On November 8, 2026, Eiichiro Oda released One Piece chapter 1198 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 49, and this chapter changed how we looked at Luffy and all his Devil Fruit transformations forever. Back in the Wano Country arc, specifically in One Piece chapter 1044, which was released on March 28, 2022, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 17, Eiichiro Oda expanded upon the lore of what was then known as Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi.
Oda revealed to us that Luffy’s fruit is actually the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, a Mythical Zoan type. Following his death experience against Kaido, Luffy was able to awaken his Devil Fruit ability, embody the powers of the Sun God Nika, and become the Warrior of Liberation in the process. With these powers, he was able to overwhelm Kaido and save the land of Wano. Now, deep into the Final Saga, Eiichiro Oda has expanded upon the powers of the Sun God Nika even more. In fact, in One Piece Chapter 1142, the concept of Dark Nika was first mentioned by Oda, and chapter 1198 brings this concept to life, confirming to us that Dark Nika’s existence is actually real.
Eiichiro Oda Unveils Nika’s Chaotic And Dark Rampaging Side
One Piece chapter 1198 was one of the most anticipated chapters that Eiichiro Oda has dropped in the series so far. This chapter revealed to us a ton of exciting lore pertaining to the world of One Piece, but most importantly, it showed us how Luffy had completely lost control over his powers. As an awakened Zoan user, the will of Luffy’s Devil Fruit has completely taken over his body. In other words, the one currently in control of Luffy’s body is none other than the real Sun God Nika, who existed in the histories of the world long ago and has fought many wars.
“It is usually the case that Awakened Zoan powers absorb and control the user’s personality.” — Shaka explains Zoan fruits taking over the user, One Piece Chapter #1069
For years, Nika has been seen as many things by different people. Some see Nika as a Warrior of Liberation and the God of Laughter, while others see Nika as a God of Destruction. Some others see him as a God of Mischief, and there are different interpretations of the Sun God that exist throughout history, as confirmed to us in Elbaf. There are also many individuals who fear Nika because of his dark powers. This version of Nika, this version of Dark Nika, was first mentioned in One Piece chapter 1136 and then later down the line was fully demonstrated in One Piece chapter 1142, released on March 10, 2025, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 15.
“According to the Harley, our world has been destroyed twice in the past. And each time, the presence of the Sun God Nika is heavily tied to it. Is he the hero who appeared to save the world from disaster? Is he the God of Destruction who lays waste to it all? He appears when the world is about to undergo a major transformation.” — Elder Jarul explains the many sides of Nika, One Piece Chapter #1136
In this chapter, Dark Nika manifested itself through one of the nightmares of the children of Elbaf. Back then, we simply assumed that this version of Nika was only manifested because of the misconceptions that the children had about what Nika was truly like. However, it has now been confirmed that Nika’s real personality is precisely as dark and mischievous as we had first thought. One Piece chapter 1198 showed Nika to be a monkey-like figure with a very chaotic, mischievous, and dark personality.
How Luffy’s Dark Sun God Nika Transformation Was Attained
Luffy went on to attain the power of the Dark Sun God Nika in the climax of the Elbaf arc as he continued his battle against Nerona Imu. In One Piece chapter 1188, which was officially released on July 13, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue 33, Luffy suffered a deadly blow at the hands of Nerona Imu and would have died had it not been for Scopper Gaban. Even though he continued to fight against Imu, he had to push past his limits, which already put his life in danger.
“Of course I know that thou art not Joy Boy! Joy Boy was not this weak!!” — Imu beats Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1188
Later down the line, in One Piece chapter 1193, released on September 14, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue 42-43, Nika started to take over Luffy’s body. Now, in One Piece chapter 1198, released on November 8, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue 49, Nika has completely taken over Luffy’s body and is in control of it. It was because of Luffy’s dying life force and lack of willpower to control Nika that this Devil Fruit was able to overwhelm him, which means that he will have to fight against its influence and bring him under control as the story continues.
“What happened to Luffy? He clearly turned into something and just ran off? Where did he go?” — Usopp comments on Luffy’s New Form, One Piece Chapter #1198
The Full Power Of Luffy’s Dark Nika Form
Naturally, fans might be wondering about the full powers of the Dark Nika form that Luffy has undertaken. The answer to that question is quite simple. It goes without saying that Luffy, in his Dark Nika state, which sees the real Sun God Nika, a monkey-like entity, in control of his body, is much stronger than the base Gear 5 version that we have been seeing to this date.
In One Piece chapter 1198, this Dark Nika was able to easily overwhelm and destroy Rain God Zaza MMA in Elbaf in just a single move. Luffy was able to shock the entire country of Elbaf, and that goes to show how dangerous the Sun God truly is. On top of that, Luffy’s powers as Dark Nika give him tremendously more maneuverability, agility, and firepower, as was evident in chapter 1198. It also gives him additional weapons to use in battle, such as sharp fangs and a tail. Given that this form pushes his overall power to a completely new level, it also boosts his Color of the Supreme King drastically, which means that in his current full Zoan form, Luffy is at his strongest.
Killingham: No way, the Rain God!
Oimo and Kashi: Who the hell are you?
— Elbaf reacts to Luffy killing Zaza, One Piece Chapter #1198
As Luffy gains full control over this dark Nika form and potentially even gains another hybrid form, now that his own powers have fully manifested, his overall powers are only going to grow. Naturally, this is something that we are eagerly waiting to see. Luffy will now have:
- a Laughing Sun God form, which is his base Gear 5 form
- a God of Destruction form in the form of his Full Beast Mythical Zoan
- a new hybrid form, which probably combines the two together to give us a more balanced series version that we have all been craving to see
Unfortunately, One Piece is headed on a 2-week break, but the series is set to return with chapter 1199 on November 22, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 51.
All chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece are available for fans to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.