Updated November 6, 2023 by Noel Vermen
Mariejois is a SCAM! It’s NOT the “Holy Land” you think it is!
That place? It’s literally HELL!
A KINGDOM of FALSE GODS ruled by DEMONS!
Yeah you heard that right! Those summoning circles make it EXTREMELY clear: they’re ALL devils!
Since Oda sensei FINALLY revealed ST. SATURN’s transformation, as well as the silhouettes of the other Gorosei and Imu, we can potentially identify the MONSTERS they really are.
For a bonus: WHAT if Figarland Garling is ALSO a DEMON?!
Then that also means they might be one of the strongest villains in One Piece…
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE!!!
THE GOROSEI ARE FALSE GODS?!
The Summoning Circle
Hold that thought for a moment, cause I really want to discuss something… What EXACTLY is this summoning circle? (Manga Chapter 1094)
The only thing we know is that it can be used either to summon or as transportation.
Do you think only the World Nobles can access such dark magic?!
I don’t think so! Because this isn’t the first time we’ve seen it.
Remember in Episode 421 when Brook was sent away by Kuma to an island that worshiped demons?
None of them were nobles, so that means even commoners can perform black magic.
If that’s the case, what if some pirates are also able to do some black magic?!
Someone like… Shanks!
Yes, our redhead pretty boy can use BLACK MAGIC!
This EXPLAINS how he mysteriously stopped Kaido and then SHOCKINGLY appeared at Marineford the very next day!
We assumed he had a twin who was also a Holy Knight, though it turned out to be his… “DADDY.”
In chapter 1094, we saw Saturn use a pentagram for transportation.
If he can teleport, why does he even need to travel by warship?
Because there’s a specific power that is required to use the summoning circle. Could it possibly be… HAKI?!
Since Shanks has an INSANE Conqueror’s Haki, it could be the reason he can cover vast distances in such a short time.
This might also explain why the cult on Namakura Island believed they’d summoned Brook, but they couldn’t actually bring forth any demons, maybe they just lacked the necessary Haki.
St. SATURN
That’s enough about Shanks for today… Time to unpack the Gorosei!
What sort of DEMONS do they represent?
First up, we’ve got St. JAY GARCIA SATURN, the godhead of science!
When I saw his transformation… He’s like Spider-Man, but with horns!
Given his spider-like physique, he might be based on a yokai, specifically, the Ushi Oni– saaay whaaat?!
The Ushi Oni, AKA Ox Demon, takes different forms but typically has an ox head paired with a spider body.
In Chapter 1095, did you notice that Saturn can immobilize his opponents?
It was said that if you lock eyes with this demon, you can’t look away, bruh. It’ll suck out your soul…
This is referred to as “Kage wo nomu,” which means “eating the shadow” or “drinking the soul.”
Side note – the Ushi Oni isn’t riding solo. It also works in tandem with other monsters, like the Nure Onna, which I’m saving for the last part…
The Ushi Oni is known for its extreme cruelty, which perfectly aligns with Saturn’s behavior; especially since he’s also a Celestial Dragon – yeah, those MOFOs with a “GOD complex”
The funny thing is that he refers to humans as “insects,” even though he LITERALLY looks like.. an insect.
Looks like SOMEONE needs a mirror!
This monster’s breath is also pure DEADLY poison!
So, he needs a mirror and a toothbrush
It was also mentioned that just encountering the Ushi Oni will give you an INCURABLE illness!
WAAAIT… Could St. Saturn have been the cause of Roger’s mysterious disease?!
St. Mars
Gorosei number 2: St. Markus Mars, the godhead of the environment, is likely inspired by this wacky bird called the Itsumade—
What the heck is an Itsumade?
Imagine a person, but with a beak, a snake’s body with wings, and some crazy sharp claws…
Okay I know… that doesn’t sound sexy.
These birds only show up when stuff’s about to go down! Like, plagues, disasters, and on the battlefield. This reminds me of the Big War that is about to happen in One Piece. Maybe in this arc, we might see Mars’s transformation.
Here’s something even more interesting..
In the year 1334, the Itsumade just popped up over the state ceremony hall and scared the hell out of everybody.
To handle that party crasher, the imperial court called in an expert archer, Okijirō Zaemon Hiroari.
He managed to shoot the Itsumade down from the sky, earning himself the name “Mayumi” (meaning true bow), and later earned the glory of a famous warrior.
BTW, if you LOVE history like this… why not take a look on one of our recommendations: best historical manga!
An archer that became a famous warrior? Umm… Usopp? Is that you?
We know Usopp is a badass sniper, but could he beat one of the Gorosei to fulfill his prophecy and become a brave warrior of the sea?
St. Mercury
If you THINK the Itsumade is FREAKY… Bruh… hold my drink and let me tell you about Baku…
This yokai has a bear’s body, elephant’s head, rhino eyes, ox’s tail, and tiger FREAKING legs!
DAMN, that sounds like my sister!
Tossing my sis aside, which of the Gorosei is modeled after the Baku?
That’ll be St. Topman Warcury or should I say… Mercury the godhead of Justice.
BTW, this guy’s mustache ……. Don’t like the guy… but CLASSY.
According to a theory, as we saw Mercury’s silhouette in chapter 1085, it looks like an elephant’s head. That’s why he might be based on the Baku.
I did some research, and I think that the Baku is the closest yokai to match the silhouette.
The Baku aren’t actually considered evil in Japanese mythology; they are considered Holy Beasts. Why?
Because they are dream eaters… They feed on human dreams, especially the bad ones.
Do they prefer spicier dreams? Cause I might have a few… ingredients. (wink wink)
These beasts truly fit nicely because DREAMS are a BIG DEAL in One Piece. But since the bad guys have it, I have a feeling that St. Mercury might be ONE of the TOUGHEST Gorosei the Straw Hats will face in the future – A demon that can devour dreams.
On a side note– I gotta admit guys I really like the story of how Baku was made…
You know when you’ve got random leftovers in the fridge and you make an epic meal? That’s basically how the gods created Baku and lemme tell you… they loved their own cooking!
Because of its mixed appearance, it became a favorite of the gods.
HMM… Could Mercury be Imu’s favorite?!
St Venus
Remember the Gorosei who looks like Gandhi?
His name is St. Ethan Baron V. Nusjuro and the “V” stands for Venus.
He might be based on the Mikoshi Nyudo – a yokai that looks like a regular monk, but this guy can stretch super tall, has crazy long claws, and freaky wild hair.
Venus definitely resembles a monk, except for the “wild hair.”
Which is funny because most of the Nyudo’s illustrations are bald.
This yokai can transform into a towering beast and grow taller the more you look up at it.
A way to counter this demon… Is to look at its head and then quickly gaze at your NAAASTY feet.
But if you reverse this and look up at it from your feet up to its head… Then the Nyudo will eat you.
If we compare this to Venus’ silhouette in the manga, it looks like he has a long neck. (Manga Chapter 1085)
What happens to those who encounter the Mikoshi Nyudo?
They face different consequences based on their reactions.
People who stare at this yokai will be frozen in fear and die instantly. Just like the Ushi Oni or Saturn.
If you ignore the Mikoshi Nyudo or try to run away… it will either crush you or pierce you with a bamboo spear. This yokai has a LOT of insecurities.
In Venus’ case, the bamboo spear would be his katana.
Side note: in theory, this sword is the Shodai Kitetsu – not only is it one of the first swords, but it’s also the strongest.
During its transformation, the Nyudo carries an object that contains its true body.
If you snatch this object… Then you basically win and have this yokai at your mercy.
That object is definitely Venus’ katana. AND I have a feeling that the one who will beat this Gorosei is none other than Zoro.
St. Jupiter
What about the godhead of agriculture, St. Shepherd Ju Peter?
There’s a theory he could be the Akaguchi, aka Akashita.
This yokai? Well, it’s a beast with clawed hands, a face that’s like 20% hair and 80% clouds, with a big ol’ tongue hanging out, and nobody’s ever seen its full body.
Don’t JUDGE!!! It’d be weird if everyone saw you naked.
Comparing this to the silhouette in chapter 1085, it makes sense why Ju Peter’s face looks all blobby and has a wide mouth… he reminds me of the “screaming meme” face,
speaking of… check this out just in case you’ve missed some of these One Piece memes.
Akaguchi is linked to water usage in farming areas. Some people say that it can be seen atop a water gate or floodgate. which lines up with St. Ju Peter being the head of agriculture.
When water was scarce, it was shared fairly among farmers.
If you stole some extra water and got lucky dodging the law… Well, you might not be so lucky with the Akaguchi, because this monster will swallow you with its big red tongue.
Others think this yokai is related to Shakuzetsujin, the red-tongued god, the guardian of the western gate of Tai Sui– which is a concept in Chinese astrology and mythology, representing a celestial body that isn’t the planet Jupiter but is related to its orbit.
Tai Sui, Jupiter, Ju Peter? Starting to see the patterns?
Imu
Now that we’re done with the old men, let’s start with… The supreme ruler of the World Government… Imu.
And who might he be based on?
Imu might be inspired by the yokai: the Nure Onna.
It’s super intriguing that “Nure Onna” sounds a lot like ‘Nerona,’ the clan Imu is from. (Manga Chapter 1086)
According to legends, Nure Onnas are vampiric sea serpents – and yeah, they suck… Ha! Got’em! They come in two main types: some have arms, others don’t.
If you saw Imu’s transformation in chapter 1085, you’d have noticed this guy’s got two arms.
In English the “Nure Onna” translates to “Wet Woman.” I know we’re all excited, even me, but it’s not like that!
It gets that name because it has a woman’s face and long black hair that always looks drenched… Imu has that wet look. IF you know what I am saying…
Wait… what if Imu is a woman?
Yeah, I think Imu’s a lady.
Nure Onnas can be super sneaky, pretending to be tired ladies with babies.
They’ll ask people or sailors to hold their ‘baby’ for a moment. If you fall for it and grab that baby, it becomes as heavy as a rock and you’re stuck.
I doubt Imu has the power to make a baby, but I bet she can immobilize her foes, just like Saturn and Venus.
Given the yokai is a serpent… Could Imu’s devil fruit be a mythical version of the Hebi Hebi no Mi?
There’s another theory, though. Some fans are saying that Imu is based on the Umi Bozu, especially since “Imu” spelled backward is “Umi.”
I get the “Umi” part which means “Sea.” But the yokai? Not so sure.
Its physical descriptions don’t connect with what we know about Imu.
“Umi Bozu” translates to “Sea Priest,” and Imu doesn’t look like a priest.
Sure, it has inky black skin and two large, round eyes. Imu has those big eyes, but the pitch-black skin? That’s just a silhouette, my friend.
That’s why I’m putting my money on Nure Onna.
Though I do agree that Umi Bozu might have inspired the giants we saw in the Florian triangle.
Figarland Garling
As promised, for the bonus feature: introducing the redhead sugar daddy – Figarland Garling!
If Garling were to be a monster, what kind of creature might he be?
He could be modeled after the man who’s said to live on the moon… the Katsura Otoko. OOOH that might explain Garling’s crescent-moon hairstyle.
If Mercury has a slick beard, Garling’s is next-level sexy.
Katsura Otoko—is said to be a very handsome dude. In Chapter 1095, when we catch a glimpse of a young Garling at God Valley… the ladies are going NUTS!
But you better watch out, you better not cry. If you stare too long at this yokai, he’ll wave you over, and with every wave, your life gets shorter and shorter every day. Keep staring, and you might as well cancel Christmas. It’s over for you, buddy you hear me? It’s over!
Based on this, we can assume that Saturn, Venus, Imu, and Garling all share the same power… Just one look and you’re outta here!
Conclusion
Since the start of One Piece, we’ve been introduced to various elements of the story that involve Gods and Devils, such as Devil Fruits, the Sun God Nica, and now the Gorosei.
The funny thing is, they even gave Nico Robin the title ‘Devil’s child‘, even though they themselves are Demons. But did you know that another Straw Hat might also have a DEMON within? A DEMON under his left eye…
