- The subject of this article is also called Elbaf.
Elbaph[3] is a nation in the New World that is inhabited by giants, and is unaffiliated with the World Government.[4] Officially, Elbaph Island (エルバフ島, Erubafu-tō?) contains the Warland Kingdom (ウォーランド王国, Wōrando Ōkoku?), but the nation is commonly referred to by the general term "Elbaph".[5] It is considered to be the strongest country in the world due to its mighty warriors.[6][7]
It was first mentioned during the Little Garden Arc and was a desired destination of both Luffy and Usopp.[8][9] It was shown for the first time in a flashback during the Whole Cake Island Arc.[1]
It is the primary setting of the Elbaph Arc.
Geography
| — Louis Arnote's notes on Elbaph.[10] |
Elbaph is a mountainous island whose biggest and most notable landmark is the Treasure Tree Adam, a legendary, colossal tree that grows in its center and dwarfs even the actual island itself. The tree's full height extends up to the clouds, with its branches forming extra layers of land. This means Elbaph has at least three distinct regions in terms of altitude: one at sea level, another above the tree's branches that surround its trunk and a third one at the treetops. Appropriately enough, both the fauna and flora of Elbaph are overall comparatively huge to those found in most other islands.
The lower regions of Elbaph are known locally as the Underworld and consist primarily of snow-coated, forested mountains surrounding the Tree Adam's base, with grassy plains near the coast where snowfall sometimes occurs. Because sunlight rarely hits the central mountains (due to the presence of the Tree Adam), the climate is always very cold with raging blizzards. The freezing temperatures coupled with the multitude of giant, wild beasts that inhabit the mountain range make the whole territory very desolate and unsuitable for civilization. The same applies to the waters around the island, which feature similarly gigantic fauna and heavy, dense fog.[11] As such, very few settlements appear to exist in those lands besides a mountaintop castle where Road lives and a tavern closer to the seaside, where sunlight is more prominent. Giants may come down to this region for hunting purposes, however, as the resident animals can provide them with ample nourishment.
The main upper region of Elbaph is known as the Sun World, above the Tree Adam's lower branches. As its name indicates, sunlight bathes this portion of the island, allowing for proper living conditions for the giant residents. Several villages are known to exist in this zone, featuring wooden houses, watchtowers, stone castles and even harbors surrounded by lakes and rivers of sea cloud that fall on the ocean through waterfalls at the edge of the branches. Forests also exist here, although Hajrudin implies that its fauna is nowhere as big or threatening as the one found in the Underworld. Notably, a gigantic longsword appears to pierce the Sun World, reaching all the way down to the Underworld. Traversal between both regions is possible through the use of rope bridges that connect the lower mountains with the central tree's branches or through the use of Painters. Aside from the aforementioned sea clouds, the higher altitudes and unique climate of Elbaph permit Island Clouds to be formed as well.
A third region is also known to exist: the Heaven World, located on Adam's treetops. Little is known about it yet, however, except that it is located above the Sun World.
Elbaph as a whole is located east of Wano Country[12][13] and northeast of Egghead.[14] According to Road, within the sea route between Elbaph and Egghead, there is a stretch of sea that generates a strange mist with sleep-inducing properties.
Locations
Treasure Tree Adam
The Treasure Tree Adam forms the upper regions of Elbaph and thus is considered the backbone of the Warland Kingdom, as its sheer size allows even the already enormous giants to live in settlements above its branches. Its existence also affects the climate of the lower regions, which are deprived of sunlight due to the tree providing them with eternal shade.
Thanks to the tree, Elbaph can be separated into three distinct regions: the Underworld, the Sun World and the Heaven World.
Underworld
The Underworld (冥界, Meikai?), also known as the First World (第一世界, Daiichi Sekai?) in local legends, refers to the lower regions of Elbaph, below the Tree Adam's branches and surrounding its base. It is a mostly frozen, inhospitable wasteland ruled by savage, powerful beasts. According to Loki, this area is so hostile that criminals are often punished by just being sent here, with Loki further describing it as a both a "prison" and an "execution ground" filled with the bones of giants and humans that have been long buried by the constant snow.
Aside from the gigantic fauna that dominates the territory, a few Humans who have managed to avoid death for opposing Elbaph are known to barely survive in this region as scavengers, covering themselves in smelly rags in order to avoid being eaten. Both the humans and the beasts are aligned with Loki, who himself was sentenced with imprisonment by seastone chains at the Tree Adam's base.
Tavern
There is a tavern located at the coast that is sometimes frequented by Elbaph's inhabitants or outsider guests, particularly pirates. The Red Hair Pirates and the Giant Warrior Pirates are known customers of this place, with both having had a reunion meeting while Shanks ran some errands in the island.
Road's Castle
The giant Road is known to live in a castle located atop one of the Underworld's snowy mountains. This castle connects itself to the the upper lands through a rope bridge. According to Road, this building was once used as a detention facility for giants.
The Land of Gods is a giant diorama made of building blocks crafted by Road, which he rules as a fantasy kingdom through a persona known as the "Sun God".
Sun World
The Sun World (陽界, Yōkai?) is the main upper region of Elbaph and where its population primarily lives. Most of the land consists of deciduous forests and plains, as well as urban settlements built by the resident giants. A special flying ship known as the Svarr can be used for quick traversal around this region.
Interestingly, the climate of the Sun World allows the existence of both Island Clouds and Sea Clouds, which coexist with Adam's branches to form solid ground and landmarks, providing the region with extra land and bodies of water.[15]
Western Village
The Western Village (西の村, Nishi no Mura?), also known as the Elbaph Village, is where Dorry, Brogy,[16] Oimo, Kashii, and Hajrudin among others live. It is close to the Sheep's House and located near a forest.[17] It was enveloped in a sea of flames when Charlotte Linlin went on a rampage.[18]
Sometime after the Sheep's House was relocated, the citizens worked to rebuild the damage Linlin inflicted. On the outskirts of the village is a grave site for deceased giants, where Jorul's was included.[19] There is also a harbor where ships can dock after traveling through a rainbow.
It is where a traditional meal of semla is held before the "Winter Solstice Festival" is held.[20]
One of the large trees in the village hosts the Aurust Castle (アウルスト城, Aurusuto-jō?), being guarded by two giants.[21]
Sheep's House
Sheep's House was an orphanage run by Mother Carmel and where Charlotte Linlin lived after she was abandoned by her parents. It was located near Elbaph Village.[22]
After Carmel was exiled from Elbaph and left with the children, another one was built for her on the island that would eventually become Whole Cake Island. It is unknown what became of the original.[23]
Royal Castle
Somewhere in Elbaph Village, there is a castle where the island's prince, Loki, was born.[24]
Warrior's Spring
The Warrior's Spring (戦士の泉, Senshi no Izumi?) is a location to the southwest of the Western Village. It is a beach-like area with a lake large enough to be mistaken for the sea. Waves are formed because of the impact caused by the waterfalls that fall from Adam's higher branches. The area around the water is covered by "sand", due to part of the tree becoming fossilized and eroded into wooden particles.
Giant children who frequent the Walrus Academy tend to play here.
Owl Library
The Owl Library (フクロウの図書館, Fukurō no Toshokan?) is a large building located on a branch hanging over the Warrior's Spring.[25] It contains all the books that Saul had brought back from Ohara.[26] Biblo is the chief librarian for hundreds of years, and due to his Devil Fruit ability, the Iku Iku no Mi, any normal-sized book brought into the library will instantaneously grow into one more fitting for a giant to read. Fishermen who brought newspapers back would also bring them to the library to achieve this effect for easier reading.[27][4]
 |
 |
Walrus School
The Walrus School (セイウチの学校, Seiuchi no Gakkō?) is a large school near the Owl Library. It was founded by Saul under the late king Harald's request. Giant children from all over Elbaph come here for education.[28]
Heaven World
The Heaven World (天界, Tenkai?, VIZ: "Astral World") is the topmost region of Elbaph and in the highest branches of Treasure Tree Adam. Little is known about this region currently.
Citizens of Elbaph
Elbaph is the home of the giants, although not all giants come from there.[29] Known characters that have resided on Elbaph are:
 ?????  ?????  ?????  ?????  ?????  ?????  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status) | ||||
Other Residents | ||||
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Sheep's House (Former) | ||||
 ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status)  ????? (Unknown status) | ||||
Cultures And Traditions
| — Dorry explains Elbaph's customs to Luffy and Vivi.[16] |
Monarchy
As a kingdom, Elbaph was ruled by a monarch. The royal family of Elbaph carries the specific duty of passing down a specific Devil Fruit to the next generation. Elbaph’s final King was Harald, who instituted many reforms turning Elbaph into a trading peacetime nation rather than a warring one. Harald’s reforms were opposed by the elders of Elbaph’s villages but were very effective in changing the mindset of the younger generation.[30]
The kingdom's prince, Loki, had the privilege of proposing to one of the daughters of Charlotte Linlin, a hated person to all the world's giants, and as a result, agreed to make the kingdom's army her allies.[6]
King Harald was murdered by his son Prince Loki six years ago in order to gain possession of the special Devil Fruit passed down by the royal bloodline.[31] The giants considered this a despicable enough act that Loki ended up branded as Elbaph's greatest shame as a result. This left Elbaph without a king, as Loki was not allowed to ascend to the throne.[30]
Loki was sent to the Underworld of Elbaph for punishment. It is known that Elbaph has criminal detention facilities located in the Underworld, but they appear to be no longer in use. Rather, it seems that just being exiled to the Underworld by itself is already enough of a punishment to most criminals, due to the extreme hostility of the area as a whole. Loki in particular was crucified and chained with seastone to the base of the Treasure Tree Adam, to prevent him from unleashing his strength.
Values and Strength
Elbaph's army is famed for its strength. When Carmel brought on the possibility that Elbaph might send their army to declare war against the world for execution of their Giant Warrior Pirates members, the Marines released the captives in fear of such a possible event, a fear they did not show even in the advent of war against the entire Whitebeard Pirates 100 years later.[22] Linlin believed that had she been able to ally with the armies of Elbaph via marriage, she would have been able to overthrow the rest of the Four Emperors and claim the title of Pirate King.[32]
Dorry and Brogy present themselves as "proud warriors of Elbaph", which suggests the great importance they place on their honor, their strength and their nation. As the life of giants is much longer than that of humans, they do not give much importance to material things, prioritizing other values like their honor and having a glorious death.[33] Brogy and Dorry revealed that everyone in Elbaph heavily believes in honor. If there was any sort of dispute or argument between any giants, they were to battle to the death, with the belief that the victor would be determined by the gods of Elbaph.[16]
Elbaph is also used as a term of pride (i.e. "I am the mightiest warrior from Elbaph!"). In addition, it seems that the giants of Elbaph feel a strong sense of belonging to their nation, being proud to die in a glorious way to offer their honor to Elbaph as a treasure.[33] Similarly, Dorry wanted to fight against Brogy despite his injuries because he did not want to dishonor his country.[34]
Traditionally, it is considered a mighty disgrace for a giant to die for any other reason but in battle. This happened with Jorul, the legendary elderly warrior who attempted to stop a rampaging Linlin decades ago. Jorul did not die in the event itself, but rather was gravely wounded by Linlin, and because of his advanced age, he was unable to resist the following health complications that took away his life. That said, Jarul's memory is still respected by Elbaph's population, as he was allowed a grave for mourning purposes. Also, for being perceived as the cause of Jarul's undignified death, Linlin earned Elbaph's hatred in spite of having been just a child at the time.
King Harald favored trading with other countries over waging war, and started a series of reforms intended to turn Elbaph into a more peaceful nation focused on trade rather than one revolving around war.[30] Twenty years ago, he requested Jaguar D. Saul to found a school for Elbaph children. Nowadays Elbaph’s children embody Harald’s vision for Elbaph, with the previous generation being seen as Elbaph’s last generation of warriors.[30]
Despite Harald's ideals of pacifism being unpopular amongst the elders, he remained a well respected figure within the kingdom, as no citizen condoned Loki committing patricide for the sake of a Devil Fruit, and punished him as the greatest shame of Elbaph while denying him the throne.[30]
Religion and Festivities
The Giants of Elbaph believe in the legend of the Sun God Nika, who supposedly fought with a body that stretched and contracted.[35]
Every year, the denizens hold a certain traditional festival known as the "Winter Solstice". As the name suggests, it is held during the end of the year to pay their gratitude to the sun. The citizens undergo fasting for 12 days, with only water to sustain them; prior to its start, they eat a huge quantity of semla to gain enough nutrition for the next 12 days. After the fasting period, a huge festival would be held to celebrate.[20]
63 years ago, during one particular Winter Solstice, Linlin's gluttonous desire for more semla caused her to lose control on the 7th day, decimating an entire village on Elbaph in search for the sweet,[18] and even killing the elder giant hero Jorul.[36] Prior to death, Jorul regarded Linlin as an Evil Spirit in the form of a child who is unworthy to pay thanks to the sun.[18]
History
Past
More than 100 years ago, a pirate crew of giants from Elbaph was formed, led by Dorry and Brogy. They left Elbaph and caused enough turmoil in the world to have gained a bounty of 
100 million each.[37]
87 years ago, some of the Giant Warrior Pirates were captured and sentenced to execution. After "Holy Mother" Carmel gave a scripted salvation of the giants from a public execution, she was welcomed into Elbaph for her generosity and desire to form a bridge between species.[22] However, she used the newly built Sheep's House to sell orphans to the World Government, knowing that Elbaph would give her a greater access of "merchandise". She was directly responsible for giving the Marines John Giant, the first giant ever to be enlisted into the organization.[38]
63 years ago, a 5-year-old Charlotte Linlin was abandoned on Elbaph by her parents due to the child's uncontrollable destructive tendencies, causing her to be exiled from her own country. Her parents had hoped that Carmel would be able to give their daughter a better life.[11]
Although Carmel accepted Linlin into the Sheep's House, several incidents arose from the child, such as Linlin accidentally killing a bear with a single strike, or inadvertently causing severe injury to the giant Eiri when trying to swat a mosquito on him. Nonetheless, the giants have accepted Linlin as a citizen, where she felt at home due to her gigantic size for a human.[39]
10 months after Linlin's arrival, the giants of Elbaph prepared to celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival, in which a 12-day fast was to occur after feasting on semla (which Linlin nearly completely devoured all by herself).[20] On the seventh day of the fast, Linlin lost control from hunger and desired for more semla, causing her to devastate Elbaph's village. Elder warrior Jorul labeled her as an evil spirit in the form of a child and tried to strike her down despite Carmel's pleas.[18]
Linlin easily blocked Jorul's attack and threw him down, fatally injuring the elder giant. Carmel utilized her Soru Soru no Mi powers to quell the flames that seared the village, giving life to the homie Pandora, and the citizens believed she summoned the sun god. After Linlin was satisfied with a storage of semla, Jarul attempted to kill Linlin in revenge, only for Carmel to plea for mercy, and promised to take the child away from Elbaph. Despite the giants' newfound hatred for Charlotte Linlin, they spared her life because of their respect for Carmel, and the Holy Mother took all the residents of Sheep's House to another island because the orphans refused to leave her.
As a result of Linlin's violent actions and killing the hero Jorul, all the giants in the world, particularly the ones from Elbaph, came to hate her, especially when she innocently questioned about Jorul's death as she had no memory of the rampage.[40]
A giant from Elbaph later visited the island where the residents of the Sheep's House moved to. When checking on Carmel and the orphans, he witnessed Linlin committing a horrific act that made Carmel and the children disappear while they were celebrating her sixth birthday. The giant quickly fled the island and returned to Elbaph to relay the news. The giants of Elbaph grew more furious at Linlin to the point that they refused to say her name.[19]
22 years ago, some months after the Ohara Incident, Jaguar D. Saul having survived his ordeal of being frozen by Kuzan, led a team of giants from Elbaph to retrieve what knowledge survived. After all the books were acquired, they were taken to Elbaph for safe keeping. Around this time, a clone of Vegapunk[41] made a discreet visit to Elbaph and, with permission from the giants, was allowed to read and memorize the contents of every book they salvaged.[26]
At a certain point, Loki, the prince of Elbaph, fell in love with Charlotte Lola, the 23rd daughter of Linlin, at first sight and was arranged to marry her. However, Lola wanted to choose her own husband and escaped the wedding. Linlin tried to fool Loki by passing Lola's twin sister as Lola's stand-in. The ruse was discovered, and the wedding was called off, further deepening the feud between Big Mom and the giants.[6]
6 years ago, Loki was imprisoned at the base of the Adam Tree and was bound by sea prism stone chains.[42] It took all the warriors on the island to take Loki down and imprison him.[31]
Final Saga
Egghead Arc
Some time after setting off from Wano Country following the successful Raid on Onigashima, the Kid Pirates arrived at Elbaph.[13] The Red Hair Pirates were there at the same time, partying with the giants. After hearing that the Kid Pirates were attacking their subordinates, the Red Hair Pirates, alongside their fleet and the Giant Warrior Pirates, decided to face the Kid Pirates.[43] Before Eustass Kid could fire his Damned Punk which would have killed numerous pirates and giants, as well as destroyed parts of the coast, Shanks cut through the railgun and knocked out Kid and Killer. Dorry and Brogy then destroyed the Victoria Punk, ending the Kid Pirates' attempted assault on Elbaph.[44]
Elbaph Arc
Trivia
- Elbaph's culture is based on Viking Age Scandinavia with references to Norse mythology.
- Prince Loki is named after a Nordic deity.
- Their society is mostly peaceful but revolves around honor in battle and reveres reputable warriors.
- Most of its known citizens resemble stereotypical depictions of Vikings.
- In real life, semla was also traditionally eaten before a time of fasting.
- It has structures made of material that strongly resembles Lego, which was invented in Denmark.
- The fact that the majority of giants from Elbaph live in its sun region, detached from the surface, might draw inspiration from the english fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, where giants similarly lived in the sky.
- Although she has a hostile relationship with the country, Charlotte Linlin has notably dubbed her Ikoku attack as the "Spear of Elbaph" (エルバフの槍, Erubafu no Yari?).[45]
- According to Dorry and Brogy, the colossal demon beasts that the Five Elders transform into strongly resemble the wildlife in Elbaph's forests.[46]
- Several characters from Elbaph appear to have names inspired by real life professional wrestlers foreign to Japan, but who have a known history in Japanese circuits.
- Several of the giant wild beasts living in Elbaph's Underworld layer resemble the giant creatures of Merveille.[42]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 865 (p. 17) and Episode 836, Elbaph is shown via Big Mom's flashback.
- ↑ One Piece 15th Anniversary: Dive to Grand World (p. 13), It is stated that Elbaph is in the New World.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1130 (p. 14), "Elbaph" is romanized.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 One Piece Manga — Chapter 1135 (p. 2-3), Saul explains about the Owl Library.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1132 (p. 16), Louis Arnote explains the names "Elbaph" and "Warland".
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 85 Chapter 858 (p. 9-10) and Episode 827, Chiffon talks about Lola's past.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1130 (p. 14), The nature of "Warland" is first explained.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 13 Chapter 116 (p. 6) and Episode 71, Brogy explains his origin.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 13 Chapter 117 (p. 9) and Episode 72, Usopp states his desire.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1132 (p. 17).
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 2-3) and Episode 836, Linlin is left on Elbaph's shore.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 105 Chapter 1056 (p. 12-13) and Episode 1083, The Kid Pirates' destination is the island east of Wano Country.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 106 Chapter 1071 (p. 15) and Episode 1103, The Kid Pirates arrive at Elbaph.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 108 Chapter 1090 (p. 10).
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1133 (p. 6-7).
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 13 Chapter 116 (p. 14-15) and Episode 71, Dorry mentioned the village.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 9-11) and Episode 836, Elbaph village is shown in Linlin's flashback.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 16-17) and Episode 836, Linlin rampages while demanding semla.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 868 (p. 3) and Episode 838, Elbaph is seen shortly after the departure of the Sheep's House.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 10-14) and Episode 836, The Winter Solstice Festival is explained.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1135 (p. 12-13).
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 5-9) and Episode 836, The Sheep's House is seen.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 867 (p. 9-10) and Episode 837, The Sheep's House relocated.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 14) and Episode 836, The Castle is mentioned.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1133 (p. 9-10).
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 106 Chapter 1066 (p. 9-11, 13) and Episode 1097.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1134 (p. 14-15).
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1134 (p. 8-9).
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 41 Chapter 392 (p. 12) and Episode 275, Jaguar D. Saul tells little Nico Robin that not every giant comes from Elbaph.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 One Piece Manga — Chapter 1134 (p. 8, 11-12), Harald's reforms are discussed.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 One Piece Manga — Chapter 1130 (p. 10), A giant says that it took all the warriors to take Loki down.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 84 Chapter 847 (p. 16-17) and Episode 812.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 13 Chapter 117 and Episode 72, Brogy explains to Usopp the values of Elbaph giants.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 14 Chapter 118 and Episode 72.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 110 Chapter 1114 (p. 15).
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 867 (p. 2-4, 8-9) and Episode 837, Jorul dies from injuries caused by Linlin.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 14 Chapter 118 (p. 15-17) and Episode 72, Mr. 3 tells Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine about Dorry and Brogy.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 867 (p. 11-12) and Episode 837, Carmel's true intentions are revealed.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 866 (p. 7-9) and Episode 836, Linlin's life on Elbaph is mentioned.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 86 Chapter 867 (p. 2-10) and Episode 837, Linlin's rampage causes the Sheep's House to leave Elbaph.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Chapter 1134, Lilith reveals a clone of Vegapunk visited Elbaph
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 One Piece Manga — Chapter 1131 (p. 4, 6-7).
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 106 Chapter 1076 (p. 12-17) and Episode 1109.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 107 Chapter 1079 (p. 5-15) and Episode 1112.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 87 Chapter 874 (p. 3-6) and Episode 844.
- ↑ One Piece Manga — Vol. 110 Chapter 1111 (p. 8).