Since the Elbaf arc is greatly inspired by Norse mythology, creator Eiichiro Oda has presented us with his version of Loki in One Piece. While we expected him to be a charming and supporting prince in this arc, Oda has done the complete opposite. Until now, all the giants in Elbaf reiterated that Loki is a ruthless god of mischief who needs to be kept chained. However, let us take a breather and discuss whether Loki is really a heartless trickster or if he has been framed to look like a villain in the Elbaf arc in One Piece.
Spoilers Warning: This article includes major spoilers for Loki’s character in One Piece. So, make sure to read the latest One Piece manga chapter to avoid ruining the intended experience.
Oda Turns Loki Into the Main Threat of Elbaf
Loki’s official introduction in the Elbaf arc didn’t turn out to be how we expected. He got labeled as the ‘Shame of Elbaf’ as the accursed prince is said to have murdered his father to obtain a mighty devil fruit power. Throughout this arc, we have heard repeated stories of Loki being the devious and cold-hearted manipulator.
Sure, his character design paints him as one of the menacing One Piece villains we’ve encountered. But did you ever wonder why Luffy wants to free Loki after hearing all the vile things the trickster has done? We know very well that Luffy has a knack for bonding with and figuring out people since the beginning of the series. If Luffy wants to set him free, then he firmly believes that Loki is a good person, and we haven’t heard Loki’s side of the story.
Loki Could Have Been Framed as a Villain
Looking at Loki and his characterization so far, he does look like a maniac who would kill his father, Harald, for his devil fruit power. But suspicions continue to arise that Loki could have been framed as the villain for a grievous crime he didn’t commit.
When Road shared the history of how King Harald was a revolutionary and how he got killed in the end, he mentioned that Elder Jarul and Loki were the only survivors.
Now, this fact leaves us to speculate whether King Harald or Jarul could have been a puppet of the World Government. Unlike the giant warriors, who embrace violence, King Harald was said to be a peacemaker who wanted to connect with other nations in the One Piece world. He wanted to trade and live in harmony, unlike the ancient giants who loved warfare. But was this all a fabricated story? We have to wait and learn.
Now, Elder Jarul has been alive for a long time; he is over 400 years old. If he wanted to preserve the old ways of the giants, then he likely would have tried to erase King Harald from existence by performing a coup d’état. To escape the blame, he had the perfect set up. He framed Loki as the killer as it was prophesied earlier that Harald’s son would be the person who kills the king in the end.
Loki Could Potentially Become an Ally of the Straw Hats
Indeed, Loki calls himself the ‘Destroyer of the Worlds’ and seems like the right person to kick off Ragnarok in Elbaf. However, the recent mural discovered by Franky on the Adam Tree gives fans a lot of hints about Loki’s role in the final war.
Oda deliberately drew the liberated Loki in a tall pose, which perfectly resembles the ancient giant with a spear we saw earlier in the mural.
If Luffy is convinced that Loki is a good guy, then he is one to us. Thus, Loki is highly anticipated to become an ally of the Straw Hats and aid them in bringing down the World Government in the final war. Only the path to Loki’s redemption seems unclear now, but Oda will turn this into a reality in the upcoming chapters.
Now, if you ask if Loki isn’t the villain of Elbaf, then who is the real threat in this arc? The answer is simple; it’s the God’s Knights who are shaping up to be the villains. In the meantime, what do you think about Loki’s role in One Piece? Let us know in the comments below.
