One Piece Creator Eiichiro Oda Finally Reveals The Sea Of Death

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The Elbaf arc in One Piece is reaching its most exciting point. With chapter 1183, released on May 24, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26, the story has moved to the West Blue. Creator Eiichiro Oda continues to build out the world of One Piece, adding depth and backstory to every corner of this vast ocean planet.

The newest chapter of One Piece, number 1183, officially introduces the ‘Sea of Death’ – which is actually the West Blue. This area has a dark history, connected to major tragedies within the One Piece world, but also holds significance as the birthplace of key figures who sparked revolution and are destined for greatness.

Why The West Blue Was Made The Sea Of Death By Eiichiro Oda In One Piece

One Piece chapter 1183 confirmed that the West Blue is a particularly dangerous sea, earning it the nickname ‘Sea of Death.’ The world of One Piece features four different seas, and while the East Blue is known as the weakest, the West Blue is incredibly powerful. Many strong characters originated there, leading to years of conflict and ultimately giving it the reputation as a deadly place.

  • The Ohara Incident: The biggest tragedies that have been explored by Eiichiro Oda in One Piece have all taken place in the West Blue, starting with the Ohara Incident back in the Enies Lobby arc of One Piece, specifically Chapter 393, which dropped in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #3 on December 19, 2005. The Ohara Incident saw the scholars of Ohara study the Poneglyphs in an attempt to get closer to the truth of the Void Century, and then a massive Buster Call was called by the Government, leading to the utter destruction of the country and the genocide of thousands. The Ohara Incident was just the beginning; as the story continued, Eiichiro Oda showed us more chaotic and bloody incidents that took place in this sea of death.

The island of Ohara was destroyed by the World Government because its scholars tried to read ancient texts called Poneglyphs – something the government had forbidden. Everyone on the island was killed except for a young girl named Nico Robin, who was the only survivor. This event is known as the Ohara Incident, as detailed by Eiichiro Oda in One Piece chapter 1077.

  • The God Valley Incident: One Piece Chapter 957, which dropped officially on September 30, 2019, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #44, confirmed the God Valley Incident for the first time. As was revealed in the very same chapter, God Valley was an island that existed in the West Blue and was utterly destroyed. The Elbaf Arc, specifically chapters 1160-1166, expanded upon the God Valley Incident brilliantly and showed the entire misfortune of the island being explored by the author. The God Valley Incident ended with the death of thousands, and, at the same time, the erasure of the Davy Clan, with Blackbeard left behind as its only successor. At the end of the God Valley Incident, the entire island sank to the bottom of the ocean.

God Valley isn’t on any maps, and the island itself has completely disappeared. -Sengoku, One Piece Chapter 957

  • The Esperia Incident: Finally, One Piece Chapter 1183, which dropped officially on May 24, 2026, introduced us to the Esperia Incident. The Kingdom of Esperia also existed in the West Blue around 70 years ago. It was known to be a famous land for instrument makers and lovers of music, and this is also where Brook comes from. Princess Shuri, who currently serves as Gunko within the ranks of the Holy Knights, also came from the Esperia Kingdom, as did Queen Candelle, who was incredibly famous back then. While Esperia was incredibly popular at one point, things went sour quickly, and the island was eventually completely erased, as was confirmed by Brook on Page 11 of One Piece chapter 1183.

Brook reminisced about a distant past, recalling a time when he and a young girl lived in Esperia, a now-vanished country celebrated for its vibrant musical culture and the skilled artisans who created all sorts of instruments. This memory comes from his account of Esperia’s destruction in One Piece Chapter 1183.

With the recent fall of the Esperia Kingdom, the West Blue has now witnessed the total destruction of three major nations – more than any other sea in the One Piece world. It’s also seen far more deaths through numerous genocides than any area, even within the dangerous Grand Line. This has earned the West Blue the grim title of the ‘Sea of Death’ in the One Piece universe.

Why The West Blue’s Thriller Bark Is A Symbol Of The Sea Of Death

It’s notable that the pirate ship from Thriller Bark island also originated in the West Blue, and its deserted state hints that this island was destroyed a long time ago. While much of Thriller Bark’s history is still a mystery, it currently exists in the New World in a ruined condition. As the story progresses, Eiichiro Oda will likely reveal more about its past and how it was destroyed, further supporting the idea that the West Blue is a particularly dangerous part of the ocean.

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Nico Robin and Shanks’s Role As The Light Of The Revolution From The West Blue

The West Blue is a dangerous place, often called the Sea of Death, but it’s also the birthplace of incredibly important characters, including Nico Robin, known as the ‘Light of Revolution.’ Nico Robin is the sole survivor of the island of Ohara and the world’s most skilled archaeologist. She’s dedicated to uncovering the lost history of the Void Century and revealing the truth. Carrying the legacy of those killed by the World Government, Nico Robin directly opposes their authority. This defiance, coming from someone who hails from such a perilous place, is inspiring and makes her a fan favorite.

Besides Nico Robin, Shanks is another important character with a unique past. Born 39 years ago in God Valley to an unknown red-haired woman, he was separated from his twin brother, Shamrock, during the tumultuous events there. Shamrock ended up being raised as a Celestial Dragon, while Shanks was taken in and raised as a son by the Roger Pirates. In Chapter 1152 of One Piece, published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #30 on June 23, 2025, Scopper Gabban revealed that Shanks is a ‘child of destiny’.

I see. It seems you’re someone special, destined for great things. But let’s change the subject for now, Shanks. Do you recall our time at Little Garden, when we met Dorry and Brogy?

Shanks, though a powerful dragon among the celestial dragons, stands against their ideals, putting him in a morally gray area. While the West Blue has suffered greatly, it’s also where two important figures emerged who are destined to change the world of One Piece and bring about a new era of justice.

You can read the latest One Piece manga chapters, created by Eiichiro Oda, on Manga Plus and Viz Media.

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2026-05-28 04:35