Who Is Im?
In the vast world of One Piece, where pirates and marines clash for dominance, a shadow looms over the entire global structure. For years, fans believed that the Five Elders were the highest authority within the World Government. However, the Reverie Arc shattered this illusion by introducing a mysterious figure known only as Im (or Imu). Im-Sama One Piece represents the ultimate enigma—a being so powerful and secretive that their very existence is a crime to acknowledge. Residing within the flowers of the Pangaea Castle in Mary Geoise, Im is the true sovereign of the world, a hidden monarch who dictates the course of history from the darkness.
The introduction of Im changed the stakes of the series entirely. No longer is the struggle just about finding a treasure or defeating a Yonko; it is now a battle against a de facto god who has maintained a status quo of oppression for eight centuries. While their physical appearance remains obscured in silhouette, characterized by a tall, pointed crown and sharp, circular eyes, the impact of their actions is felt across every ocean.
The Empty Throne
The foundation of the World Government’s public image is the Empty Throne. Located at the center of the world in Mary Geoise, the throne is surrounded by twenty weapons representing the twenty founding families of the World Government. It was designed to symbolize equality among the nations, signifying that no single person sits above the rest and that the world is governed by a council of peers. This facade of democracy is what keeps the member nations in line, believing they are part of a fair and balanced system.
However, the existence of Im turns the Empty Throne into the world's greatest lie. When Im ascended the steps and sat upon it during the Reverie, it confirmed that the world is not a collective, but a dictatorship. The Five Elders, men who hold the highest public rank, were seen kneeling in total submission before Im, asking which "light" should be extinguished from history next. This act proves that the world's balance is entirely at the whim of one individual, making the Empty Throne a chilling symbol of absolute, hidden power.
Im's Powers Revealed
While we have not yet seen Im engage in a traditional duel, the glimpses of their power are terrifying. The most notable display of Im’s might was the instantaneous erasure of the Lulusia Kingdom. Using a mysterious weapon or ability often speculated to be the Ancient Weapon Uranus (or a Mother Flame-powered satellite), Im deleted an entire island from the map, leaving nothing but a massive hole in the ocean and causing global sea levels to rise. This level of destruction suggests that Im possesses "god-like" capabilities that far exceed the physical feats of even the strongest pirates.
Furthermore, during Sabo’s infiltration of the Empty Throne room, Im demonstrated a physical transformation. When Sabo attacked, Im transformed into a massive, beast-like silhouette with a gaping maw, capable of consuming fire and critically wounding a Logia-user. Whether this is the result of a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit or something more ancient and primordial remains a central part of the mystery surrounding the Im Sama identity.
Connection to the Void Century
The deep-seated hatred Im holds for the "D." initial and the Sun God Nika points to a direct connection to the Void Century. It is widely theorized that Im is one of the original twenty monarchs who founded the World Government 800 years ago. Specifically, many believe Im is Saint Imu of the Nerona family, one of the creators of the current world order. Through the use of the Ope Ope no Mi’s "Perpetual Youth Surgery," Im may have achieved immortality, allowing them to rule for centuries while the rest of the world remains ignorant of the true history.
Im’s obsession with a giant frozen straw hat in the depths of Mary Geoise further links them to Joy Boy, the original liberator. It appears that Im’s entire reign is dedicated to preventing the return of the "Dawn" and ensuring that the secrets of the Ancient Kingdom never come to light.
Im at Elbaf
As the story progresses into the Elbaf Arc, the tension between the World Government and the rest of the world is reaching a breaking point. Elbaf is known as the land of the giants and a place of immense pride and ancient knowledge. With the Straw Hats arriving at the giants' island, many fans speculate that Im may take a more active role in the narrative. Whether through the deployment of the Holy Knights or another use of their world-ending weaponry, Im cannot allow the secrets held in Elbaf—potentially regarding the history of Nika—to spread. The connection between the giants and the Void Century makes Elbaf a primary target for the "light-extinguishing" tactics of the secret sovereign.
Im vs Luffy Theories
The final conflict of One Piece is increasingly looking like a clash of polar opposites: The Warrior of Liberation vs. The Ruler of the World. Here are the most popular theories regarding their inevitable showdown:
- The Battle of Sovereignty: Luffy represents total freedom and the "Dawn," while Im represents total control and the "Eternal Night." Their fight will not just be for the One Piece, but for the fundamental nature of the world.
- The Immortality Counter: If Im is truly immortal, Luffy may need to find a way to nullify the effects of the Perpetual Youth Surgery, perhaps through the help of Trafalgar Law or the awakening of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
- The Ancient Weapons: Many believe the final war will involve Im utilizing Uranus against Luffy’s control of Poseidon (Shirahoshi) and Pluton, leading to a global-scale war that reshapes the geography of the planet.
FAQ
Who is the person sitting on the Empty Throne?
The person sitting on the Empty Throne is Im (Imu), the secret and absolute ruler of the World Government, to whom even the Five Elders answer.
Is Im-Sama a man or a woman?
Im's gender has not been officially revealed. The character is always shown in silhouette, and the name "Im" does not definitively point to a specific gender in the context of the series.
What is the Im Sama identity?
While not confirmed, Emporio Ivankov suggested that Im could be Saint Imu of the Nerona family, one of the twenty founders of the World Government who may have received the Perpetual Youth Surgery.
Why does Im want to kill Luffy?
Im views Luffy as a major threat because he possesses the power of the Sun God Nika, a figure associated with liberation and the "Dawn," which directly opposes Im’s era of darkness and control.
