One Piece: Why Loki’s Design Is The Best Oda Has Drawn in Years

One Piece: Why Loki's Design Is The Best Oda Has Drawn in Years

Key Takeaways

  • Loki’s design in One Piece stands out for being sinister and imposing, unlike the usual zany characters.
  • Loki is dangerous with evil motivations to become a Sun God and destroy the world.
  • Fans are captivated by Loki’s unique design, mysterious abilities, and potential as a final arc villain.

As a seasoned gamer and long-time One Piece enthusiast, I can confidently say that Loki has stolen the show with his menacing and captivating design. Unlike many of the other characters in One Piece who are known for their quirky and comical appearances, Loki stands out as a sinister and imposing figure, much like Doflamingo.


Beyond its remarkable narrative, meticulous world construction, endearing characters, and enigmatic backdrop, it’s the distinctive character designs that often grab the most attention when discussing One Piece. Initially, some hesitate to dive into the series due to concerns about the style being excessively whimsical, humorous, or bizarre. Yet, this apprehension tends to dissipate as soon as readers are captivated by the story.

In Oda’s artistry, each character is carefully crafted to stand out distinctively, ensuring they are easily recognizable throughout the story. Occasionally, he truly excels with a design that leaps off the page as one of the most exceptional in One Piece, and this was exemplified by the recent unveiling of Prince Loki of Elbaf.

A Sinister And Imposing Villain

Why Loki’s Design Stands Out

One Piece: Why Loki's Design Is The Best Oda Has Drawn in Years
Silhouette ShownOne Piece, Chapter 858, “Meeting”
Official IntroductionOne Piece, Chapter 1130, “The Accursed Prince”

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but shower praise on Oda for his extraordinary and eccentric character designs. However, it’s Loki who truly stands apart due to his striking, cool appearance that sets him apart from the rest. Unlike Oda’s knack for giving depth to even the funniest or most ordinary characters, there are moments when a series calls for someone who simply oozes style and charisma, and Loki delivers just that.

One Piece frequently employs distinctive character designs that deviate from the stereotypical “whacky” label and instead exhibit a cold demeanor and strong presence. Characters like Doflamingo, Zoro, Shanks, Kaido, and others exemplify this. Notably, no other character in the series boasts a design as menacing or an entrance as captivating as Loki, who Luffy discovered imprisoned at Elbaf’s deepest level.

A significant aspect that elevates this design to the highest level is how the development for Loki commenced during the Wholecake Island saga, where only his outline was depicted. This fleeting glimpse of Loki created an impression of the Giant Prince as a gentle and inviting character. However, his true nature, revealed in Chapter 1130, starkly contrasted this initial impression. Furthermore, hints were dropped in the preceding chapters about Luffy sensing a powerful presence on the island, which was eventually unveiled to be imprisoned Loki.

It might have been Loki’s resemblance to Doflamingo from the show that initially captivated viewers. Even though he was bound at the foot of a mountain, Loki’s wide-open mouth and menacing grin hinted that he had orchestrated everything. Moreover, his long tongue hanging out added to his wild appearance. However, it was his eyes that truly stood out.

I am the Sun God who will bring about the end of the world!

What also resembles Loki and Doflamingo is that both characters hide their eyes, enhancing the enigma surrounding the Curse-stricken Prince. Given their likeness to Doflamingo, who is often hailed as the most formidable villain across the entire saga of One Piece, fans eagerly anticipate this antagonist.

By merely appearance, Loki stands out among many One Piece characters. As previously mentioned, Oda has introduced a villain who exudes a direct, sinister, and malicious look without any prominent comedic design elements typical of other series characters. This unique trait has made Loki a character that fans are growing fond of even though they’ve only seen him in a limited number of panels.

Loki’s Personality Mirrors His Design

Loki’s Abilities and Motivations

One Piece: Why Loki's Design Is The Best Oda Has Drawn in Years

One compelling factor making Loki an intriguing and potentially threatening character lies in his motivations and capabilities. Preliminary insights into this character suggest he is a deranged and malevolent individual who cold-bloodedly murdered his father to seize a powerful Devil Fruit, which grants him the potential to transform into a Sun God with the capacity to annihilate the entire universe.

It’s easy to understand why the Malevolent Prince was defeated by every warrior of Elbaf and imprisoned to stop any more destruction. His wicked intentions and imposing presence notwithstanding, it won’t be long before he escapes his confinement and likely serves as the final antagonist for Luffy to vanquish in this story arc.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-10-26 19:33