Summary
The Elbaf arc has introduced some of the coolest and best-designed characters in the history ofOne Piece. Many fans were convinced that the Gods' Knights were going to be the ultimate threat in this arc, which they proved to be, sporting some of the coolest designs that Oda has ever put to the page. Although many unanimously believe that Loki is the best of them all, Chapter 1152 has shown a character who may come for his throne.
This character wasnone other than Loki’s father, King Harald, who was the late king of Elbaf. Although he had only really been shown in silhouettes and as vaguely as possible, with the only proper look being of his portrait in the castle, the final panels of Chapter 1152showed him in his youth. His reveal was as striking as any inOne Piece, and has driven many fans to believe that he is the best-designed character in the series.
Harald’s First Appearance
One Piece, Chapter 1136, “The Land That Awaits The Sun”
When Loki made his first official appearance in theOne Piecestory, his striking design immediately caused most fans of the series to term itas Oda’s best work yet. Everything about the character was menacing and incredible to see, from his gargantuan size to the mysterious bandages that cover his eyes, the truth of which we still don’t have a full grasp of. However, there may be a new character who may take the throne.
Chapter 1152 was massive for many reasons, the chief of which is that it marks the official start of the first flashback of the Elbaf arc, which is currently looking to expand King Harald’s development. In this chapter, it is revealed that he was the exact opposite of the kind of person that the Giants of Elbaf knew him as, since he was brash, cruel, and was straight up described as ‘pure scum’. The main reason why this sticks out to fans so much is because of the similarities young Harald has to Loki.
Harald began his reign at 45 years of age - just 15 in human terms. Despite this, King Harald, remarkably enough, was pure scum!
This is mostly due to his impressive design echoing many ofthe same beats that Loki does, in that he looks absolutely wild and unhinged. The Giants of Elbaf have a very apparent Viking/Norse motif, one which young Harald embodies wholeheartedly with his jagged hair, massive horns, and armaments that he wears, culminating in one of the coolest characters that Oda has ever introduced in the series.
King Harald, when he was young, was known to be a rambunctious and violent character who only sought to fulfill his own whims and desires, but he made a remarkable change once he inherited the kingdom, one that was completely different from the kind of man he was before. His design evolution is quite indicative of this change as well, since he seems wiser and less harsh in the portrait made of him. However, him in his youth as a violent and towering descendant of the Ancient Giants goes down as one of the best in the series.
Who Exactly Was King Harald, And Why Is He So Important?
The Greatest Monarch In Elbaf’s History
The truth of King Harald remains one of Elbaf’s most pertinent mysteries, particularly when considering that he was the greatest monarch that the country had ever seen according to the residents of the island. Despite this, it is implied through thewords of Imu and the Gods' Knightsthat there was way more to the relationship between Harald and the World Government than previously thought, since it may have been due to his transformation of the Giant’s culture that the World Government was able to act.
However, it was revealed by Imu that, regardless of what their relationship may have been at one point, Harald eventually faltered, which means that Imu’s plan for Elbaf was somehow left incomplete. This changed everything, since it shows that although he may have allied with them for some reason, he ensured that the Giants didn’t fall under their control. While there is still a lot of mystery to deal with over here, we can just wait to see how it will play out.
