Mariejois’ Giant Straw Hat: A Key Player in One Piece’s Ultimate Fights

The massive Straw Hat owned by Imu at the Mariejois in One Piece has surely captured the attention of many fans. It might even entice some viewers to revisit the scene and speculate about Imu’s motivations for holding onto a frozen hat.

While some fans believe it to be the hat of the legendary pirate JoyBoy, others see it as something more than just a simple accessory. There are speculations that it could be a living being or entity, and this is the angle that today’s article will explore.

The purpose of this article is to uncover the identity of the enormous frozen Straw Hat found in Mariejois. This will be achieved by connecting it to a well-known Chinese novel series that chronicles the adventures of Sun Wukong.

Please note: This article contains possible spoilers from the One Piece manga series and reflects the author’s personal opinion.

Exploring the Real Identity of the Frozen Straw Hat in Mariejois

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

During episode 885, Imu is discovered inside a hidden chamber located in the Holy Lands of Mariejois. Inside the chamber, a colossal Straw Hat is revealed, seemingly frozen in time. Although it has only been seen once, fans theorize that this Straw Hat may play a significant role in the ongoing plot of the series.

One fascinating aspect of this Straw Hat is its frozen state, which is likely due to the fact that Straw Hats are typically composed of straw bales. So, what could be the explanation for this? To gain a better understanding, let’s examine a classic Chinese novel series that may shed some light on this matter.

The Monkey King, known as Sun Wukong, embarked on an epic journey in the legendary Chinese novel series, Journey to the West. Accompanied by his fellow travelers, he sought after Buddha’s manuscripts and traveled across the globe.

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

During his journey, Sun was required to dive underwater to reach the Kingdom of the Dragon King. He sought a weapon that could match his power, as none of the previous weapons or objects he had tried were suitable. Upon visiting the kingdom, Sun obtained a magical staff known as Ruyi Jingu Bang.

The dragon queen had set aside this item specifically for him, and it began to grow in power days before the Sun was due to arrive in the kingdom. This was a clear sign that the weapon was meant for him. As the series progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the Ruyi Jingu Bang held a greater significance for the Sun than simply being a mere weapon.

Ruyi Jingu Bang, under Sun’s command, had the ability to transform into various shapes, thus making it more akin to a trusted companion rather than a mere weapon. In addition, it possessed the power to manipulate the seas, replicate itself, and establish a link with astral beings.

Let us begin by comparing the frozen giant Straw Hat to Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang. Similar to Sun’s weapon and companion, the giant Straw Hat may possess the power to adapt to its wielder’s body. This would render JoyBoy’s physical appearance insignificant, as he is often seen as a Buccaneer due to the immense size of the Straw Hat.

Additionally, similar to the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the Straw Hat also grants its wielder the ability to control the oceans, as the entire concept of One Piece revolves around the Grand Line, which is predominantly ocean.

Thirdly, similar to Sun’s Ruyi Jingu Bang, the frozen Straw Hat may possess the power of duplication. This suggests that the Straw Hat inherited by Shanks from Roger and then passed on to Luffy was a replica of the original frozen giant Straw Hat. Lastly, like the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the frozen giant Straw Hat could potentially have the ability to connect with celestial bodies such as planets.

In the manga series, Luffy and the Giants face off against five planets in a showdown. These planets are known as the Five Elders, and Luffy’s possession of the Straw Hat gives him the potential to form a connection with the Gorosei and ultimately defeat them.

Why Does Imu Have the Frozen Straw Hat?

Imu as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)
Imu as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

As previously mentioned, it is believed that JoyBoy was the original owner of the Straw Hat, which was then duplicated and eventually inherited by Luffy. However, the fact that Imu has it frozen in their vault in Mariejois raises the question of why. One possible explanation is that Imu desires to acquire the powers of the Straw Hat, as mentioned earlier.

Another reason Imu has chosen to freeze the Straw Hat is because, similar to Ruyi Jingu Bang, it may have a predetermined path towards its owner – in this case, the person who possesses the Nika fruit, Luffy. By keeping it within their vault, Imu is preventing it from reaching Luffy.

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