u/BreadfruitOk57

I know it’s a difficult thing to think about, but I got curious. I know that some people on the staff already know the ending of the series and the main direction of the story. Still, realistically speaking, it doesn’t feel like we’re anywhere near the end yet — probably at least another 5 to 7 years.

In that scenario, do you think the editorial team would continue the story at the current pace and try to follow Oda’s original plan as faithfully as possible? Or would they most likely speed things up significantly to wrap everything up within a couple of years, focusing only on the major plot points?

Lately I’ve been noticing some possible narrative parallels between One Piece and Gurren Lagann. (This theory contains spoilers for Gurren Lagann and the latest chapters of One Piece.)

For those who haven’t watched Gurren Lagann (spoilers ahead): there is a king who subjugates humanity out of fear of the infinite potential of human evolution. Since that potential is limitless, it could eventually lead the universe to ruin. On the other hand, the protagonists stand for the opposite—they pursue growth and power above all else, driven by an unrestrained affirmation of that potential.

I think this creates an interesting parallel with where One Piece might be heading. My theory is that Imu operates through submission (maki) because they believe people shouldn’t have the right to impose their will onto the world—something that could have already led (and might again lead) the world to ruin.

Meanwhile, Joy Boy represents the opposite approach: using his own will (haki) to forcibly assert his existence onto the world. Do you see the parallel?

I also believe that, as Vegapunk suggested, there may not be a clear “right” or “wrong” in this conflict. In the end, Imu will likely have a compelling reason for everything they’ve done, just as Joy Boy will have equally valid reasons to oppose them.

That's also a possible explanation for why Conqueror’s Haki seems to counter Imu’s subordinates. If their power is rooted in total subjugation, then imposing one’s own will could act as a kind of “expulsion” of that control—like adding something where there was only emptiness. That might explain why their regeneration abilities are drastically reduced when they’re hit with Conqueror’s Haki-infused attacks.

What do you guys think?