Few have awakened this much interest and speculation over One Piece as the mysterious Imu. His true form is still unknown, so fans can’t help but think of questions and theories about the character. Eiichiro Oda cleverly fueled this intrigue by using silhouettes that look quite tantalizing yet do not reveal their original designs.
In fact, the revelation of Loki’s actual design surely was a shock. Oda’s silhouettes are far from being effective indicators of what a character really looks like, they are the farthest things from the characters’ true forms. So, it might be pointless for fans, trying to figure out what Imu’s design would actually look like.
Imu’s Secretive Identity Makes Him a Lot More Mysterious Character
Imu is the absolute ruler of the World Government, who keeps the secrets of One Piece hidden in darkness. Presiding over the Empty Throne, Imu has absolute powers and even the awe of the Five Elders. Still, his existence is known by only a few and kept secret from the rest of the world. Such mystery and secrecy only add to the appeal that fans have continued to speculate about and raise more intrigue. By concealing his looks and intentions, Oda subtly creates an aura of great power around the character, hence Imu remains an uncomfortable presence in most parts of the series.
Introduced during the Levely Arc, Imu coordinates some of the important action sequences from behind the scenes, which makes Imu the overarching antagonist throughout the Egghead Arc. Of course, since Imu’s true intentions and his actual appearance are unrevealed, he symbolizes the unknown that’s pulling the threads of the World Government. This masterful characterization makes him one of the most intriguing and mysterious figures in the One Piece universe.
Oda’s Character Silhouettes Can Be So Far Off Than Their Original Designs
Oda’s character silhouettes have become notorious for their misleading nature, and Loki’s reveal is prime proof of that. In Chapter 1130, Luffy runs into Loki, who is propelled by his (Loki’s) lust for the legendary Devil Fruit. However, in the panel, Loki’s actual design shocked fans as he shared no resemblance whatsoever to his previously seen silhouette. Such a drastic change proves itself to be a stark reminder that Oda’s silhouettes are absolutely misleading.
Now is Imu, the World Government’s shrouded ruler, about to follow this pattern as well? Fans should stop making further speculations and let Oda’s creative genius go beyond the initial impressions.
The Loki reveal is something a fan would take as a lesson not to speculate too much concerning Imu’s looks. Instead of the silhouettes, the fans must prepare for another Oda’s signature surprise. Imu’s design might turn out to be absolutely stunning, and intriguingly different from the expectations. This will again prove Oda to be a masterclass mangaka. So far, the mystery surrounding Imu’s appearance continues to capture the imagination of One Piece fans.
One Piece is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
