After more than eight years of fans waiting in the dark with thousands of wild and convincing theories, the “one who sits on the Empty Throne” – Imu has finally been revealed. This debut not only exploded manga forums but confirmed a terrifying truth: Imu is the darkest embodiment in One Piece history.
For nearly a decade, one of the most popular theories in the One Piece community was that Imu might be a woman, possibly Luffy’s mother or an ancient female figure. However, the latest chapter doused those speculations cold. Imu’s appearance is far from soft femininity, instead, it exudes a cunning, majestic, and threatening aura.
Here are five crucial details about Imu that you might have missed in the recent shock.
1. Rinnegan Eyes Make an Appearance in One Piece?
The most debated and eye-catching detail is Imu’s eyes. Previously, we only saw vague glowing red circles in the shadows. But in this close-up reveal, Imu’s eyes show concentric circles around the pupils, a design strikingly similar to the legendary Rinnegan from the rival series Naruto.
Although Oda and Kishimoto are close friends in real life, incorporating such an iconic design into One Piece’s main villain is a bold move. These eyes not only give an all-powerful, “seeing all” look but also hint that Imu might possess a unique ocular or spiritual power far beyond any Devil Fruit abilities we’ve seen.
2. The Echo of Darkness: When the Devil Sings
While Luffy’s Gear 5 represents the “Drums of Liberation”, a sound bringing hope and freedom, Imu’s appearance is accompanied by bizarre music. As Imu prepares to transform and reveal themselves, surrounding buildings morph into monstrous forms, and speech bubbles suggest they are… singing.
This subtle detail creates a perfect contrast with the Sun God Nika. If Nika’s music symbolizes freedom, Imu’s music is a song of submission and fear. It hints at a deep connection between Imu and Nika in the past, like two sides of a fateful coin.
3. Power to Manipulate and Materialize Elements
Imu is not just a political figurehead. Their abilities seem to mirror Gear 5’s powers but in a darker way. While Luffy can turn his surroundings into rubber and manipulate matter with playful imagination, Imu can transform lifeless objects like buildings into obedient demonic creatures.
This suggests Imu might be a second Sun God, but one of destruction. Imu’s elemental materialization turns the world into a horror stage where natural laws bend under their dark will.
4. Towering Height in Elbaph
A detail often overlooked due to camera angles is Imu’s true height. Previously, sitting on the Empty Throne, Imu appeared human-sized, similar to the Five Elders. But at Elbaph, Imu stands atop a building with proportions matching the Giant Tribe’s architecture.
This supports the theory that Imu can naturally manipulate their body size. If Luffy in Gear 5 can grow giant to face Kaido, Imu can become a true giant as well. The final battle might not only be about powers but a colossal clash between godlike giants.
5. Confirmed Identity: Imu is the Devil
Imu’s centuries-long existence confirms they are no longer human. In the latest chapter, Oda uses Katakana sound effects reserved for demons. While other characters have normal sound effects, every time Imu acts, the accompanying sound literally means “Devil.”
This is a subtle but powerful confirmation from the author. Imu is not a Devil Fruit user, Imu is the source or embodiment of the very concept of “devil” in the One Piece world. They are the direct opposite, the suffocating darkness confronting Nika’s light of freedom.