In Chapter 1191, Im transformed further — the horns spreading wide like those of an Ancient Giant. Just like Kaido’s…
In other words: Akuma = a hybrid race of Lunarians × Oni (Demon race).
This is a world-first divine theory!
Im’s Form in the Lower World
When Im arrived in Elbaf, the form was completely different from any silhouette we had seen before.
Is this simply one of One Piece’s “don’t trust the silhouette” moments? Or is it something else entirely…
Mid-Transformation Like a Zoan Type?
Among Zoan users, there are those like Luffy or Lucci who don’t change size when transforming, and those like Ulti who grow massive in their Human-Beast form based on the model creature’s size.
Im’s ability: the “Akuma no Mi” (Demon Fruit) has no classification — no “Paramecia/Zoan/Logia type, Mythical, Model: ___” listing. It’s simply written in katakana as “Akuma,” so the type is unknown.
It could possess elements of all three types — Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia — or it could be something entirely different and special.
For this analysis, I’ll assume it has elements of all types, particularly a Zoan/Mythical-like nature, and proceed treating Im’s current form as a Human-Beast form.
The True Identity of Akuma: Lunarian x ??? Race?
When Im hijacked Gunko, the wings were bat-shaped — but upon appearing in Elbaf, Im bore bird-like black wings, just like a Lunarian.
Other features match too: dark skin, white hair, and the Omen marks appear to substitute for the flames on a Lunarian’s back. If this is the Human-Beast form, could Akuma simply be a Lunarian?
But there’s a horn growing from the forehead — so it’s hard to say it’s a perfect match for Lunarians…
Could this be about the mixed blood that Gaban mentioned?
When I think of horns, I think of giant races with Ancient Giant blood like Harald and Loki, or Kaido. But what race was Kaido actually from?
Size-wise, an Ancient Giant x Human hybrid? Perhaps called the Oni (Demon) race? And Buccaneers — hornless giants — could be the regular giant x human hybrid?
If so, in Elbaf, the Ancient Giant lineage would be the noble bloodline.
So among those with giant blood, the Oni race (like Kaido) might be the noble blood, and Buccaneers (like Kuma) the lesser bloodline.
Perhaps those values among giants carry over even when a being takes normal human size?
Then, mixed with another race, having Ancient Giant blood would make it noble blood?
For example, a hybrid of the immortal Lunarians and Ancient Giants would be the strongest creature on earth, right?
Could that be Im’s transformed form — the true identity of Akuma? The mightiest and most noble species on the planet?
It would make perfect sense for such a being to be called both a god and a demon.
Lunarian x Oni (Hypothetical) = Mini Akuma
If King had been a woman, could she have married Kaido and had a child with horns and Lunarian traits? Not a giant, but a being with the characteristics of an Akuma?
And even now — if Yamato and King were to marry, there’s a real possibility they could have a little Akuma!
So Yamato’s top marriage candidate is officially King!
King absolutely loves Kaido, and would probably take good care of Yamato too. Not a bad pairing at all?
Summary: What Is Akuma?
To summarize: the true nature of the Akuma no Mi is a race that combines Lunarian traits (black wings, dark skin, white hair, flames) with Ancient Giant traits (horns) — that is what Akuma is.
If it combines Kaido’s toughness with King’s immortality, it’s no wonder such a being appears as both a god and a demon.
And here a question arises.
Does Akuma (the Demon) have a gender?
Looking at Im’s form upon descending to the lower world, this question connects directly to the mystery of Im’s human form.
Next article: Is Im Male or Female? Analyzing the Mystery of Im’s Human Identity