On October 18, 2026, Eiichiro Oda released One Piece chapter 1196 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 47, and it focused solely on one member of the Straw Hat Pirates, the cook, Sanji. Over the last few years, Eiichiro Oda has developed the character of Sanji absolutely brilliantly, and it can be said that he is arguably the best-written Straw Hat in the series. Sanji Vs Killingham, which is currently going on in Elbaf, proved to be no different. In this exciting battle, Eiichiro Oda wrote a unique plotline pertaining to Sanji’s lack of self-worth and how it was slowly pushing him to death.
Taking into consideration everything that Oda revealed about Sanji, it can be said that if there was one Straw Hat who could have died in One Piece, it was going to be none other than Sanji, due to his low self-esteem and lack of self-worth, which made him throw his life away for the sake of those around him at the smallest inconvenience. Now, however, Sanji’s biggest weakness has been mended, which has led to the birth of a conqueror.
One Piece Chapter 1196 Confirms Sanji’s Longing For Death For The Sake Of Love
One Piece chapter 1196 was officially released on October 18, 2026, as part of a successive release by Eiichiro Oda. The last two chapters of the story have extensively been focusing on Sanji’s battle against Saint Killingham, and needless to say, this fight is proving to be incredibly phenomenal. Sanji Vs Killingham technically isn’t a difficult battle for our cook. However, the fact that Killingham is immortal means that he simply keeps on regenerating from any injuries that Sanji deals to him. Without wielding and utilizing the Color of the Supreme King, Sanji cannot defeat Killingham, and that is precisely why this fight has dragged on as much as it has.
“Can’t you see? You won’t be able to defeat me! It’s because you don’t have it: the Color of the Supreme King! Now go, beg your captain for help, and tell him ‘I don’t have the Color of the Supreme King!’” — Saint Killingham mocks Sanji, One Piece Chapter #1196
One Piece chapter 1196 took things to a completely new level, and Sanji’s deepest fears were brought to life by Killingham using the powers of the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin, a very powerful Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit. Sanji’s biggest fear turned out to be Ivankov, solely because only he knew Sanji’s biggest weaknesses. Ever since Sanji’s birth, he has been ridiculed and left to die by his own family. His father wished that he would die, and there was a stark lack of love in his childhood. The ridicule and abuse eventually forced him to run away from his family, but when he did, his father was rather glad about it, which further lowered his self-esteem.
“Before you go, I have one thing to ask of you, Sanji! Don’t mention to anyone that I’m your father. The fact that you’re my son is a dark stain on my success. You’re my secret shame! Do you understand me?” — Vinsmoke Judge, One Piece Chapter #841
From the very beginning, Sanji never truly valued his life. When someone showed kindness to him, such as Zeff, who sacrificed his leg for him, Sanji decided to throw his entire life away for his sake. Sanji always had a strong longing for death for the sake of those he loves, because to him, that’s the only purpose that his life should serve. That is precisely why Sanji tried to sacrifice his life on multiple occasions for the Straw Hat Pirates as well, be it in the Skypiea arc, Enies Lobby arc, Thriller Bark Arc, Sabaody Archipelago, Dressrosa, Whole Cake Island, or any other subsequent arc. Sanji has always had a longing for death as long as those behind him are safe, and that is his biggest weakness.
All this stems from his lack of self-worth and self-deprecation, which is a direct result of the trauma that he suffered from the Vinsmoke Family. Now, however, with the release of One Piece Chapter 1196 on October 18, 2026, this biggest weakness of the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates is finally being mended. By sending Sanji to the Kamabakka Kingdom, where the Newkama were centered, Sanji was made to see his self-worth for the very first time during the timeskip, leading to the birth of a true king.
Eiichiro Oda Finally Teaches Sanji Self-Love
In One Piece chapter 1196, Eiichiro Oda finally taught Sanji the meaning of self-worth in a flashback that stems from a memory that Sanji had long sealed away. He was forced to see for himself what self-love truly meant. The Kamabakka Kingdom was the perfect place for Oda to send Sanji, and this is because all the people there loved themselves despite being ridiculed by the rest of the world. As long as one is truly filled with love for themselves, in their heart, they cannot be hurt by those around them. Only by loving themselves can they love others around them and cherish and protect them as well.
Ivankov: There is one thing my candies have that you don’t! Tell me what it is!
Newkama: I know what it is! It’s Self-Love!!!
Ivankov: Anyone who doesn’t love themselves can never truly love anyone else!”
— Ivankov confirms Sanji’s biggest weakness, One Piece Chapter #1196
Sanji’s love, as mentioned by Ivankov, was covered in wounds stemming from the abuse that he suffered as a child. Ivankov also clearly warned him that if he continued down this path, eventually his wounds would grow too deep, and he would not be able to protect those around him. In One Piece chapter 1196, Sanji finally understood what it truly meant to love himself and value his own life. Now, finally, in the battle against Saint Killingham, he is resurgent. From here onwards, Sanji vowed not to take a single hit from Killingham and, at the same time, to finally wield the power that is the Color of the Supreme King.
“Hey, Iva-chan! It seems that the day of my limits is finally here. I need strength right here right now. If I build up my defense, will I get stronger? While I need power, you’re telling me to take care of myself?” — Sanji thinks to himself, One Piece Chapter #1196
One Piece Is Finally Giving Sanji Supreme King Haki
At the end of One Piece chapter 1196, Sanji underwent a drastic change in personality after truly accepting himself for what he truly is. Sanji was able to cast aside self-deprecation and bring forth his true nature. This nature of his can be connected to the very same fake persona he veiled himself in when fighting Luffy in One Piece chapter 844. Back then, Sanji threw harsh words at Luffy, all of which stemmed from his desire to protect his own captain. This time around, however, Sanji is wielding a very dominant personality, which stems from his anger at the Holy Knights for harming the people who hosted him and his friends.
“I won’t take a single hit from you any longer. I don’t care if you’re a Celestial Dragon or whatever. You’re standing there talking down to me in front of the people who took us in. You’re getting on my nerves. Your head is too high. I said, bow down, horse-man!” — Sanji’s nature shifts, One Piece Chapter #1196
Sanji’s Prince persona is finally back, and this time, it is here to stay because it is a direct manifestation of his rage. No longer is Sanji shackled by his desire for death and a lack of self-worth. He finally understands what it means to love himself, and he knows that this love of his will only go on to help him reach new heights of power in the future. One Piece chapter 1197 will thus grant Sanji the Color of the Supreme King and allow him to surpass Saint Killingham for good. That’s something we absolutely cannot wait to see.
All chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
