Imu revealed as ‘One Piece’s’ true author? Oda’s photo fuels wild fan theories
A plushie of the world’s most mysterious villain appears to be authoring the manga itself. Coincidence? Or is Imu rewriting reality from the Empty Throne?
‘One Piece’ fans are no strangers to wild theories, but Eiichiro Oda may have just added fuel to the fire. In a recent photo shared online, a plushie of Imu, the shadowy ruler of the world, was spotted sitting at Oda’s actual drawing desk, seemingly in the act of creating the manga. The image has sparked a wave of speculation, satire, and existential dread across the fandom.
The photos that fueled the fans
The photos show Oda’s workspace with Imu front and center, surrounded by sketchbooks, pens, and a mysterious new character design. Fans immediately began dissecting every pixel:
- Is Imu drawing the manga?
- Is Oda suggesting Imu controls the story itself?
- Is this a metaphor for divine authorship, or just a plushie with good posture?
New photo taken by Eiichiro Oda of IMU taking over Oda's desk where he creates ONE PIECE At a closer look... - Potential IMU design reveal - Potential double page for 1156/1157 - Potential new double colour spread - Image of the Gorosei and official colours #OnePiece
— • 𝙈𝙪𝙜𝙞𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 👒 (@mugiwaralife.bsky.social) 20 de julio de 2025, 5:03
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Some even zoomed in on a sketch to the left of the desk, theorizing it could be Nefertari D. Lili, the ancient queen tied to the Void Century and Imu’s obsession.
The god complex theory
The idea that Imu is a god, or at least a meta-author, has gained traction. After all, Imu:
- Sits atop the Empty Throne, ruling the world in secret
- Has the power to erase entire islands from history
- May be connected to the House of Nerona, a name with Roman imperial undertones
Now, with this photo, fans are joking that Imu doesn’t just rule the world, they write the manga too.
“Oda didn’t create Imu. Imu created 'One Piece’,” one fan posted.
“The One Piece is a drawing of Imu. That’s why Roger laughed,” said another.
Recently, Imu pics were taken at Oda’s studio. In the 3rd pic, you can spot a JP book about *fish* hidden. The fact that both a shark and Imu appear together may not be a coincidence. It could be Oda’s subtle hint that Imu will end up being eaten by shark or Sea Kings and die.😭 pic.twitter.com/1XRZQY7bTO
— sandman (@sandman_AP) July 22, 2025
Oda’s playful trolling
This isn’t the first time Oda has teased fans with cryptic images. From SBS joke sketches to plushie placements, he’s known for blending humor with foreshadowing. Whether this photo is a clue or a prank, it’s working: the fandom is buzzing, and Imu’s mystique continues to grow.
In a series where laughter, mystery, and power are deeply intertwined, this image feels like a perfect storm. It blurs the line between creator and creation, villain and author, and reminds fans that in 'One Piece’, even a plushie can be canon... if Oda wills it.
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