5 One Piece Characters Who Would Be Better Final Villains Than Imu

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The recent events in the Elbaf arc, and even before that, strongly suggest that Imu, the leader of the World Government, will be the final villain in the One Piece story. Having ruled the world for 800 years, Imu is responsible for the widespread inequality and prejudice we see throughout the series.

Beating a major villain is key to the overall story of One Piece. However, some fans think other characters could make even more compelling final villains than Imu. This article will explore those possibilities and explain why they’d be a good fit.

Some Fans Believe Shanks Could Be The Final Villain

The Child of Destiny

Most fans can’t imagine Shanks ever becoming a villain, but a growing number are starting to wonder if he’s been secretly working with the Celestial Dragons all along. It’s a surprising idea, but some believe he’s been deceiving everyone this whole time.

It’s very unlikely that Shanks will become a major villain, but he might still play a smaller antagonistic role towards the end of the story. Since his crew is also searching for the One Piece, they naturally clash with the Straw Hats. This could mean Shanks will serve as a final challenge for Luffy before he claims the ultimate treasure.

Some Think The Destroyer Nika Will Somehow Come Back

The God of Destruction

While it’s even less probable than Shanks turning evil, some fans speculate that the destructive version of Nika, worshipped by the Giants of Elbaf, might reappear. The story has also suggested some surprising possibilities about the still-unexplained Void Century.

It appears Imu was the main enemy during Joyboy’s era, suggesting the First World had a hero-villain conflict similar to the present. This connection leads many to believe the ‘Destroyer God’ Nika was a major villain in the past, and could reappear during the final battles of One Piece.

St. Figarland Shamrock Could Pose A Confusing Threat

The Supreme Commander of the Gods’ Knights

Like his brother Shanks, Shamrock is strongly suggested to be a very powerful and significant character in the story. While he’s likely not as strong as Imu, he could end up being a major antagonist for Luffy, making him a difficult opponent.

Shamrock might serve as a last-resort obstacle to stop the Straw Hats from claiming the One Piece. He could pose as his brother and use his connection with Luffy to become a compelling final villain, although not as powerful as Imu.

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Akainu Is Fated To Be One Of The Strongest Final Villains

The Fleet Admiral

Even before the two-year time skip, Akainu was established as a hugely powerful character in the world of One Piece, and he’s remained a major force ever since. With what many consider the most destructive Devil Fruit ability in the series, Akainu has played a critical role in Luffy’s story, most notably as the one who killed Ace and deeply traumatized him.

As the Navy’s highest-ranking officer, he’s a hugely important character in the world of One Piece. Because of his position and connection to Luffy’s story, Akainu would be a compelling choice for the series’ ultimate antagonist.

Blackbeard Is The Counter To Everything Luffy Stands For

The Legendary Villain

Looking at all the villains in One Piece, I’ve noticed most fans seem to think Blackbeard will be the final one. It just fits the story so well. From the start, the author, Oda, has presented Blackbeard as a kind of dark reflection of Luffy, so their eventual showdown feels like something he’s been building towards for a really long time – centuries, even.

Many fans predict a battle is coming, and believe Blackbeard will take advantage of the situation. He’s expected to intervene during the fight against Imu, likely to steal their Devil Fruit power and establish himself as the biggest threat the One Piece world has ever seen.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2026-02-10 21:41