One Piece Episode 1166 Review: Loki’s Few Minutes Were Worth the Wait

Elbaf has been one of the most anticipated islands in One Piece for years, and Episode 1166 reminded me exactly why we have waited so long for it. With giant feasts, hilarious Straw Hat interactions, ancient lore, and one incredibly intriguing prince, this episode had almost everything I love about the series.

Ironically, the episode was named after Loki and Gunko, but it gave them a bare minimum of screen time. However, by the end of the episode, my mind was on Loki more than any other character in the story. Classic Oda, right?

Loki Stole the Episode 1166 Despite Barely Appearing

As fun as the Straw Hat moments were, the real star of Episode 1166 was undoubtedly Loki. The Giants describe him as a monster responsible for countless tragedies, including the death of King Harald. However, here is the thing: One Piece has taught me never to trust a one-sided story. And those who have already read the manga may already know what I mean by it.

Then came the Holy Knights. Gunko’s brief display of power was genuinely terrifying. She effortlessly killed a giant wolf as if it were nothing, instantly showing why the World Government’s elite forces should not be underestimated.

However, what made me admire Loki the most was the way he refused to follow the World Nobles. Rather than joining the Holy Knights, Loki openly ridiculed the World Nobles and even declared that he would take all his negative emotions and destroy the world.

So, does that make Loki sound evil? Certainly, however, for some reason, I am still convinced that Loki is not the one Elbaf thinks he is. Well, not only because I already know what happened in the manga. Instead, if you are watching this anime for a long time, then you might be aware that Oda tends to write morally ambiguous characters, and right now, Loki seems like more of a tragedy than a monster.

Episode 1166 Brings Back Classic One Piece Vibes

The first thing I noticed while watching this episode was how much it felt like classic One Piece. Not because there were huge fights or flashy moments, but because the Straw Hats actually got to be themselves again.

Luffy and Zoro from One Piece Episode 1166. | Credit: Toei Animation

Usopp proudly telling the Giants about defeating Oars was peak Usopp energy. Sanji being surrounded by giant women and instantly losing his mind? Absolutely on point. Then there was Nami casually turning Road into her servant while Zoro basically told him, “Try anything funny again and you are dead.”

I’m not gonna lie – I laughed a lot during this episode. Also, it was refreshing to watch the crew simply explore a new island and interact with its people. Elbaf already feels different from recent arcs because it captures that sense of adventure that made me fall in love with One Piece in the first place.

One Piece Episode 1166 Final Verdict

I will admit it – the episode title of One Piece Episode 1166 set expectations that were not entirely met. The Gunko-Loki encounter lasts only a few minutes, and some fans will understandably feel a bit disappointed by that. However, personally, I loved Episode 1166.

Gerd in One Piece Episode 1166. | Credit: Toei Animation

Because honestly, not every great One Piece episode needs jaw-dropping fights or animation showcases. Sometimes, all it takes is excellent worldbuilding, fun character interactions, and a few lines of dialogue that send the fandom into theory mode until the next week’s episode comes.

The revelations about Nika, the mysterious history of Elbaf, Shanks’ connection to Loki, and the arrival of the Holy Knights all feel like pieces of a much larger puzzle. And somehow, after only a handful of scenes, Loki has already become one of the Final Saga’s most fascinating characters.

All in all, if Episode 1166 proves anything, it is that in One Piece, a few minutes are sometimes all Oda needs to create a legend. And honestly, if this is the vibe the anime is aiming for in Elbaf, count me in.

The One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.

One Piece Episode 1166 Review: Loki’s Few Minutes Were Worth the Wait