The latest flashbacks in One Piece — particularly the unfolding God Valley Incident arc — have ignited a flurry of fan debate: has creator Eiichiro Oda made Imu too powerful?
Immersing in the God Valley arc
The God Valley Incident sequence has become one of the most talked-about segments in One Piece history. It brings together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp — and of course Imu. The arc dives into deep lore: how the ancient power struggles shaped the modern world of One Piece, the hidden role of the Celestial Dragons, and the early days of piracy. For many fans it is a rare glimpse of “true history” in this universe, something long teased since the manga began.
The flashback has also shifted the tone: darker, more epic in scale, heavy on revelations rather than the typical adventure beats. Many fans are saying it feels like a historical epic rather than a side-story to the main crew’s journey.
Why the strength of Imu is raising eyebrows
According to spoilers from chapter 1163 and related threads:
- Major figures like Rocks, Roger, Garp, Whitebeard, Kaido and Big Mom are shown attacking Imu — but Imu recovers and even appears to flip the narrative in one panel.
- Fans in the discussion boards are openly dubbing Imu “OP” (overpowered). One post reads:
“Garp, Roger, Xebec, Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard ALL attack Imu, and Imu does not give a F***. … GIVE IMU SOME GODDAMN RESPECT!!!”
- The ability known as “Domi Reversi” appears to allow Imu to flip powerful opponents and possibly manipulate outcomes beyond normal standards.
- Some theory posts suggest Imu may even be immortal, or of a status that transcends conventional “strong character” classification in the series.
These revelations create a tension for fans and the narrative alike: when a character becomes seemingly unbeatable — or operating on a different scale entirely — it can undercut the stakes for other characters and diminish the perceived threat level of the protagonists going forward.
The fandom reaction: mostly awe, with a hint of concern
Across forums and social platforms, the reaction has been overwhelmingly excited. Many fans are thrilled to see this grand, layered history being unfolded — with Imu at its center. But alongside the excitement is a whisper of concern: could this power-creep hurt the story?
- Some fans argue that the Straw Hat crew’s journey (led by Monkey D. Luffy) risks feeling small or less consequential if Imu is simply on an entirely different plane of power.
- Others feel the shift is justified: Oda is transitioning from “adventure with the Straw Hats” into “history of the world”, and the scale naturally changes accordingly.
- One fan captured it succinctly:
“If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
Is Imu too strong — or appropriately monumental?
Here are two sides of the coin:
Arguments for “too strong”:
- When characters like Roger or Whitebeard — once depicted as near-ultimate figures — are unable to seriously threaten Imu, it can feel like the character scale is being reset.
- The core tension in One Piece has often been about “underdogs”, “hidden potentials” and overcoming odds. If Imu is simply unbeatable, that dynamic may shift in a way that feels uneasy.
- The Straw Hats’ future journey may feel anticlimactic if Imu looms as a monolithic figure far beyond their reach — unless a very clever path is chosen.
Arguments for “appropriately monumental”:
- The God Valley arc is explicitly a flashback, a turning point in the world’s history — not the Straw Hats’ primary path. Therefore, it may be appropriate that the key antagonist is on a mythic scale.
- Scaling characters across decades of story (Roger era → present era) often means someone or something bigger emerges. Imu seems to be designed as that apex figure.
- If handled well, the disparity in power could reinforce the stakes: the current era’s heroes must find cleverness, will, legacy, and perhaps previously unseen abilities — not just raw power — to face this overarching threat.
What this means for the story ahead
- It sets the tone: Oda appears to be shifting from “this is the Straw Hat era” to “this is the world’s history era”. The implications of what happened in God Valley and how it connects to the present will likely dominate.
- It raises expectations: if Imu is this powerful, the narrative needs to deliver why the Straw Hats (or their allies) can challenge or out-maneuver such a figure — whether through legacy, willpower, alliances, or revelation.
- It may lengthen the path: if the villain is so epic, the journey toward confronting them (or their influence) may span many chapters (or arcs) — meaning the Straw Hat adventure may remain sidelined for longer than some fans expected.
Final thoughts
Has Oda made Imu too strong? Perhaps in isolation the answer is yes — the character has been elevated to mythic levels in a way that risks overshadowing other protagonists. But viewed in context — as part of a massive historical flashback, world-shaping event, and thematic shift — the strength may be justified.
Whether this power-scale feels narratively satisfying will depend on how Oda handles the follow-through: how the Straw Hats (or other characters) engage with what Imu represents, how legacy and will come into play, and whether the series balances spectacle with emotional stakes.
For now, the God Valley arc has captured the fandom in full — and Imu, as the seemingly untouchable figure at its heart, has become one of the most compelling (and divisive) characters in One Piece’s sprawling saga.
