This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Elbaf Arc.
Important takeaways
- Elbaf worships the sun god Nika and sets up important plot points in One Piece.
- The identity of the new sun god in Elbaf may be tied to Norse mythology, possibly Hel.
- More gods from Norse mythology, such as Loki and Odin, can be introduced in the Elbaf arc.
One Piece has marked a brilliant start to the Elbaf arc, and fans are incredibly excited to see what direction Oda takes in this story arc. Elbaf is an arc that fans I've been waiting ages for. In fact, it's an arc that was created in the story before Wano was even hinted at, and in many ways this arc could potentially be even bigger. This might just be the biggest arc in the One Piecemeaning that Oda will introduce some of the main characters here, and let others who have already been introduced in the story, like Shanks, play a very important role.
Of course, when it comes to the newly introduced characters, those from Elbaf will likely be inspired by Norse mythology. Fans know for sure that Elbaf is rooted deep in Norse mythology, and the many gods that fans know exist, like Loki, will appear in this story at some point. Recently, Oda introduced such a God to fans, and this sets up even better things to come in the future for One Piece.
The sun god revealed in the Elbaf arc
- Elbaf worships the sun god
- A new sun god is finally introduced in one piece
While Elbaf has many divine entities, such as Loki, none of them have actually been confirmed to be gods. Loki is simply a giant found in Elbaf, and he is a prince of the kingdom. Fans don't know if Loki actually holds a divine position or is even called a God. It depends on what Oda wants to do with the story and how he will describe Elbaf's culture. Perhaps, in the land of Elbaf, people hold important positions with the title of God, similar to Skypiea. That may not be the case, and Loki, among other giants inspired by gods, is simply a normal giant with a lot of power. Fans don't know much about it yet.
We must report this incident to the Sun God immediately!
But there is an exception. In Elbaf there is a certain God who is worshiped by all. This is the sun god, also known as Nika. Fans know that the legend of the sun god Nika actually originates from the land of Elbaf, which was confirmed in the Egghead Island Arc by Vegapunk himself. Fans know for sure that the stories of the sun god Nika of Elbaf predate even Joy Boy, who existed 800 years ago in One Piece world. Nika existed as a legend from Elbaf, and whether this God was real or not is something no one really knows. What fans do know is that Elbaf worships Nika as a true God, and so far this particular person is the only God that fans know exists in the land.
Right now, fans know that the title of Sun God belongs to none other than Luffy. He ate Gomu Gomu no Mi and gained Nika's powers with it. But recently a new character was introduced with the title Sun God. This character was seen in the fake Elbaf that the Straw Hat Pirates were in. This character was recently revealed in One Piece chapter 1128, and it's safe to say that they will play an incredibly exciting role in the future of One Piece. Of course, the legitimacy of the Sun God title held by this character is still up for debate. Considering Luffy is the Sun God, it's highly likely that this person isn't actually a Sun God at all and is just pretending to be the Sun God, just as they seem to love being the ruler of a world of their own making.
What is the true identity of the Sun God?
The true identity of the Sun God may be Hel
Apparently the character that fans saw in One Piece chapter 1128 is not the real sun god. There can only be one sun god and that person is Nika. The powers of the Nika fruit belonged to Joy Boy a long time ago, and right now they belong to Luffy. If anyone is the Sun God, it's Luffy, and whoever this other person is, is clearly not the Sun God and simply loves playing God. But then the question arises as to who this person really is. Fans don't know this person's true identity, it seems.
But what is clear is that they can actually be derived from a deity found in Norse mythology. Looking at the design of this character, fans can see that they are something special compared to regular giants. They are not bulky and carry a bit of unique charisma about them. This character wears a fur jacket and a deer skull with giant antlers on top. In one hand they carry a shield with a sun symbol on it, while the other has a staff with a sun symbol on it.
I won't let you escape! – the sun god
It's clear that this character really believes they are the sun god or at least love to pretend to be the sun god. This suggests that they admire the Sun God and may end up as an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates later on.
As for the Sun God's identity, however, fans can only make a guess based on their appearance. Oddly enough, there is a goddess found in Norse mythology who looks very similar to this character. This goddess is known as Hel. Hel is a very intriguing goddess who is seen with a similar deer-like skull and even a feathered jacket. The staff is also something that Hel shares with this particular character. Overall, the character design that Oda introduced for the Sun God in the previous chapter matches Hel very well. For those who don't know who Hel is, she is a daughter of Loki and a very dangerous individual in Norse mythology.
Hel is said to be the goddess of death, and at the same time the ruler of the underworld. The fact that the Hyllmungandr serpent was under Hel's command is also good evidence that this character may actually be Hel. At the same time, fans could also see the lean physique of this person, which is similar to how Oda draws women in general. Hel could very well be a woman, and Oda could potentially confirm that in the coming chapters of the story.
Although this character is not Hel, fans know that Oda will surely introduce many gods in the Elbaf arc. Loki has already been confirmed, and given that fans know he is a prince of the kingdom, his father, who will most likely be Odin, may also appear in this story arc. Fans also know that Thor is a character who could potentially make an appearance in this arc, and that's something they absolutely can't wait to see. The Elbaf arc has just begun, and things are only going to get more exciting going forward.
One Piece is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus app. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1128, is set for October 6, 2024.
