Right from the early beginnings of the One Piece manga and anime, the Five Elders of the World Government were introduced as the highest authorities of the World Government. In recent One Piece chapters and episodes, the Five Elders have been portrayed as serving Imu, an individual who has potentially lived since ancient times. Moreover, with the portrayal of the Egghead Island arc, the Five Elders have become major antagonists that Luffy and the Straw Hats must face.