One Piece: The mystery of Mihawk's eyes is finally solved

As the Elbaph Arc of mangaka Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece series has gone on, fans have found themselves less concerned with in-series world events. The latest spoilers, however, tease that Oda has reminded fans how important this living, breathing world is in typical fashion. This is done with the mysterious Imu allegedly taking over Gunko’s body in chapter 1149’s final panels.

After doing so, Imu berates the Holy Knights for taking so long in Elbaph, revealing that Mariejois is burning while they mess around. While certainly significant dialogue, fans are understandably much more concerned with this act of control itself. More specifically, fans are honing in on the fact that Gunko’s eyes change to match Imu’s concentric pupils.

As expected, the One Piece community is taking this tiny, seemingly insignificant detail and applying it to some of the series’ biggest mysteries. One such mystery, of course, is the presence of these concentric pupils in other characters’ designs and why they have them. Fans’ concern is primarily with none other than the Marine Hunter, Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk.

While still speculative, many are asserting that Mihawk’s concentric pupils may be a result of Imu once taking control of his body. Certainly, the fact that Gunko’s eyes change to match Imu’s as her autonomy is stolen from her makes this a legitimate speculation. However, there’s even more to Mihawk’s character that further supports this theory as being an accurate one.

Imu’s abilities and Mihawk’s most iconic titles in One Piece may speak to his true origins and past

As mentioned above, one of Mihawk’s most iconic titles in One Piece is his Marine Hunter epithet. Although it’s not as popular as Strongest Swordsman in the World or Hawk Eyes, it is arguably the most narratively significant. This is especially true in the context of his origins, of which fans only know he “experienced great betrayal” and holds a grudge with the Marines.

Certainly, having control of one’s own body stolen away would qualify as a great betrayal. The biggest issue with this is that Gunko, a Holy Knight, is the only person to have their body taken over by Imu so far. However, Mihawk’s title as the Strongest Swordsman in the World may even apply to the Holy Knights, a group that he once could’ve been a part of.

Further supporting this idea is the fact that many of One Piece’s Holy Knights so far have been shown to be swordsmen. This includes Saints Figarland Garling, and Figarland Shamrock, obviously, as well as Saint Shepherd Sommers. Mihawk was once a member of the Holy Knights, which would further legitimize his title of Strongest Swordsman in the World.

This would also explain the great betrayal he suffered and why he holds a grudge against the Marines. It would even link these two plotlines in his origins together, with the former explaining the latter. After being betrayed by Imu by having control of his body taken from him, he dedicated himself to opposing the World Government, the Marines being its main force.

Such an origin story would also explain why Mihawk isn’t as fitting with the pirate archetype as other characters in Oda’s manga are. As an ex-Holy Knight, he almost certainly despised pirates on some level during his life. However, after being betrayed by Imu, he now sails the seas among them but refuses to behave as cruelly and brutishly as they do.

Final thoughts

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While the above is speculative, the latest One Piece spoilers and key canon info the series has already provided heavily support it. It would also explain several unique aspects of Mihawk’s character, including his design and epithets. As the Elbaph Arc and Final Saga each progress, fans can expect to see more evidence pop up that either confirms or debunks this theory.

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