One Piece Chapter 1187 Confirms Imu Is a God Stronger Than Nika

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has escalated its “God-tier” power scaling again: Chapter 1187 officially puts Nerona Imu above Monkey D. Luffy’s Sun God Nika, even while Imu is reportedly operating under heavy limitations during the Elbaf finale.

One Piece Chapter 1187 Officially Confirms Nerona Imu As A Stronger God Than Nika

The Sun God Nika was formally introduced in One Piece Chapter 1044, released March 28, 2022, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #17. In Oda’s lore, Nika is one of the most important figures in the series’ history—also referred to as the Warrior of Liberation—fighting with extreme freedom and bringing smiles to people living under oppression. Nika is framed as one of the most lethal warriors ever recorded in the world of One Piece, and his abilities are currently being used by Monkey D. Luffy through the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.

As the Sun God, Luffy’s strength is massive, and when his Haki is added to the equation, he’s positioned as one of the Four Emperors—an individual the World Government is said to fear. Still, the Elbaf Arc climax has made it clear that even as the Sun God, Luffy isn’t the strongest “God” in the setting. Nerona Imu—the Devil God—is stronger, and that point is reiterated in One Piece Chapter 1187, released July 5, 2026.

Nika’s power has already been shown in action right after Luffy awakened the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika in Chapter 1044. In the fight against Yonko Kaido, the Sun God’s capabilities were on full display: Luffy overpowered Kaido and then used his top technique, “Bajrang Gun,” to defeat him—potentially even ending his life.

“Possessing a body with the powers of rubber, and fighting in whatever way he fancies, bringing smiles to the faces of people, the Warrior of Liberation…also known as the Sun God, Nika!” — The Elders explain Nika’s power, One Piece Chapter #1044

Later, Luffy went up against Admiral Kizaru. Even without going all out, Luffy kept up comfortably and paralyzed Kizaru using “White Star Gun,” described as a fairly straightforward technique, in One Piece Chapter 1094 on October 9, 2023. When Luffy fought Saint Saturn and the other Elders, he was dominant overall, but he didn’t have a way to permanently injure them, which made the overall conflict inefficient. Elbaf, however, highlights a different reality: while Luffy remains extremely powerful, he can’t sustain Gear 5 for long, and even when he can use it, he still doesn’t match up to the strongest God—Nerona Imu.

“Great Imu’s body isn’t meant to sustain the outside. But even pushing past that, the strength we need and the strength we ought to destroy are both right here.” — Sommers explains Nerona Imu’s nerf, One Piece Chapter #1182

In Chapter 1187, released July 5, 2026, Monkey D. Luffy takes on Nerona Imu directly. The matchup is presented as proof that Imu’s godly power sits far above Luffy’s. Two key factors are emphasized when comparing Luffy’s strength to Nerona Imu’s:

1. When Imu arrives on Elbaf in One Piece Chapter 1179 on April 5, 2026, it’s clear he’s heavily nerfed. This is reinforced again in One Piece Chapter 1182 on May 10, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 24, where Saint Sommers says Imu’s body isn’t made to endure the outside world—confirming Imu is weakened.

2. Nerona Imu also fights Loki, who is established as a powerful God in his own right, using the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr. Imu takes a couple of hits from Loki, but ultimately wins using his Stigma technique, knocking out Elbaf’s God of War.

“That was a good hit, I’ll admit, but it was only made possible because of all the damage I inflicted on him before you came along.” — Loki confirms he weakened Imu before Luffy

Luffy’s situation is different: he enters the battle fully fresh and after eating as much as possible. In One Piece Chapter 1186, Luffy states that in his current condition he can’t imagine losing to anyone. Still, there’s a major ominous warning placed by Oda—suggesting Luffy may end up losing his first fight against Nerona Imu.

“That bad news guy is Elbaf’s enemy, right? Then, that means he’s my enemy as well. I’m overflowing with strength. Right now, I cannot see anyone beating me.” — Monkey D. Luffy’s ominous message, One Piece Chapter #1186

Meanwhile, long-running fan debates—like the Zoro vs Sanji discussion—are treated as effectively settled by the newest chapter’s events.

Nerona Imu Surpassed The War God And Sun God Despite Heavy Nerfs in Elbaf Climax

So far in Elbaf, Imu hasn’t shown his full power. The reason is tied to the nerfs discussed earlier: he can’t fully use his body outside of the flower room in Marijoa, and Loki’s involvement also confirms that Imu has been worn down. Even under those conditions, the chapter’s message is that Nerona Imu is still a stronger God than Sun God Nika—meaning Luffy’s current form doesn’t bridge the gap.

Even with the disadvantages stacked against him, Imu is still expected to take the win over Luffy in this encounter. Because Imu is positioned as the final villain of One Piece, the odds of him being permanently defeated during Elbaf are described as extremely low. That’s why the next step—One Piece Chapter 1188 on July 12, 2026—is framed as a battle where Nerona Imu overwhelms Luffy in the showdown between Gods, leaving the King of the World on top.

Imu: So thou hast finally shown thyself, Joy Boy!

Luffy: Don’t go calling me whatever you want. I’m Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the King of the Pirates.

— The beginning of Luffy Vs Imu, One Piece Chapter #1187

At the same time, the arc still needs Imu to be forced out of Elbaf by the end. Oda is said to have built a time limit into Imu’s ability to stay in the world below. The logic is that once the timer runs out, Imu will be forced to retreat back to the Holy Land of Marijoa—protecting Elbaf while also ensuring Imu remains available for the coming conflicts.

Why Full Powered Imu Is An Unstoppable Force In One Piece

Right now, Nerona Imu is heavily limited in One Piece, but the expectation is that the situation won’t last. When the Final War begins, Oda presumably won’t want the main villain stuck in a weakened state. The story implication is that Imu’s limiters will be removed in some fashion before that stage—potentially through the use of “Mother Flame,” a power introduced in One Piece Chapter 1060, released September 20, 2022, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #42.

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In the Harley, which was officially showcased in One Piece Chapter 1138 on February 3, 2025, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #10, the Elbaf mural shows the Devil God Nerona Imu holding a giant sun. The implication is that this sun could significantly boost Imu and help him shrug off the nerfs applied long ago—potentially dating back to the Void Century. At full power, Nerona Imu is portrayed as nearly unmatched in combat, and only then would viewers and readers be able to see the true scale of his abilities. For now, the takeaway is to watch Imu in a weakened state—still dominating every fight he takes part in.

All chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.