Okay… So the final villain is The Devil.
Not exactly the most unique Big Bad we’ve seen, right? Look, let’s be honest here: Imu’s basic. Really basic. Let’s go down the evil trope checklist.
- Devil Wings
- Pitchfork
- Pentagram
- Spooky Magic Book
- Dressed In All Black
- No Pants
This is who’s supposed to be the final villain of the series? This boring caricature of pure evil? Yes. Evil. Because he/she literally says “Evil”. So much for subtlety.
Does Imu’s Satan schtick recontextualize Luffy into God? Or, at the very least, the living embodiment of good? Nika’s always laughing. Pure Happiness VS Pure Evil. Is that what One Piece is heading toward? Sure, there’s nothing wrong with that. Good VS Evil is a classic storytelling theme. But! Luffy’s goofy cartoon Nika form’s getting stale and Imu’s so dang darn boring that for the first time ever… I’m not looking forward to the end of One Piece!
Look, it’s not all doom and gloom. Imu hosts a wide variety of powers and abilities. That’s interesting. And, hey! At least Imu isn’t sitting on their butt doing nothing. They’re taking the initiative bringing Elbaph on their side in the final war. Good for you. I mean bad! Bad for you! Don’t forget, Imu’s evil. Evil. Evil. Evil!
*SIGH!* Looks like it’s all up to Blackbeard to make the final saga worth my time. Don’t you dare disappoint me too, Teech!
Not much else happened this chapter. Imu turned Dorry, Brogy, and several members of their crew into giant (Well, more giant than they already were) demons tasked with killing Chief/Rapper Beardhill Jarul. Keep in mind, all of this is happening in front of most of the Straw Hat Crew. Look, I’m not saying they have to be overpowered, but the SHC suck this arc. A shame the Monster Trio has to constantly carry this team. Forget devil fruits, take some steroids, drink some organic juice, do some cardio and get it together already!
This chapter was okay, I guess. Nothing outright bad, just disappointing Imu’s so unoriginal. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. That’s right. I’m taking a page out of Oda’s playbook and ending the review on a bland joke. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna eat a bologna sandwich with American cheese and extra mayo, drink a glass of water, then spend the next five hours online playing Fortnite while debating why Naruto is the best anime ever.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 