Anticipation around *One Piece* Chapter 1182 has intensified ahead of its scheduled release on May 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST, marking the manga’s return after *Weekly Shonen Jump* paused publication during Japan’s Golden Week holidays. The upcoming chapter is expected to continue the escalating confrontation between Eiichiro Oda’s two central figures in the current Elbaph storyline, Loki and Nerona Imu.

Chapter 1181 ended with the battle shifting decisively in Imu’s favor. Oda used the chapter to further illustrate the King of the World’s ominous powers, placing particular emphasis on the mysterious “Omen” ability that has increasingly become tied to Imu’s presence throughout the arc. Loki managed to land a direct hit late in the chapter, but the encounter ultimately led to a more significant reveal when Imu came face to face with Nidhoggr.

The final moments suggested a deeply personal connection between the two. Imu reacted with visible delight upon seeing the Lightning Dragon again, hinting at a history that predates the current conflict and potentially stretches back centuries. Earlier references in Chapter 1078 had already established that Imu had been searching for Nidhoggr for a long time, and Chapter 1181 appeared to reinforce that objective directly.

According to the information currently circulating around the chapter’s developments, the Japanese dialogue reportedly carries nuances that frame Imu’s pursuit of Nidhoggr as intensely personal. That distinction has fueled speculation among readers that the dragon may once have stood alongside Imu during events tied to the Void Century.

Oda also continued to deepen the connection between Nerona Imu and Joy Boy in the previous installment, though the exact nature of that relationship remains unclear. The Elbaph arc has increasingly leaned into legendary figures and ancient history, and Chapter 1182 now appears positioned to expand on those threads while bringing the Loki-Imu battle closer to resolution.

The chapter is also expected to determine Loki’s immediate fate. Based on the direction of the conflict, the prince does not appear willing to submit to Imu’s authority, raising the possibility that he may either fall in battle or become overwhelmed by Imu’s demonic influence before the confrontation concludes.

At the same time, the story appears to be steadily moving toward the eventual return of the Sun God Nika against Imu, a development that has remained in the background throughout the recent Elbaph chapters. With Nidhoggr now directly involved and Imu openly revealing more of his intentions, Chapter 1182 could serve as a transition point into the next major phase of the arc rather than simply another battle chapter.