Who Was Queen Lily?
Queen Nefertari Lily was the ruler of the Arabasta Kingdom during the era of the Void Century, approximately 800 years before the current events of One Piece. She was one of the twenty founding monarchs who established the World Government after defeating the Ancient Kingdom. However, unlike the other nineteen rulers who moved to Mary Geoise and became Celestial Dragons, Queen Lily refused to live in the Holy Land. She intended to return to Arabasta to continue her reign, but according to historical records, she never arrived home. Her disappearance has remained one of the series' most enduring mysteries, fueling the Im Lily connection theory. It was recently revealed that the Nefertari family remained in Arabasta because of her decision, making them the only founding bloodline not considered Celestial Dragons today.
The Missing Letter
The mystery of Nefertari Lily deepened significantly with the revelation of a centuries-old letter passed down through the Nefertari royal line. Cobra Nefertari, the late King of Arabasta, sought an audience with the Five Elders to discuss this very document. The letter, penned by Lily herself, revealed a shocking truth: her failure to return to Arabasta was not a simple accident, but linked to the "scattering" of the Poneglyphs across the world. Lily's letter explicitly states that the Poneglyphs must be protected, suggesting she played a pivotal role in ensuring the history of the Void Century was preserved. This act is widely seen by the World Government as a blunder or a betrayal, and it is the primary reason why the Im Lily connection has become such a focal point for fans analyzing the true history of the world.
Im's Obsession with Vivi
Im, the enigmatic sovereign who sits upon the Empty Throne, has shown a disturbing and specific interest in Nefertari Vivi. During the Reverie Arc, Im was seen in the Room of Flowers holding a photo of Vivi, while photos of Luffy, Blackbeard, and Shirahoshi were torn to shreds. This fixation is a cornerstone of the Im identity theory. Because Vivi is a direct descendant of Queen Lily and bears a striking physical resemblance to her, many believe Im’s obsession is rooted in a past relationship or a deep-seated grudge against the original Queen of Arabasta. Whether Im views Vivi as a replacement for Lily or a "light" that needs to be extinguished from history remains to be seen, but the connection between the two characters is undeniable.
Connection Theories
Several theories exist regarding the exact nature of the Im Lily connection. The most prominent theories include:
- Im is Queen Lily: Some fans speculate that Lily did not disappear, but instead took control of the World Government from the shadows. In this scenario, she may have undergone the Perennial Youth Operation via the Ope Ope no Mi.
- The Grudge Theory: This theory suggests that Im was a contemporary of Lily who felt betrayed by her refusal to stay in Mary Geoise and her role in scattering the Poneglyphs. This would explain why Im speaks of her name with such apparent disdain and familiarity.
- The Body Snatcher Theory: A darker Im identity theory posits that Im is an ancient entity who has taken over Lily's body or is keeping her soul/consciousness trapped, explaining why the sovereign looks so slender and dwells in a garden similar to those in Arabasta.
- The Romantic Betrayal: Some suggest a personal, perhaps romantic, conflict existed between the two during the Void Century, and Im’s current actions are the result of a centuries-long vendetta against Lily's lineage.
FAQ
Is Queen Lily still alive in One Piece?
While she officially disappeared 800 years ago, many theories suggest she may still be alive as Im-sama, or that her consciousness has been preserved through unknown means related to the Void Century.
Why did Queen Lily scatter the Poneglyphs?
According to her letter, she believed the Poneglyphs needed to be protected and spread across the world to ensure the "dawn" would eventually come, suggesting she was an ally of the Ancient Kingdom's ideals.
What does Im want with the Nefertari family?
Im appears to view the Nefertari family as "traitors" due to Lily's actions. The specific interest in Vivi suggests that the lineage holds a key to Im's past or a threat to Im's future reign.
