The Elbaf arc in One Piece is currently a focal point of interest for fans. Even though it has been teased for over a year, there is still much to uncover about this arc, which is expected to continue for another year or two. This is particularly relevant given the lore surrounding Elbaf, a vast land still shrouded in many mysteries. Recently, with the release of One Piece Volume 112 SBS, Oda revealed quite a bit of intriguing information regarding this “land of giants,” including the inspiration behind its creation.
Elbaf: A Land Not to Be Underestimated
Although the Land of Giants has only recently appeared in the manga, it is not far removed from the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey. Elbaf is one of the nations that has been mentioned quite early in One Piece. When the Straw Hats first set foot on the Grand Line, they visited Whiskey Peak, followed by Little Garden.
Here, two iconic giants named Dorry and Brogy were introduced. These giants are well-known as legendary warriors from Elbaf. Dorry and Brogy have been battling each other on Little Garden for 100 years to determine who is the strongest.
Elbaf has been “set in stone” as a nation that the Straw Hats will visit starting from the Arabasta Saga. And now, in the Final Saga, that promise is finally coming to fruition.
Oda Reveals the Nordic Inspiration Behind Elbaf
In One Piece Volume 112 SBS, Oda shared many insights about Elbaf, including the sources of inspiration that shaped this land. It is no surprise that Elbaf draws heavily from Viking culture and Northern European mythology. However, Oda provided a more detailed answer that satisfies the curiosity of fans:
Question: I truly admire the unique architecture of Elbaf! Is there any particular nation or culture that this village is modeled after?
Answer: I am genuinely happy to hear that. The design of Elbaf took quite a while. Thank you very much. As for the model, in general, I mainly drew from the buildings of Viking villages in Northern Europe (Scandinavia). From there, I imagined the culture and lifestyle. In fact, Elbaf is just one of the many villages that appear in Volume 86, but I wanted to depict it from a perspective that makes it stand out against the backdrop of a giant tree.
Time in Elbaf: A Unique Dimension
In addition to being inspired by Northern European mythology, Elbaf has another intriguing aspect. As has been hinted multiple times in the manga, Elbaf seems to have a unique way of manipulating the perception of time, making it feel like time passes three times slower compared to reality. This could explain some of the peculiar timeframes experienced in One Piece, and it opens up many fascinating possibilities for future storylines set in the land of giants.
Source: Gamerant
