After nearly 28 years topping the charts, the legendary One Piece is closer to its conclusion than ever. At the recent Jump Festa 2026 event, creator Eiichiro Oda delivered a shocking message revealing the final islands and the Straw Hat crew’s unprecedented pace toward the finish line.
With the series approaching chapter 1200, fans feel bittersweet but must prepare for a grand farewell. Below is a detailed analysis of Oda’s message about One Piece’s future in 2026 and beyond.
Will the Elbaf Arc End Sooner Than Expected?
Many fans hoped Elbaf would be a lengthy arc like Wano or Dressrosa, but Oda’s message at Jump Festa 2026 cooled those expectations. He confirmed plans to wrap up the Elbaf Arc within 2026.
Currently, the story is immersed in deep flashbacks about the giants’ island history. Oda promises that once these flashbacks conclude, the story will return to the present with a spectacular explosion of action and maximum momentum. Elbaf is just a stepping stone toward a phase so explosive even the most devoted fans can hardly imagine it.
The Island Only the Pirate King Has Reached Revealed
Quoting Oda’s exact words:
“The island only the Pirate King has set foot on!? The ‘man with the burn scar’ appears!! Two people who have never met finally come face to face!!… Next year will be a festival of reunions with legendary characters.”
The phrase “the island only the Pirate King has reached” immediately sparked speculation about Laugh Tale. If the Straw Hats head straight to Laugh Tale in 2026, One Piece could end as early as 2030. However, experts believe the most likely scenario is the island Lodestar.
Lodestar marks the final point of the Log Pose, where Roger arrived 39 years ago and uncovered the importance of the Poneglyphs. Currently, Luffy still lacks the last Road Poneglyph, believed to be held by the “man with the burn scar.” Since Oda confirmed this mysterious character will officially appear in 2026, Lodestar is a logical stop for the Straw Hats to complete the map leading to the ultimate treasure.
When Will One Piece Officially End?
Based on Oda’s current storytelling pace, the path to One Piece’s conclusion is becoming clear, likely involving only three to four major arcs.
First, fans are focused on the Lodestar Arc, the final Log Pose island, expected to begin between late 2026 and 2027 as the Straw Hats gather the last clues.
Next comes the highly anticipated Laugh Tale Arc, where Luffy will finally discover the One Piece treasure and reveal the shocking truth about the Void Century.
However, the story won’t end there. It will continue with an unprecedented Final War Arc to overthrow the World Government’s reign, followed by a gentle epilogue to resolve all remaining details and honor the characters’ journey spanning over three decades.
At this pace, experts predict One Piece could officially conclude by 2032. This timeline is long enough to unravel every mystery but tight enough to maintain thrilling tension.
Oda also acknowledged that his health and age are factors he must consider, but he promises to “set sail” at the fastest speed possible to complete his legacy fully.
Oda’s message: “I will draw all the remaining secrets I’ve been hiding for so long. It’s going to be exciting. Buckle up and stay with me just a little longer!”