The One Piece manga has reached one of its most explosive moments in history. As the Elbaf Arc hurtles toward its climax, Eiichiro Oda is pulling out all the stops with revelations that have been brewing for years. Chapter 1189 gave us Sabo’s dramatic return and the Revolutionary Army’s secret plan, but Chapter 1190 is about to drop a bombshell that will redefine the power hierarchy of the entire One Piece world: Imu’s Devil God Form is finally here — and it’s connected to a new legendary eye power that could change everything we know about Haki, Devil Fruits, and the very fabric of the Grand Line.
Imu’s Devil God Form: The 3-Year Setup Pays Off
Fans with sharp memories will recall that Imu’s Devil God transformation was first teased way back in Chapter 1085, nearly three years ago. At the time, the Five Elders were seen worshipping a mysterious figure with a third eye on their forehead, whispering about the “Devil God” who would descend to judge the world. Fast forward to the Elbaf Arc, and we’re seeing that setup come to fruition in spectacular fashion.
In the most recent chapters, Luffy has already clashed with Imu in a battle that sent shockwaves through the fandom. His Gear 5 transformation, which turns him into a cartoonish, reality-warping version of Sun God Nika, was supposed to be the ultimate power-up. But Imu’s response? A casual erasure of an entire island with a single attack. This isn’t just about raw power — it’s about authority. Imu isn’t just strong; they represent the World Government’s divine right to rule, and their Devil God Form is the physical manifestation of that ideology.
The key detail that everyone missed? The third eye. In the flashback panels showing the Five Elders, Imu is depicted with a vertical eye on their forehead, similar to the Eye of the World myths that have been circulating in One Piece lore for years. This isn’t just a cool design choice — it’s a power system.
The New Legendary Eye Power: “The Eye That Sees Truth”
Here’s where things get wild. The latest chapters have introduced a new concept: a legendary eye power that allows its user to see the “truth” of all things. This isn’t just Observation Haki on steroids. This is a mythical-level ability that lets the user:
- See through all illusions and lies — No more hiding behind Devil Fruit transformations or Haki-based deception. If Imu looks at you, they know your true form, your true intentions, even your true history.
- Perceive the “soul” of objects and people — This could explain how Imu was able to identify Brook as a member of the Straw Hat crew despite his skeletal appearance. The eye doesn’t just see the body; it sees the essence.
- Manipulate reality based on perceived truth — If Imu “sees” someone as a threat, their Devil God Form can erase them from existence by literally rewriting reality to match that truth. This is how entire islands are being wiped out without a trace.
Sound familiar? It should. This is eerily similar to the powers attributed to the D. Clan in One Piece mythology. The “D.” initial has always been shrouded in mystery, with characters like Monkey D. Luffy, Monkey D. Garp, Monkey D. Dragon, and Gol D. Roger all sharing the initial. The leading theory has always been that the D. stands for “Devil” — as in, the enemies of God. But what if it’s the opposite? What if the D. Clan are the only ones who can resist Imu’s truth-perceiving eye?
Brook’s Yomi Yomi no Mi: The Only Counter?
In Chapter 1188, we saw a fascinating theory emerge: Brook’s Yomi Yomi no Mi (Revive-Revive Fruit) might be the only Devil Fruit capable of countering Imu’s Domi Reversi ability. For those who need a refresher, Domi Reversi is Imu’s terrifying power to reverse the effects of any Devil Fruit, effectively turning the user’s abilities against them. If Luffy uses Gear 5, Imu can reverse it to turn him back into a helpless rubber man. If Shanks uses his Conqueror’s Haki, Imu can reverse it to make him unable to use Haki at all.
But Brook’s power is different. The Yomi Yomi no Mi allows him to revive his own soul and, as we saw in his flashback, bring others back to life under the right conditions. This isn’t just about revival, though. It’s about the nature of the soul itself. If Imu’s power is based on perceiving and manipulating truth, then Brook’s ability to restore what was lost could be the perfect counter. Where Imu erases, Brook revives. Where Imu sees death, Brook sees rebirth.
This isn’t just speculation, either. In the latest chapters, Brook has been uncharacteristically serious, even by his standards. He’s not cracking jokes or playing the fool. He’s focused, and that’s because he understands the stakes. As the oldest member of the Straw Hat crew (and the only one who’s actually died and come back), he has a unique perspective on life, death, and the soul. If anyone can figure out how to counter Imu’s Devil God Form, it’s him.
Shanks and the Revolutionary Army: The Wild Cards
Of course, we can’t talk about the endgame of One Piece without mentioning Shanks and the Revolutionary Army. Shanks has been MIA for most of the Elbaf Arc, but his presence looms large. His recent meeting with the Five Elders on Egghead was no coincidence, and his knowledge of the Void Century and the Ancient Weapons could be the key to understanding Imu’s true origins.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army, led by Monkey D. Dragon and Sabo, has been working in the shadows to dismantle the World Government from within. Sabo’s return in Chapter 1189 was a huge moment, and his ability to mimic Devil Fruit powers with his Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit) makes him a versatile asset in the coming battle. If the Straw Hats are the swords of the revolution, then the Revolutionary Army is the shield — and together, they might just have what it takes to stand against Imu’s Divine Judgment.
But here’s the twist: Shanks might already know about Imu’s Devil God Form. His meeting with the Five Elders wasn’t just a social call. He was there to negotiate, and the fact that he walked away unscathed suggests that he has some leverage. Could it be that Shanks, like Imu, possesses a legendary eye power of his own? His ability to stop Admiral Akainu’s magma fist with a single glance at Marineford was never fully explained. What if that wasn’t just Conqueror’s Haki? What if it was something more?
Elbaf’s Role: The Land of the Gods
Elbaf isn’t just another island in the Grand Line. It’s the Land of the Gods, a place where the very concept of divinity is woven into the fabric of the world. The fact that Imu’s Devil God Form is being revealed here is no accident. Elbaf is the perfect stage for this kind of revelation, a place where myths become reality and legends walk among mortals.
The island is also home to the Golden City of Shandora, a place with deep ties to the Ancient Kingdom and the Poneglyphs. If Imu’s power is truly divine, then it stands to reason that it’s connected to the same ancient history that the Straw Hats have been unraveling since the beginning of their journey. Nico Robin, the crew’s archaeologist, has spent her entire life studying the secrets of the Void Century, and her knowledge could be the key to understanding — and defeating — Imu’s power.
And let’s not forget about Joy Boy. The legendary figure who promised to return to Fish-Man Island 800 years ago has been a recurring theme in One Piece, and Luffy’s connection to him via the Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gum-Gum Fruit) and its awakening into the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika (Human-Human Fruit, Model: Sun God) suggests that he is the chosen one destined to challenge the gods. If Imu is the “Devil God,” then Luffy, as the embodiment of Sun God Nika, is the only one who can stand against them.
Predictions for Chapter 1190 and Beyond
So, what can we expect from Chapter 1190? Based on the current trajectory, here are my predictions:
- Imu’s full Devil God Form will be revealed, complete with the legendary third eye. This won’t just be a visual spectacle; it will come with a demonstration of power that will leave the Straw Hats (and the readers) reeling.
- Brook will play a pivotal role in the coming battle. His Yomi Yomi no Mi isn’t just for comedy relief anymore. It’s the key to countering Imu’s reality-warping abilities, and we might see him use it in a way we’ve never seen before.
- Shanks will make his move. He’s been biding his time, but the revelation of Imu’s Devil God Form will force his hand. Expect a clash of titans as Shanks steps in to protect his crew and challenge the World Government’s divine ruler.
- The Revolutionary Army will launch their assault on Mary Geoise. With Sabo back in action and Dragon leading the charge, the time has come to strike at the heart of the World Government. Imu’s Devil God Form might be their biggest obstacle yet, but if anyone can overcome it, it’s the Revolutionaries.
- Luffy will unlock a new level of Gear 5. His current form is already insane, but if he wants to stand a chance against Imu, he’ll need to push it even further. Could we see a Gear 5: Awakened form that combines the power of Sun God Nika with the truth-perceiving abilities of the legendary eye?
One thing is certain: the Elbaf Arc is far from over, and the revelations are only going to get bigger. Imu’s Devil God Form isn’t just a power-up; it’s a statement. The World Government has been pulling the strings from the shadows for 800 years, and now, their leader is stepping into the light to judge the world. But as we’ve seen time and time again in One Piece, the underdogs always have a way of rising to the occasion. Luffy, Brook, Shanks, Sabo, Dragon — they’re all pieces of the puzzle, and together, they might just have what it takes to bring down a god.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe Imu’s Devil God Form is the ultimate power in the One Piece world? Can Brook’s Yomi Yomi no Mi really counter it? And what role will Shanks and the Revolutionary Army play in the coming battle? Share your theories and predictions in the comments below!
Don’t forget to check out our other One Piece articles for more theories and analysis:
- One Piece Chapter 1189 Theory: Sabo’s Return and the Revolutionary Army’s Secret Plan to End the World Government
- One Piece Chapter 1188 Theory: Brook’s Yomi Yomi No Mi Could Be the Only Counter to Imu’s Domi Reversi
- One Piece Chapter 1187: Luffy’s Gear 5 Clashes with Imu — The Devil God Form Setup We’ve Been Waiting 3 Years For
