Published Jul 7, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
Since graduating from The Los Angeles Film School, Jason has worked as an editor for the local news, as well as a producer of several short films and podcasts. His extensive knowledge of film production and narrative storytelling has enabled him to travel the world, writing about the projects he is passionate about in the realms of film, anime, and gaming. “Every Day Is A Level Up”
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WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE MANGA CHAPTER #1187
The ultimate battle of One Piece’s Elbaph arc has finally begun, and with it comes a clash with a foe that readers have waited decades to see collide with Monkey D. Luffy. Nearly every arc of the series does a fantastic job of building up the desire to see its villains fall. But the big threat that One Piece’s penultimate arc has thrown at its protagonists is one that has been shrouded in mystery and hype for most of Eiichiro Oda’s epic. It’s a sign that makes the series finale feel closer than ever.
With Elbaph being the 33rd arc of One Piece, it’s not immune to the series’ primary formula. New characters have been introduced, heartbreaking flashbacks have been had, and the cruelty of the villains has directly impacted the Straw Hats and made readers excited to see the bad guys put down. However, One Piece’s final arcs have successfully provided more answers than questions to ongoing mysteries, helping elevate the series to unseen levels of satisfaction. This includes the unveiling of the World Government’s secret ruler.
For years, it seemed like the villains pulling the strings behind most of One Piece’s saddest moments were the World Government’s Five Elders. It took all the way till chapter #906 to tease the secret leader above them, who has been ruling in the shadows for around 800 years. Now, Imu, essentially the world’s personification of oppression, has come face to face with Luffy, the current manifestation of a god who represents freedom.
It’s been a long time coming, but #1187 is the chapter where Luffy starts fighting the secret King of the World, Saint Nerona Imu. While a few blows have been traded, Oda specifically marked the special occasion of the beginning of the one-on-one battle with a title card drop, similar to those used in professional boxing matches. Which feels extremely fitting because of all the lore and baggage behind each character, and the mysterious link between Imu and Luffy’s previous incarnations. Fates and emotional baggage that Luffy is completely ignorant about.
Many of One Piece’s greatest villains, like Kaido and Doflamingo, were in direct opposition to Luffy’s goals. However, Imu has been such an effective background player that the Straw Hat captain has almost no clue about the identity of the one who wields such frightening haki. All Luffy needs to know is that this intimidating figure has hurt his allies, and that’s all he needs to throw down. But like readers who’ve been carefully following the series, Imu is privy to the centuries of context that have led to this fateful clash.
Throughout the last half of One Piece’s many arcs, there have been several mentions of someone who went by the moniker Joy Boy. He was seemingly the first pirate in recorded history, and the impact of his actions, along with his god-like levels of haki, has left reverberations throughout the world, even centuries later. That includes relationships with some of the world’s older creatures, including the World Government’s own, Saint Nerona Imu.
The Straw Hat’s adventures have introduced Luffy and his crew to nearly countless wonders, some where Joy Boy’s influence is still felt. The ancient elephant carrying the island of Zou, the incredibly old giant robot Emit from Egghead, and even a poneglyph hidden on Fishmen Island, exposed connections to the ancient pirate. It’s been said that he once brought joy and the concept of freedom to the world, a comparison to Luffy that several prominent characters have made.
Memories of Joy Boy inspire great frustration in Imu. The two mysterious characters seemingly shared a strong connection that went south and spawned a grudge within the King of the World that’s lasted around 800 years. Now, after being made aware of Luffy, Imu has been referring to the Straw Hat captain as Joy Boy. While the One Piece battle has been long in the making and even prophesied in ancient texts found in Elbaph, Luffy doesn’t care about any of it, and he’s ready to beat down the jerk who’s about to thoroughly learn who Monkey D. Luffy is.
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Video Game(s)
One Piece: Unlimited World Red, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, One Piece: World Seeker, One Piece Odyssey
One Piece: The Movie
First TV Show
Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi
Character(s)
Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)