The Final Saga is a stage many readers once thought would never arrive. From a 1997 manga about a boy's dream of becoming Pirate King, One Piece became a global cultural phenomenon with over 600 million copies, and Eiichiro Oda announced in August 2020 that the series was heading toward its final saga.
The Final Saga formally began at chapter 1054 (June 2022), and the Elbaph arc is currently running from chapter 1126.
Quick Facts
- Author: Eiichiro Oda (Shueisha, Weekly Shonen Jump since July 22, 1997)
- Scale: 115 volumes as of July 2026; over 600 million copies as of March 2026
- Broadcast: Final Saga from chapter 1054 (June 2022); Elbaph from chapter 1126; anime season 22 (Elbaph) from April 2026
- Adaptations: Netflix live-action season 2 (March 10, 2026); Wit Studio's The One Piece scheduled for February 2027; the God Valley film scheduled for summer 2027
- Awards: Guinness records for copies published by a single author (2015, 2022)
Story
The focus of this stage is the Elbaph arc, where the God Valley Incident, when Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp joined forces to defeat the Rocks Pirates, is retold in flashback alongside fights against Imu. The unhurried, weighty way Oda guides each piece of history is its biggest highlight.
Clues planted across hundreds of chapters are now being connected systematically, giving the sense that everything is intentional rather than improvised to fill time.
Behind The Scenes
Oda announced that the series was headed toward its final saga in August 2020, and the Final Saga formally began at chapter 1054 (June 2022). Toei Animation's anime moved to the Elbaph arc with season 22 premiering in April 2026, and Toei has announced the film One Piece Film God Valley for summer 2027.
There is also a remake, The One Piece, by Wit Studio for Netflix, starting from the East Blue arc and scheduled for February 2027, along with Netflix's live-action season 2 (One Piece: Into the Grand Line) released on March 10, 2026.
Experience
Elbaph and God Valley
The Elbaph arc combines flashbacks to God Valley with the present-day confrontation with Imu. Telling history piece by piece rather than dumping it all at once gives the arc emotional weight and momentum to keep reading.
The pressure of closing
Unlike many long-running shonen criticized for rushed endings or overextension, the Final Saga shows Oda prepared carefully. Clues are connected systematically, creating a sense of intent in leading toward the ending.
Emotion from 25 years
For readers following from the start, the emotional weight comes not only from events but from the awareness that a journey of more than twenty-five years is nearing its end. Oda lets main and supporting characters have reflective moments without slowing the pace.
Strengths
- Tells God Valley's history piece by piece with weight
- Long-planted clues connected systematically
- A brisk pace that remains emotional
- A broad adaptation ecosystem: anime, live-action, remake
Weaknesses
- Earlier arcs are required for understanding
- Still ongoing, so no ending yet
- A large lore density is hard for newcomers
What Critics Say
One Piece overall is praised for storytelling, worldbuilding, art, characterization and humor, and is regarded as one of the greatest manga of all time. The series was the best-selling manga for 11 consecutive years (2008–2018) and has topped Oricon's weekly comic chart since 2008.
With over 600 million copies by March 2026 and two Guinness records, the Final Saga is seen as the closing stretch that fans have awaited for decades.
Who Is It For
For longtime One Piece followers who want to see the ending taking shape. Newcomers should start from the beginning since the Final Saga builds on many earlier arcs.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
One Piece's Final Saga shows that a long-running series can keep its storytelling quality in the final stretch. With Elbaph and God Valley, it is the most worthwhile period to follow in shonen manga. OtaHub scores it 9.2/10.
FAQ
Which chapter did the Final Saga start at?
From chapter 1054 (June 2022).
When did the Elbaph arc start?
From chapter 1126 of the manga; anime season 22 from April 2026.
How many volumes does One Piece have?
115 volumes as of July 2026.