After more than eight years in serialization, One Piece finally introduced its main antagonist (and the final boss of the story) in Chapter 907 of the original manga. Their name is Imu, and they are the supreme ruler of this fictional world who sits on the Empty Throne, meaning that they’re also directly responsible for everything the World Government has done throughout the series.
To no one’s surprise, Imu is one of the most powerful characters in all of One Piece, as they possess demonic powers they can use to control the minds and bodies of other people, grant them extreme regeneration and immortality, and teleport them anywhere by using a magic summoning circle known as the Abyss. While Imu may seem nearly unstoppable, the truth is that there are a few characters that could actually defeat them in battle (and some of them will eventually do so at the end of the story), with the following eight being the most notorious examples in the entire series.
Nika
The Sun God Could Take Down This Demonic Entity
- Debut: Chapter 1018 (Manga) Episode 1040 (Anime)
Not much is known about the “Sun God” Nika, but recent manga chapters have confirmed that he’s no mere legend, and he actually existed at some point in One Piece’s vast history. For starters, he was present the first two times this world was destroyed, not to mention that he’s still idolized as a strong warrior of liberation, so it’s safe to say that he was extremely powerful.
However, the main reason he would most likely be able to defeat Imu in battle is his over-the-top rubber-based abilities that he used to both cheer people up and liberate the oppressed. In a way, Nika was like the antithesis to Imu’s dark powers, which explains why the supreme ruler spent so much effort trying to acquire and hide the Devil Fruit that can grant his amazing powers to any regular person who eats it.
Joy Boy
Imu’s Arch-Nemesis
- Debut: Chapter 1115 (Manga) Episode 1148 (Anime)
Needless to say, Imu and Nika never lived at the same time, but that can't be said about the legendary warrior who carried the Sun God’s legacy, Joy Boy. Not only was he the first pirate to set sail in the world, but he also ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, meaning that he wielded the rubber-based powers that would allow him to go toe-to-toe against the supreme ruler of the World Government.
While not much is known about the relationship between Joy Boy and Imu, it has been hinted at several times that they had some sort of fierce rivalry. After all, when Emet loosened a knot that contained Joy Boy’s Haki (which was potent enough to cancel the Five Elders’ Abyss), Imu could feel it all the way from Mary Geoise, prompting them to tremble in fear while they muttered their opponents’ name. This mind-blowing scene is undeniably proof that Joy Boy was able to beat Imu in combat, and he most likely came very close to doing so at one point.
Monkey D. Luffy
The Future Pirate King Inherited The Legacies Of Both Nika And Joy Boy
- Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)
Of course, since he’s the main character of the series and Imu is the main antagonist, it’s safe to say that Monkey D. Luffy will defeat them at the very end of the series. However, it’s worth pointing out that this story has slowly and organically built up Luffy as someone who one day will be able to confront and take down Imu once and for all.
Luffy is the next person in line who ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika and, after awakening the Devil Fruit’s powers during the Wano Country Arc, he became the embodiment of the Sun God, wielding some of the most over-the-top but destructive techniques in the entire series. Additionally, both Zunesha and Emet have claimed that the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates resembles Joy Boy in various ways, implying that he’s basically the successor to the legendary pirate who made Imu feel so terrified. Needless to say, the inevitable defeat of this villain is going to be one of the most satisfying moments in the history of shōnen manga and anime.
Shanks
A Powerful Haki Master Who Used To Be Close To Imu
- Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)
The ending of the Egghead Arc revealed that powerful Haki is capable of nullifying Imu’s demonic powers. While there are multiple proficient Haki users in this series who most likely could give them a run for their money (like Gol D. Roger or Whitebeard), “Red-Haired” Shanks is the most remarkable one, due to his prior relationship with the supreme ruler of the world.
Not only is Shanks the most powerful Haki master who’s still alive in this universe, but he’s also a reformed Celestial Dragon and Knight of God who had even made a binding contract with Imu when he was younger, until the Lord of Coast ate his left arm at the very beginning of the series. Shanks’ knowledge of Imu’s powers, combined with his masterful usage of Haki, definitely gives him a chance of clashing against the villain and living to tell the tale.
Rocks D. Xebec
Tried To Become The New King Of The World, And Imu Punished Him For It
- Debut: Chapter 957 (Manga) Episode 958 (Anime)
Rocks D. Xebec seems to be the only other person (aside from Joy Boy) who was able to get into Imu’s skin and introduce himself as a proper threat to the supreme ruler of the World Government. These two figures met fifty-six years in the past, when Rocks invaded Imu’s Room of Flowers and, after realizing that he was not strong enough to take them in a battle, declared that he would return someday to claim his spot as the new King of the World.
The villain took this warning very seriously, especially after Rocks slowly recruited his own crew and became the most dangerous and infamous pirate in the entire world. By the time of the God Valley Incident, Rocks’ Haki and swordsmanship skills were potent enough to defeat Imu in battle, which is why the supreme ruler basically took his wife and son hostage so they could take control of his body and ensure his defeat. If Rocks had been able to return to Mary Geoise on his own accord, he would have most likely taken Imu down by himself.
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)
Rocks’ True Successor, And His Biological Son
- Debut: Chapter 223 (Manga) Episode 146 (Anime)
While Marshall D. Teach’s true motivations still remain a mystery, it has been heavily implied that he’s trying to find the One Piece to take over the world, a dream he most likely inherited from his biological father, Rocks D. Xebec. It is very possible that Blackbeard is aware of Imu’s existence and has spent his entire life actively trying to get strong enough to stop their reign of terror.
If Imu’s powers do come from a Devil Fruit, then Blackbeard’s Yami Yami no Mi (which has the unique ability of nullifying other Devil Fruit’s powers) would be one of their biggest weaknesses, and it would explain why Teach spent so much time looking for it. Moreover, he wields the abilities of the Gura Gura no Mi (which he stole from Whitebeard) meaning that he can also unleash devastating earthquakes and shockwaves that can damage and disorient Imu, and maybe even destroy the Abysses they use to summon their allies. Most One Piece fans agree that the inevitable clash between these two terrifying villains will be absolutely legendary.
Kaido
The Strongest Creature In The World Earned That Title For A Reason
- Debut: Chapter 795 (Manga) Episode 736 (Anime)
Weirdly enough, many One Piece fans tend to underestimate Kaido and don't consider him one of the series’ most powerful characters, just because he was defeated by Luffy at the end of the Wano Country Arc. However, most people also forget that the young pirate was only able to achieve that victory after Kaido spent literal hours being weakened by multiple subsequent opponents.
Kaido is known as the Strongest Creature in the One Piece world, and he definitely deserves that title. Not only was he born with a massive and durable body, but his Devil Fruit, the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu allows him to transform into a giant azure dragon that can fly, breathe fire, and manipulate the weather. On top of all that, he also has complete mastery over the three advanced forms of Haki, making him a truly unstoppable force of nature. At the end of the day, Kaido wanted to go to war against the World Government, and if he had had to face Imu in a one-on-one battle, he would have come out victorious.
Loki
The Strongest Living Giant In The Whole World
- Debut: Chapter 1130 (Manga)
Imu was aware that the giant race was a huge threat to the World Government, which is why they spent many years trying to manipulate their ruler, King Harald. This years-long plan eventually succeeded, and they were able to possess Harald, but they were not counting on his first son, Loki, appearing at Aurust Castle and killing his own father to finally set him free from Imu’s control.
It’s important to remember that Loki is no ordinary giant, since he inherited Ancient Giant blood from his father, meaning he’s bigger and stronger than other members of his race. Additionally, he wields the legendary Warhammer known as Ragnir, which can be used to summon lightning and ice. But, of course, the most significant weapon in Loki’s arsenal is his Zoan-type Devil Fruit, which he consumed to stop Harald and is said to be legendary by the citizens of Elbaph. Considering that Loki is currently helping the Straw Hat Pirates defeat the Knights of God, who are terrorizing his home country (including Gunko, who’s being controlled by Imu themselves), it can be assumed that he’ll become one of their most important allies before the end of the series.
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga's popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
- Creator
- Eiichiro Oda
- Number of Episodes
- 1122
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.72
- Creator(s)
- Eiichiro Oda
