One Piece: Imu's true identity and origins could be revealed at Lodestar, and the Empty Throne's design sets it up

Imu's identity remains one of the series' greatest mysteries in the One Piece universe, as they are the hidden supreme ruler of the World Government, commanding even the Five Elders. Introduced during the Reverie arc, Imu sits on the Empty Throne, a symbol meant to represent the absence of a singular ruler.

However, the Empty Throne's intricate design hints at a deeper truth, possibly linked to Imu's true nature. As the series progresses towards its climax, theories suggest that Lodestar Island may hold the key to unveiling Imu's origins and the secrets of the Void Century, positioning them as a pivotal antagonist in the Final Saga.

One Piece: Imu and the symbolism of nature

A giant Strawhat as seen in the series (Image via Shueisha)

Imu might embody mother nature and possibly take forms such as a cat, a lion, and a mermaid. In One Piece chapter 908, Imu sits on the empty throne with lion engravings, a detail that links to chapter 809, where Nekomamushi is introduced.

The governance of the Mink tribe, divided into a 24-hour cycle and further split into four distinct parts of the day, mirrors the division of the world into four seas, hinting at a deeper connection.

Nefertari Vivi as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu's name could be derived from "Exe," which is short for Evening and is hinted at through the clock symbolism. Oda often incorporates biblical references in his narrative; for instance, the name Lili, short for Lilith, sets a foundation for characters like Luffy as Adam and Vivi as Lili.

Imu appears to personify the Night, with the World Government's aim to extinguish any light, as mentioned in One Piece chapter 908, suggesting a perpetual darkness that will end with the arrival of dawn, ending an 800-year nightmare. The revelation in chapter 878 that Nox equals Night could indicate that the celestial dragons are the Night clan, with the D clan possibly representing the Day, Dragon, or Dream clan.

One Piece: Imu's connections to flora and fauna

Imu as shown in the Pangea Castle (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece chapter 908 introduces Imu in the Chamber of Flowers, further connecting her to the forest, while chapter 809 features Nekomamushi, the Cat Forest guardian. Shirahoshi's desire for flowers and forests in One Piece chapter 613 aligns with Imu's surroundings, suggesting a thematic link.

Additionally, chapter 806, when flipped, introduces Nekozaemon the cat, paralleling Imu's possible form, as seen in chapter 1085. The appearance of sea lions in chapter 608, reversed and flipped, ties into the symbolism of Imu consuming Sabo's flames.

The notion of two sovereigns, Luffy and Shirahoshi, representing Day and Night, mentioned in chapter 968, supports this theory. The four gods in chapter 287 might signify the four emperors of the seas, with Imu likely being the forest or earth god, positioning Shirahoshi as her reincarnation and successor. This animosity toward Shirahoshi in chapter 908 further solidifies this connection.

One Piece: Imu's potential origins and powers

Straw Hat pirates (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu could be a Cat-Fish mermaid, as indicated by mermaid traits seen in chapter 612. She might be the former mermaid princess from the Void Century, one that Joy Boy failed to save.

Fishmen are destined to abandon their island for the final island, which the Straw Hats will discover. One Piece, chapter 1069's revelation about devil fruits originating from the sea, hints at Imu's dominion over the sea, drowning devil fruit users as a manifestation of her power.

Franky as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Adam tree, described as a jewel tree by Franky in chapter 431, might be the source of devil fruits, connected to the tree that Imu controls. The Thousand Sunny, made from this wood, symbolizes dreams. The Adam and Eve tree could be one large tree spanning the world, tied to Bonney's jewels, caused by devil fruit infusions, as seen in chapter 1103.

The Sun tree Eve's ability to transfer light suggests that the Mother Flame might originate from it, a creation by Vegapunk to warm his home island, as revealed in chapter 592. In chapter 1085, Lili was revealed to have scattered the pone glyphs, possibly using the Paw-Paw fruit, which adds another layer. The sea cat in Jimbei's cover story finds a missing town, and the poneglyph might hint at Imu's ties to the sea.

Silhoutte of Imu (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu, possibly a Namazu catfish yokai, symbolizing natural disasters, aligns with her potential to have caused the world's sinking and the creation of the Redline to elevate sea levels. Otohime's description of Poseidon's power in chapter 626 correlates with the House of Nerona, hinting at Imu's role as mother nature.

The final island, likely Imu's original kingdom, holds the Void Century's secrets, with Lodestar as the precursor, representing a star leading to the endless night, mirroring Enies Lobby's endless day.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

In One Piece, Imu's true identity and origins, potentially tied to mother nature, could be unveiled at Lodestar. The intricate design of the Empty Throne and the symbolism woven throughout the series hint at a deeper connection to the natural world, setting the stage for this revelation.