Since 2018, when Imu was first introduced in One Piece, thousands of theories have flooded social media, each trying to decode the true identity of the shadowy figure who sits above the world. Believed to be one of the Twenty Founders of the World Government from 800 years ago, Saint Nerona Imu of the Nerona family has remained the most mysterious presence in the story. Now, however, that mystery finally seems ready to break, as Chapter 1179 moves toward unmasking Imu, delivering one of the biggest revelations in the series so far.

For the first time ever, Imu will step out of his sanctuary in Pangaea Castle, leaving Mary Geoise behind in Chapter 1179, titled The Incarnation of Nerona Imu, set to release on April 5, 2026. Entering the battlefield directly through a magic circle at Aurust Castle in Elbaph, he shifts from a distant ruler to an active force at the centre of the conflict.

Adding to the intrigue, a small trickle of blood appears at the corner of his mouth, hinting that despite his god-like status and rumored immortality, he may not be entirely untouchable.

While fans eagerly await one of the most anticipated chapters in manga history, Imu has already sparked a frenzy by stepping beyond the Holy Land and into the spotlight in Chapter 1178, pushing fan theories into overdrive.

Nearly a decade after the story introduced him as the shadowy ruler of the World Government, the narrative kept him hidden as a dark force plotting from the shadows, masked in black with only those distinct spiralled eyes ever visible.

As the possibility of a full reveal looms, speculation runs wild: Who is Imu, really: a man, a woman, or something far beyond human?

Is Imu a man, a woman, or a god?

A fresh wave of hype has now taken over the fandom, as prominent One Piece leaker “pewpiece” dropped new details about Imu’s appearance. According to him, Imu appears male with strikingly handsome features, surrounded by black clouds, with long horns curving into an “S” shape. He carries a tanned, Lunarian-like presence, paired with wings and a devil-like tail, crafting a design that feels both regal and deeply unsettling.

Adding to that, the leaks further describe white circular tattoos across his body, including an eye mark on his hand and another on his face, while eerie, eye-filled Hagoromo clouds surround him instead of the usual patterns. This surreal, almost divine-monster aesthetic has already sent fans into speculation mode, with many trying to visualise what Imu’s full reveal might look like across social media.

As anime edges closer to its endgame, Imu’s long-awaited reveal doesn’t just answer questions; it opens a far darker chapter that the world may not be ready for.

Are you excited to finally see Imu getting unmasked in the upcoming Chapter 1179? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Lisa Roy

Edited by

Itti Mahajan