After 20 years, One Piece brings a new character from the Void Century

The mysteries of the Void Century are the central plot point of the overarching story One piece that Eiichiro Oda himself founded long ago. First teased at the end of the Alabasta arc, Eiichiro Oda went on to fully elaborate on the Void Century and its secrets in 2006's chapter 395 of the story. Since then, the Void Century has only grown in importance in the One piece. One Piece Chapter 1182 which was officially published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24 on May 10, 2026earlier this week, Eiichiro Oda confirmed a new character from the Void Century era.

The author also used him to set up the reveal of big secrets from this era at the end of the Elbaf arc, which is incredibly exciting for all fans. That character is none other than the Ice Squirrel, Ratatoskr, who is now officially confirmed to have a significant relationship with Nero Ima from 900 years ago.

One Piece Chapter 1182 confirms the union of Nerona Ima and Ragnir of the Void Century

The Void Century of the One Piece world was a specific time period between 900 and 800 years ago, first properly explained in One Piece Chapter 395, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 6-7 on January 7, 2006. During the Void Century, a massive war, known as the King's Bounty, was fought between the Kingdoms. The specifics of the war were completely kept secret and erased from world history. All that is known is that the World Government was established after the 100 year Void and that they made studying the Void Century a crime punishable by death itself.

“Why did the people of the past resort to writing on stone to convey their messages to the future? They littered the world with these unbreakable stone tablets in which they carved their history. Is it not because they felt their message would be eradicated if it remained only on paper and books?” —Clou D. Clover, One Piece Chapter 395

Since the Void Century was 900 to 800 years ago, it doesn't make sense for several individuals to be alive from that time period. Even the giants and ancient giants of the One Piece world don't live for 800 years, but a select few characters from that era have been shown in the current timeline. Nerona Imu, King of the World, is one such individual and is a relic from the Void Century, as confirmed by Eiichiro Oda himself in chapter 1086 of the story. Now, in chapter 1182, Eiichiro Oda also confirms that Ragnir is from the same era as Nero Imu, as the two held a very strong bond from days gone by.

“Ragnir! So you remained as in the past, waiting for a new master to come. How familiar is your sight!” — Nerona Imu, One Piece Chapter 1182

In the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24, Eiichiro Oda confirms that Ragnir hasn't changed a bit in the past 900 years. Imu states that he searched for a new master, just like before, and eventually found one in the form of Loki. Ragnir had a few things with Nerona Imu, but due to his animalistic nature, those words were hidden from fans. But the main takeaway from all of this is the fact that Ragnir is from the Void Century and knows the full gist of what happened during that war and how people like the warrior god of Elbaf and even the former Sun god Nika ie Joy Boy died.

Ice Squirrel Ratatoskr knows the full truth of the Void Century

Image created by the author using official One Piece manga assets from Manga Plus.

During the Void Century era, Ragnir existed in a different form than what fans know him to be today. The hammer was wielded by the warrior god of Elbaf. Meanwhile, the squirrel fought alongside the warrior god as his most loyal sidekick, which was officially confirmed by Jarul in chapter 1175 of the manga. After the death of the warrior god of Elbaf, the squirrel's soul resided inside Ragnir the Hammer, and thus the Ragnir that fans know today was officially born.

For 800 years, Ragnir guarded the devil fruit of the warrior god of Elbaf, awaiting the arrival of Loki, who finally ate the fruit 14 years ago. Having waited for centuries upon centuries, Ragnir knows the whole truth about the Void Century. He knows exactly the connection between the former Nidhoggr and Nero Imu, while also fully aware of what happened to the previous Sun God Nik, as well as the truth about the destruction of the Ancient Kingdom.

“Nidhoggre… to think I'll see you again in this world… traitor!” — Nerona Imu, One Piece Chapter 1182

In the grand scheme of things, Ragnir's character is doubly special because he holds a truth about the world that may very well be revealed at the very end of the ongoing Arc, thanks to help from Chopper.

Why Chopper can easily reveal all the secrets of the Void Century by talking to Ragnir at the end of Elbaf

The introduction of Ragnir as a Void Century character is extremely important in the overarching plot One piece because through him, Eiichiro Oda can reveal the deepest secrets of the Void Century without Luffy even having to visit the Story of Laughter. This is because Ragnir experienced these events himself, as confirmed by Nero Ima in chapter 1182. By bringing Chopper, who clearly understands the speech of all the animals that exist in the One Piece world, Ragnir can tell the story of what happened to the Straw Hat Doctor in the past. Then Chopper can deliver the truth to Nico Robin and the rest of the Straw Hat crew, opening the way for a massive reveal at the end of the Elbaf arc.

This is a very important development in the overarching plot of the story that many fans tend to overlook, but it's something that Eiichiro Oda himself set up. Chopper's ability to converse with animals came into play on many occasions, especially in arcs like Arabasta. Now, this forgotten ability can be used to reveal some of the biggest secrets of the One Piece world as a whole, and that's something fans should be very excited about.

Of course, Ragnir should not be privy to all the secrets of the Void Century, because otherwise the search for One Piece and locating the Rio Poneglyph would be completely pointless. Ragnir should be aware of a significant part of the Void Century that Eiichiro Oda could further reveal in the final segment of the Elbaf Arc. This will only serve to raise the stakes for the Great War while revealing a few more glimpses of an era lost to time. It will show not only the war god Elbafa, but also Nero Ima and Joy Boy more. As it stands, the end of the Elbaf arc will be filled with some very heavy lore revelations, and fans absolutely can't wait to see what Eiichiro Oda brings now that Ragnir is here, a character from the Void Century initiated into the full truth.

All the latest One Piece manga chapters can be read through Manga Plus and Viz Media.