One Piece: Eiichiro Oda's Insights on Imu's Revealed Appearance

The creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, has addressed fans' questions about Imu's appearance, but his answer may not satisfy them. Despite the main antagonist of One Piece still being unknown, numerous speculations point to Imu as the candidate. Imu's existence was revealed in 2018, shocking the entire fan base. Not only does this enigmatic individual possess the authority to occupy the Empty Throne, but even the highest governing body of the world, the Gorosei, pays homage to them.

Imu's face has never been revealed in the series, even after many years. Eiichiro Oda consistently portrays Imu as a mysterious figure, always depicted as a black, shadowy person. The Empty Throne symbolizes harmony and equality among nations. The underlying assumption is that no one, not even the Gorosei, can occupy it.

Ironically, only the Gorosei are aware of the existence of this seemingly immortal entity, who has been hidden in the shadows since the Void Century. Given this enigma, fans naturally anticipate Imu to potentially emerge as the main antagonist. When a fan inquired about Imu's appearance, Eiichiro Oda provided the following response.

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda answers a question about Imu’s appearance in SBS Volume 107

The SBS (Shitsumon o Bosh Suru), meaning "I'm Taking Questions," serves as a dedicated section where Eiichiro Oda addresses fans' inquiries regarding various aspects. These questions predominantly revolve around the series itself and seek clarification on any perplexing elements.

Depending on the question, Oda's responses can range from concise and sassy to detailed and comprehensive. In the recently released SBS Volume 107, a fan inquired whether Imu-sama's true appearance might feature a distinctly pointed mouth.

However, Eiichiro Oda simply replied, "Alright, I will keep this message as it is." Fans often avoid asking questions that would reveal major spoilers, which is why this particular fan only wanted to confirm if the mysterious sovereign had a pointed mouth. However, the creator declined to answer, as it could potentially provide hints about Imu's true identity.

If Imu were to possess a distinct appearance, it is possible that they are not human. However, the series has only hinted at their immortality and their status as one of the twenty rulers from the allied nations that formed the World Government, at least for now.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am intrigued by Eiichiro Oda's approach to revealing Imu's appearance in One Piece. The fact that Imu's face has never been revealed, despite being a central figure in the series, adds to the mystery surrounding this character. Oda's decision to keep Imu's appearance a secret suggests that there is more to this character than meets the eye, and I am excited to learn more about their true identity and motivations.

The SBS section, where Oda addresses fan questions, provides a glimpse into the creative process behind One Piece. Oda's response to the fan's question about Imu's appearance suggests that he is carefully considering how to reveal this character's true form in a way that will have a significant impact on the story. The fact that Oda declined to answer the question directly indicates that Imu's appearance may be a crucial plot point that he wants to keep under wraps for now.