Imu and Lili’s Roles May Be Reversed, and the Darkest One Piece Film Could Explain Why

The unveiling of Nefartari D. Lili’s face in One Piece chapter 1116 solidifies the fact that Imu had been targeting her since the beginning of the series. This is evident in their actions of cursing her and dispersing the Poneglyphs throughout the world.

The chapter contained a lot of information, including the confirmation that the Iron Giant was carrying the Transmission Transponder Snail, which was streaming Vegapunk’s message. Based on the events currently unfolding, it is possible that the Egghead arc will wrap up in the next few chapters.

Despite the chaos and uproar, fans couldn’t help but notice Imu’s silence. This raised suspicions among them, leading them to speculate that Imu could potentially be Nefartari Lili herself, given their apparent infatuation with the Queen of Arabasta.

Additionally, supporters of this argument cite the main antagonist from the series’ darkest and most eerie film as evidence.

Please note: This article includes the author’s opinions and may contain spoilers from the One Piece manga series.

Why Imu May Actually Be Nefartari Lili in One Piece

Imu as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu is the primary antagonist and leader of the World Government in One Piece. They made their first appearance in episode 885 and have remained one of the most enigmatic figures in the series.

Imu’s actions thus far suggest a desire for the world to come to an end, specifically through the occurrence of the great flooding. The obliteration of the Lulusia Kingdom and the initiation of Buster Calls – all of these events have been orchestrated by Imu.

Nefartari Lili's silhouette as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha) — Nefartari Lili’s silhouette as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Nefartari D. Lili is a figure shrouded in mystery within the series. She defied the World Nobles and became the inaugural ruler of the Arabasta Kingdom. However, she mysteriously disappeared before she could reclaim her throne, leaving behind a sense of unease for some.

Similar to Imu, Lili has also made a few appearances in the series, but she has yet to appear in person, further enhancing her enigmatic nature.

In chapter 1114 of One Piece, the true appearance of Nefartari Vivi was unveiled in a room where Imu was seated. Once again, the image was oddly unsettling as her eyes were not visible, giving the impression that the picture was quite old.

Despite the ongoing tension between the Five Elders’ attempts to halt Vegapunk’s stream and the Navy’s pursuit of the Straw Hats and Bonney, Imu remains seated, quietly listening to Vegapunk’s message while gazing at the unsettling painting of Nefartari Lili.

During the Reverie, fans witnessed Imu undergo a horrific and powerful transformation. However, it doesn’t seem appropriate for them to sit passively and simply look at a picture.

Therefore, is it possible that the individual embodying the role of the Supreme Leader of the World Government is not Imu themselves, but someone else?

The Straw Hat Pirate crew as seen in the movie (Image via Toei Animation)

In One Piece Movie 6: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, the Straw Hat Pirates took a break from their adventures and visited Omatsuri Island. However, the island’s Baron forced them to participate in absurd challenges, causing each member of the crew to disappear one by one.

Thankfully, upon hearing an account from a former pirate crew regarding their trip to the island, Robin becomes wary of the unique flower found on the island known as the Lily Incarnation (also referred to as Nefartari D Lili). This particular flower served as the main antagonist in the movie and possessed the ability to manipulate life.

The true form of Lili Incarnation (Image via Toei Animation)

The creepy monster, in its true form, began attacking each Straw Hat Pirate and was on the verge of killing Monkey D Luffy. However, just in time, the Baron intervened and shot it in the head, causing it to instantly perish.

This film has gained a reputation for its eerie and somber storyline, as it lacks a musical score, resulting in the voice acting feeling hollow. Additionally, the use of dark colors throughout the film gives the impression that there is no hope for a brighter future.

Nefartari Vivi as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Additionally, it is worth noting that Nefartari Lili shares the same voice actor as Nefartari Vivy, the princess of Arabasta, Misa Watanabe. This further suggests that Lili may be a parallel to Lily Incarnation, potentially indicating her ability to manipulate life in a similar manner.

This sparked speculation among fans that Nefartari Lily may have utilized her abilities to overtake Imu and assume the role of Supreme Leader within the World Government. It is possible that Imu’s negative remarks about Nefartari Lily are simply a ploy to intensify the enigma surrounding her existence.

This is also the reason behind Imu’s fixation on Lili, ultimately resulting in Lili consuming Imu and ascending to the role of Supreme Leader of the World Government.