Unraveling the Shadows: The Most Powerful and Mysterious Figures from One Piece’s Void Century

In the expansive and meticulously crafted world of One Piece, no period is as shrouded in mystery and significance as the Void Century. This 100-year blank period in world history, erased and suppressed by the World Government, is the key to understanding the series’ deepest secrets, from the origin of Devil Fruits to the true nature of the “Will of D.” While the history books are silent, the scattered fragments of Poneglyphs, ancient weapons, and the memories of a few select characters have painted a picture of a legendary era filled with figures of immense power and influence. While many of these characters remain a secret to the average person, the dedicated fan community has pieced together a list of some of the most powerful and intriguing figures who lived during this enigmatic time. This article will delve into some of the most prominent, from the legendary Joy Boy to the newly revealed Emeth, and explore their potential roles in the final saga of One Piece.

1. Joy Boy

No character from the Void Century is as legendary or as frequently mentioned as Joy Boy. For a long time, he was a mythical figure known only through a Poneglyph on Fish-Man Island, where he left an apology to the ancient Mermaid Princess for failing to keep a promise. The Wano Country arc finally revealed more about his identity, confirming that he was a powerful figure who lived 800 years ago and was the original user of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, the same Devil Fruit as Monkey D. Luffy. The revelation that Joy Boy was a “warrior of liberation” who made people smile and laugh instantly tied him to Luffy’s journey and cemented his role as the central figure of the Void Century. The fact that the World Government has been hunting the fruit for centuries suggests the immense threat he posed to their authority.

2. Emeth (The Ancient Giant Robot)

Recently revealed in the ongoing Egghead Island arc, Emeth, the Ancient Giant Robot, is another colossal figure from the Void Century. This massive machine, which scaled the Red Line and attacked the World Government’s headquarters 200 years ago, was finally brought to life on Egghead by the sound of the “Drums of Liberation” from Luffy’s Gear 5. Its name, Emeth, is a Hebrew word meaning “truth” and is associated with the Jewish myth of the Golem. The robot’s sole purpose, as revealed by Vegapunk, was to fight alongside Joy Boy, and its dormant state was a direct result of Joy Boy’s defeat. The fact that Emeth has a message for Luffy, the new Joy Boy, suggests a deep connection and a powerful role to play in the final battle against the World Government.

3. Imu

The mysterious and secretive ruler of the world, Imu, is arguably the most powerful figure from the Void Century. While their true identity and origin are still a mystery, the fact that they sit on the Empty Throne and command the Five Elders suggests they are not only a survivor of the Void Century but one of the architects of the World Government’s rise to power. The existence of Imu explains why the World Government has gone to such extreme lengths to suppress the history of the Void Century. Imu’s immense power, hinted at by their ability to destroy entire islands from afar, makes them the ultimate antagonist and the central figure of the final war.

4. The Queen of Alabasta (Nefertari Lili)

While her full history is still being uncovered, Nefertari Lili, the queen of the Alabasta Kingdom during the Void Century, is a crucial figure in the saga. She was one of the original twenty kings who created the World Government but refused to become a Celestial Dragon. She instead chose to return to her kingdom and pass down the family secret about the Poneglyphs and the “Will of D.” It is believed that she, or someone she entrusted, was responsible for scattering the Poneglyphs across the world, ensuring that the true history would survive. Her defiance of the World Government makes her one of the most heroic figures from the Void Century and a testament to the legacy of the “Will of D.”

5. Zunesha

The colossal elephant that carries the nation of Zou on its back, Zunesha, is an ancient being that has been alive since the Void Century. Zunesha was a companion of Joy Boy and was tasked with a grave punishment for an unknown crime it committed 800 years ago. Its ability to hear the “Drums of Liberation” and recognize Luffy’s Gear 5 form as the return of its former comrade is a clear sign of its connection to the past. The immense size and power of Zunesha, along with its ability to communicate through the Voice of All Things, suggests a significant role for it in the final war, possibly in helping to fulfill Joy Boy’s promise.

6. The Ancient Mermaid Princess (Poseidon)

The original possessor of the Poseidon ancient weapon, the mermaid princess who lived during the Void Century, was a powerful figure who had the ability to command and communicate with the Sea Kings. Her power, however, was not one she could control, and it was tied to the fate of the ancient ship Noah. Joy Boy’s promise to her and the subsequent failure to keep it is one of the most tragic mysteries of the Void Century. This story is passed down through generations of Mermaid Princesses, tying the past to the present and hinting at a future where the promise can finally be fulfilled by the current Princess, Shirahoshi.

7. The First Pirate

Dr. Vegapunk recently revealed in his message to the world that Joy Boy was the very first pirate. This revelation shatters the conventional understanding of piracy in the One Piece world and suggests that the original pirates were not simply criminals but were freedom fighters aligned with the Great Kingdom. Joy Boy, as the first pirate, led this charge for liberation against the oppressive twenty kingdoms, and his legacy is what inspired the next generation of pirates, including Gol D. Roger, to search for the truth.

8. The Kozuki Clan

The Kozuki Clan of Wano Country, a nation of highly skilled stonemasons, played a monumental role in the Void Century. It was their ancestors who created the Poneglyphs, the indestructible stone blocks that contain the true history. The fact that the Kozuki family has a history of defying the World Government and has passed down the knowledge of how to read the Poneglyphs for generations makes them key players in the final saga. Their involvement suggests a deep alliance between the Great Kingdom and Wano, and their role was to ensure that the story of the Void Century would not be erased forever.

9. The Original User of the Ope Ope no Mi

While their name and identity are still a mystery, the original user of the Ope Ope no Mi Devil Fruit is a legendary figure from the Void Century. This is based on the theory that Imu, the immortal ruler of the world, gained their eternal life through the fruit’s ultimate surgery, which requires the user to sacrifice their own life. This would make the original user of the fruit a martyr who gave their life to ensure the survival of another. Their sacrifice, however, was used for a tyrannical purpose, and it adds another layer of complexity to the history of the Void Century and the nature of the Devil Fruits.

A Legacy That Endures

The Void Century is not just a blank space in a history book; it is the beating heart of the One Piece story. The legendary figures from this era, from the heroic Joy Boy to the tyrannical Imu, are not just relics of the past but are active players in the present. Their will, their power, and their legacies have been passed down for centuries, and they are now converging on the final saga. The unfolding story promises to finally reveal the truth about these mysterious characters and the fate of their world, bringing an end to one of the greatest mysteries in all of fiction.