JIMEI Palace Studios Warlords Series Vol. 5 – Gecko Moria Enters the Spotlight!
Warlords Series
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new One Piece statue release, and this Gecko Moria piece took everyone by surprise. Skipping public teasers and absent from major figure expos, this release proves JIMEI Palace Studios knows how to keep a project tightly under wraps. As the fifth entry in the Warlords series, this statue offers not just scale and polish, but depth, drama, and fanservice in all the right places. Let’s see just how well Moria lives up to expectations.
Gecko Moria – Lord of the Shadows
The Thriller Bark arc is a major turning point in One Piece. It features key characters like Brook, who would later join the Straw Hats; the ever-popular Perona; and the legendary samurai Ryuma, who, as fans like to joke, became more iconic in death than in life. But most importantly, this arc belongs to the Warlord and captain of the Thriller Bark—Gecko Moria himself.
First Impressions & Multiview
Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for monster-type characters. They offer sculptors more challenge—unusual proportions, non-human anatomy, and details without real-life reference all push the design team to think beyond standard forms. When I first laid eyes on this statue, I was stunned by the sheer amount of detail packed into every corner. The expression, textures, and presence—it’s all so cohesive and alive.
Moria comes with interchangeable hands—one posed open, and the other gripping Luffy’s struggling shadow. The intimidating presence is remarkable, and the struggle of the shadow being captured is depicted perfectly, making it come alive. The shadow detail, in particular, is something I really like.
Moria’s signature move, Shadow Asgard, where he absorbs the shadows of 1,000 people, is captured in dramatic detail. His neck is swollen with strain, veins bulging and bursting outward, his face sculpt radiating madness. As a character who’s often seen as theatrical or even goofy, JIMEI has nailed that eerie, domineering quality he carries in battle.
Every inch of this statue contains some kind of surprise—Easter eggs, environmental storytelling, or finely hidden narrative cues. But the biggest surprise? Ryuma makes a surprise appearance! It’s a fun bonus that longtime fans of One Piece and Thriller Bark will instantly recognize and appreciate.
Light-Up Moon & Glow-in-the-Dark Effects
JIMEI Palace Studios went the extra mile this time by designing a light-up moon prop that plays into the “Moonlight” part of Moria’s name. The statue also includes glow-in-the-dark accents on several bats, appearing in their eyes, mouths, and wings. These glowing effects use purple-red luminous pigment, which is significantly more difficult and expensive to produce than traditional blue glow paint. But the payoff is impressive—it’s atmospheric, haunting, and looks stunning in dim lighting.
With its monstrous presence, glowing shadows, and a moon that literally lights up the scene, JIMEI Palace Studios’ Gecko Moria is a triumphant addition to the Warlords statue series. Packed with clever details and atmospheric effects, it doesn’t just recreate a character—it brings the entire Thriller Bark arc to life in 3D. If you’ve been waiting for a showstopper, this one delivers in full shadowy force.
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