After the first season of the One Piece anime wrapped up on December 28, 2025, fans are eagerly turning their attention to the highly anticipated Elbaf arc. The online community is buzzing with speculation: did Eiichiro Oda draw inspiration from God of War’s “God of War” Kratos when designing King Harald?
A surprising “copy-paste” of appearance
At first glance, longtime God of War fans can’t help but be stunned by King Harald’s look, the father of Loki in One Piece’s world. From his fierce gaze, signature shaved head, to his thick beard, every detail strongly recalls the Norse version of Kratos.
The resemblance goes beyond the face. King Harald’s outfit carries a strong European mythological vibe, similar to the armor Kratos wears on his journey through the nine realms. This striking similarity has many convinced that Oda gave a special nod to PlayStation’s legendary icon.
Too many coincidences to be random
If the appearance is just the beginning, the character relationships provide even stronger evidence. In God of War, Kratos’s son is named Atreus, but his true name, given by his mother Faye, is Loki, the trickster god. Coincidentally, King Harald’s son in One Piece is also the mysterious Prince Loki.
Moreover, both Kratos and Harald are portrayed as battle-hardened warriors, shaped by brutal wars and great losses. Another detail supporting this theory is the presence of a squirrel companion aiding Loki in both One Piece and God of War. These parallels clearly suggest that Oda borrowed some creative elements from Sony’s masterpiece to enrich the Elbaf arc.
Elbaf and endless Norse mythology inspiration
Oda’s habit of borrowing ideas is no secret, but with the Elbaf arc, the influence of Norse mythology has never been clearer. We can easily spot the World Tree (Yggdrasil), Loki’s hammer Ragnir, and the World Serpent (Jörmungandr). Even the giants in the story directly evoke the famous fire giant Surtr.
Known for his fascination with European history and culture, Oda’s decision to weave the “God of War” figure into the kingdom of giants is a brilliant move. It not only adds excitement for gamers watching the anime but also reinforces Elbaf’s grand significance in One Piece’s final journey.