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Discover the significance of the fearsome Imu in One Piece and why they deserve to be the final villain in the series.
One Piece follows the grand journey of Luffy, a young boy seeking freedom and aiming to become the Pirate King. Throughout his adventures, we run into a variety of rich lore, mysteries and threatening antagonists. Imu, a dangerous and enigmatic individual, falls under all three of these categories.
Despite having appeared minimally on screen, they have contributed to some of the most important moments in the One Piece storyline. Their continued presence throughout history and connection to the central themes of the story makes them the perfect final villain for the series. Here is a closer look at why.
Who Is Imu in One Piece?
One Piece has always been an unfair world ruled over by the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons. Nevertheless, there exists a symbolic empty throne in Mary Geoise, believed to represent how there is equality between nations and no single authoritarian entity.
However, this perception is completely false, as there is a secretive individual who sits atop the throne. This is Imu, the ruler of the World Government. This figure controls the Five Elders, World Nobles, and Marines, commanding most major powers in the world, despite their existence remaining unknown.
Most things regarding Imu are a mystery, their appearance, age, gender, and more. However, they have an acute dislike for the Will of D., the Poneglyphs and Joy Boy. They are ruthless in dealing with anyone who stands in their way, carrying out genocides simply to instill fear. As a result, they may have only appeared for a few chapters, but they are one of the most fascinating antagonists in One Piece.
Imu’s Connection to the Void Century
The Void Century is one of One Piece’s greatest secrets, with the World Government enforcing a global ban on its information. This 100-year period saw technological advancements and the rise of the powerful Great Kingdom. Unfortunately, the century ended with the defeat of the Great Kingdom and Joy Boy by an alliance of 20 kingdoms.
Since then, the World Government has erased all evidence of the Void Century. The only remaining proof lies in the Poneglyphs scattered across the world. However, the World Government actively seeks to destroy them. By extension, Imu, their ruler, is directly connected to the Void Century.
Emporio Ivankov claims that Imu has existed since the Void Century. Nefertari Cobra supported this by nearly revealing Imu’s link to the 20 nations that defeated the Great Kingdom. During their meeting with Arabasta’s ruler, Imu displayed great hatred for the Will of D. In particular, they admonished Nefertari D. Lili, who was responsible for spreading the Poneglyphs around the world.
Additionally, when Joy Boy’s Haki erupted in Egghead, Imu visibly recoiled, showing their distaste. After all this buildup, the Elbaph Arc revealed the grand secret of the Harley Texts. They described the Void Century in the “Second World”, where Joy Boy fell, and a global flood supposedly occurred. This directly talks about Imu and the unique power they possess.
In addition to being a mystery themself, they are responsible for the major events that took place during the blank period of the Void Century.
Imu’s Immense Power in One Piece
As we saw earlier, fans assume that there was a flood during the Void Century, as mentioned in the Harley Texts. During his final transmission, Vegapunk revealed that using the Ancient Weapons causes the sea levels to rise.
This all but confirms that Imu possesses the most terrifying power in One Piece, one that could end the entire world. As seen during the jaw-dropping sequence at Lulusia Kingdom, Imu used an Ancient Weapon to wipe out the entire populace. They coldly struck out Lulusia Kingdom from the map, showcasing no remorse.
In addition to this, Imu has potent abilities themself, creating arrow-like appendages that can harm the strongest of opponents. A great portion of their powers remains unrevealed, but they essentially control all the Marines.
While Marine units may not realize they are serving the bidding of one single person, they remain faithful to the World Government’s orders. This was seen when Imu sent out a Buster Call to destroy Egghead.
Therefore, Imu’s immense powers consist of control over the Gorosei, Celestial Dragons, God’s Knights, the Marines and Ancient Weapons. It is fair to say that no other figure in the series commands as much dominance as them currently.
Imu’s Role in One Piece So Far
In One Piece, Imu has been a figure operating from the backgrounds, though being the final call on important decisions. We have already seen how they were assumed to be responsible for Joy Boy’s defeat during the Void Century.
Following this, they were first revealed when Cobra was speaking to the Gorosei. After a short conversation regarding their dislike for the Will of D. and the Void Century, they killed Cobra, though Sabo witnessed the entire event. Soon after, Imu shockingly destroyed Lulusia Kingdom to show off their power and kill Sabo.
Thankfully, the Revolutionary escaped, sharing information about Imu’s existence with Dragon, Ivankov and others. Finally, Imu was distressed by Joy Boy’s Haki and Vegapunk’s message during the Egghead Arc. After the Straw Hats’ escape, they stripped Saint Saturn of his powers and killed him.
Every appearance of Imu has sent a chill down the spines of those around them, even in the case of the Gorosei. They have been responsible for mass murders, heinous events and the deaths of beloved characters. The God’s Knights’ presence in Elbaph can also be assumed to be under Imu’s orders, given the group’s service to the World Government.
Why Imu Needs To Be the Final Villain in One Piece
When considering the final villain for One Piece, it is important to take a look at the other alternatives. There is a significant portion of the fanbase expecting Marshall D. Teach, also called Blackbeard, to be the final villain.
Much like Imu, Blackbeard is also a figure shrouded in mysterious origins. However, he has been a recurring harbinger of chaos in One Piece. His rivalry with Luffy represents a contrast in ideals, where both of them stand for different kinds of freedom. While Luffy embodies being good-natured and inspiring hope in others, Blackbeard aims to conquer and gain power by any means.
As a result, it would certainly be exciting to see a final stand-off between Luffy and this villain. This would give the series a more grounded ending. Their relationship would also have a more personal touch since Blackbeard was partially responsible for Ace’s death.
However, for a tale as grand as One Piece, nothing would be more satisfying than having a legendary final villain. Imu is a figure who has made their name known across two worlds in the Harley Texts. We may not know much about them, but Imu has been the single most evil person in One Piece. They were responsible for several atrocities during the Void Century and aim to end the world in the current timeline.
In terms of stakes, there is little else an antagonist can do to appear more fearsome. Thematically, Imu is the perfect foil for Luffy in a manner Blackbeard cannot match. They are the face of restriction, monarchy and oppression. While the protagonist fights for freedom, Imu aims to impose control over everyone.
In the current context of One Piece, Blackbeard is the most immediate threat to Luffy’s crew. However, Imu is the ultimate representation of what Luffy and the Straw Hats have been fighting against all along. They stand for a world where the will of the people is suppressed by the iron fist of the powerful. For this reason, Imu, not Blackbeard, should stand as the final villain in One Piece.
Conclusion
Imu remains shrouded in mystery, but their actions and power make them the perfect final antagonist in One Piece. As the leader of the World Government, Imu is the last great obstacle standing between Luffy and the world’s freedom.
Facing Imu would not just be a personal battle for Luffy, but would be the culmination of the central themes of the series. It would be a fight against centuries of oppression, the ultimate fight for truth, and the final step in fulfilling Joy Boy’s legacy.
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