First off, this is going to be a long theory and, in a way, it connects to my previous theory about Imu. I would have liked to use images to make this theory more appealing, but unfortunately, I haven't yet found a good way to include them in this forum. So, I'll try to present it in a somewhat interesting way without pictures.
So, let's begin. I think I've either come pretty, pretty close to Oda's inspiration for Imu, or I might even have deciphered his powers. At least, I've never been as certain about a theory as I am now.
Without giving too much away: There's a being. A being whose characteristics are surprisingly good, almost a perfect match, for Imu. And not just for Imu. Elements are also woven into other parts of the story that contain certain allusions or key overlaps. But one thing at a time. Let's start with where this being lives. It feels most at home in floral areas, with trees and overgrowth. Doesn't that remind you of the flower room in Pangea? This being can be summoned through a pact, and if it becomes too powerful, it can possess its bearer. We've seen these elements with Imu many times before. There are three different pacts that can be made with Imu, each one amplifying its influence on the bearer of the mark, to the point where Imu can even take over their body. Think Saturn or Gunko. Furthermore it's known to be a shapeshifter, but it always uses animal forms. One well-known example is a Three-Legged Horse that's faster than any other horse. The Five Elders immediately come to mind, all of whom can assume animal forms, only animals, no other power; one of them is even a horse, who would have guessed? Anyone thinking, "Wow, those are some complex abilities," should buckle up, because this being's abilities are indeed complex and diverse, and they all play a meaningful role in the One Piece story.
... In its true form, this creature is often described as wearing long robes, seemingly floating above the ground, with glowing red eyes (oh yes) and a veil around its head. Oda, we know exactly what you've done here. This is literally, literally Imu's appearance. At least, as we know it now. But remember, this creature is a shapeshifter and has many forms. This is just the most common.
Before I reveal the creature's name, I'd like to list the attributes ascribed to it, and let me tell you one thing: Every single attribute can be found as a Devil Fruit power in Blackbeard's crew. Coincidence? Intentional? Mistake? I have no idea. The following attributes are ascribed to this creature and its power.
Invisibility: Shiryu
Abnormal Strength: Burgess
Shapeshifting: Devon
Disease Spreader: Doc Q
Admittedly, not all of the Blackbeard Crew's Devil Fruit abilities are fully depicted, but that's not even necessary to recognize that the variability combined with the overlap was definitely no accident. Oda certainly included it intentionally, but the question remains: why? Normally, Blackbeard's Devil Fruits are hand-picked. However, the Mera Mera No Mi was actually supposed to be for Burgess. A distraction?
Now we know most of her abilities and her appearance. And there are very strong correlations. So how can we logically integrate this obvious inspiration for Imu? Specifically, how do these extraordinary powers fit into a world of Devil Fruits, Haki, different species, and, so far, no introduced supernatural beings? So lets make it make sense.
Lets make it short, since I dont believe that Oda will introduce a supernatural being, and it powers does not fit into the Haki category, it has to be a devil fruit.
Souls and everything surrounding them are nothing new. Brook and Big Mom are the best examples that souls in One Piece are indeed real and relevant; you can even see, manipulate, and extract them. This fact will become very important. Oda has often used two Devil Fruits of the same type with slight variations, e.g., fire/magma, weapon/blade, ice/snow, and I believe he'll do the same with Brook. Brook's Devil Fruit works like this: He eats it, nothing happens at first, he dies. His soul then seeks out his body and gives him new life. What if I were to mention that the principle of two souls is a core element of the mythology from which this being originates? Legend says that a person possesses two souls. A good one, which leaves the earthly world after death (Brook's ability, which, among other things, allows him to travel to the world of the dead), and the bad soul, a shadow soul, which is bound to the earthly world. This driven soul seeks solace, justice, and revenge. From this soul, this being is born. The fact is, therefore, the user is already dead and continues to exist through the Devil Fruit. So Imu ist in fact already dead. This is why both Imu and Brook were able to survive for decades and, in some cases, centuries. So, if the Devil Fruit enabled Imu to partially transfer his powers to others through a pact, then that would explain how he was able to raise the Five Elders to be so loyal and why they are able to transform. And it explains why Saturn fell to the ground as a skeleton when Imu drained his powers. He didn't kill him from a distance. He was already dead. Just like the other elders. They are living corpses.
The creature originates from Jamaican mythology, where it's called Duppy. Imu could therefore be the user of the Duppy Devil Fruit—a stronger, darker version of Brook's Devil Fruit, who, incidentally, has an obvious connection to Gunko, Imu's most loyal servant. Coincidence?
Incidentally, since Duppys have several forms, here's another addition: The form "The rolling calf" is actually depicted with a devil-like tail, as we have already seen with Imu. When the Duppy gains aclot of Power, he is able to possess the human completely. This could represent the fourth, as yet unknown, degree of the pact, the one involving the five sages and Gunko. We saw with Saturn and Gunko how he took over their bodies. But even lower forms of the pact have allowed him to impose his will
The connection to Davy Jones: According to Wikipedia, there are several theories about the origin of the name Davy Jones. One of them is, quote: In the West Indies, the term "Duppy" refers to a malevolent spirit. The surname Jones could derive from the prophet Jonah, whose story is associated with misfortune for sailors.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily have to be the actual reason, but the fact that it is being considered as a possibility cannot be argued away, given the parallels between Imu and the Duppy. Furthermore, Nico Robin also mentioned the Davy Jones Locker, a euphemism for death, a sailor's wet grave. The connection between death, Davy Jones, and Imu leads me to suspect that Davy Jones and Imu are one and the same person. Perhaps the loss of Lily symbolizes eternal grief and the search for solace. That's why Imu has hung up a huge painting of Lily and looks at Vivi as her reflection.
I believe Thriller Bark gave a good glimpse of this ability. It introduced the existence of the human shadow, which can be separated from the body by Moria's power and implanted into another body. But even this power could be suppressed by salt, the purest form of the sea, and the shadows would be instantly separated from the bottled body. Would this also happen to the elders if they came into contact with the sea or seastone?
One last thing: Duppy gains strength when the sun sets and weakens when the sun rises or light enters the sky. When Luffy parts the cloudy sky, this shouldn't just be symbolic, demonstrating his Haki strength, but also a way to weaken Imu.
I am very confident, that this was the Inspiration for Imu.
But I am not sure about the real identity of Imu.
What are your thoughts?
[automerge]1768599635[/automerge]
PS: It's said that salt and rice keep the evil Duppy away because he's too busy counting the grains. Lol, great. Is that the explanation for why the sea is the Devil Fruit's weak point?
So, let's begin. I think I've either come pretty, pretty close to Oda's inspiration for Imu, or I might even have deciphered his powers. At least, I've never been as certain about a theory as I am now.
Without giving too much away: There's a being. A being whose characteristics are surprisingly good, almost a perfect match, for Imu. And not just for Imu. Elements are also woven into other parts of the story that contain certain allusions or key overlaps. But one thing at a time. Let's start with where this being lives. It feels most at home in floral areas, with trees and overgrowth. Doesn't that remind you of the flower room in Pangea? This being can be summoned through a pact, and if it becomes too powerful, it can possess its bearer. We've seen these elements with Imu many times before. There are three different pacts that can be made with Imu, each one amplifying its influence on the bearer of the mark, to the point where Imu can even take over their body. Think Saturn or Gunko. Furthermore it's known to be a shapeshifter, but it always uses animal forms. One well-known example is a Three-Legged Horse that's faster than any other horse. The Five Elders immediately come to mind, all of whom can assume animal forms, only animals, no other power; one of them is even a horse, who would have guessed? Anyone thinking, "Wow, those are some complex abilities," should buckle up, because this being's abilities are indeed complex and diverse, and they all play a meaningful role in the One Piece story.
... In its true form, this creature is often described as wearing long robes, seemingly floating above the ground, with glowing red eyes (oh yes) and a veil around its head. Oda, we know exactly what you've done here. This is literally, literally Imu's appearance. At least, as we know it now. But remember, this creature is a shapeshifter and has many forms. This is just the most common.
Before I reveal the creature's name, I'd like to list the attributes ascribed to it, and let me tell you one thing: Every single attribute can be found as a Devil Fruit power in Blackbeard's crew. Coincidence? Intentional? Mistake? I have no idea. The following attributes are ascribed to this creature and its power.
Invisibility: Shiryu
Abnormal Strength: Burgess
Shapeshifting: Devon
Disease Spreader: Doc Q
Admittedly, not all of the Blackbeard Crew's Devil Fruit abilities are fully depicted, but that's not even necessary to recognize that the variability combined with the overlap was definitely no accident. Oda certainly included it intentionally, but the question remains: why? Normally, Blackbeard's Devil Fruits are hand-picked. However, the Mera Mera No Mi was actually supposed to be for Burgess. A distraction?
Now we know most of her abilities and her appearance. And there are very strong correlations. So how can we logically integrate this obvious inspiration for Imu? Specifically, how do these extraordinary powers fit into a world of Devil Fruits, Haki, different species, and, so far, no introduced supernatural beings? So lets make it make sense.
Lets make it short, since I dont believe that Oda will introduce a supernatural being, and it powers does not fit into the Haki category, it has to be a devil fruit.
Souls and everything surrounding them are nothing new. Brook and Big Mom are the best examples that souls in One Piece are indeed real and relevant; you can even see, manipulate, and extract them. This fact will become very important. Oda has often used two Devil Fruits of the same type with slight variations, e.g., fire/magma, weapon/blade, ice/snow, and I believe he'll do the same with Brook. Brook's Devil Fruit works like this: He eats it, nothing happens at first, he dies. His soul then seeks out his body and gives him new life. What if I were to mention that the principle of two souls is a core element of the mythology from which this being originates? Legend says that a person possesses two souls. A good one, which leaves the earthly world after death (Brook's ability, which, among other things, allows him to travel to the world of the dead), and the bad soul, a shadow soul, which is bound to the earthly world. This driven soul seeks solace, justice, and revenge. From this soul, this being is born. The fact is, therefore, the user is already dead and continues to exist through the Devil Fruit. So Imu ist in fact already dead. This is why both Imu and Brook were able to survive for decades and, in some cases, centuries. So, if the Devil Fruit enabled Imu to partially transfer his powers to others through a pact, then that would explain how he was able to raise the Five Elders to be so loyal and why they are able to transform. And it explains why Saturn fell to the ground as a skeleton when Imu drained his powers. He didn't kill him from a distance. He was already dead. Just like the other elders. They are living corpses.
The creature originates from Jamaican mythology, where it's called Duppy. Imu could therefore be the user of the Duppy Devil Fruit—a stronger, darker version of Brook's Devil Fruit, who, incidentally, has an obvious connection to Gunko, Imu's most loyal servant. Coincidence?
Incidentally, since Duppys have several forms, here's another addition: The form "The rolling calf" is actually depicted with a devil-like tail, as we have already seen with Imu. When the Duppy gains aclot of Power, he is able to possess the human completely. This could represent the fourth, as yet unknown, degree of the pact, the one involving the five sages and Gunko. We saw with Saturn and Gunko how he took over their bodies. But even lower forms of the pact have allowed him to impose his will
The connection to Davy Jones: According to Wikipedia, there are several theories about the origin of the name Davy Jones. One of them is, quote: In the West Indies, the term "Duppy" refers to a malevolent spirit. The surname Jones could derive from the prophet Jonah, whose story is associated with misfortune for sailors.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily have to be the actual reason, but the fact that it is being considered as a possibility cannot be argued away, given the parallels between Imu and the Duppy. Furthermore, Nico Robin also mentioned the Davy Jones Locker, a euphemism for death, a sailor's wet grave. The connection between death, Davy Jones, and Imu leads me to suspect that Davy Jones and Imu are one and the same person. Perhaps the loss of Lily symbolizes eternal grief and the search for solace. That's why Imu has hung up a huge painting of Lily and looks at Vivi as her reflection.
I believe Thriller Bark gave a good glimpse of this ability. It introduced the existence of the human shadow, which can be separated from the body by Moria's power and implanted into another body. But even this power could be suppressed by salt, the purest form of the sea, and the shadows would be instantly separated from the bottled body. Would this also happen to the elders if they came into contact with the sea or seastone?
One last thing: Duppy gains strength when the sun sets and weakens when the sun rises or light enters the sky. When Luffy parts the cloudy sky, this shouldn't just be symbolic, demonstrating his Haki strength, but also a way to weaken Imu.
I am very confident, that this was the Inspiration for Imu.
But I am not sure about the real identity of Imu.
What are your thoughts?
[automerge]1768599635[/automerge]
PS: It's said that salt and rice keep the evil Duppy away because he's too busy counting the grains. Lol, great. Is that the explanation for why the sea is the Devil Fruit's weak point?
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