We fans always get excited when new characters show up in One Piece. But with Gunko, it is different and special. With her introduction on the Elbaf arc, we fans got a list of mysteries with her. This character felt connected to something bigger and filled with lore. And with the hints dropped in the manga, fans everywhere started asking a lot of questions: Is Gunko Imu-sama? Is Gunko Brook’s Daughter?

She came with the God’s Knights. She used dark arrow powers. And with her dark powers resembling Imu-Sama, we got a lot of speculation about her actual background. But what does the manga really say? Who is Gunko, and what does she mean to the world of One Piece? What is her family lineage?

Who Is Gunko in One Piece?

Gunko is a canon character introduced in the Elbaf arc during the Final Saga. She is a member of the World Government’s God’s Knights, also known as Holy Knights in the English titles. This elite unit works directly under the World Nobles and operates outside normal Marine structures.

Gunko works under Figarland Shamrock, who leads the God’s Knights. Her group plays a central role in the Elbaf operation. Which makes them some of the key antagonists of this arc. Gunko’s storyline begins in late 2024 and continues through the early 2025 chapters.

Gunko appears in the official canon manga Volume 112, released in Japan on July 4, 2025. That volume preserves her Elbaf arc debut.

Is Gunko Imu-Sama? How Are They Related?

Answer to Is Gunko Imu-Sama? is tricky. So far, in the canon sources, Gunko and Imu are not confirmed to be the same person. Here is what we do know about both of them:

Imu is the hidden ruler above the World Government, first shown back in the Reverie arc. Imu controls the Five Elders and is the mastermind behind all the work done by the world government. Also, no one knows who he or she is in the one piece world. Even in the world government, very few know his/her existence.

Gunko, on the other hand, is one of the Holy Knights. She appears on-page in early 2025 during the Elbaf arc. Visually, Gunko uses black flames and arrow-based powers, which is the main reason for doubt. Some are speculating that they look similar to earlier Imu scenes. Some believe Imu is remotely controlling Gunko.

But let us be clear. As of now, the manga never clears is Gunko Imu-Sama or not. Their connection is still a mystery, and anything beyond that is fan theory.

Gunko’s First On-Page Appearance in One Piece

Gunko first appears at the end of Chapter 1134 titled “The Owl Library.” This chapter was released on December 22, 2024, matching the Weekly Shonen Jump release on December 23, 2024, in Japan. She arrives with Figarland Shamrock inside Aurust Castle. They were summoned by a ritual-like circle. The panel ends as they materialize in front of the throne.

Her proper action sequence begins in Chapter 1136, titled “The Land That Awaits the Sun,” dated January 19, 2025. That chapter marks Gunko’s official role in the Elbaf arc.

Powers and Abilities of Gunko Shown So Far

Gunko’s first fight scenes show her using bandage-like cloth that unravels from her body and binds targets such as giants. In Chapter 1136, she uses this power to hold a giant wolf mid-air, tightening the bands like a coiling trap.

Her main ability seems to be tied to Arrow-Arrow Fruit (Aro Aro no Mi). It is likely a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. It lets her create and control arrows that move in vector paths, pierce through surfaces, or form constructs. She uses them for both attack and movement.

Later chapters (like Chapter 1146) show her regenerating destroyed body parts, which many readers compared to the Five Elders’ regeneration powers. This links her visually to the high-tier World Government characters. One more twist comes in Elbaf scenes, where Imu seems to remotely override her body briefly “puppeting” her movements.

That part is still unexplained and treated like a mysterious possession. This is also one of the reasons fan theories like “Is Gunko Imu-sama?” are taking place. Gunko also appears through a ritual summoning, alongside other Holy Knights, which may be part of their standard deployment.

Is Gunko Brook’s Daughter?

As of now, there is no confirmation of the theory “Is Gunko Brook’s Daughter or not”. What we know is this: Gunko is a Celestial Dragon of the Manmayer family and serves as a God’s Knight. She appears in Elbaf, interacts with Brook, and shares flashback panels with him.

In one scene, Gunko recalls childhood memories of walking beside Brook before he turned into a skeleton. She is also shown listening to Brook’s song “New World.” When they meet again in Elbaf, she binds him and demands music. But once the flashbacks start coming back, she visibly hesitates. This is why we fans believe there is something between them.

There is also a moment where a child calls out for their father, which seems to trigger Gunko’s memories. But nowhere in the dialogue does Gunko call Brook “father,” or vice versa. These theories mostly come from Chapter 1149–1155, but none of them include direct confirmation. This is exactly why the question “Who is Gunko to Brook?” has some weight.

Manmayer Gunko: Family Name and Celestial Dragon Status

Gunko’s full name is Manmayer Gunko, and she holds the title “Saint,” which confirms her as a Celestial Dragon. This detail was not present in the weekly chapter release. But in the tankōbon version (Volume 112) released on July 4, 2025, the edit adds her surname and noble title in her intro box.

The Manmayer family was mentioned earlier in the story during the God Valley flashbacks. A female Manmayer appeared in the Native Hunting Competition, making them one of the original twenty royal families who became Celestial Dragons. Gunko is the second Manmayer that we have seen in the manga.

As part of the God’s Knights, Gunko holds authority over the World Nobles themselves. The unit has at least nine members, and some are either Celestial Dragons or nobles raised to that rank.

Why Gunko Became a Fan Favorite So Fast

We fans always love a mystery, whether it is Who is Gunko really? Or is Gunko Imu-sama? From the introductions, there have been a lot of discussions between us fans. Is Gunko Imu-sama, or does she serve a different role entirely? Is she a puppet, a clone, or a lost daughter of a Brook? Everything is full of Mysteries.

If you are as curious as we are, drop your theories in the comments below. What is your opinion on “Is Gunko Imu-Sama?”