Who Are the Three Final Enemies in One Piece? Shocking Truths Revealed

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Summary

  • Akainu is the most violent antagonist & the most powerful Marine in the story.
  • Imu is the head of the World Government & the true ruler of the world for centuries.
  • Blackbeard may be the final villain of One Piece, representing the Inherited Will of Rocks D. Xebec.

The success of the One Piece series is significantly attributed to its diverse array of antagonists throughout its run. To make a story intriguing, the challenges that the protagonists encounter need to be formidable and engaging, striking a balance between their threat level and captivating qualities. One Piece has masterfully accomplished this equilibrium, resulting in some of the most memorable villains within the anime genre.

Although there are numerous adversaries that the Straw Hat crew must confront, three of them stand out as formidable challenges before “One Piece” concludes. These antagonists, whether due to their immense power, extensive influence, or concealed objectives, embody significant themes and organizations within the storyline. Let’s delve into who these major opponents are.

Akainu Is The Series’ Most Violent Antagonist

The Man With Some Of The Highest Kill-Count

First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 397, “In Hopes of Reaching the Future”
Story Arc Enies Lobby
  • Akainu is the most powerful Marine in the story.

Over the course of the series, only a handful of characters have significantly influenced Luffy’s path as much as Akainu. From the beginning, fans were warned about his brutality and ruthlessness, stemming from the destruction of Ohara and its inhabitants under his command. After being promoted to Admiral, his power and influence expanded substantially, even going so far as to claim the lives of Whitebeard and Ace.

I won’t forgive the evils of piracy!

Because of this situation, it seems that his future encounter with Luffy and some major characters from One Piece has been hinted at, which may occur during the Final War where they could be on opposite sides. With his power at its peak after the time skip, Akainu now serves as Fleet Admiral, significantly boosting his might as he stands for the pinnacle of the Navy. This makes him indispensable in the upcoming Celestial Dragons’ battle, and if defeated, it would signify the collapse of the Navy and its form of justice.

Imu Has Been The True Ruler Of The World For Centuries

The One Who Sits On The Empty Throne

First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 906, “The Holy Land Mary Geoise”
Story Arc Reverie
  • Imu is the head of the World Government.

For many years, followers of this franchise assumed that the Five Elders held ultimate power within the World Government and represented the final challenge for the protagonists. However, it was later unveiled that Imu holds the true sovereignty over the world, having ruled with an iron grip since Joyboy’s defeat approximately 800 years ago. This revelation established Imu as the head of all Celestial Dragons and the most powerful character in the series, possibly even among historical figures.

Wow, magnificent Imu! Greetings from the Five of Us! Is it time once more for a beacon in history to fade away? Your will, it shall be done!

Much like Akainu symbolizes the Marine force, Imu personifies the World Government, given their presumed role in forming the alliance between the 20 kingdoms that eventually established this organization long ago. For ages, Luffy’s confrontation with the World Government’s greatest antagonist has been foretold, as hinted by the Elbaf mural and instigated by Joyboy, who set the stage for this showdown. Ultimately, to overthrow the corrupt rule of the World Government and usher in a new era, Luffy must face and vanquish this villain, bringing about a long-awaited dawn for the world.

Blackbeard May Just Be The Final Villain of One Piece

The Most Mysterious Character Of Them All

First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 223, “I Promise Never to Fight in This Town”
Story Arc Jaya
  • Blackbeard is Luffy’s opposite and represents the Inherited Will of Rocks D. Xebec.

Since his debut in the Jaya saga, it’s been clear to me and many other fans that Blackbeard is not just your average cherry-pie-loving pirate. His roles across the series have been carefully crafted, setting him up as a thematic counterpoint to Luffy, who shares his ambition but for entirely different motivations. This intriguing dynamic has fueled speculation among fans that Blackbeard might be the ultimate antagonist in “One Piece,” surpassing Imu, the ancient ruler who’s controlled the world for centuries.

Fate has chosen me to conquer this world!

Blackbeard’s tale shares striking similarities with Luffy’s, hinting that they should clash before the story reaches its conclusion. Such a confrontation, ideally at the climax, would add significant emotional impact. Interestingly, Blackbeard’s Yami Yami no Mi seems to be the only Devil Fruit capable of countering Luffy’s Gear 5. However, it’s speculated that he might also acquire a Mythical Zoan type in line with his pattern of stealing Devil Fruits, as he already possesses a Logia and a Paramecia. If this theory holds true, there’s a chance he could even steal Imu’s enigmatic Devil Fruit, becoming the strongest character and the ideal final antagonist that Luffy must vanquish in the end.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-06-05 20:37