The buzz around One Piece Chapter 1180 is already building fast—because Imu isn’t just lurking anymore. This time, it’s a full-on clash, and everyone on Elbaf is showing how exhausted they are.
Imu has been a looming threat for the Straw Hats for a long time, but he’s never really stepped into the role of active obstacle—until the Elbaf Arc.
That’s when the hidden king joined the battle against the giants after taking possession of Gunko’s body.
It all felt like something had finally shifted: thanks to Luffy and Loki, Imu seemingly admitted defeat and left.
Then Misryoum newsroom reporting says it was wrong to assume it was over.
Imu returns in full force
In Chapter 1179, Imu comes back to Elbaf—this time in his real form as Saint Nerona Imu.
And Misryoum editorial desk noted the tone change immediately: with the Straw Hats already tired from battle and many of them injured, his arrival doesn’t just add danger, it screams it.
Like, you can almost feel the air change when someone stronger than the room shows up—maybe it’s the way the story frames that kind of “oh no” momentum.
Now Chapter 1180 is titled ‘Omen’, and it runs straight through the aftermath of that return.
After descending at Aurust Castle in his real form, Imu first moves toward Zoro’s group in the Western Village.
There, he attacks Gerd to free Sommers, cutting some of her fingers in the process.
It’s brutal, and not the kind of violence that feels temporary.
Release date and the “Omen” moves
If you’re timing your week around it, Misryoum newsroom analysis indicates One Piece Chapter 1180 will be released on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 7am PT.
The global release windows listed are: 11am Eastern Time, 4pm British Time, 5pm European Time, 8:30pm Indian Time, and 11:00pm Philippine Time.
You can read the latest chapter for free on Manga Plus.
On spoilers, Zoro tries to fight back with ‘King of Hell: Onigiri,’ but Imu blocks it with his tail. Then he creates a black flame technique called the ‘Omen’ and throws it right at Zoro’s face, leaving him bloody and beaten. The pattern here matters: ‘Omen’ isn’t just damage—it’s also control.
Misryoum editorial team stated ‘Omen’ seems like a versatile technique as Imu uses it to revive Sommers. After that, he sprouts a pair of dark wings and flies away. Next stop: Sanji’s group in front of the Owl Library. Imu snatches Killingham back and revives him using ‘Omen’ as well.
Sanji gets a kick in—one powerful enough to matter—but Imu blocks it easily with his leg.
Then he kicks Sanji with black flames, throws him away, and causes an explosion.
But even with all of that, Misryoum newsroom reporting says there’s still a thread of hope: Loki confronts Imu at the end of Chapter 1180.
So yeah, it’s not a wrap.
It’s more like Imu has been sorting pieces off-screen, and Loki is the next one on the board.
Also, Misryoum editorial desk noted there’ll be no break next week, meaning One Piece will continue with its usual release schedule.
Until the next chapter drops, people are already speculating about what this means for the next step—especially now that ‘Omen’ is basically doing everything from rescue to revival to offense.
And I’m not entirely sure what Loki has left to spend, but he’ll have to spend it fast—because Imu clearly isn’t done.
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