Following the incredible Conqueror’s Haki awakening of Sanji in the previous chapter of the series, One Piece chapter 1198 officially shook the very foundations of the series as it significantly strengthened the protagonist of the series, Monkey D. Luffy, and unleashed a brand-new transformation of his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
Luffy first awakened the power of Sun God Nika in One Piece chapter 1044, which was released on March 28, 2022, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 17. Now, four years later, One Piece has officially granted Luffy a new transformation, turning him into a Monkey God and strengthening him tremendously as he faces off against the King of the World, Nerona Imu.
One Piece Chapter 1198 Unveils Luffy’s Monkey God Nika Form
Monkey D. Luffy has always been heavily reliant on new transformations. He tapped into his first transformation, officially known as Gear Second, in Chapter 387 of the series, which was officially released on October 31, 2005. In the same Enies Lobby arc, Luffy also tapped into Gear Third before unleashing Gear Four in the Dressrosa arc, in Chapter 783, released on April 13, 2015, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 20.
Nearly 7 years after that, Oda gave Luffy his ultimate Devil Fruit awakening through Gear 5, and now, almost 5 years after that, One Piece is giving Luffy yet another transformation and turning him into the Monkey God. Luffy gaining a new transformation in the battle against Imu was a strong possibility. This was largely because Gear 5 proved to be way too weak for Luffy to face off against the King of the World, Nerona Imu. As such, he needed something significantly stronger, and Haki upgrades alone couldn’t cut it because, in order for Luffy’s Supreme King Haki to improve, he first needed to strengthen himself physically.
“Though you can control the Color of the Supreme King, you can’t train it to be stronger directly. It is the embodiment of the spirit of the user. The only way to make it stronger is for the user to grow stronger.” — Silvers Rayleigh explains Supreme King Haki growth, One Piece Chapter #597
In other words, the only way Luffy could have grown stronger in this arc was through a new Devil Fruit transformation, and that is precisely what Eiichiro Oda has done. With the release of One Piece chapter 1198, Oda has officially given Luffy a new Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, transformation and turned him into the Monkey God.
Sanji: Hey, Luffy! That’s…not you? Who is this guy?
Nika: Kikikiki!
Giants: Is that a monkey? No wait, that form is!!
— Elbaf Giants recognize Monkey God Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1198
This transformation is akin to Luffy’s Full Zoan form, and it has now been revealed to us that Nika, unlike what many believed, is actually a monkey god with distinct monkey-like features, including a large tail, a swirly body, and a monkey-like face. Luffy also features sharp fangs in this new form, which paints him quite similar to a massive, powerful ape. That is something that solidifies his new powerful transformation as he is set to clash against Nerona Imu in a cataclysmic battle in Elbaf.
Luffy’s New Zoan Transformation Power Him Up Further
Luffy’s Gear 5 is an incredibly powerful transformation, and there is no denying that. The Sun God Nika form allowed him to fight on even footing against someone as strong as Kaido and overwhelm and defeat him in combat. It also allowed him to fight against Kizaru and overwhelm him in the Egghead arc, as well as overpower the likes of the Five Elders. But against Nerona Imu, Gear 5 proved to be insufficient. In One Piece chapter 1188, released officially on July 13, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33, Luffy lost to Nerona Imu despite utilizing Gear 5 and being at full strength. What’s worse, had it not been for Scopper Gaban, Luffy would have died in this battle right there and then. As such, he needed a new form.
“Of course I know that thou art not Joy Boy! Joy Boy was not this weak!!” — Imu beats Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1188
Luffy’s new Monkey God form, which Oda revealed in chapter 1198, powers him up significantly. This god form of his showed him easily ripping Zaza to shreds, and from here on out, he will most certainly turn his eyes to Nerona Imu, the King of the World. With his newfound power, Luffy’s Haki will automatically be upgraded to a new level, and above all, the full power of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, will be displayed for the very first time to us. In hindsight, Luffy’s Gear 4, which entirely focused many of its attacks on the theme of King Kong, was a massive hint by Eiichiro Oda towards his true Monkey God Zoan transformation.
“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
Monkey God Luffy vs Demon God Imu Is On The Way
With the release of One Piece chapter 1198, the series is headed on a 2-week-long break once again. However, as it returns, Eiichiro Oda will officially reveal to us Luffy Vs Imu. This time around, Luffy will not use Gear 5 against Imu, but his full Zoan form, known as the Monkey God form. At this point, this new God form could also be what eventually becomes Gear 6 once under control, but for now, it has no official name. Regardless, Luffy, in his new Monkey God form, is set to clash against Nerona Imu and push him back in Elbaf.
“I’m hitting my limit. I never expected to use this much power in Elbaf. If I don’t return to the Holy Land soon, Mu’s life is in a lot of danger!” — Nerona Imu explains his nerf, One Piece Chapter #1198
In chapter 1198, Imu specifically made it clear that he was close to hitting his limit and could even perish in Elbaf if he spent too long in the country. In other words, Oda is already establishing significant nerfs for Nerona Imu so that it becomes possible for Luffy to push back the King of the World and send him to Marijoa once again. By powering up Luffy with a new monkey form and weakening Imu drastically, it has now become a possibility for Luffy to win this battle in Elbaf, or at the very least push it to a stalemate.
Clearly, the Elbaf arc is moving towards its end at a blazing fast speed, and Luffy Vs Imu is going to explode over the next couple of chapters. With the conclusion of this battle, the Elbaf arc will head into its epilogue, where exciting new lore reveals will be made, particularly about the ancient technology that is still being hidden in the country somewhere. All things considered, Luffy Vs Imu is now getting more exciting, and we absolutely cannot wait to see what Eiichiro Oda has in store for us.
All chapters of One Piece by creator Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media
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