Oda confirms One Piece's most mysterious character finally appearing - Everything you need to know about the Man Marked by Flames

For years, there has been one mysterious character that has caught One Piece fans' attention: the Man Marked by Flames. Right now, after over two decades of this show airing, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of this series, has broken the silence surrounding this mysterious being. During the Jump Festa 2026, Oda left a message to fans that this figure (also known as Hinokizu) will officially appear in the manga in 2026.

All of the fandom is now carefully looking forward to the narrative because this means that their beloved series will be coming to an end soon. One Piece has already entered the Final Saga, but now this reveal also pushes the fact that the Straw Hats might reach Laugh Tale soon, the location where Roger has kept his treasure.

The information behind the Man who was Marked by Flames was part of Eiichiro Oda's personal message addressed to his fans during the Jump Festa 2026. In that message, he included things like what lies ahead for this franchise. It is important to note that this year's message has been a hot topic in the fandom because of how Oda described 2026 as the year of encounters.

He has promised some unexpected character meetings, rapid story progression, and major revelations following the Elbaf arc. More importantly, in his message, he has continued to confirm that he will finally be introduced as the Man with the Burn Scar in the manga. These are his words and not any speculation or fan interpretation. The creator has always been careful about how much and what he reveals to his fans, so this information was more than enough to send shockwaves through the fandom.

Who is the man marked by flames in One Piece?

The Man Marked by Flames, officially known as Hinokizu, was first mentioned back in One Piece Chapter 1056. Despite never appearing on-panel, he is already one of the most important figures in the series lore. Apparently, there is a chance that he has the missing Road Poneglyph, the final one needed to reach Laugh Tale. We know that without this final piece of the puzzle, no one would be able to navigate to that island. This means the crew that obtained it first will have a fighting chance to claim the One Piece treasure.

Why does his appearance signal the Endgame

Eiichiro Oda also teased the possibility that the Straw Hats in One Piece may set sail for Laugh Tale as early as 2026. This would imply that this enigmatic character will have to finally make an appearance, because the final Road Poneglyph comes into play.

And once all four Road Poneglyphs are in reach, the path to Laugh Tale is finally open. In other words, Hinokizu isn’t just another mysterious character; rather, he is a narrative gatekeeper. That is why his introduction marks the moment when the story can no longer stall. The final saga of One Piece moves from setup to execution.

Fan theories and speculation are exploding

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Whenever the creator ends up revealing any crucial information, the fandom does not waste any time as they start actively speculating. Now, the most popular theory is trying to decipher how Hinokizu could really be. Some fans believe that this mysterious being in One Piece could be a brand new character, while others are strongly leaning towards this being someone they already know.

The creator also promised that One Piece will move at an “unreal speed” in 2026. It is clear that the story is accelerating toward its conclusion. Fewer detours, fewer delays, and far more confrontations lie ahead. And in 2026, the man who holds the key to Laugh Tale will finally step out of the shadows.

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