As Eiichiro Oda’s iconic shonen manga, One Piece, approaches its next major arc, fans eagerly anticipate the Straw Hats’ journey to an island inhabited by Viking-like warriors. A recent revelation from a One Piece enthusiast sheds light on Oda’s longstanding interest in Nordic warriors, tracing back to an anime from his childhood.
Pew (@pewpiece), a prominent figure in the One Piece fan community on X (formerly Twitter), shared insights from Oda’s author comments published in 1998 (One Piece Volume 2, pages 52 and 134). In these comments, Oda explained that his fascination with pirates and Vikings began with the animated TV series “Little Viking Vicke” (also known as “Vicky the Viking”). This show, produced by Nippon Animation and Mushi Production, chronicles the adventures of a clever young Viking named Vicky, who uses his intellect and creativity to solve problems for his tribe.
Oda recounted, “When I was a kid, I used to enjoy watching an animated TV series called ‘Little Viking Vicke.’ It aired over 15 years ago. That’s probably why I started liking pirates.” He further expressed that Vikings are his favorite type of pirate and hinted at his desire to “talk” about them someday. Now, over 25 years later, it appears that Oda is set to delve into Viking lore within the upcoming pages of One Piece.
The influence of “Vicky the Viking” on Oda’s work is evident, particularly in the development of the Elbaf arc. Vicky’s clever and inventive nature seems to resonate with some of the characters in Elbaf, and the series’ comedic tone may have inspired Oda’s unique brand of humor.
Elbaf, a nation in One Piece renowned for its strength, draws heavily from Viking-age culture and Norse mythology. Located in the “Warland” region, Elbaf is depicted as one of the New World’s mightiest nations, with gigantic inhabitants donning spiked helmets and armor reminiscent of Viking warriors. Their society is deeply rooted in a code of honor and valor in battle, although they are feared by other pirate factions. The nation’s prince, named after the Norse God of Mischief, Loki, adds a layer of mythological reference.
While the exact timeline for the Straw Hats’ arrival in Elbaf remains unclear, the manga’s current “Egghead” arc continues to captivate readers. In this arc, Luffy and his crew are focused on protecting the genius scientist Dr. Vegapunk, who unveils an environmental revelation threatening the entire world. The arc’s conclusion appears imminent, particularly with the franchise’s announcement of an upcoming line of Elbaf character figures, suggesting that the transition to the new arc is near.
As One Piece fans eagerly await the continuation of Luffy’s adventure, the exploration of Elbaf promises to enrich the series with Viking-inspired themes, drawing from Oda’s childhood inspirations and deepening the rich tapestry of the One Piece world.