Hello Worstgen members, hope you are all doing well. As per the thread title, I have a theory on Imu's identity and nature, and I will get into it as soon as I first clear the space with two disclaimers.
Disclaimer One: If this theory matches up with anyone's else's on this forum or elsewhere, you can be certain that I did not copy from them. I wouldn't describe myself as great, but to simply modify that old proverb ("Great minds think alike") to a more realistic form: "Similar minds think alike". It is absolutely 100% certain that a possibility exists that either someone else, or many people have drawn the same theoretical conclusion from their analysis. So even if this theory happens to already exist somewhere, as far as I am concerned no one has ever mentioned this possibility for Imu's identity before, because I have never read such material, at least not yet. I have no knowledge of anyone ever mentioning any Imu theory like this anywhere before.
Disclaimer Two: I can take an L on this theory just fine. My personal identity is not caught up in this theory. I certainly don't live or die by it. I am not going to feel personally offended by Oda or anyone if it turns out to be false, nor will I think myself some super genius if it is proven true.
Now, let me give you my theory with the explanation of how I came to this line of thinking below:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, I like to give theories and explanations of this nature in the form of a story - in this case the story is how I came to it, before the reveal of the Imu identity prediction.
It so happened that recently I started fumbling around on YouTube, and decided to check in on One Piece content. Believe it or not, for quite a many months now I have not been watching the Anime or really consuming much One Piece content at all - only following the manga, and not even super zealously, more laid back.
So, doing this I just happened to stumble by a video for Imu destroying, or at least orchestrating or commanding the destruction of the kingdom of Lulusia.
I refer to this:
I just happened to click it on my mobile phone, because I was curious. Mere curiosity, I wanted to see how the animators handled this iconic scene, and how it handles compared to the manga.
I was blown away - they absolutely did not disappoint. It was not just good animation - it is very much the musical track for Imu. The music absolutely helps make the scene.
Now how does that relate to my theory which I am about to share? In every way! The animation scene inspired it.
Let me be upfront with this. Absolutely 100% upfront. My Imu theory does not come from a great examination of evidence. I have not been analyzing manga panels and referencing old chapters from the Arlong arc days and finding foreshadowing or doing anything epic like that at all. There is no great detective work.
My theory is built one just this one thing... a feeling. A mere stupid feeling. You got it.
I am not ashamed to say it! Its just a feeling, not some great big analytical super-genius thing. And that feeling does not even come from the manga, this is the weird part. When I read and saw the scene in the manga originally, I NEVER, EVER had any idea for an Imu identity theory. None whatsoever! Only did it hit me when I saw this animated scene, and it hit me by means of feelings through the music. It was the music, from the Anime!
I realize that sounds absolutely retarded, and maybe on some level it is. For one thing, it is not clear how much communication and spoiling Oda gives to the animation team, at least not to me. I don't know if Oda took over the Imu scene directly, or involved himself with respect to choice of music or the use of what sounds to be a male voice actor for Imu. I have absolutely no clue. So again, I am the first to admit this theory could prove to be absolutely stupid and wrong, and a joke. It's based in nothing solid.
However, I would like to think that music is a language and a communication of language all its own. The intensity of the Imu theme from the Anime in that scene - to say it "speaks" may not be that crazy at all.
What do you guys feel when you listen to that musical piece that plays when Imu destroys Lulusia in the Anime? I am sure you must feel that it is incredibly dramatic, and intense. If that is the given feeling, that Imu's true identity would have to line up with that - it would have to be something shocking.
That shock hit me, and it came to me.
IMU IS LUFFY.
That is my theory, and perhaps in time it may become my own personal belief.
There are some scenes that I remember that may corroborate this idea, and I will share them. But first, let me highlight the meaning of what I am saying, and flesh out this identity further.
IMU IS LUFFY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IMU IS NOT LUFFY.
I don't know how it happened, or have any idea for how it could have happened, but somehow, perhaps by means of some eternal movement, or time travel, or what not a different version, parallel worlds or realities, dimensional travel - somehow this other version of Luffy came into headship and Power of the World Government. I do not know if this version of Luffy has eternal life (Trafalgar Law's fruit surgery) or if he is mortal in the midst of immortal beings (the Gorosei.). There is a lot to find out here.
I suspect somehow this Imu also once was Luffy. I am not sure in which sense. Perhaps they were originally one entity that shared one body, and got divided into two people and two forces, similar to the story of the force in Star Wars perhaps. Or else, Luffy simply changed his persona over time just as Obito did in Naruto - i.e. older "Obito".
What I believe in accordance with this theory is that Imu denies himself, and so he wants to exterminate or destroy Luffy to differentiate himself from Luffy. Luffy is symbolic, perhaps of freedom and unbound joy, and comes part in parcel with a laid back and childish nature- Imu is defined by radical control and misery, or callousness and a lofty intellect. He is "The Luffy" or "A Luffy" that chose to define himself and is character differently, of his own personal choice and will. Similar perhaps to Darth Vader/Anakin from Star Wars. A different persona that took on a life and self-awareness of its own. Something like that perhaps.
Now let me get to things that might line up with this identity theory. Now this is a stretch, but recall the scene wear Imu appears and stabs a dagger into the posters of Luffy, Blackbeard, and the mermaid princess.
In accordance with the theory of Imu being Luffy, this is then Luffy expressing radical self-hatred and seeking to cut of all past ties and identities, everything relating to the Luffy that once was in himself, and the current Luffy who he is not. Perhaps Imu is himself an expression of Luffy's possible or potential self-loathing?
Another thought, is the name "IMU". Perhaps it is a word play. Using "U" as an exchange for "You" and "Im" literally being "I'm" or "I am you" as the meaning of the name.
In this case "Imu" or "I am you" is with reference to Luffy himself, and is a word play from Oda. What would serve in a storyline of Luffy taking up that name and phonetic in particular, I have no idea - it might be a self-declaration of god-ship, similar to wielding a name that basically means "I exist" - a name that surpasses humanity.
I can break the fourth wall on this too. Perhaps Oda imbued some additional hinting based in some kind of personal or Japanese sprituality and theories of human consciousness, and then the "I am you" of the name might be representative simulatenously of all of us.
Regardless, it should be said - if this turns out to be the case - I personally don't think it is that original or impressive, though indeed it is impressive. What I mean is this - and I am sure all of you have noticed this by now in Japanese manga and anime - the conflict within one's self is an almost constant theme, a cliche, so to speak. As I hinted before with the Obito comparison, or perhaps those Juubi-human clones that recently appeared in the Boruto story. (P.S. Boruto manga sucks compared to Naruto manga.)
Also another incredibly great example of that kind of writing within Japanese Culture would be that character from Fate Stay Night who tries to kill his younger self from growing into the man who would experience the suffering he endured.
Another "Break the fourth wall" possibility is that Imu, if he indeed is Luffy, is playing the role of controlling entity in order to control none other than Luffy, to direct his growth into, perhaps an adversary or equal, or rival to contend with, or something like that - Luffy playing God with Luffy's life.
It would not be "a big shocker" for Oda to do something like this, though for some it will prove to be if it happens.
That is my theory, basically. IMU is Luffy, the Luffy of your nightmares, and an anomoly within his own manga.
[automerge]1705302850[/automerge]
Just adding some more that I just thought of:
Some people would say "That's basically a Darth Vader ripoff" - while there are similarities, this would still be quite different from Darth Vader. In the case of Anakin-Vader, they are two personas battling within one body. In the case of this happening, both personas have somehow separated into two physical bodies - it is more like Kami and Piccolo from Dragon Ball Z, then it is like Darth Vader, but also more like the Fate Stay Night example if true.
So I believe it would be argued that if Oda goes this route, then it is quite unique, and that unique nature of his approach to the villain should not be downplayed as if it is a perfect ripoff of someone else.
I also see another possibility as a spinoff of this theory, a sort of different version of the same theory:
It is possible that Imu is the devil that resided in the devil fruit that Luffy ate, and that Imu is a version of Luffy where the devil of his fruit actually took over his body. Again, still would be weird as hell for both to exist in the same world and timeline, and that would be a great mystery to solve.
Disclaimer One: If this theory matches up with anyone's else's on this forum or elsewhere, you can be certain that I did not copy from them. I wouldn't describe myself as great, but to simply modify that old proverb ("Great minds think alike") to a more realistic form: "Similar minds think alike". It is absolutely 100% certain that a possibility exists that either someone else, or many people have drawn the same theoretical conclusion from their analysis. So even if this theory happens to already exist somewhere, as far as I am concerned no one has ever mentioned this possibility for Imu's identity before, because I have never read such material, at least not yet. I have no knowledge of anyone ever mentioning any Imu theory like this anywhere before.
Disclaimer Two: I can take an L on this theory just fine. My personal identity is not caught up in this theory. I certainly don't live or die by it. I am not going to feel personally offended by Oda or anyone if it turns out to be false, nor will I think myself some super genius if it is proven true.
Now, let me give you my theory with the explanation of how I came to this line of thinking below:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, I like to give theories and explanations of this nature in the form of a story - in this case the story is how I came to it, before the reveal of the Imu identity prediction.
It so happened that recently I started fumbling around on YouTube, and decided to check in on One Piece content. Believe it or not, for quite a many months now I have not been watching the Anime or really consuming much One Piece content at all - only following the manga, and not even super zealously, more laid back.
So, doing this I just happened to stumble by a video for Imu destroying, or at least orchestrating or commanding the destruction of the kingdom of Lulusia.
I refer to this:
I just happened to click it on my mobile phone, because I was curious. Mere curiosity, I wanted to see how the animators handled this iconic scene, and how it handles compared to the manga.
I was blown away - they absolutely did not disappoint. It was not just good animation - it is very much the musical track for Imu. The music absolutely helps make the scene.
Now how does that relate to my theory which I am about to share? In every way! The animation scene inspired it.
Let me be upfront with this. Absolutely 100% upfront. My Imu theory does not come from a great examination of evidence. I have not been analyzing manga panels and referencing old chapters from the Arlong arc days and finding foreshadowing or doing anything epic like that at all. There is no great detective work.
My theory is built one just this one thing... a feeling. A mere stupid feeling. You got it.
I am not ashamed to say it! Its just a feeling, not some great big analytical super-genius thing. And that feeling does not even come from the manga, this is the weird part. When I read and saw the scene in the manga originally, I NEVER, EVER had any idea for an Imu identity theory. None whatsoever! Only did it hit me when I saw this animated scene, and it hit me by means of feelings through the music. It was the music, from the Anime!
I realize that sounds absolutely retarded, and maybe on some level it is. For one thing, it is not clear how much communication and spoiling Oda gives to the animation team, at least not to me. I don't know if Oda took over the Imu scene directly, or involved himself with respect to choice of music or the use of what sounds to be a male voice actor for Imu. I have absolutely no clue. So again, I am the first to admit this theory could prove to be absolutely stupid and wrong, and a joke. It's based in nothing solid.
However, I would like to think that music is a language and a communication of language all its own. The intensity of the Imu theme from the Anime in that scene - to say it "speaks" may not be that crazy at all.
What do you guys feel when you listen to that musical piece that plays when Imu destroys Lulusia in the Anime? I am sure you must feel that it is incredibly dramatic, and intense. If that is the given feeling, that Imu's true identity would have to line up with that - it would have to be something shocking.
That shock hit me, and it came to me.
IMU IS LUFFY.
That is my theory, and perhaps in time it may become my own personal belief.
There are some scenes that I remember that may corroborate this idea, and I will share them. But first, let me highlight the meaning of what I am saying, and flesh out this identity further.
IMU IS LUFFY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IMU IS NOT LUFFY.
I don't know how it happened, or have any idea for how it could have happened, but somehow, perhaps by means of some eternal movement, or time travel, or what not a different version, parallel worlds or realities, dimensional travel - somehow this other version of Luffy came into headship and Power of the World Government. I do not know if this version of Luffy has eternal life (Trafalgar Law's fruit surgery) or if he is mortal in the midst of immortal beings (the Gorosei.). There is a lot to find out here.
I suspect somehow this Imu also once was Luffy. I am not sure in which sense. Perhaps they were originally one entity that shared one body, and got divided into two people and two forces, similar to the story of the force in Star Wars perhaps. Or else, Luffy simply changed his persona over time just as Obito did in Naruto - i.e. older "Obito".
What I believe in accordance with this theory is that Imu denies himself, and so he wants to exterminate or destroy Luffy to differentiate himself from Luffy. Luffy is symbolic, perhaps of freedom and unbound joy, and comes part in parcel with a laid back and childish nature- Imu is defined by radical control and misery, or callousness and a lofty intellect. He is "The Luffy" or "A Luffy" that chose to define himself and is character differently, of his own personal choice and will. Similar perhaps to Darth Vader/Anakin from Star Wars. A different persona that took on a life and self-awareness of its own. Something like that perhaps.
Now let me get to things that might line up with this identity theory. Now this is a stretch, but recall the scene wear Imu appears and stabs a dagger into the posters of Luffy, Blackbeard, and the mermaid princess.
In accordance with the theory of Imu being Luffy, this is then Luffy expressing radical self-hatred and seeking to cut of all past ties and identities, everything relating to the Luffy that once was in himself, and the current Luffy who he is not. Perhaps Imu is himself an expression of Luffy's possible or potential self-loathing?
Another thought, is the name "IMU". Perhaps it is a word play. Using "U" as an exchange for "You" and "Im" literally being "I'm" or "I am you" as the meaning of the name.
In this case "Imu" or "I am you" is with reference to Luffy himself, and is a word play from Oda. What would serve in a storyline of Luffy taking up that name and phonetic in particular, I have no idea - it might be a self-declaration of god-ship, similar to wielding a name that basically means "I exist" - a name that surpasses humanity.
I can break the fourth wall on this too. Perhaps Oda imbued some additional hinting based in some kind of personal or Japanese sprituality and theories of human consciousness, and then the "I am you" of the name might be representative simulatenously of all of us.
Regardless, it should be said - if this turns out to be the case - I personally don't think it is that original or impressive, though indeed it is impressive. What I mean is this - and I am sure all of you have noticed this by now in Japanese manga and anime - the conflict within one's self is an almost constant theme, a cliche, so to speak. As I hinted before with the Obito comparison, or perhaps those Juubi-human clones that recently appeared in the Boruto story. (P.S. Boruto manga sucks compared to Naruto manga.)
Also another incredibly great example of that kind of writing within Japanese Culture would be that character from Fate Stay Night who tries to kill his younger self from growing into the man who would experience the suffering he endured.
Another "Break the fourth wall" possibility is that Imu, if he indeed is Luffy, is playing the role of controlling entity in order to control none other than Luffy, to direct his growth into, perhaps an adversary or equal, or rival to contend with, or something like that - Luffy playing God with Luffy's life.
It would not be "a big shocker" for Oda to do something like this, though for some it will prove to be if it happens.
That is my theory, basically. IMU is Luffy, the Luffy of your nightmares, and an anomoly within his own manga.
[automerge]1705302850[/automerge]
Just adding some more that I just thought of:
Some people would say "That's basically a Darth Vader ripoff" - while there are similarities, this would still be quite different from Darth Vader. In the case of Anakin-Vader, they are two personas battling within one body. In the case of this happening, both personas have somehow separated into two physical bodies - it is more like Kami and Piccolo from Dragon Ball Z, then it is like Darth Vader, but also more like the Fate Stay Night example if true.
So I believe it would be argued that if Oda goes this route, then it is quite unique, and that unique nature of his approach to the villain should not be downplayed as if it is a perfect ripoff of someone else.
I also see another possibility as a spinoff of this theory, a sort of different version of the same theory:
It is possible that Imu is the devil that resided in the devil fruit that Luffy ate, and that Imu is a version of Luffy where the devil of his fruit actually took over his body. Again, still would be weird as hell for both to exist in the same world and timeline, and that would be a great mystery to solve.
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