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Imu-sama has always been the center of attraction for One Piece fanatics. The supposed final antagonist of Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus took more than a few hundred episodes to come to light. When using the term “come to light,” it means more like a bedside or a foot lamp’s light. As of now, the character has only been shown in shadows, with large red eyes and a crown on top of their head. During Nefertari Cobra’s assassination, it was revealed that they use an arrowhead tail-like weapon that can extend according to their will.
While the mangaka is slowly revealing things about the character, the fans are more interested in knowing the gender of Imu-sama. After witnessing Gunko getting possessed by Imu, more people have started to ask about their gender. While few claim them to be a “him,” others claim them to be a “her.” It is difficult to say which one is exactly true, but here is a fan theory that might satisfy the hunger for Imu-sama’s true gender.
Literal Meaning And Reference To The Void Century
The Void Century is the most mysterious period in One Piece, and everything that is happening in the present day is somehow connected to it. It is time and again revealed there were 20 Kings who collaborated to form the World Government, and Ivankov once mentioned that one of them was Saint Nerona Imu, who was also a “King.” Generally, a king is referred to as male, and a queen is referred to as female. Also, Saint is a male term, and Saintess is a female term. Everything from the Void Century is pointing Imu-sama to be a male, and that brings us to one side of the story.
One Piece Does Not Follow The Common Notion For Gender
When it comes to One Piece, it is seen that every pirate desires to become the “King of the Pirates.” Even the likes of Alvida and Big Mom are pursuing that title instead of something like “Queen of the Pirates.” It was also revealed that Dogstorm made Carrot the “King” of Zou, even though she is a female.
In most scenarios, the concept of gender is not linear in One Piece, as a single term can refer to both male and female. Likewise, the term “King” can be used for someone who rules or governs a kingdom; it can be used for either gender to do so. Imu-sama could have been a female who ruled a kingdom, and as a result, they were referred to as a king.
Devil Fruits Playing A Major Part In Imu-Sama’s Gender Revelation
Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, Gura Gura no Mi, Yami Yami no Mi, etc., are all overpowered Devil Fruits, but there is one Devil Fruit that is capable of defying the laws of nature to its core – the Ope Ope no Mi. As revealed by Donquixote Doflamingo, Trafalgar D. Water Law’s Devil Fruit has one of the greatest abilities in the world. By sacrificing the user’s life, one can gain immortality or perform the “personality switching operation” that allows one to switch personality with another human.
Both abilities play a major role in Imu-sama becoming the ruler of the World. It may have been so that Imu possessed the Ope Ope no Mi 800 years ago, and Nefertari Lily (from the Void Century) had the ability of the Ocean Devil Fruit, which is like the mother of all Devil Fruits. Imu may have used the personality-switching operation and changed personality with Lily. Later, she might forcibly make Lily, now in Imu’s body, perform the immortality operation on Lily’s body that had Imu. In this way, Imu gained immortality and became the Devil, who possessed the powers of the Ocean.
Even if Imu were a male, swapping into a female body could have turned them into a female, and over centuries, they might have risen from the common notion of gender and become the true embodiment of evil. It can be seen on Harley that Sun God Nika is facing a Demon with wings and a trident, similar to Imu-possessed Gunko. It could symbolize the fact that Imu is no longer a human, and thus gender does not apply to them. However, all these are fan theories and will only be viable until Eiichiro Oda reveals the truth.
Also Read: IMU-sama’s First Word and the Creation of the World Govt. and Celestial Dragons in One Piece Anime
One Piece manga is available to read on Manga Plus
Priyanko is currently pursuing his Master’s in Economics. He loves to read manga or watch anime in his spare time. He is a massive fan of One Piece, Naruto, and Haikyu. Amidst the Great Pirating Era, he wishes to become the greatest Hokage, even though he is short.
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