Loki’s True Dream Has Finally Been Revealed

One of the biggest pieces of criticism that some fans have had of the One Piece story following the time skip is that it hasn’t been as much of a character-driven story as it used to be during the previous half of the franchise. This debate has been ongoing among fans for years now, with critics saying that Oda has sacrificed the emotional beats of the story in favor of world building and action.

However, while it is true that the Straw Hat’s dynamic as a whole has gotten far less attention than before, it shouldn’t be overstated that post-time skip One Piece has some of the most moving and emotional character arcs of them all. Kuma’s beautiful and tragic backstory comes to mind, and just like it, it seems that the Elbaf arc is also going down the same route as Loki’s origins, which may have just hinted at his true dream in Chapter 1155.

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Loki’s True Dream Is To Leave Elbaf And Explore The World

A Dream Born From Hardship

At this point in the story, it’s safe to say that there have only been a few characters who have had as messed-up of an origin as Loki. Although he was born into privilege as the rightful heir to the throne of Elbaf, his strange appearance led to him being ostracized by his own mother, who even threw him out of the castle as soon as he was born, unwilling to believe that she could have birthed such a monster.

From here, Estrid would leave Aurust Castle and go back to her village, where she would eventually pass away from sickness. However, seeing how hated and demonized the circumstances around Loki’s birth were, he was indirectly blamed for her passing, as well as for any bad thing that would befall the country. Due to this, no one wanted anything to do with him, labeling Loki as the ‘Accursed Prince’ and forcing him into a life of isolation and pain, where the only companionship he could find was in that of the beasts of the Underworld.

However, this is where he met the Rocks Pirates for the first time, who eventually came to have a decent relationship with his father, King Harald. In Chapter 1155, Rocks explained his plans for the world in a misguided attempt to recruit Harald into the ranks of his legendary pirate crew, claiming that, through these means, he would claim the whole plant as his own. As soon as he said these words, Loki, who had overheard the conversation, beamed with excitement at the thought, possibly hinting at his true dream.

This goes to suggest that Loki’s true dream has always been to leave Elbaf to explore the rest of the world, where he would experience true freedom from the woes of his past. Seeing how he has a ‘Nika’ fruit, there could have been a hint to this all along, since Nika is always synonymous with freedom and liberation. Moreover, the showings of Loki earlier on in the arc may have implied this too.

It was explained that Loki even left the island around 6 years before the current day. Sailing the seas on his own, he wreaked havoc everywhere he went until he was confronted by Shanks, who defeated him and sent him back to Elbaf, where he has been chained up ever since. On top of this, he was also explained to have greatly admired Rocks and wanted to follow in his footsteps, hinting that he likely wanted to live a life under no rules, completely free to travel everywhere to do whatever he wanted, just like his idol.

Loki’s dream seems to be heavily indicative of his entire character arc as a rebellious young man who never found companionship in his home, so he always desired to leave it. However, for one reason or another, he was never able to do so. However, with the arc currently at its climax, it seems that the eventual future for Loki’s journey is pretty clear, and it could see the fulfillment of this lifelong dream.

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What This Dream Means For Loki’s Future Within The Series

How Loki’s Dream Will Be Achieved

• Most fans are convinced that Loki will be the final Straw Hat.

Ever since his very first appearance in the arc, fans immediately began to think that there was much more to Loki’s character than could be surmised at first glance. The subsequent chapters have only proven this fact, revealing that Loki is a much more nuanced character than simply being someone who wants to destroy the world for no reason, and when keeping his potential true dream in mind, it sets him up as the perfect final Straw Hat.

Luffy has a hilarious habit of asking just about anyone to join his crew, even the zombies on Thriller Bark. However, him asking Loki has gotten most to think that the Accursed Prince will eventually join, especially since Luffy is always the most accepting person when it comes to things that others reject, and he has already accepted Loki for who he is despite his evil reputation. Plus, joining the crew would also mean the completion of Loki’s dream of seeing the world, strengthening his case as the final Straw Hat even more.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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