This Popular One Piece Theory Should Have Been Left Behind Years Ago

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Please be aware that this article reveals major plot points from the One Piece manga! For nearly twenty years, One Piece fans guessed who the ultimate villain would be. Then, in 2018, the introduction of Imu changed everything. Throughout the series, many villains have emerged, but Marshall D. Teach, or Blackbeard, stood out. From his first appearance in the Jaya Arc to his actions at Marineford, many believed he would be Luffy’s final opponent. While Blackbeard is certainly important, the true final villain is Imu, the enigmatic ruler of the world.

There was some debate about which of these two characters posed a greater danger to the hero, but the recent Elbaf Arc has made it clear who the bigger threat is. Both characters are important as the story heads towards its conclusion, but Imu is undoubtedly a world-altering force. The series has established that a massive war, left unresolved for 800 years, is coming, and it won’t be caused by Blackbeard – the true instigator is the person who holds the Empty Throne.

One Piece’s Imu Has All The Qualities to Be The Final Villain

The Empty Throne has long represented the equal partnership between the 20 nations that govern the world. It’s meant to remain unoccupied, as someone sitting on it would undermine the entire system. But the existence of Imu reveals that the World Government is based on deception and continues to oppress people through unfair rule. Growing evidence also suggests Imu is an immortal being who fought against Joyboy, a famous figure from a forgotten age.

The Elbaf Arc also revealed that Imu controls many powerful nobles and Knights in Marijoa. Imu has been granted immortality, but at a cost: they must obey every command, even against their own wishes. Imu can effectively turn people into puppets, and shockingly, they can do this from within Pangea Castle without needing to intervene directly.

This villain appears incredibly powerful with no obvious weaknesses, and we’ve only seen a small amount of what they can do. Imu was first introduced in Chapter 906, which came out in June 2018, and their actual appearance remains a mystery. While fans have come up with many theories about what Imu looks like, we won’t know for sure until the story reveals it officially.

Blackbeard Is Yet Another Crucial Villain in One Piece

Although Imu has long been considered the ultimate villain, Blackbeard is a major threat that shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s one of the most powerful pirates, proven by his consumption of two Devil Fruits – a feat no one else has achieved. The fact that he never sleeps only adds to the mystery surrounding him. It’s also incredibly strange that he’s the only character known to possess the enigmatic initial ‘D’ while being so ruthless.

Despite lingering mysteries surrounding Blackbeard, the Elbaf Arc finally reveals his father’s identity: Rocks D. Xebec, originally known as Davy D. Xebec. Xebec came from a famous family that the World Government had been hunting for generations. He died in God Valley 38 years ago, leaving behind a young son who would eventually become the fearsome pirate Blackbeard. Like his father before him, Blackbeard aspires to rule the world and is relentlessly pursuing that ambition.

From the beginning, Blackbeard was established as an ideological opponent to the main character. The well-known cherry pie scene highlights this contrast in a surprisingly complex way. Furthermore, Shanks, a central figure in One Piece, has been pursuing Blackbeard for years, recognizing the threat he represents. While Blackbeard will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for Luffy in the final arc of the story, the danger posed by Imu will ultimately be far greater.

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2025-12-11 02:10