Origin
Creation
Emporio Ivankov (???????????, Enporio Iwankofu) is a supporting character of the One Piece series that was created by Eiichiro Oda. The series first began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Sh?nen Jump on August 4, 1997. He first appeared during the Impel Down Arc that began in Volume 54.
Oda based Ivankov on the real life cross dresser Norio Imamura, who was a member of Mayumi Tanaka’s acting group. Oda met him and described him as having the face of a boulder (?, iwa) and he mistook Imamura’s name as “Iwamura”. Upon hearing that Emporio was based upon him, he auditioned for the role as the voice actor and got it.
His first appearance was in One Piece Volume 55 CH. 537 “Okama in Hell”,
The design and personality of Ivan bears a remarkable resemblance to the Dr. Frank N. Furter character from the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show that was portrayed by the acclaimed actor Tim Curry. Both characters have permed hair, wear revealing female lingerie, pearl necklace, heavy make up, are self proclaimed transvestites, reference the attributes of sexual ambiguity, and lead a band of like minded followers. Emporio’s tendency to call his followers “Candies” is possibly a reference to the Rocky Horror song “Sweet Transvestite”, In the lyrics, Frank N. Furter calls himself the “candy man”.
Character Evolution
Major Story Arcs
Impel Down Arc
Ivan was introduced to Monkey D. Luffy and Bon Clay as they were rescued by Inazuma from the cold of Level 5 in Impel Down. Luffy was suffering from various poisons of Warden Magellan. Ivan used his hormone abilities to help Luffy heal, though the probability of him surviving was low. Luffy survived and was here to save his brother, Portgas D. Ace. Ivan was reluctant to get involved until Luffy accidentally slipped that he was the son of Dragon.
They were too late to Level 6 to stop Ace’s transport, but they freed Sir. Crocodile and Jimbei from their cells to help in the escape. He changed himself into a woman to fight Sadi-chan, then changed back and fought with Magellan to slow him down .He had to heal himself with his hormone powers. Ivan revived just in time to help escape the prison and onto a nearby boat they had captured. They were only able to get through the Gate of Justice due to the sacrifice of Bon Clay staying behind.
Marineford Arc
Just before they arrived at Marineford, Luffy revealed that Ace wasn’t his biological brother, but actually the son of Gold Roger. The ship they were on was caught into a gigantic tidal wave that was quickly frozen. After freeing the ship, they fell down into the war zone below. Ivan had to give Luffy an energy boost with Energy Hormones after he had collapsed form exhaustion. He was then attacked by Bartholomew Kuma, who didn’t seem to recognize him. Doflamingo told him that Bartholomew Kuma was dead. All that was left was a cyborg under the World Government control.
Though Luffy managed to save his brother, Ace still died at the hands of Akainu while trying to protect Luffy. Luffy had then con catatonic in grief. Ivan and Inazuma fought bravely against Akainu to let Jimbei run off with Luffy. Ivan then stowed away on the Navy ship Boa Hancock had commandeered to follow Luffy aboard Trafalgar Law’s sub. They caught up eventually, and they decided to take Luffy to Amazon Lily. Ivan then returned to Peachy Island with his followers aboard the Navy ship.
Dawn Island Arc
As soon as Ivan returned, he found a man claiming to be Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates. He didn’t believe him, becasue the wanted posters didn’t seem to match. Eventually, it was cleared up that he was Sanji. Once Sanji saw the massage form his captain in the paper, Sanji stayed on Peachy Island to train. Ivan challenged him to defeat all the 99 masters of New Kama Kempo to get the special recipes of their island.
Powers & Abilities
Horm-Horm Fruit
New Kama Kempo
Other Media
Anime
One Piece (1999)
The One Piece animated series is a direct adaptation of Oda’s original manga.. It’s produced by TOEI Animation and first began airing in October 20, 1999. Ivan’s first anime appearance is in One Piece – Episode 438 “A Paradise in Hell! Impel Down Level 5.5! “, which aired on February 14, 2010 in Japan.
His character in the Japanese series was originally voiced by Norio Imamura, but after his arrest for indecent exposure he was replaced by Mitsuo Iwata, The English dubs produced by FUNimation has not yet announced a voice actor.