Elbaph's destruction in One Piece may be due to their confirmed changing culture

Modified Dec 24, 2024 11:30 GMT

Elbaph's destruction in One Piece may be due to their confirmed changing culture (Image via Toei Animation)

Elbaf, once known for its strong warrior culture in One Piece, seems to be facing destruction, not through external battles, but due to internal changes. Under King Harald’s rule, influenced by figures like Mother Caramel, the Giants shifted from a warrior-focused society to one centered on trade and diplomacy.

This change, along with growing reliance on the World Government, weakened Elbaf’s strength and independence. A recent theory by X user @3SkullJoe suggests a deliberate attempt to erase Elbaf’s history, with the conflict between old traditions and new influences playing a key role in the kingdom's decline.

Disclaimer: The article contains the author's opinions and is speculative in nature.

One Piece: External influences and the shift in Elbaf’s identity

The Giants of Elbaph (Image via Toei Animation)

The decline of Elbaf's traditional warrior culture seems to coincide with the reign of King Harald, a figure who bears a striking resemblance to the historical Viking leader Harald Sigurdsson, also known as Harald Hardrada.

Much like his real-world counterpart, King Harald’s policies appear to have been shaped by external influences, particularly through the intervention of Mother Caramel. As revealed in Big Mom’s flashback in Chapter 866, Mother Caramel introduced ideas of diplomacy and trade to the Giants. This ideological shift marked the beginning of Elbaf's departure from its warrior roots.

Mother Caramel (Image via Toei Animation)

Under King Harald's leadership, the emphasis on trade over conflict may have been a calculated decision to secure prosperity for Elbaf. However, this strategy came with a cost: dependency on the World Government.

By aligning with the World Government, King Harald likely opened Elbaf to external control, allowing the Celestial Dragons to gain a foothold in their society. The presence of the Holy Knights in Elbaf and their apparent ability to operate with precision within the kingdom hints at the depth of this influence.

Loki as shown in the manga (Image via Shuiesha)

The crucifixion of Loki, a punishment alien to Viking traditions, underscores the extent to which Elbaf’s culture has been altered. Crucifixion, historically associated with Roman Catholicism and prominently used by the World Government in One Piece, suggests that Elbaf has been subjected to the cultural and political domination of external forces.

If the World Government indeed exerted such control over Elbaf, this could explain the Giants' gradual abandonment of their warrior heritage, a calculated move to disarm one of the mightiest nations in the world.

Potential consequences of cultural erosion at Elbaph

Dorry and Broggy as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The erosion of Elbaf’s warrior culture has left the kingdom vulnerable in once unimaginable ways. The Giants, once regarded as the strongest warriors in the world, now appear ill-prepared for the looming conflicts hinted at in recent chapters. The influence of the Celestial Dragons, coupled with Elbaf’s shift towards trade and diplomacy, has effectively neutralized their military might.

The death of King Harald and Loki’s subsequent actions seem to signal the unraveling of a long-standing conspiracy. If Loki’s rebellion against King Harald was rooted in a rejection of the latter’s submission to external powers, it underscores the internal conflict brewing within Elbaf. This division, fueled by the ideological clash between tradition and modernization, maybe the true cause of Elbaf’s decline.

Jaygarcia Saturn (Image via Toei Animation)

Moreover, the recent declaration by Saturn to "forget Elbaf" raises chilling implications. The idea that "Elbaf never existed" suggests a deliberate effort by the Celestial Dragons to erase the kingdom from history. By dismantling its cultural identity and weakening its warriors, the World Government has orchestrated a systematic campaign to render Elbaf powerless.

Final thoughts

Elbaph as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Elbaf's destruction in One Piece would show the harm caused by losing its cultural roots and outside control. The shift from warrior traditions to trade, influenced by the World Government, left the kingdom weak. This change highlights how important cultural identity is, with Elbaf's fall serving as a clear warning.