One Piece: 6 Characters Who Will Shine In the Elbaf Arc

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The upcoming Elbaf arc in One Piece is looking like it could become one of the series’ best. Although fans love arcs like Marineford, Enies Lobby, and Sabaody Archipelago, Elbaf seems poised to be just as impactful.

This arc has been full of fantastic moments between characters, surprising discoveries, and big reveals, leaving One Piece fans eager to see what Eiichiro Oda has planned for the rest of 2026. As always, some characters will get more focus than others, and this group has a real opportunity to become central to the rest of the Elbaf Arc.

Usopp

Usopp is usually the one providing comic relief in the story. He’s not one of the strongest members of the Straw Hat crew, so he often supports his teammates rather than taking the lead during difficult situations. However, the upcoming events in Elbaf might give Usopp a chance to really stand out.

For a long time, fans have expected Usopp to truly shine when the Straw Hats reach Elbaf, given his fascination with the island’s strong warrior traditions. Right now, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Loki are leading the fight against the World Government. While Usopp likely won’t be battling the highest-level threats like Imu, it’s very probable we’ll see him overcome his fear and play a crucial role before the story arc focusing on Elbaf concludes.

Luffy

It’s safe to say Luffy will be a central figure in the Elbaf arc, just as he has been throughout the entire One Piece series. He always finds a way to shine, whether through his determination or his ability to handle whatever comes his way, and we can expect the same in Elbaf.

Imu and their powerful allies are causing chaos on the island, and stopping them won’t be simple. Sanji, Zoro, and Loki will all have chances to fight back, but ultimately, Luffy will be the key to victory. With the island already under attack by Gunko and the people of Elbaf terrified by the kidnapping and ongoing assault, Luffy is the only one who can save the day – and the sound of the Drums of Liberation will signal his challenge to Imu.

Robin

Similar to Usopp, Robin has ties to Elbaf, but her connection is deeply personal – it’s where she was finally able to reunite with Saul. While that reunion was very moving, it shouldn’t be the most important thing that happens with Robin when she’s on the island.

The island of Elbaf holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of One Piece‘s past. We’ve already seen hints of this, like Franky discovering an ancient painting on the Treasure Tree Adam, and Robin’s unique ability to decipher Elbaf’s Harley – a skill very few possess. Now, with the Owl Library currently on fire, the fate of the Harley is uncertain. Because Robin has already studied it, she’s almost certain to be central to future events, especially if the library and its knowledge are destroyed.

Zoro

Throughout their journey, Zoro consistently stands by Luffy’s side, willing to risk everything for him. However, Luffy’s upcoming challenges mean he’ll be relying on Zoro’s strength and loyalty more than ever before.

Besides Luffy, Zoro is the only member of the Straw Hat crew who can use the powerful Supreme King Haki, meaning he’ll be crucial in the upcoming fight against the Knights of God. While Loki’s help will be valuable, the Straw Hats’ success heavily relies on Zoro performing at his absolute best.

Loki

Fans of One Piece have been waiting a long time to see Loki, known as the ‘Accursed Prince’ of Elbaf, in action. After a detailed look into his backstory during the Elbaf Arc, it appears Loki is now prepared to join the fight alongside Luffy.

From what we’ve seen so far, Loki has a lot of potential to be a real asset, particularly when fighting alongside Luffy and Zoro. While we haven’t seen the full extent of his Devil Fruit powers yet, the initial reveal is encouraging. He’s already been important in the Elbaf Arc, and now that he’s had some character growth, we can expect him to become even more crucial as the story progresses and the stakes get higher.

Gunko (Imu)

Gunko, currently controlled by Imu and causing trouble on Elbaf, is quickly becoming a standout character in the latest storyline. She’s shown to be cold, proud, and incredibly powerful, thanks to her Devil Fruit ability. We also got a brief glimpse into her history, which surprisingly connects to Brook. Because she’s so enigmatic, fans are really excited to find out more about her.

We probably won’t learn everything in this part of the story, but Oda will likely reveal more details as it continues. Currently, Imu controlling Gunko makes him the most dangerous person on Elbaf. It’s unclear what will happen next, but Gunko is expected to be a central figure going forward.

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2026-01-25 04:10