Peter Pan may be Oda's true inspiration for One Piece's Imu

Imu is one of the most mysterious characters from One Piece, be it their gender or identity in general. The character has numerous speculated inspirations, from other media projects or different mythologies, so fans are desperate to know who the World Government leader is. However, the true inspiration of this sinister personality might be from everyone's childhood.

The character might be inspired by an old Disney movie, which most fans enjoyed when they were younger. Be it their immortal status, hate for pirates or even the people related to them, Peter Pan might be the true inspiration for Imu. While it might sound delusional, it could be Eiichiro Oda's way of turning everyone's childhood memories into a nightmare.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the One Piece manga series and has the author's opinion.

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One Piece: Exploring the similarities between Imu and Peter Pan

Imu as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu, or Im-sama, is the World Government leader and the person with the highest authority on the Grand Line. They are the ruler of the Five Elders and have some mysterious powers that are yet to be revealed (like their gender and reality). With a character surrounded by such mystery, fans are desperate to know who Imu might be.

Funnily enough, the World Government leader might be inspired by a childhood movie protagonist of fans. Peter Pan is a 1953 cartoon film based on J. M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy. The story is centered around Wendy and her brother who travel to Neverland with a flying boy named Peter (who refuses to grow up).

The movie symbolizes the fun of being a child and undertones the value of friendship. Given its plotline, the movie might sound like just another fairy tale adapted by Disney. But it holds some dark points, and all of them are centered around the protagonist, Peter Pan, which might tie him with the World Government Leader.

The Gorosei as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Apart from not growing up and being a stubborn character, Peter Pan was eternally young. Due to his stubbornness, Peter Pan also committed dark acts (similar to how Imu destroyed an entire kingdom to test a weapon). That could be seen with Imu's obsession with Lili whom they are still obsessed with even after the death of Lili.

Peter Pan also hated the main antagonist Captain Hook paralleling Imu's hate for pirates like JoyBoy. Lastly, Peter Pan led a group of boys, the Lost Boys, who also shared eternal youth, which could tie well with Imu's authority over the Gorosei. All of these points hint that the World Government leader might be inspired by a fairy tale from everyone's childhood.

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Analysis and Final Thoughts

Imu as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

When seen from a different angle, Peter Pan also featured two sides, both of which could be considered wrong (because Peter and Captain Hook were both selfish and refused to change).

It could also be considered parallel to One Piece where the people of the Grand Line consider pirates wrong even though the World Government is also as bad (if not more).

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Related Links

• Nerona Imu's naming inspiration may foreshadow their role in One Piece
• One Piece: Imu's powers are based on an unexpected J.R.R Tolkien inspiration
• Imu and the Gorosei's deaths in One Piece may be revealed via Hindu mythology