One Piece #1173 Reviews - The Battle for Elbaf Intensifies as the Straw Hats Face Their Greatest Challenge Yet

Read reviews and discussion of One Piece #1173 from Eiichiro Oda, published by VIZ Media. The war in Elbaf is reaching a boiling point, and chapter 1173 promises to deliver some of the most explosive moments in One Piece's Final Saga. With the Straw Hat Pirates scattered across the giant realm and facing threats from multiple directions, Oda appears ready to showcase just how far Luffy's crew has come in their journey toward the One Piece.

Zoro's Gambit: Splitting Giants and Land Alike

One of the most anticipated moments in the upcoming chapter revolves around Roronoa Zoro and his confrontation with the legendary giant warriors Dorry and Brogy. These two have been fan favorites since their introduction in Little Garden, but now they stand as obstacles between Zoro's group and their objective. The swordsman's solution? A display of raw power that could reshape the battlefield itself.

Speculation suggests Zoro will tap into the full potential of Enma, channeling his Conqueror's Haki to execute a devastating strike capable of literally splitting the earth between the two giants. This wouldn't just be a show of strength it's a tactical maneuver to prevent his team from being caught in the crossfire of Dorry and Brogy's devastating combination attack, Domi Reversi. By forcing the battlefield apart, Zoro creates an opportunity for his allies to engage each giant separately, evening the odds considerably.

 

The presence of Scopper Gaban, the former right hand of the Pirate King, adds another layer of intrigue. Having someone of Gaban's caliber at the scene suggests we might witness some serious Haki instruction, potentially giving Zoro insights into refining his Conqueror's Haki even further. The dynamic between these characters could prove just as valuable as the battle itself.

Sanji's Race Against Time

While Zoro handles the giant problem, Sanji faces his own crisis. The Black Leg cook is sprinting toward the Owl's Library, where several Straw Hats including Nami, Usopp, Jinbe, and Robin find themselves trapped amid raging flames and under assault from Gunko's arrows. Sanji's words from the previous chapter reveal his urgency and concern, particularly for his crewmates' safety.

What makes this situation especially compelling is what it represents for Sanji's character development. His confrontation with Saint Sommers could serve as the catalyst for awakening his own Conqueror's Haki. Throughout the series, Oda has consistently shown that the Holy Knights can only be truly challenged by those wielding Conqueror's Haki, making this the perfect crucible for Sanji to unlock this latent ability. The image of Saint Sommers casually declaring he's completed his job and might take a nap perfectly captures the arrogance Sanji will need to overcome.

The Wings Take Flight

The parallel between Zoro and Sanji's situations is deliberate. Both members of Luffy's "Wings of the Pirate King" are being positioned to face Holy Knights Zoro potentially against Saint Killingham, and Sanji against Saint Sommers. These battles represent more than just physical confrontations; they're about proving the Straw Hats can stand toe-to-toe with the World Government's most elite forces.

The separation of these battles also allows Oda to showcase each character's unique fighting style and growth. Zoro's calculated approach against multiple opponents contrasts beautifully with Sanji's emotional, protective nature driving him toward his endangered crewmates.

The Return of the Dynamic Duo

Perhaps the most exciting prospect for chapter 1173 is the potential emergence of Luffy and Loki from the Underworld. Having dealt with the Draugr threat below, these two powerhouses are ready to rejoin the main conflict. Their arrival could mark a turning point in the battle against Imu—who has possessed Gunko's body and the Demon Army wreaking havoc across Elbaf.

Loki's Devil Fruit abilities remain one of the arc's biggest mysteries. The Prince of Elbaf has been built up as an incredibly powerful figure, and his first real demonstration of his abilities could be spectacular. Paired with Luffy's Gear 5 and its reality-bending properties, their combination might just be what's needed to counter Imu's overwhelming presence.

A War on Multiple Fronts

What makes the current Elbaf situation so gripping is how Oda has orchestrated a multi-layered conflict. The Straw Hats aren't facing a single enemy or fighting together as one unit they're separated, challenged, and forced to rely on their individual strengths while working toward a common goal. It's a test of everything they've learned, every power they've acquired, and every bond they've forged.

The burning library, the rampaging giants, the Holy Knights, and Imu's possessed form all create a sense of overwhelming odds that the Straw Hats must overcome. Yet that's precisely when this crew shines brightest. When the situation seems impossible, when their backs are against the wall, Luffy's crew has always found a way to push beyond their limits.

Looking Ahead

One Piece Chapter 1173 appears poised to deliver on multiple fronts. Whether it's Zoro's earth-splitting slash, Sanji's potential Haki awakening, or Luffy and Loki's dramatic return, the pieces are in place for one of the arc's most significant chapters yet. The counter-attack against Imu's forces has officially begun, and if the setup is any indication, the land of the giants is about to witness a clash worthy of its legendary status.

For fans who've followed One Piece through its decades-long journey, moments like these remind us why we fell in love with this story. The Final Saga continues to raise the stakes while giving each character their moment to shine, and the Elbaf arc is shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet.

Jujutsu Kaisen Mojulo Chapter 21 - Is a Turning Point And Yuji Itadori Will Never Be the Same

A breakdown of everything that happened, and why it matters more than you think. 

If you've been following Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo closely, you already know the series has a habit of dropping bombshells without warning. Jujutsu Kaisen Mojulo Chapter 21 does exactly that but this time, it's not just about flashy fights or crazy new techniques. It's about the version of Yuji Itadori that's finally, fully arrived. And honestly? He's a little terrifying.

Let's get into it.

The Guju Strolls Set the Tone — And Then Some

Before the main story kicks off, we get a pair of short Guju Strolls those quick little four-panel comics that usually lean into humor. This time, though, they carry more weight than usual.

Mino is on the hunt for Yuji, and he's coming up completely empty. Nobody wants to help, nobody knows where Yuji is, and honestly, a good chunk of the sorcerer community would rather pretend he doesn't exist. There's also a mysterious woman in the mix she reaches out to Mino with what feels like a quiet invitation, and the way the panel is framed, it's clear she already knows more than she's letting on. We also catch a glimpse of Yuji himself, seemingly gambling of all things, while Mino is nearby and completely oblivious.

 

Then comes the mention of Todo Aoi. The former first-grade sorcerer is confirmed alive, but nobody and we mean nobody knows where he is. Except, maybe, Yuji. That thread is left dangling on purpose, and it's going to matter later.

Yuji Makes His Entrance — And It's Not a Small One

When Yuji finally shows up properly, the chapter wastes zero time reminding you just how far he's come. A Samoran enemy comes crashing down from a skyscraper wielding an axe, and Yuji catches it mid-fall using the shrine technique that's the cursed technique that creates what are essentially mini chainsaws in his hands, letting him intercept blades without ever making direct contact. It's the same technique we've seen from Suga before, but the way Yuji pulls it off here feels effortless, almost casual.

What follows is even more impressive. Yuji finishes the Samoran off with a single Black Flash clean, precise, devastating. No wasted energy, no unnecessary theatrics. Just controlled, brutal power. It's the kind of moment that tells you this isn't the same Yuji from a few chapters ago. The growth is real, and it's becoming undeniable.

But here's where things get a little unsettling. After the fight, Yuji shoots a single drop of blood at Mino's cheek. And Mino visibly reacts  like it actually hurts. The implication here is that Yuji's blood might now be poisonous, similar to how his curse womb "death painting" brothers operate. It's a small moment, but it's the kind of detail that JJK loves to plant and then turn into something massive down the line.

"Itadori Yuji" Doesn't Exist Anymore

This is arguably the biggest takeaway from the entire chapter, and it comes delivered in one of the calmest scenes in the book.

Yuji tells Mino, plainly, that he doesn't care about being "Itadori Yuji" anymore. He's not being dramatic about it. He's not breaking down. He's just stating it like a fact. He says he's going to handle the curses escaping Tokyo and protect the people who matter and that's it. That's the mission now. Everything else is noise.

Mino doesn't take it well. He's angry, he's frustrated, and he makes it clear he's not going to forget or forgive what feels like Yuji walking away from everyone around him. And you kind of get it. Watching someone you know essentially shed their identity and go cold even if they're doing it for the right reasons that stings.

But if you pay attention to the quieter moments, Yuji isn't actually cold. He's reflecting on Gojo's teachings. He's thinking about what it means to do the right thing, even when it costs him. It's not detachment born from apathy it's detachment born from clarity. He's made his peace with what he has to do, and he's not going to let sentiment slow him down.

It's a genuinely compelling shift, and it reframes Yuji from a scrappy, heart-on-his-sleeve fighter into something closer to a lone operator. Whether that's better or worse for the people around him remains to be seen.

The Side Battles Are Doing Heavy Lifting

While Yuji is redefining himself, the rest of the chapter is busy with two parallel fights that are both escalating fast.

Dabra vs. Mahoraga is a matchup that gets a huge boost this chapter. Dabra unlocks Cursed Technique Reversal a brand new ability for him which lets him convert negative cursed energy into positive energy and use it to regenerate. He forms a dark orb between his palms, and the way it's drawn, it's clear he's about to end this fight before Mahoraga can adapt. Speed matters here, and Dabra knows it.

Maru vs. Suduki is where things get genuinely wild. Suduki pulls out the Soul Split Katana a weapon tied directly to his grandmother Ra's power. This thing can perceive the souls of objects, which means it's not just a sword; it's something that actively decides how much damage it does. Suduki lands a strike on Maru, but it doesn't go deep enough. Maru counters by drawing Cross's sword and essentially dares Suduki to finish the job.

Then Ra's head falls off. Just like that. Suduki's transformation starts crumbling, and his cursed energy begins draining. You'd think that's the end of it but Suduki suddenly moves with impossible speed, catching Maru completely off guard. Maru figures it out almost immediately: Suduki made a binding vow, sacrificing a chunk of his power in exchange for raw, explosive speed. It's a classic high-risk gamble, and it's exactly the kind of desperate, creative move that makes these fights feel alive.

Yuji Tears a Hole in Tokyo

And then there's the moment of the chapter.

Maru notices a massive wave of cursed spirits fleeing the area hundreds of them, all running in the same direction. Something is driving them out. And then Yuji steps in.

He casts a single dismantle technique, and the result is apocalyptic. A massive chunk of Tokyo is just gone. The cursed spirits are annihilated along with it. Two enormous explosions rock the chapter one from Yuji's dismantle, one presumably from Dabra's cursed technique reversal firing off at the same time. The sheer scale of destruction here is staggering, and it cements the fact that Yuji is no longer fighting on the same level as most of the sorcerers in this story.

The dismantle here feels like a direct callback and maybe even an intentional parallel to Sukuna's chainsaw infinity technique. Yuji is mastering the shrine technique in a way that echoes the king of curses, and that comparison is clearly not accidental.

The Final Image Says It All

The chapter closes on a street sign that reads "No U-turn," and it's splattered with blood.

It's a simple image. But in context, it lands hard. There's no going back not for Yuji, not for Suduki, not for any of the characters caught up in what's unfolding. The choices have been made. The lines have been crossed. Whatever comes next, it's going to be permanent.

Why Chapter 21 Actually Matters

On the surface, this chapter is packed new techniques, brutal fights, a power-up that levels half a city block. But the real reason it hits differently is what it does to Yuji's character. Watching him let go of who he used to be, fully and deliberately, is the kind of moment that reshapes how you read everything that comes after.

Combined with the hints about Todo Aoi, the introduction of techniques like CTR and the Soul Split Katana, and the sheer escalation of the battles happening across the board, Chapter 20 feels less like a single installment and more like a gear shift for the entire series.

Buckle up. It's only getting bigger from here.