After 28 Years, One Piece’s Next Arc Is Finally Taking Luffy To The End Of The Grand Line

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I can’t believe it’s been 28 years since Eiichiro Oda first started One Piece in Weekly Shonen Jump! It officially began back in July 1997, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Following Luffy’s quest to find the legendary One Piece and become the Pirate King has been incredible. Oda has really built this world and story so beautifully over all these years – it’s a truly amazing journey to follow.

One Piece officially entered its final storyline, called the Final Saga, in 2022. The story has been building momentum ever since, becoming increasingly intense and exciting. The manga is currently speeding through the Elbaph arc, as seen in the latest issues of Weekly Shonen Jump. Author Eiichiro Oda has hinted that after Elbaph, Luffy will begin his final voyage towards the end of the Grand Line, a reveal he made at Jump Festa 2026 in late December.

Eiichiro Oda’s Jump Festa Message Confirms The Next Arc Will Take The Straw Hats To The Last Island

The Elbaph Arc of One Piece has been a fantastic experience for fans. Starting with chapter 1125 in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 41 in 2024, the arc has consistently built excitement with surprising plot twists. Now nearing its conclusion, the final confrontation between the Straw Hats and Nerona Imu officially began in chapter 1180, released on April 19th, 2026.

With this current story arc wrapping up in the next few months, One Piece will begin the third arc of its final saga – a development creator Eiichiro Oda announced at Jump Festa 2026. Oda revealed that Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are setting sail for an island that only the Pirate King has ever visited. This journey will officially bring the crew to the end of the Grand Line this year.

One Piece author Eiichiro Oda announced at Jump Festa 2026 that the story is moving towards the legendary island that only the Pirate King has ever reached! He also hinted at the arrival of a mysterious, flame-marked character and promised long-awaited encounters between characters who have never met before, with multiple significant pairings set to finally cross paths.

According to comments from author Eiichiro Oda at Jump Festa 2026, the Straw Hat Pirates are poised to make major progress toward finding the One Piece this year, immediately after the Elbaph Arc ends. This means they’re heading for one of the two most crucial locations in the entire story. Oda has stated they will reach a place no one but the Pirate King has ever been, leaving only two possibilities for the next arc. Either they will arrive at Laugh Tale, where the One Piece treasure currently is, or they will reach Lodestar Island, a place of immense importance in the world of One Piece.

Why Lodestar Island Is Likely To Be The Next Arc Of One Piece

Since the Straw Hats haven’t found the final Road Poneglyph and haven’t officially started a war with the World Government – and considering the character with the burn scar hasn’t appeared yet – it’s becoming more probable that the next story arc won’t be set on Lodestar Island. This new arc seems to fit the clues and align with what the author, Oda, has hinted at.

It began 13 years ago when we arrived at what our Log Pose indicated was the final destination – a place no one had ever reached before, called Lodestar Island! But to our surprise, when we stepped ashore, we discovered it wasn’t the last island after all. — Gold D. Roger, One Piece Chapter 966

Lodestar Island first appeared in chapter 966 of the One Piece manga, mentioned by Gol D. Roger. He stated it’s located at the final point of the Grand Line – the furthest destination the Log Pose can guide a ship to. Roger arrived at Lodestar 39 years ago, just before the God Valley Incident. It was there he discovered everything about Poneglyphs – ancient stones with hidden messages – and learned about one final, hidden island somewhere in the world. This knowledge of the last island was what motivated Roger to search for the ultimate treasure, One Piece, and become the Pirate King.

Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hats, are still far from finding the One Piece, even though they possess three Road Poneglyphs. Because the man with the burn scar hasn’t shown up yet, the location of the final Poneglyph remains unknown, and will likely stay that way for some time. This suggests that after the events on Elbaph, the story will heavily focus on Lodestar Island.

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The Narrative Importance Of One Piece’s Lodestar Arc After The Conclusion Of Elbaph

The upcoming Lodestar Island arc in One Piece is shaping up to be crucial, as author Eiichiro Oda has emphasized it will feature two key elements. First, it will introduce a mysterious character known only as the ‘Man with the Burn Scar.’ While his location is currently unknown, he’s clearly connected to Lodestar Island and possesses the final Road Poneglyph. Characters like Blackbeard, Kid, and Law are also searching for him, but his identity and location remain a mystery.

Eiichiro Oda has hinted that 2026 will be a year focused on characters reconnecting. We can expect to see many familiar faces – both allies and rivals – cross paths again as the Straw Hat crew continues their journey to Lodestar. This includes powerful groups like the Blackbeard Pirates, the Red-Hair Pirates, and even the Cross Guild. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army will also be taking action, potentially leading to some dramatic encounters. As One Piece moves closer to its conclusion, it’s clear things are about to get even more thrilling for fans.

All the chapters of the One Piece manga are available to read on Manga Plus.

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2026-05-06 18:36