Oda’s 20-Year-Old Thriller Bark Hint Finally Pays Off as Chopper’s Monster Point Reverses Demon Transformation in One Piece Chapter 1177

Chopper's Monster Point transformation - Source: VIZ

3/21/2026 6:49 PM

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A moment 20 years in the making has finally arrived. What fans once dismissed as a random rampage in Thriller Bark now appears to be the first clue about the true nature of Tony Tony Chopper’s Devil Fruit. The latest chapter of One Piece has confirmed what many readers are now calling the “Forest God” theory, connecting Chopper’s abilities to ancient powers that even Blackbeard may have been hunting for years.

The Scene That Started Everything: Chopper’s First Monster Point in Chapter 407

Back in Chapter 407, titled “Monster,” Chopper faced CP9 agent Kumadori during the Enies Lobby arc. Desperate to save Robin, he did something forbidden. He ate three Rumble Balls in quick succession. What followed was a transformation that Kureha later described as “a Devil Fruit going crazy.”

In the flashback shown during that chapter, Kureha told a young Chopper he had almost destroyed an entire village. She warned him that his power could destroy both friends and enemies alike. Chopper promised he would never do it again.

That moment introduced Monster Point to the world. A massive, mindless beast with strength beyond anything Chopper had shown before. For years, fans believed Monster Point was simply the result of overdosing on Rumble Balls. A dangerous but powerful tool that Chopper eventually learned to control after the timeskip.

But Chapter 1177 suggests Eiichiro Oda had much bigger plans all along.

What Happened in One Piece Chapter 1177

The official release of Chapter 1177 is set for March 22, 2026. Spoilers have already revealed a moment that changes everything about Chopper’s role in the story.

During the battle on Elbaph, two giants fall victim to Imu’s Domi Reversi technique. This ability turns people into demonic creatures under the World Government’s control. Earlier in the arc, it was established that killing someone under Domi Reversi could reverse the effect. Zoro even used this method against one giant.

Then Chopper stepped in.

Facing two Domi Reversi giants, the Straw Hat doctor took a Rumble Ball and transformed into Monster Point. He slapped one of the giants. The attack did not seem to cause physical damage. But in the next panel, a shadowy, demon-like figure emerged from the giant’s body. The transformation instantly reversed. The giant returned to normal.

Everyone present was confused. Even Chopper seemed surprised by what he had done.

The chapter reveals that Chopper did not kill the giant. He simply hit him, and the demonic influence vanished. This directly contradicts what the story established earlier about needing death or Conqueror’s Haki to break Imu’s control.

The Forest God Theory: Connecting Thriller Bark to Elbaph

Fans immediately connected this moment to the Harley texts introduced earlier in the Elbaph arc. One passage from these ancient scriptures describes a “Forest God” who “tamed demons.”

The connection is direct. Chopper’s Devil Fruit is the Hito Hito no Mi, a Zoan-type fruit that gave a reindeer human intelligence. But if the Forest God theory is correct, Chopper’s fruit may actually be a Mythical Zoan: the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Forest God.

This matches a pattern Oda has established. Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi was revealed to be the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Sun God Nika. Sengoku has the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu. Both are Mythical Zoan fruits with divine connections. Chopper’s fruit now appears to follow the same pattern.

The Forest God who tamed demons in ancient times. Chopper’s Monster Point slapping the demon out of a giant in Chapter 1177. The pieces fit together in a way that feels intentional.

What Thriller Bark Revealed About Chopper’s True Nature

Looking back at Thriller Bark with this new information changes how fans view that arc. Chopper’s first Monster Point transformation was not just a power-up. It was Oda showing readers what Chopper’s fruit could do at its rawest, most uncontrolled level.

During the Thriller Bark arc, Chopper used Monster Point against Oars, the giant zombie with Luffy’s shadow. The transformation was uncontrollable. Chopper could not distinguish friend from foe. He rampaged until his body gave out.

At the time, this seemed like a weakness. A consequence of pushing the Rumble Ball too far.

Now fans see it differently. That uncontrolled rage may have been Chopper’s fruit instinctively activating its full power. The power to counter demonic forces. The power of a Forest God.

Blackbeard’s Attack on Drum Island Takes on New Meaning

The Forest God theory has also shed new light on Blackbeard’s attack on Drum Island, Chopper’s homeland.

Years ago, before the Straw Hats arrived, Blackbeard and his crew attacked Drum Island. The damage was severe. The kingdom’s medical system collapsed, leaving only Dr. Kureha and Chopper as the remaining doctors.

At the time, fans thought Blackbeard attacked for no clear reason. He had already obtained the Yami Yami no Mi and was on the run.

But if Chopper’s fruit is actually a rare Mythical Zoan with god-like powers, the attack makes sense. Blackbeard may have known what the Hito Hito no Mi truly was and wanted it for himself.

One fan on the Worstgen forums wrote:

“Maybe Chopper’s human devil fruit really is special, and if that is the case, maybe Blackbeard’s goal at Drum Island was to get that devil fruit.”

Another added:

“Chopper reverting DR Giant will be due to his devil fruit, as it was hinted when BB was hunting strong DF users and Chopper said he must be careful, as a gag, but it will turn out it isn’t a gag.”

Chopper himself showed fear during the timeskip when the topic of Devil Fruit hunters came up. Usopp joked that no one would want Chopper’s fruit. What seemed like a simple gag may have been Oda hiding a major clue in plain sight.

How the Rumble Ball Unlocks Chopper’s True Power

Chopper’s Rumble Ball has always been unique. Unlike other Zoan users who have only three forms, Chopper developed a drug that lets him access multiple transformations. After the timeskip, he mastered most of these forms without needing the drug, only requiring it for Monster Point.

Some fans suggest that the Rumble Ball’s consistent use may have unlocked something deeper within Chopper’s fruit. Possibly pushing it toward awakening. The drug disrupts the wavelengths of a Zoan Devil Fruit user’s transformation. What if that disruption allowed Chopper to access powers that were always there but hidden?

The Rumble Ball may be the key that lets a reindeer tap into the power of a Forest God.

Sanji, Usopp, and the Crew’s Major Wins in Chapter 1177

While Chopper’s moment is getting the most attention, Chapter 1177 delivers significant victories for other Straw Hats as well.

Sanji, alongside Jinbe and Franky, successfully took down one of the God’s Knights, Killingham. The trio used a coordinated approach. Sanji handled the head while Jinbe and Franky restrained the body, effectively neutralizing Killingham’s regeneration ability.

Usopp also had a defining moment. Facing Imu (in Gunko’s body), Usopp delivered a passionate speech about Elbaph being the land of warriors. He called out Imu for using cowardly tactics and demanded a direct fight. Usopp then fired an explosive shot directly at Imu, though the enemy moved with incredible speed, and the explosion took down both Usopp and Brook.

When Luffy arrived and saw his fallen crewmates, his anger became visible. The chapter ends with Imu addressing both Luffy and Loki, calling Luffy “Nika” and Loki “Nidhogg,” delivering a message: “Nika and Nidhogg. Either choose to give up or die. This battle will divide the world.”

Release Information for One Piece Chapter 1177

One Piece Chapter 1177 is set for official release on Sunday, March 22, 2026. There is no break next week, meaning Chapter 1178 will arrive on March 29, 2026.

Global release times: