Introducing the final villain is always a challenge for writers, but Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, has done it exceptionally well with Nerona Imu. Revealed as the founder of the World Government in the latest chapters of the Elbaph arc, Imu now represents the biggest threat Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates will face in the story’s final arc. This feels similar to when Madara Uchiha appeared during the Fourth Great Ninja War in Naruto – a moment fans remember as the introduction of one of anime’s greatest villains. Imu has the potential to become even more iconic than Madara Uchiha.
How Madara Uchiha’s Shinobi Alliance Debut Set The Standard For Anime Villains
Madara is often ranked among the greatest anime villains, largely because of his incredible power. This was immediately apparent when he entered the Fourth Great Ninja War, effortlessly defeating an entire battalion of ninjas. Even the strongest shinobi, including the Kage and Naruto, couldn’t withstand his attacks. He was able to dominate them all with only a fraction of his full strength, nearly defeating everyone who opposed him.
Madara was an incredibly powerful and captivating villain. His strength, combined with a tragic backstory and desire for world peace, made him a standout character. He truly raised the bar for anime villains with his memorable portrayal.
Nerona Imu Replicates Madara’s Feats By Overwhelming Elbaph
Madara’s most captivating trait was undoubtedly his immense power, and Eiichiro Oda has perfectly captured that same feeling with Nerona Imu in the Elbaph arc. When Imu arrived in Elbaph, it instantly felt like the end of the world, mirroring the sense of dread Naruto fans experienced when Madara first appeared.
In One Piece, Nerona Imu embodies pure evil. His power is so immense that simply being near him caused strong individuals to lose consciousness. Beyond raw strength, Imu radiates an oppressive, devilish aura that corrupts everything around him. The recent chapter, One Piece 1180, showcased this power as Imu effortlessly defeated several of the series’ strongest fighters, including Zoro, Sanji, and members of the Giant Pirates. This display of overwhelming force is comparable to Madara Uchiha’s actions during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and arguably even more destructive.
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Breaking Down Imu’s Overall Power Level
A truly great villain needs to be immensely powerful, and Eiichiro Oda has delivered with Imu. He’s established as the strongest character in all of One Piece, having lived for over 800 years and remained powerful throughout. Even in his current, weakened state during the Elbaph arc, Imu is still incredibly strong and capable of defeating anyone who opposes him.
The Holy Land…I leave to thee. — Nerona Imu, Chapter 1179
Imu possesses a unique power stemming from the Akuma no Mi, an ancient fruit said to embody the power of a devil. When Imu activates this power, their fighting skills become exceptionally strong. Beyond physical prowess, Imu can also perform magic, creating powerful agreements called Covenants. These Covenants bestow incredible abilities onto their followers, including immortality, rapid healing, and enhanced strength.
He’s also capable of using spells to transform his opponents into demonic slaves, controlling them completely or destroying them with devastating attacks like Omen – a power that unleashes enormous flames capable of instantly defeating even the strongest characters in the One Piece universe. Imu is an incredibly powerful villain, currently unmatched by anyone in the series, solidifying his place as one of the best antagonists in all of manga.
Why Eiichiro Oda’s Final Villain Will Fix Madara’s Biggest Flaw
Madara Uchiha was a compelling character, but the way his story ended felt disappointing. Instead of a satisfying conclusion, he was used as a way to introduce and serve the plot of Kaguya Otsutsuki. Many fans also felt that the villain who took his place wasn’t as strong, ultimately detracting from the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Eiichiro Oda is taking a new approach with the character Imu, establishing him as a major villain with deep connections to the core mysteries of One Piece – including the Void Century, Joy Boy, and the world from 3,000 years ago. Imu could become an even more impactful anime villain than Madara Uchiha, but it depends on Oda continuing to develop his story and giving him a satisfying resolution.
One Piece chapter 1180 will be available to read on Manga Plus on April 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST.
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2026-04-16 13:34