One Piece: 8 Characters Who Could Beat Imu

After eight years of hinting, the manga One Piece revealed its primary villain—and the story’s ultimate boss—in chapter 907. This character, named Imu, is the supreme ruler of the One Piece world, sitting on the Empty Throne and therefore responsible for all the actions of the World Government throughout the series.

As most fans expect, Imu is incredibly powerful in One Piece. They have demonic abilities that let them control others’ minds and bodies, give them amazing healing and eternal life, and even teleport them using a special summoning circle called the Abyss. Despite seeming unbeatable, there are actually a handful of characters who could potentially defeat Imu, and some likely will before the story ends. Here are eight of the most prominent examples.

Nika

The Sun God Could Take Down This Demonic Entity

Debut: Chapter 1018 (Manga) Episode 1040 (Anime)

Very little is known about Nika, the figure referred to as the “Sun God,” but recent events in the One Piece manga have proven he wasn’t just a myth – he was a real person who lived in the past. Evidence suggests he was present during the first two global catastrophes, and people still worship him as a powerful hero who fought for freedom, meaning he must have been incredibly strong.

Luffy’s incredible rubber powers, which he uses to help and free others, are probably his greatest strength against Imu. These powers are almost the opposite of Imu’s, which is why Imu desperately tried to obtain and conceal the Devil Fruit that gives anyone who eats it those same amazing abilities.

Joy Boy

Imu’s Arch-Nemesis

Debut: Chapter 1115 (Manga) Episode 1148 (Anime)

It’s clear that Imu and Nika didn’t live during the same era. However, this isn’t the case with Joy Boy, the famous warrior who continued the Sun God’s will. He was the very first pirate to sail the seas, and he ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, giving him the rubber powers needed to fight the World Government’s supreme ruler.

The connection between Joy Boy and Imu remains mysterious, but clues suggest they were powerful rivals. When Joy Boy’s incredibly strong Haki was released, it reached all the way to Imu in Mary Geoise, causing them to visibly fear and whisper the name of their opponent. This strongly implies Joy Boy defeated Imu in battle, and likely came very close to winning completely.

Monkey D. Luffy

The Future Pirate King Inherited The Legacies Of Both Nika And Joy Boy

Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

Given that Luffy is the series’ hero and Imu is the main villain, it’s highly likely Luffy will ultimately defeat them. The story has been carefully developing Luffy’s strength and character, gradually preparing him for a final showdown with Imu.

Luffy ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, and during the Wano Country Arc, he awakened its powers, transforming into the embodiment of the Sun God. This granted him incredibly powerful and destructive abilities. Both Zunesha and Emet have noted Luffy’s similarities to the legendary pirate Joy Boy, suggesting he’s Joy Boy’s successor – the one who made Imu fear him. As a result, defeating Imu will likely be a hugely satisfying moment for fans of shōnen manga and anime.

Shanks

A Powerful Haki Master Who Used To Be Close To Imu

Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

The conclusion of the Egghead Arc showed that strong Haki can counteract Imu’s dangerous abilities. Several characters in the series are skilled in Haki and could potentially challenge Imu (such as Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard), but Shanks stands out. This is because he has a history with the world’s supreme ruler.

Shanks is widely considered the most powerful user of Haki currently alive. What many don’t know is he once belonged to the Celestial Dragons and was a Knight of God, even making a deal with Imu in his youth. He lost his arm to the villain early in the story. Because of his understanding of Imu’s abilities and his incredible Haki, Shanks has a real chance of defeating the villain and surviving.

Rocks D. Xebec

Tried To Become The New King Of The World, And Imu Punished Him For It

Debut: Chapter 957 (Manga) Episode 958 (Anime)

Rocks D. Xebec appears to be the only person besides Joy Boy who truly frightened Imu, the supreme ruler of the World Government, and presented a real challenge to their power. Fifty-six years ago, Rocks led an invasion of Imu’s private garden, and realizing he couldn’t win a fight at that moment, vowed to return and take over as the new ruler of the world.

The villain understood the warning immediately, particularly after Rocks built a powerful and notorious pirate crew, becoming the most feared in the world. By the time of the God Valley Incident, Rocks was strong enough in both Haki and swordsmanship to defeat Imu. This is why Imu essentially kidnapped his wife and son – to control Rocks’ body and guarantee his loss. Had Rocks returned to Mary Geoise on his own terms, he likely would have defeated Imu single-handedly.

Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)

Rocks’ True Successor, And His Biological Son

Debut: Chapter 223 (Manga) Episode 146 (Anime)

Although we don’t fully understand what drives Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, it’s strongly suggested he’s searching for the One Piece with the goal of world domination – a desire likely passed down from his father, Rocks D. Xebec. It’s also quite possible Blackbeard knows about Imu and has dedicated his life to becoming powerful enough to end their rule.

If Imu’s powers come from a Devil Fruit, Blackbeard’s Yami Yami no Mi – which can cancel out other Devil Fruit abilities – would be a major weakness for them, explaining Blackbeard’s intense search for it. Plus, Blackbeard also possesses the Gura Gura no Mi, stolen from Whitebeard, allowing him to create powerful earthquakes and shockwaves. These could damage or even destroy the mysterious Abysses Imu uses to call for help. Most One Piece fans believe the eventual battle between these two will be an unforgettable showdown.

Kaido

The Strongest Creature In The World Earned That Title For A Reason

Debut: Chapter 795 (Manga) Episode 736 (Anime)

It’s strange, but a lot of One Piece fans don’t realize how incredibly strong Kaido is. They tend to downplay his power simply because Luffy defeated him in the Wano Country Arc. What many forget is that Luffy only won after Kaido had already been fighting for hours and was significantly weakened by several other opponents.

Kaido is widely considered the strongest being in the world of One Piece, and for good reason. He possesses an incredibly strong and resilient physique, and his Devil Fruit power lets him transform into a massive blue dragon capable of flight, fire breath, and weather manipulation. Furthermore, he’s a master of all three types of advanced Haki, making him virtually unbeatable. Ultimately, Kaido aimed to fight the World Government, and he likely would have won in a direct confrontation with Imu.

Loki

The Strongest Living Giant In The Whole World

Debut: Chapter 1130 (Manga)

Imu knew the giants posed a serious danger to the World Government, so they spent years trying to control their king, Harald. Their plan finally worked, and they managed to take over Harald’s mind. However, they didn’t anticipate Harald’s son, Loki, arriving at Aurust Castle and killing his father, ultimately freeing him from Imu’s influence.

Let me tell you, Loki isn’t your average giant! He’s got ancient giant lineage from his dad, which makes him way bigger and stronger than most giants you’ll meet. And he doesn’t just rely on size – he carries Ragnir, this incredible warhammer that can call down lightning and ice! But honestly, the coolest part is his Devil Fruit – a Zoan-type, no less! He ate it to stop Harald, and people on Elbaph say it’s legendary. Seeing him team up with the Straw Hats to fight the Knights of God – especially against someone like Gunko, who’s being puppeted by Imu – it’s clear he’s going to be a massive help to them before everything’s said and done. I have a feeling he’ll become one of their key allies!

2026-02-11 16:37