luffy: What? The forest withered away!
Imu: The view is much clearer now.
Luffy: Same from here!
— Imu reveals the Blade of Nothingness: Vohu, One Piece Chapter #1188
Clearly, Joy Boy's use of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, was on a completely different level than Luffy's. If the Straw Hat Pirate really wants to surpass the Four Emperors and become the Pirate King, he must develop his strength accordingly. At the moment, Luffy is too weak, but an evolution will definitely follow because, as is always the case, he always bounces back.
All new One Piece manga chapters by Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
