One Piece Sets Up Luffy’s New Mythical Zoan Transformation

Eiichiro Oda is setting the stage for a new Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit transformation for Luffy as the Elbaf arc nears its climax. According to Game Rant, the manga has officially laid the groundwork for what could be the biggest power boost since Gear 5 debuted.

This setup comes right after Chapter 1138, which hinted at a 3,000-year-old Mythical Zoan Fruit—a detail Oda rarely includes without a payoff. Luffy’s current Gear 5 form is already linked to his Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika classification as a Mythical Zoan. So, it makes sense for him to evolve further within that framework.

Context is crucial here. The Elbaf arc has been developing Luffy’s Sun God identity against Imu, the series’ main antagonist, since at least late June 2026. This confrontation is structural, not just episodic. Oda has been weaving Sun God imagery throughout multiple arcs, and the Final Saga has confirmed that three new god-tier figures are on the way. A transformation upgrade would give Luffy the narrative strength to match that growing tension.

For those who only watch the anime, none of this has aired yet. The television adaptation trails behind the manga’s current chapters, so this transformation might take about 12 to 18 months to make it to screens at the usual production pace. Meanwhile, manga chapters are available weekly via Viz Media’s Shonen Jump platform.

One Piece continues to thrive in the broader media landscape. One Piece Odyssey, the turn-based RPG from ILCA published by Bandai Namco, is now available for $9.99 on Steam—a sharp drop from its $59.99 launch price. It boasts an 80% positive rating from 1,813 Steam reviews, indicating that the franchise transitions well into gaming, even while its manga remains a hot topic.

By The Numbers

One Piece Odyssey Steam Rating	80% positive
Total Steam Reviews	1,813
Current Steam Price	$9.99
Chapter Introducing 3,000-Year-Old Zoan Fruit	Chapter 1138
Current Steam Players (Live)	52

The community’s reception of Odyssey shows there’s a strong desire for One Piece content in any form. One Steam reviewer highlighted that the game rewards fans of both the source material and the genre: “If you like One Piece and you like turn-based strategy games then you’ll like this. Has a rock, paper, scissors system and will always let you know when an attack is weak or more resistant.” This focus on accessibility likely helped the title maintain a positive rating well into its second year.

What To Watch

• Chapter releases over the next four to six weeks: Oda’s pacing in the Elbaf arc has been careful. Keep an eye out for the confirmation of the 3,000-year-old Zoan Fruit’s identity, which will clarify what transformation Luffy is gearing up for.
• The Imu confrontation timeline: The framing of Sun God vs. Imu suggests a clash is on the horizon within the Final Saga structure. How Oda stages that fight will determine if the new transformation appears before or during the series’ conclusion.
• Anime production announcements: Toei Animation hasn’t shared a production schedule for the Elbaf arc’s animated adaptation yet. Any updates would give fans a clearer idea of when this transformation will hit the screen.