A mysterious creature depicted in the Elbaf mural has become the subject of a new One Piece theory, with fans questioning whether the horned figure could actually be Imu.
The mural, first shown in One Piece Chapter 1138, contains several mysterious images that appear to depict events and figures connected to the world’s ancient history. Among them, one enormous horned creature has attracted particular attention. The creature appears almost demonic, with a massive body, prominent horns, and a round object resembling the sun or a flame in its hand.
When the mural first appeared, connecting the mysterious creature to Imu seemed like a stretch. However, as more details about Imu’s true powers and appearance have emerged, fans have noticed several similarities that make the theory increasingly intriguing.
So, could the horned creature in the Elbaf mural actually be Imu?
1. Imu’s New Form Looks Increasingly Similar to the Creature
The strongest clue supporting the theory may be Imu’s changing appearance. When Imu was first introduced, the character appeared primarily as a mysterious, slender silhouette. However, subsequent revelations have shown increasingly monstrous aspects of Imu’s power.
Most notably, Imu’s latest revealed form features a prominent set of horns, while the character’s body becomes considerably larger and more monstrous than the human-like silhouette seen previously. That immediately drew comparisons to the enormous creature depicted in the Elbaf mural.
The figure in the mural also has horns, an enormous body, and a distinctly non-human appearance. Several aspects of the overall design appear similar enough to make fans wonder whether Eiichiro Oda has been quietly foreshadowing Imu’s true nature.
Of course, this does not confirm that the two figures are the same character. However, Oda’s decision to progressively reveal more monstrous aspects of Imu makes the comparison difficult to ignore. If the mural really does depict Imu, it could potentially be showing a special or more powerful transformation rather than the exact form Imu currently possesses.
2. Could the Number of Horns Hint at an Even Stronger Form?
Another detail has made the theory even more interesting: the number of horns. Imu’s newly revealed form appears to have four horns, while the gigantic creature in the Elbaf mural seems to possess even more. Some interpretations of the image suggest that the creature could have as many as six horns.
If the difference is intentional, it could point toward an intriguing possibility: Imu’s current form may not be the character’s ultimate transformation. Under this theory, the creature depicted in the mural could represent a more powerful version of Imu that has yet to appear in the present-day storyline. The four-horned form currently seen by readers could therefore be only one stage of Imu’s transformation, while the mural might depict a more complete or powerful state.
This would also fit with Oda’s tendency to gradually reveal major characters’ abilities and transformations rather than immediately showing their full potential.
That said, the number of horns should be treated cautiously. The mural’s artistic style and the angle of the drawing could make it difficult to determine the exact number with certainty. For now, it is a tantalizing clue rather than definitive evidence.
3. Is the Sun-Like Object in the Creature’s Hand Connected to Omen?
The creature’s mysterious accessory may provide another potential clue. In the Elbaf mural, the horned figure appears to be holding a round object that resembles the sun, a flame, or some kind of energy source. The imagery has naturally attracted attention because of the increasingly important symbolism surrounding the sun throughout One Piece.
However, recent developments surrounding Imu have led some fans to propose another possibility: could the object be connected to Omen? If Omen is more than simply an attack and instead represents a particular type of power or energy associated with Imu, the circular object in the ancient mural could potentially be a symbolic depiction of that power. Under this interpretation, the mural may not simply be illustrating an ancient historical event. It could also be preserving information about the nature and origin of Imu’s abilities.
The idea remains highly speculative, however. There has been no official confirmation that the object is related to Omen, and it could ultimately represent something completely different.
4. The Timing of the Revelations May Be the Biggest Clue
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the theory is when these similarities are becoming apparent. The Elbaf mural was introduced before readers had a complete understanding of Imu’s latest form. At the time, the horned creature could easily have been interpreted as another mythological being connected to Elbaf’s ancient history.
But as Oda has revealed more about Imu, the visual parallels have become increasingly difficult for fans to overlook. This is precisely the type of long-term setup that One Piece is known for: a seemingly insignificant image can remain unexplained for dozens of chapters before later revelations give it an entirely different meaning.
If Oda is indeed connecting the mural’s creature to Imu, the Elbaf storyline could eventually provide one of the biggest revelations about the mysterious ruler of the World Government.
At this point, there is no official confirmation that the horned creature in the Elbaf mural is Imu. The similarities in their appearances, the horns, the creature’s enormous size, and the mysterious sun-like object all provide material for fan theories. Imu’s increasingly monstrous transformations have only made the connection more compelling.
However, several important questions remain unanswered. Is the creature actually Imu? Is it a completely different entity from the ancient world? Does the mural depict an event from the Void Century? And what exactly is the round object in its hand?
For now, the Imu–Elbaf mural theory remains speculation. But if Oda eventually confirms that the mysterious creature is indeed Imu, the mural could prove to be one of the most significant pieces of foreshadowing in One Piece. Until then, fans will undoubtedly continue examining every horn, shadow, and mysterious symbol in the Elbaf mural for clues about the final secrets of the series.
Sources: gamek