After 28 years of non-stop adventure, One Piece remains the world’s best-selling manga series. But fans need to prepare for another break—and honestly, creator Eiichiro Oda really needs it.
One Piece Chapter 1168: The Last Chapter Before Break
Release date: December 7, 2025
Chapter 1168 officially dropped today, bringing the Elbaf flashback to its most anticipated moment. But it also marks the start of another two-week hiatus for the series.
Why This Break Was Expected
If you’ve been following One Piece lately, breaks have become the new normal. Here’s the pattern:
- Oda typically releases 2-3 chapters
- Then takes a break week
- Fans just got 3 consecutive chapters, so this break was anticipated
No one was surprised when the hiatus was confirmed—it’s become part of the release schedule fans have learned to expect.
When Does One Piece Return?
Official return date: December 21, 2025
What’s coming: One Piece Chapter 1169 will be the final chapter of both December and 2025.
Then what? Another break for the holidays, meaning fans won’t get new Elbaf content until 2026.
The Release Schedule Breakdown
- December 7: Chapter 1168 releases (last chapter before break)
- December 14: Break week #1
- December 21: Chapter 1169 returns (last chapter of 2025)
- Late December/Early January: Holiday break
- 2026: Elbaf arc continues
Why Oda Needs This Break (And It’s Serious)
Eiichiro Oda’s health has become a growing concern for fans, and this latest break highlights why rest is absolutely necessary.
Signs Oda Is Struggling
Chapter 1168 showed concerning signs:
- The chapter appeared rushed
- Multiple panels were unfinished
- This suggests the chapter wasn’t submitted on time
- Oda is clearly struggling to maintain the grueling pace
The reality: Creating weekly manga is physically and mentally exhausting. After 28 years, Oda’s workload hasn’t gotten easier—if anything, fan expectations and story complexity have increased.
Understanding One Piece’s Break Schedule
For newer fans wondering why breaks are so frequent now, here’s what you need to know:
Why Breaks Are More Common Now
Health concerns: Manga creators work insane hours. Weekly serialization means:
- Constant deadlines
- Limited sleep
- Minimal time off
- Physical strain from drawing
Oda’s age and experience: After nearly three decades of non-stop work, his body needs recovery time
Quality over speed: Breaks help Oda plan upcoming story beats and maintain the series’ quality
The Standard Pattern
Current schedule: 2-3 chapters → 1 break week (repeat)
This is actually healthier than the old approach of working without breaks until complete burnout.
What Fans Should Know
This Is Normal (And Necessary)
While waiting sucks, these breaks are crucial for:
- Oda’s health: Preventing serious medical issues
- Story quality: Giving time to plan complex plot developments
- Series longevity: Ensuring One Piece can actually reach its ending
One Piece Is Still Going Strong
Despite breaks, the series remains:
- The world’s best-selling manga ever
- Consistently engaging after 1,168 chapters
- Building toward its final saga
Perspective check: Most manga don’t make it past 300 chapters. One Piece is approaching 1,200 while maintaining quality—that’s extraordinary.
What Happens in the Elbaf Arc
Without spoiling Chapter 1168, here’s where things stand:
- The Elbaf flashback just reached its crucial moment
- Fans have been waiting desperately for this part of the story
- Chapter 1169 will continue this highly anticipated storyline
- The holiday break means a cliffhanger wait until 2026
Bottom Line
Say goodbye to One Piece on December 7, but it’s only for two weeks. Chapter 1169 drops December 21 before another holiday break.
More importantly, support Oda taking the time he needs. These breaks aren’t just schedule adjustments—they’re necessary for the creator’s health and the series’ future. A rushed, unfinished chapter is a clear sign that rest is essential.
Mark your calendar: December 21 for One Piece’s return, then prepare for a longer wait as the holidays arrive and 2026 begins.
For long-time fans: Remember when we used to get chapters every single week? Those days are gone, but that’s okay. We’d rather have a healthy Oda finishing the story properly than risking his wellbeing for a faster release schedule.
