One Piece Reveals New Straw Hat Backstory, But It's Not Zoro's

After a two-week break, One Piece officially saw the release of Chapter 1183 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26 on May 24, 2026. This new issue of One Piece took us all over Elbaph, continuing the immense battle between the duo of Loki and Ragnir against Nerona Imu. More importantly, it delved into the past of one of the most important characters within the Straw Hat Pirates right now, Dead Bones Brook.

When the connection between Brook and Gunko was first revealed in One Piece chapter 1149, it became evident that Eiichiro Oda would explore this backstory further in a year's time. Almost a year later, we're relieved to see the author delve right into this backstory during the climax of the Elbaf arc and excite us all in the process.

One Piece Chapter 1183 Started The Backstory Of Brook 70 Years Before The Events of Elbaf

One Piece Chapter 1183 Backstory Brook 70 Years Before

Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26 carried One Piece Chapter 1183, and its most significant part was most certainly where Brook's backstory started being explored. Brook's first backstory was revealed by the author in the Thriller Bark Arc, specifically in chapter 487, which was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue #10 in February 2008. Very few Straw Hats go on to get more than one backstory, and not even Zoro has received this level of care from the author. Sanji and Luffy are the only ones in the series to have received this honor so far. Now, Brook is getting his own second flashback, and, needless to say, it has already proven to be exciting. Brook's flashback takes us back to the Esperia Kingdom, the land of instrument makers, which was once a remote kingdom in the West Blue.

“A long time ago, truly a long time ago! She was just a child and I was a young man too! It was in a country that no longer exists…Esperia! Esperia was a land of music, full of workshops crafting instruments of all kinds!” — Brook explaining his distant past, One Piece Chapter 1183

This kingdom was first mentioned by Brook himself in One Piece Chapter 489, in which he officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates back on February 25, 2008. Now, 18 years later, this kingdom is being brought to light in the latest flashback, much to the delight of me and millions of other One Piece fans all over the world.

candelle one piece brook backstory elbaf

Brook's first back story in One Piece takes us back 50 years ago, where his time with the Rumbar Pirates is explored. The second back story, which began in One Piece Chapter 1183, is set 70 years in the past and is set in the Esperia Kingdom, known to be a very special place for music, where instruments are made and music holds utmost importance. While Brook is primarily known as a musician right now, back then, his role was slightly different. Instead of being just a musician, Brook was actually a leader of the battle convoy, specifically the ‘Raider Squad,’ and one of the strongest people on the island. His music was largely hated due to how early he woke everyone up daily and how loud he played, which most certainly amused me because we have, over the years, witnessed him deliver songs of immense quality.

Image of One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda next to a legendary character from the Void Century

One Piece Officially Unveils A New Legendary Character From Void Century

One Piece's Void Century is still a huge mystery, but the creator Eiichiro Oda unveils a new character from the era in chapter 1183.

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By Rei Penber

Brook's Role As The Leader Of The Battle Convoy In Esperia

Brook Leader Of The Battle Convoy Esperia one piece

In One Piece Chapter 1183, Eiichiro Oda delivered to us a glimpse of the immense strength that Brook carried over 70 years ago. Back then, he looked remarkably different from how he looks today, but his strength was apparent still. His Hanauta Sancho: Yahazugiri, which is a technique that first debuted in Chapter 455, was as strong as ever before during this time period. When the Kingdom was attacked by its rivals in an attempt to take Lady Candelle, Brook stepped up and took care of all of them in the blink of an eye. The special ability of his technique was highlighted quite a bit, especially as he took all of the enemies down without them even realizing that they were cut in the first place. This goes to show the immense strength that he carried back then.

“It's going to be fine, boss. For one thing, she's very strong. They can't take her away!! Plus, well, I'm rather stunned they haven't noticed yet. You see, by the time they left the port, I'd already cut them all.” — Brook, One Piece Chapter #1183

More than that, Brook's connection to Princess Shuri, as well as her mother Candelle, was explored properly in this flashback, which is what I was most curious about. Brook's connection to Shuri holds the key to understanding Imu's obsession with a select few blue-haired women and, at the same time, why Gunko personally serves him in the Room of Flowers within the Holy Land of Marijoa. Finally, all of us One Piece fans will get the answer to these questions in this backstory, and it is certainly going to play a significant role in the great war that is to come.

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Brook's Second Backstory Explains His Connection To Shuri And Candelle

Brook Second Backstory Connection Shuri Candelle one piece

Previously, in One Piece Chapter 1049, released on May 16, 2022, Eiichiro Oda gave all fans a proper look at Brook's past with Princess Shuri. We could see Brook being the one who raised her, and this chapter officially expanded upon that over a year later. One Piece Chapter 1183 saw Brook training Princess Shuri himself and, at the same time, raising her almost as if she were his own daughter. Brook's primary connection to Shuri was through her mother, Lady Candelle.

“I worked hard today! You think I got any stronger? Just like Mama!” — Princess Shuri to Brook, One Piece #1183

Unfortunately, the character of Candelle wasn't covered extensively. She was only seen attending an Opera once in One Piece Chapter 1183. That said, it is clear to me that Oda is portraying her as a combination of strength and beauty. Candelle possessed immense beauty, so much so that various individuals from all over the world often came to marry her. At the same time, she was also tremendously powerful, wielding a blade of her own, as we could clearly see in this week's Chapter. Her skill was compared to that of Brook back then, both in terms of music and battle. As Brook said himself, Lady Candelle was quite powerful and more than capable of taking care of anyone who opposed her. In terms of music, she was Brook's total opposite, but these two stood out as the biggest stars in Esperia.

“70 years ago, the Kingdom of Esperia harbored two great stars. One, the former captain of the battle convoy and the current Queen, Candelle. The other, an unpopular musician, but master of the quick-draw sword technique that left victims unaware they'd been slashed — the leader of the Raider Squad, Humming Brook.” — Narrator, One Piece Chapter 1183

More than that, Lady Candelle had won the heart of Brook. Evidently, he was obsessed with her, despite her already being a married woman, and his feelings for her were no secret to anyone. One Piece Chapter 1183 certainly elevated the character of Brook even further in my eyes, giving it a certain element of humanity. With time, more of Brook's backstory will be explored in the upcoming chapter, and it is certainly going to be very exciting. As One Piece continues, the upcoming few chapters are surely going to elaborate upon the character arcs of Lady Candelle, Princess Shuri, and Brook. I'm eager to see which way Eiichiro Oda develops this backstory, especially given his phenomenal job with Sanji's second backstory, as well as the past of other child characters like Jewelry Bonney in the past.