Quick Answer
Joy Boy is a legendary figure from the Void Century in One Piece, a lost hero from 800 years ago who was an ally of the giants, the Fish-Men, and the Ancient Weapon Poseidon. His unfulfilled promise to Joy Boy is engraved on the Poneglyphs. Im-sama (Imu) is the hidden sovereign of the World Government, alive since the Void Century, ruling everything from the Empty Throne in Mary Geoise. Im-sama outranks even the Five Elders (Gorosei) in authority. The two entities stand in opposition: Im-sama is Joy Boy’s historical enemy, while Luffy is regarded as the spiritual reincarnation of Joy Boy.
Article written by the Wanted Store team — sources: One Piece manga vols. 1-110+ by Eiichiro Oda, Toei Animation anime, official SBS. Chapters 906+, 1060+, 1085+, SBS, Vivre Card. Updated on April 26, 2026. Major spoilers up to Egghead.
Joy Boy: who was he?
Confirmed identity
Joy Boy (ジョイボーイ) is a hero who lived 800 years ago, at the time of the lost Ancient Kingdom, just before the Void Century was imposed. He was the ally of the Fish-Men (Fish-Man Island), the giants of Elbaf, and several other oppressed peoples.
He made an unfulfilled promise to the mermaid princess Poseidon (later revealed to be Shirahoshi) — a promise engraved on the Apology Poneglyph found by Robin on Fish-Man Island. The exact content of that promise has never been fully revealed.
Probable powers
Joy Boy was in all likelihood the first wielder of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, the mythical Zoan of the Sun God. This is confirmed by the return of the “Drums of Liberation” that sound whenever Luffy awakens into Gear 5: this drumbeat resonates every time Joy Boy returns.
His role during the Void Century
According to Vegapunk (Egghead revelations), Joy Boy was the leader of an alliance of the oppressed (ancient allied kingdoms fighting against the Alliance of 20 Kingdoms that would become the World Government). This alliance lost the war, the Void Century was imposed by the victors (who erased history), and Joy Boy vanished.
Im-sama (Imu): the hidden sovereign
First appearance
Im-sama appears for the first time in chapter 906 (vol. 90), at the end of the Reverie arc. Im is seen seated on the Empty Throne of Mary Geoise, with the Five Elders (Gorosei) bowing before them:
“Im-sama, your will.”
— The Five Elders, before the throne
Identity and powers
Im-sama possesses:
- A power of mass destruction — Im annihilated an entire island (Lulusia) with an attack launched from Mary Geoise (chapter 1060)
- Absolute control over the World Government — the Five Elders are Im’s direct subordinates
- Supernatural longevity — Im has been alive since at least the Void Century (800+ years)
- Probably a Devil Fruit (category unknown, possibly linked to the power of the Empty Throne)
Why the “Empty Throne”?
The Empty Throne of Mary Geoise is officially the symbol of “rule by the Void” — a convention whereby no single king governs the world, only a consensus of the 20 kingdoms. In reality, this throne is not empty: Im-sama occupies it, but their presence is hidden from 99% of the world.
The opposition: Joy Boy vs Im-sama
The two entities are the opposing protagonists of the Void Century:
| Criterion | Joy Boy | Im-sama |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Ally of the oppressed | Sovereign of the dominators |
| Era | Died 800 years ago | Alive for 800+ years |
| Goal | Universal freedom | Maintaining world order |
| Power | Hito Hito Nika (probable) | Unknown but destructive |
| Symbol | Sun, laughter, liberation | Empty throne, shadow, authority |
| Modern reincarnation | Monkey D. Luffy | Im-sama (immortal?) |
This opposition is the final narrative structure of One Piece. The coming clash between Luffy (Joy Boy reincarnated) and Im-sama is anticipated as the ultimate showdown of the series.
Clues about Im-sama’s identity
Several compelling theories exist in the community:
Theory 1 — Im is Joy Boy’s ancient adversary
The most straightforward. Im would have led the Alliance of 20 Kingdoms during the Void Century and survived through a Devil Fruit granting immortality.
Theory 2 — Im is linked to the kingdom of Lily (a vanished kingdom)
The Reverie arc reveals that a kingdom called Lily disappeared during the Void Century. Im could be its heir or ruler (Im may be female — the deliberately ambiguous design suggests as much). Im’s target Lulusia is notably the former kingdom of Lily.
Theory 3 — Im is not human
Several details (shrouded silhouette, blurred presence, ability to strike at distance via Mary Geoise) suggest Im could be a non-human entity, possibly a fusion of human and Ancient Weapon.
The Ancient Weapons linked to Im
There are three Ancient Weapons in canon, each capable of destroying an entire world:
- Pluton — a warship; blueprints guarded by Franky/Tom
- Poseidon — the mermaid princess (Shirahoshi)
- Uranus — the most mysterious weapon, possibly controlled by Im from Mary Geoise
The attack that destroyed Lulusia (chapter 1060) resembles the activation of Uranus, which would make Im the wielder of Uranus. This theory is extremely popular post-Egghead.
Vegapunk and the Egghead revelation
The Egghead arc (chapters 1060+) brought several major revelations through Vegapunk’s posthumous video message:
- The Void Century was caused by a war between the Ancient Kingdom (Joy Boy) and the Alliance of 20 Kingdoms
- The world will be swallowed by the oceans in the near future (rising sea levels announced)
- Joy Boy returns periodically throughout history — Roger was a partial reincarnation, Luffy is the new one
- Im-sama is the main obstacle to the world’s freedom
FAQ — Joy Boy and Im-sama
Who is Joy Boy?
A legendary figure from the Void Century, a hero who lived 800 years ago. Ally of the Fish-Men, the giants, and the oppressed. Made an unfulfilled promise to Princess Poseidon (Shirahoshi). Probable first wielder of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
Who is Im-sama?
The hidden sovereign of the World Government, occupying the Empty Throne in Mary Geoise. Alive since the Void Century (800+ years), Im-sama outranks the Five Elders (Gorosei) in authority. Destroyed the island of Lulusia with a massive attack (chapter 1060).
Is Luffy really Joy Boy?
Not literally, but Luffy is Joy Boy’s spiritual reincarnation. The Drums of Liberation sounding during Gear 5 confirm this status. Vegapunk explicitly mentions “the return of Joy Boy” through Luffy.
Did Im-sama and Joy Boy ever meet?
Probably during the Void Century as adversaries. If Im-sama is immortal and has lived 800 years, Im is Joy Boy’s direct historical enemy — and therefore now Luffy’s.
What is Im-sama’s power?
Im-sama possesses a power of mass destruction at range (demonstrated on Lulusia). Im may control the Ancient Weapon Uranus. Im-sama’s supernatural longevity suggests a Devil Fruit granting immortality.
Is Im-sama male or female?
Undetermined. Im-sama’s design is deliberately gender-ambiguous. Several theories lean towards a female figure (possible link to the kingdom of Lily). Oda has not confirmed either way.
When will the Luffy vs Im-sama showdown happen?
It is the anticipated final confrontation of One Piece. With the series’ ending projected within the coming years (per Oda’s statements), the Luffy/Im battle should constitute the final or penultimate arc. No confirmed date.
Is there a Wanted Poster for Joy Boy or Im-sama?
No. Joy Boy died 800 years ago. Im-sama has no public bounty because Im runs the Government that issues bounties. This is the great paradox: the most dangerous person in the world carries no bounty at all.
