Almost 3 decades, One piece was a leading force in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Eiichiro Oda's masterpiece began its journey in 1997 and has since become the magazine's biggest hit. As such, this series is often a highlight of the magazine. While One piece was repeatedly interrupted in May, the series is now set to officially return in full force next week, May 24, 2026, not only with One Piece Chapter 1183, but also with a main cover for Jump and a special color cover by the author. This color extension and lead cover could be significant as they could very well reveal the long-awaited color scheme of Saint Nero Ima, the ruler of the One Piece world who descended on Elbaf in Chapter 1179.
One Piece Manga is set to be featured on the cover of Shonen Jump and will receive a new color expansion on May 24, 2026
The most famous manga franchise Weekly Shonen Jump, One pieceby Eiichiro Oda, returns next week and in full force. After a week off, the author has now been confirmed to return with One Piece Chapter 1183 on May 24, 2026 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump #26. This return is highly anticipated due to the exciting events that took place in the chapters before it.
It's all the more surprising that Eiichiro Oda isn't just coming back with a new chapter. There is more bonus content to look forward to for One Piece fans around the world, making May 24th a very special day for manga fans. First, next week Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26 will feature One Piece on the cover. This means that Oda will draw a special magazine cover with characters that are deeply involved in the Elbaph arc. Based on Oda's history with lead covers, this could mean a new illustration of Luffy, alongside the likes of Loki and possibly Nero Ima. If so, Nero Ima's color scheme was seen for the very first time in the story.
In addition, The One Piece manga is also getting a brand new color expanded by creator Oda. The color scheme is always highly anticipated as Oda gets full creative freedom to draw amazing art. This new color scheme will be released alongside One Piece Chapter 1183 and also released on May 24, 2026.
Why One Piece's Next Color Spread Could Reveal Imu's Color Scheme
One piece getting color next week is extremely exciting and for more than one reason. For starters, fans are always excited to see what new illustration Oda might come up with. New illustrations, whether it's the Straw Hat Pirates or other crews like the Rocks Pirates from Chapter 1169, are always amazing for us fans. What's even more exciting is the possibility Nerona Imu, who will appear in this upcoming colorway, dropped on May 24th.
Imu does not have a confirmed color scheme at this time. Fans are especially excited to see if his skin tone matches the King and Seraphims, which would further add to the idea that he is a Lunarian. All of us fans are also excited to see Imu's possible hair color as well as the color of his tattoos that cover his entire body. Imu is definitely the most anticipated character for the upcoming colors and cover since Rocks D. Xebec's reveal in One Piece Chapter 1155.
The One Piece fandom would also love to see the rain god Zaza if Oda does a god-themed color spread. Zaza debuted in One Piece 1182, a chapter that was released on May 10, 2026. She is already a character that Oda enjoys immensely in the anime, as Toei Animation music composer Kohei Tanaka confirmed. It wouldn't be surprising if he also featured her in his upcoming color expansion. Of course, it's still very likely that the upcoming colorpread won't be anything too special and just feature straw pirates. Oda tends not to pay them in most cases.
One Piece Manga will not face any hiatus after its return with chapter 1183
in May One piece went through quite a rough time due to Golden Week. Golden Week is a major holiday in Japan at the beginning of May. due to vacation One piece went on hiatus, May 3, 2026. In fact, all of Shonen Jump was on hiatus, so this delay was not caused by Oda personally. However, Oda si on May 10, 2026, immediately after the official release One piece Chapter 1182.
One Piece fans took this hiatus hard, especially since it happened right after the reveal of Rain God Zaza. Fortunately, the wait is now over, meaning our beloved author can now continue the story in exciting fashion from May 24th. According to Shueisha and Oda's personal schedule, One Piece shouldn't experience any more breaks in the coming weeks. The next break should be three weeks after the release of One Piece 1183, unless something unusual is announced.
You can read the latest One Piece manga chapters through Manga Plus.
Source: Weekly Shonen Jump
