One Piece is currently in the Elbaf arc climax, and this part of the story has shed a lot of light on Nerona Imu, the King of the entire world, who is actually a relic from the era of the Void Century. Through Imu, Eiichiro Oda has delved into quite a lot of exciting details from the Void Century, which also includes the legendary figure known as Joy Boy, first mentioned to us in the Fishman Island arc.
The Elbaf arc is finally revealing bits and pieces about the former Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika user, and it is most certainly going to delve deeper into his past through Nerona Imu. At the same time, Eiichiro Oda has himself confirmed that One Piece will now take the Straw Hat Pirates to the island that only the Pirate King has set foot on. This means Joy Boy’s story is going to be brought to life soon enough for all the fans to see, and a completely new user of the Nika fruit will be unveiled soon enough.
One Piece Is Bringing Back The First Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika User Joy Boy At Laugh Tale
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets.
One Piece’s Elbaf arc shocked us all when, in Chapter 1179, released on April 5, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 19, Nerona Imu, the King of the World, made his descent upon the country. Imu quickly took to utilizing his powerful Devil Fruit abilities, as well as his Haki, and crushed one enemy after another in the blink of an eye.
Creator of the World Government (One of the First 20)
Power: Akuma no Mi (The Devil’s Fruit)
King of the World St. Nerona Imu
— Imu’s introduction box, One Piece Chapter #1179
When Imu fought against Loki, the first mention of Joy Boy was given to us, specifically in One Piece Chapter 1181, on April 27, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue 22-23. At the same time, when Nerona Imu saw Luffy in his Gear 5 in One Piece Chapter 1188, he was once again reminded of Joy Boy. This was a clear indication of the fact that, as Luffy versus Imu continues, we will start seeing more of the former user of the Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika, and that is none other than Joy Boy himself. Right now, very little is known about Joy Boy, but as the story continues, his overall importance to the plot will be expanded upon significantly. Imu versus Luffy is set to continue at some point, and as has already been shown, it will most certainly lead to more Joy Boy-related flashbacks that we are sure to enjoy.
Imu: Hello? Hello, Come in? Joy Boy: Hello? Hmm? What? Who are you? Imu: Mu? I am…Imu! Who art thou? Joy Boy: Oh…me? I’m Joy Boy!
— Oda shows the first meeting of Imu and Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter #1188
As such, through Nerona Imu, Eiichiro Oda will give us a look at the former user of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, which is nothing short of exciting, especially after over a decade-long buildup. More than that, Eiichiro Oda confirmed to us on December 21, 2025, at Jump Festa 2026, that One Piece will be headed to the island where only the Pirate King set foot next. This means that the Straw Hat Pirates will be closer than ever to finding out the secrets of Joy Boy, the first user of the Nika fruit. As they get closer to the last island, Laugh Tale, these secrets will be fully explored, and Joyboy’s story will be seen from the beginning to the end.
“Of course I know that thou art not Joy Boy! Joy Boy was not this weak!!” — Imu defeats Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1188
Eiichiro Oda Teases Straw Hat Journey To Laugh Tale In 2027
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets.
As things stand, it remains unclear as to when the Straw Hat Pirates will begin their journey to Laugh Tale. At last year’s Jump Festa, Oda mentioned that after the events of Elbaf, the Straw Hats will head to the island that only the Pirate King has set foot on. Naturally, this leads one to believe that this island is going to be the final island where the One Piece itself lies. But, for starters, the Elbaf arc has not wrapped up yet, and it looks like we will head into 2027 with the arc yet to be fully concluded.
Related
One Piece Is Officially Welcoming The Strongest Yonko Commander
One Piece’s Elbaf arc climax has finally confirmed the strongest Yonko commander in the latest release.
“We are heading to “that island,” which only the Pirate King was ever able to reach!!? The Man with the Burn Scar will also appear. Characters who never had the chance to meet will finally encounter each other. Those two will meet, and those two will meet as well.” — One Piece creator reveals what comes after Elbaf, Jump Festa 2026
At the same time, it must also be remembered that Laugh Tale is not the only island that only the Pirate King has set foot on. There is also Lodestar Island, which Roger himself mentioned in One Piece chapter 968 to be an island that only his crew had reached in centuries. There, Roger and his crew found out the truth about the Poneglyphs, as well as several other important secrets of the One Piece world. Naturally, following the path of the Log Pose, it makes more sense for Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to reach Lodestar Island before they reach Laugh Tale, which means the full reveal of Joy Boy’s past and his usage of the Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika will have to wait a tiny bit longer.
Why Joy Boy’s Story Will Be Expanded On The Final Island
Image made by author Rei Penber using official materials from Toei Animation’s One Piece anime.
In either case, the Straw Hat Pirates will eventually reach the final island, Laugh Tale. When they do, Eiichiro Oda will significantly expand upon his story and show us how Joy Boy ended up finding the Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika in the first place, how he consumed it, and the level of strength that he attained by becoming the Sun God Nika. We will also get to see his rise to the top of the Ancient Kingdom, his friendship and rivalry with Nerona Imu, and the Great War that unfolded in the midst of it all.
At the same time, Oda will give us a look at the creation of Poneglyphs, the passing down of Ancient Weapons, and a world that was completely inundated by rising sea levels. Joy Boy’s story as Nika is one of the most important ones that Eiichiro Oda will be bringing back at some point later down the line in the Final Saga. Before that happens, the Straw Hat Pirates will have to locate the last Road Poneglyph and get to the final island of the One Piece world. When the final island is finally within sight, Joy Boy’s story will begin unfolding, and we absolutely cannot wait to see what it holds in store for us. It might just be the most ambitious and, at the same time, most exciting flashback that Eiichiro Oda will deliver, with the most amazing characters of all time. Hopefully, we get a proper look at the former user of the Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika sooner rather than later.
All the new chapters of the One Piece manga by author Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
