Imu is the secret King of the World and the true ruler of the World Government in One Piece. He occupies the supposedly Empty Throne, commands the Five Elders, and has remained connected to the events of the Void Century for more than 800 years. Recent manga chapters identify him as Saint Nerona Imu and reveal powers involving demonic transformation, possession, regeneration, weapon creation, teleportation, contracts, and overwhelming Haki.
The public believes that no single person controls the World Government. Imu’s existence proves that this political system is built on a lie.
Major manga spoilers: This guide contains information revealed through One Piece Chapter 1188. Anime-only viewers will encounter major spoilers about Imu, the Void Century, Joy Boy, the Five Elders, and the Elbaph conflict.
Imu at a Glance
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Saint Nerona Imu |
| Position | Secret King of the World |
| Organization | World Government |
| Residence | Pangaea Castle, Mary Geoise |
| Seat of power | The Empty Throne |
| Subordinates | Five Elders and the Knights of God |
| Historical connection | One of the First Twenty and an enemy of Joy Boy |
| Known enemies | Joy Boy, the Will of D., Nefertari D. Lili, and opponents of the World Government |
| Known power | A devil-like transformation with multiple supernatural abilities |
| First manga appearance | Chapter 906 |
| First anime appearance | Episode 885 |
| Current status | Alive |
| True age | Not officially confirmed |
Who Is Imu in One Piece?
Imu is the hidden sovereign sitting above every known World Government authority.
The Five Elders are presented publicly as the Government’s highest-ranking leaders. In private, they kneel before Imu and carry out his decisions. This places Imu above the Marines, Cipher Pol, the Celestial Dragons, the Knights of God, and every nation affiliated with the World Government.
Imu was introduced during the Levely in Chapter 906. He entered a chamber containing a giant frozen straw hat before later sitting on the Empty Throne.
At that point, Imu’s identity remained hidden. His authority became clear when the Five Elders asked which “light” should be erased from history.
Is Imu the King of the World?
Yes, Imu is the secret King of the World, even though the World Government publicly claims that no single ruler exists.
The Empty Throne represents the supposed equality of the nations that created the World Government. Nineteen weapons surround it, representing the rulers who promised that none of them would claim absolute authority.
Imu secretly sits on that throne. The World Government is therefore not governed through equal international authority. Its most important decisions come from one concealed ruler whose existence is protected through censorship and assassination.
What Is Imu’s Real Identity?
The manga identifies Imu as Saint Nerona Imu, a member of the Nerona family and one of the First Twenty rulers associated with the creation of the World Government.
The First Twenty were the monarchs who united against the Ancient Kingdom during the Void Century. After their victory, 19 royal families moved to Mary Geoise and became the ancestors of the Celestial Dragons.
The Nefertari family was the exception. Queen Nefertari D. Lili refused to remain at Mary Geoise and attempted to return to Arabasta.
Imu’s connection to the original founders indicates that the present Imu is the same person who lived during the Void Century. However, the complete explanation for his longevity has not been provided.
Is Imu Immortal?
Imu appears to possess extraordinary longevity and regenerative abilities, but the exact reason he has survived for more than 800 years remains unresolved.
One possibility involves the Ope Ope no Mi’s Perennial Youth Operation. Donquixote Doflamingo revealed that this procedure can grant another person eternal youth at the cost of the user’s life.
The story has not confirmed that this operation was performed on Imu. His longevity could instead be connected to his own power, a contract, or another unknown mechanism. The Ope Ope no Mi connection remains a theory.
What Does Imu Look Like?
Imu was initially shown as a tall silhouette wearing a long robe and an unusually large crown. His eyes contain distinctive rings around the pupils.
Later manga chapters reveal more of Imu’s transformed appearance. This form includes:
- Curved horns
- Dark skin
- Light-colored hair
- Sharp nails
- Unusual markings across the body
- A large devil-like figure
- Black flames or cloud-like energy
- A long tail and wings in certain manifestations
This appearance may represent a transformation rather than Imu’s ordinary body. It should not automatically be treated as his natural form.
What Are Imu’s Powers?
Imu’s powers include a devil-like transformation, Omen manipulation, Conqueror’s Haki, regeneration, possession, Abyss transportation, Devil’s Contracts, Domi Reversi, and weapon creation.
His abilities combine physical transformation, Haki, supernatural control, summoning, and manipulation of other people. The exact classification and limits of every ability have not been fully explained.
| Power | What it allows Imu to do | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Devil transformation | Assume a massive supernatural form | Confirmed |
| Omen | Create and manipulate explosive black energy | Confirmed |
| Conqueror’s Haki | Overwhelm opponents with supreme willpower | Confirmed |
| Regeneration | Recover from severe physical damage | Confirmed |
| Possession | Control another person’s body from a distance | Confirmed |
| Abyss transportation | Travel or send others through summoning circles | Confirmed |
| Domi Reversi | Reverse a target’s nature and create a controlled demon | Confirmed |
| Devil’s Contract | Grant power and regeneration through a supernatural agreement | Confirmed |
| Weapon creation | Produce or transform weapons using black energy | Confirmed |
| Body enlargement | Increase the size of his transformed form | Confirmed |
| Immortality | Avoid death and possibly stop ageing | Strongly indicated, exact mechanism unconfirmed |
1. Devil-Like Transformation
Imu can transform into a massive devil-like being with horns, claws, markings, and supernatural physical abilities.
An earlier version of this power appeared when Sabo attacked Imu and the Five Elders inside Pangaea Castle. Imu changed into a large creature capable of consuming or neutralizing Sabo’s flames. The manga later provided a clearer view of this transformed state during the Elbaph conflict.
Although the transformation resembles a Mythical Zoan ability, its precise classification should not be assumed without an explicit explanation from the manga.
2. Omen
Omen is the black, flame-like energy Imu uses for attacks, defence, enlargement, and weapon manipulation.
Imu can shape Omen into projectiles, explosives, and extensions of existing weapons. It can also block powerful attacks. This makes Omen unusually flexible because it functions as both an offensive weapon and a means of altering Imu’s transformed body.
3. Overwhelming Haki
Imu possesses exceptionally powerful Haki. His presence can overwhelm experienced warriors across a wide area, and characters familiar with legendary combatants recognize the abnormal scale of his power.
This matters because Imu does not depend entirely on supernatural techniques. He also possesses the willpower required to confront the world’s strongest pirates and warriors.
4. Possession
Imu can take control of another person’s body. This ability was demonstrated when he possessed Gunko during the attack on Elbaph. Imu could speak and act through her while his original body remained elsewhere.
The full conditions remain unknown. It is unclear whether Imu can possess anyone or only people bound to him through a contract or the Abyss.
5. Abyss and Teleportation
Imu and his followers use dark summoning circles called the Abyss to travel across enormous distances. The Five Elders used similar circles to reach Egghead.
Imu’s power appears to be the source or controlling authority behind this system. The Abyss may also explain how he maintains a direct supernatural connection with the Five Elders and the Knights of God.
6. Devil’s Contract
Imu can establish contracts that grant extraordinary power, regeneration, and apparent immortality. These agreements require complete submission to him, making each contract both an enhancement and a method of control.
The Five Elders’ regeneration and the Knights of God’s unusual durability appear connected to this system. When Imu withdrew his power from Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, Saturn rapidly aged and died. This demonstrated that the protection granted to Imu’s servants can also be removed.
7. Domi Reversi
Domi Reversi allows Imu to transform people into demonic servants. The technique changes a target’s body, increases physical power, and places the individual under Imu’s control.
Those affected can develop horns, wings, fangs, and other devil-like features. Imu used the ability against members of the Giant Warrior Pirates during the Elbaph conflict.
8. Weapon Creation and Transformation
Imu can create weapons and alter their forms using Omen. His arsenal has included blades, firearms, explosive projectiles, and a transforming staff. One weapon configuration is associated with the name Nemesis and presented as a form of divine punishment.
9. Regeneration and Longevity
Imu can recover from injuries that would normally be fatal. Similar regenerative abilities appear among people empowered by his contracts, although Imu’s survival may operate differently from the protection granted to his subordinates.
The manga has not confirmed whether Imu can be killed, what limits his healing, or whether advanced Haki can permanently damage him.
Did Imu Destroy Lulusia?
Imu selected the Lulusia Kingdom for destruction, but the attack came from an airborne weapon powered by Vegapunk’s Mother Flame.
The weapon fired multiple beams that destroyed the island and left an enormous hole in the ocean. Vegapunk later explained that his stolen energy source had been used to activate an Ancient Weapon and erase an entire country. The attack also caused worldwide sea levels to rise.
Imu chose Lulusia because it was nearby, not because Sabo was hiding there. The Government discovered Sabo’s presence after the target had already been selected.
Did Imu Create the Mother Flame?
No. Dr. Vegapunk created the Mother Flame as an energy source. York provided part of it to the World Government, which used that energy to power the weapon deployed against Lulusia.
The manga has not officially confirmed the weapon’s name. Many readers believe it is Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons, but that identification remains unconfirmed.
Imu’s Connection to the World Government
Imu is not merely associated with the World Government. He is the concealed authority controlling it.
| Level | Authority |
|---|---|
| 1 | Imu |
| 2 | Five Elders |
| 3 | Knights of God and senior Celestial Dragon authorities |
| 4 | Commander-in-Chief and World Government agencies |
| 5 | Marines and Cipher Pol |
| 6 | Affiliated kingdoms |
The public structure hides Imu completely. Most Marines, government officials, and national leaders do not know that he exists.
This secrecy allows the Government to present itself as an alliance while Imu controls world history, military intervention, and political elimination from behind the Empty Throne.
Imu’s Relationship With the Five Elders
The Five Elders are Imu’s highest-ranking servants. They receive direct orders from him, bow in his presence, and enforce his decisions.
- Erasing prohibited historical knowledge
- Protecting the secret of the Empty Throne
- Supervising the Marines and Cipher Pol
- Controlling information about the Void Century
- Eliminating people who threaten Imu’s rule
- Managing the Mother Flame and other Government weapons
Their powers and longevity are also connected to Imu. Saturn’s death showed that he can revoke the protection granted to a subordinate. The Five Elders therefore depend on Imu physically as well as politically.
Imu’s Connection to the Knights of God
The Knights of God are an elite force operating under the authority of the World Government’s ruling class. They can intervene in matters involving the Celestial Dragons and carry out missions that ordinary Marines cannot.
Certain members possess abilities connected to Imu’s contracts and the Abyss. Figarland Garling, the former Supreme Commander of the Knights of God, was promoted to the Five Elders after Saturn’s death. His son Figarland Shamrock subsequently became a central commander within the organization.
The Knights’ actions on Elbaph demonstrate that they are part of Imu’s plan to prepare the World Government for a larger war.
Why Does Imu Hate the Will of D.?
Imu describes people carrying the initial D. as descendants or inheritors of the World Government’s ancient enemies.
The Will of D. is closely connected to resistance against the self-proclaimed gods of the world. Several D. bearers have destabilized the Government or challenged its authority:
- Monkey D. Luffy
- Gol D. Roger
- Monkey D. Dragon
- Marshall D. Teach
- Trafalgar D. Water Law
- Rocks D. Xebec
- Nefertari D. Lili
- Nefertari D. Cobra
Imu’s hostility suggests that the D. families carry forward the opposition that began during the Void Century. The full meaning of D. remains unconfirmed.
Imu’s Connection to Nefertari D. Lili
Nefertari D. Lili was one of the First Twenty rulers who helped create the World Government. Unlike the other founders, she did not become a Celestial Dragon. She attempted to return to Arabasta but never arrived.
Imu blamed Lili for scattering the Poneglyphs around the world. These indestructible stones preserved information that the World Government wanted erased, including the history of the Void Century.
Imu initially suggested that Lili’s actions might have been a mistake. After learning that her full name included D., it became more likely that she acted deliberately.
Lili’s disappearance has not been fully explained. Imu’s reaction strongly suggests that he was involved or knows what happened to her.
Why Is Imu Interested in Vivi?
Imu wants Nefertari D. Vivi captured rather than immediately killed. The manga has not officially explained why.
- Vivi is a descendant of Nefertari D. Lili.
- She may possess knowledge or qualities inherited through the Nefertari family.
- Imu may see her as a replacement for Lili.
- Her disappearance would remove an important political symbol.
- She could be connected to an unresolved event from the Void Century.
These are possibilities rather than confirmed motives.
Imu’s Connection to Joy Boy
Imu and Joy Boy were both active during the Void Century. Recent chapters show that Imu remembers Joy Boy personally. Their history appears more complicated than a simple conflict between two strangers on opposing sides of a war.
Imu reacts emotionally to Joy Boy’s Haki and to people carrying powers associated with ancient figures. He compares Luffy with Joy Boy while recognizing that they are not the same person.
- Imu personally knew Joy Boy.
- Their conflict helped shape the Void Century.
- Joy Boy remains Imu’s greatest historical threat.
- Luffy represents the return of the freedom Imu tried to suppress.
The exact nature of their original relationship remains unresolved.
Imu’s Connection to Luffy and Sun God Nika
Luffy is dangerous to Imu for three connected reasons. He carries the initial D., possesses the awakened Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, and repeatedly liberates people from oppressive rulers.
Nika represents freedom, laughter, and liberation. Imu represents control, secrecy, and submission. Their conflict is therefore political and symbolic, not only physical.
Luffy does not need to be Joy Boy’s reincarnation for this parallel to work. He has inherited the same struggle by carrying a power and purpose that threaten Imu’s world.
What Does the Giant Straw Hat Mean?
Imu keeps a giant straw hat inside a frozen chamber beneath Mary Geoise. The hat resembles Luffy’s straw hat but is much larger. Its size may connect it to Joy Boy, a giant, or another ancient figure.
Imu visited the chamber while carrying Luffy’s wanted poster. This establishes a connection among Imu, Joy Boy, Luffy, the straw hat, and the Void Century.
The original owner and purpose of the giant straw hat have not been officially confirmed.
Confirmed Facts vs Fan Theories About Imu
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Imu secretly rules the World Government | Confirmed |
| Imu sits on the Empty Throne | Confirmed |
| Imu is Saint Nerona Imu | Confirmed |
| Imu lived during the Void Century | Confirmed by current manga revelations |
| Imu personally knew Joy Boy | Confirmed |
| Imu can transform into a devil-like being | Confirmed |
| Imu destroyed Lulusia directly with his own power | False or misleading |
| Imu ordered a Mother Flame-powered weapon to destroy Lulusia | Confirmed |
| Imu received eternal youth from the Ope Ope no Mi | Not officially confirmed |
| Imu is Nefertari D. Lili | Not officially confirmed |
| Imu is related to Vivi | Not officially confirmed |
| Imu controls Uranus | Not officially confirmed |
| Imu created the Devil Fruits | Not officially confirmed |
| Imu will be Luffy’s final opponent | Strongly suggested, not officially confirmed |
Common Misconceptions About Imu
Imu Is Not One of the Five Elders
Imu ranks above the Five Elders. They kneel before him and enforce his commands.
Imu Did Not Create the Mother Flame
Vegapunk created the Mother Flame. The World Government obtained and weaponized part of it.
Imu’s Complete History Has Not Been Revealed
The manga has confirmed Imu’s name, political position, ancient connection, and several powers. It has not explained every detail of his origin, immortality, or relationship with Joy Boy.
Imu Is Not Publicly Known as the Ruler
Most of the world believes the Empty Throne has no occupant. Revealing Imu’s existence would expose the central lie behind the World Government.
Why Is Imu Important to the Final Saga?
Imu connects nearly every unresolved conflict in One Piece:
- The Void Century
- The Ancient Kingdom
- Joy Boy
- The Will of D.
- The Poneglyphs
- Nefertari D. Lili
- The Ancient Weapons
- The giant straw hat
- The Five Elders
- The Knights of God
- The destruction of Lulusia
- The World Government’s coming war
- Luffy’s role as Sun God Nika
Defeating Imu could expose the World Government’s true history and end the political order created after the Void Century.
This makes Imu more than a powerful antagonist. He represents the system that has controlled information, nations, and human freedom for eight centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Imu in One Piece?
Imu is Saint Nerona Imu, the secret King of the World and the true authority above the Five Elders and the entire World Government.
Is Imu stronger than the Five Elders?
Yes. Imu holds greater authority and appears considerably more powerful than any individual member of the Five Elders.
Is Imu a man or a woman?
Current manga material presents Imu with masculine identification, although earlier chapters deliberately kept the character’s gender ambiguous.
Is Imu immortal?
Imu has survived since the Void Century and possesses extraordinary regeneration, but the precise mechanism behind his longevity has not been fully explained.
What Devil Fruit does Imu have?
Imu possesses a devil-themed transformation, but the complete official explanation of its name, type, and limitations should be treated separately from fan theories.
Did Imu kill King Cobra?
Imu and the Five Elders attacked Cobra after he learned the truth about the Empty Throne and revealed Nefertari Lili’s full name. Cobra died while helping Sabo escape.
Why does Imu want Vivi?
Imu’s exact purpose is unconfirmed, but Vivi’s connection to Nefertari D. Lili and the Will of D. makes her politically and historically important.
Did Imu destroy Lulusia?
Imu selected Lulusia for destruction, while the actual attack came from an airborne weapon powered by the Mother Flame.
Is Imu connected to Joy Boy?
Yes. Imu personally knew Joy Boy during the Void Century and continues to react strongly to Joy Boy’s Haki, legacy, and successors.
Will Luffy fight Imu?
A decisive conflict between Luffy and Imu is strongly suggested because they represent opposing forces of liberation and absolute control, but the final matchup has not been officially confirmed.
Final Summary
Imu is Saint Nerona Imu, the hidden King of the World, an original World Government founder, and one of the central figures behind the Void Century.
He controls the Five Elders, influences the Knights of God, and secretly occupies the Empty Throne. His abilities include demonic transformation, possession, regeneration, Omen manipulation, teleportation, weapon creation, Devil’s Contracts, and Domi Reversi.
Imu’s history connects him directly to Joy Boy, Nefertari D. Lili, the Will of D., and the creation of the modern World Government. The remaining mysteries concern his complete origin, the source of his longevity, his intention toward Vivi, and the event that ended his relationship with Joy Boy.
As the Final Saga progresses, learning the truth about Imu will also reveal why the World Government erased an entire century from history.
