The release of One Piece Film: Red has been met with excitement among anime fans ever since its release, and excitement continues to grow with its final Western release. However, fans who watched One Piece Film: Red were met with a rather tragic and somewhat ambiguous ending—many are now wondering if Uta dies in One Piece Film: Red.

The ending of One Piece Film: Red strongly implies that Uta dies, as a result of collectively consuming Wake Mushrooms and refusing the antidote, in addition to the strain she endured while being consumed by the Demon Tot Musica. However, her body was not shown and her death has not been officially confirmed, so some fans believe she may have survived.

Uta's fate seemed bleak from the very beginning of the film, as she continued down an increasingly dark path that would eventually plunge her into madness—complete with a variety of choices that would only seal her demise. Join us as we discuss exactly what happened to Uta, why fans think she died in One Piece Film: Red, and whether there's any chance this new One Piece favorite will make a return in the future.

Does Uta die in One Piece Film: Red?

One Piece Film: Red brought a whirlwind of excitement to even the most impatient fans by shedding light on Shanks' mysterious past and even giving fans a sneak peek at Luffy's Gear 5 form. But the film focused on Uta for the vast majority of its run.

Uta, the star of the series and seemingly the entire world in One Piece Film: Red, started out as a classic heroine with a supernatural voice, capable of far more than the main characters of One Piece knew at the time. Uta had her own plan to recreate the world in a new light, with the intention of creating a reality where everyone can be free, safe, and happy.

But she doesn't recognize the need for other people's consent to do so, nor does she consider her own physical and mental well-being in the process. Things take a turn for the worse when she gives a concert at Elegia, where everyone in attendance is transported to her dream world—after which she expects everyone to be happy with the idea.

This includes the Straw Hat Pirates and other One Piece characters like Law, Blueno, Bartolomeo, Koby, and others, who were quick to oppose Uta's plans. After many "battle" phases, Uta seems to see the error of her ways and seemingly sacrifices herself to repair the damage she caused. However, many factors have led her to this point.

How does Uta die in One Piece Film: Red?

Uta was exposed to the cruelty and injustice of the world from a young age and always vowed that she would do whatever she could to achieve her dream—even if it cost her dearly. Uta became the villain and began trying to control everyone in the One Piece world using her powerful singing voice, and the majority of the world's population was under her control by the film's breaking point.

It was clear that other major One Piece players were already after her, including various One Piece Marines and even Big Mom, who wanted to add Uta to her collection. Uta died because of the path she chose: many collective forces ultimately led to her demise, all of which revolved around her mental and emotional state. Her plan had ultimately set her on a path to disaster, detailed below in consecutive order.

1. Uta eats deadly awakening mushrooms

One of the "rules" regarding Uta's Devil Fruit, the Sing Sing Fruit, is that it carries the consciousness of Uta's victims—not their physical bodies. Their physical bodies remain in the real world and can even be transformed into beings that can be weaponized if necessary.

Uta begins eating Wake Shrooms in a row, in an attempt to stay awake and keep everyone in her dream world. However, these mushrooms are deadly and would undoubtedly lead to her death without treatment.

2. Demon Tot Musica, defeated by Luffy and Shanks

The protagonists discovered that they could seize an opportunity if Uta performed the song "Tot Musica," as the realities would merge just enough for them to escape. However, Uta summoned the Demon Tot Musica, giving Luffy and the others a whole new challenge.

It is revealed that while fans thought Shanks was simply evil and abandoned Uta as a child, he was actually protecting her. It turns out that she had apparently summoned the Demon Tot Musica as a child and unintentionally destroyed Elegia.

But Shanks took responsibility and passed Uta on to King Gordan of Elegia so she could have a fulfilling life as a famous singer. He kept this decision a secret from everyone, including Luffy, as seen below thanks to Crunchyroll Collection.

Uta is absorbed by the Demon Tot Musica, after which our adorable heroes become determined to save her. Luffy (in Uta's world) and Shanks (in the real world) communicate through Usopp and his father's psychic connection, allowing them to coordinate and perform synchronized double attacks that defeat the Demon King.

3. Uta sings with all her heart to save everyone

After the Demon's defeat, Uta is alive but extremely weak, having consumed so many Wake Shrooms. Uta realizes the extent of the damage she has caused and finally abandons her "New Genesis" plan, beginning to feel the warmth and love of her friends and family again.

From this point, Shanks offers Uta an antidote in the real world, and Uta is given the choice to stay alive. But Uta refuses the treatment, saying she can't sleep—that she must stay awake since the only way to free everyone at this point is to sing another song.

Uta begins to sing her heart out, as those trapped in Uta's world begin to wake up in the real world. Just when things seem to be going well, Uta falls unconscious in Shanks' arms, as the Navy decides to give up on capturing Uta. We then see Luffy wake up and see Shanks walking away—and fans get a brief glimpse of a truly somber crew.

Will Uta return in One Piece?

Although Uta hasn't been officially declared deceased, fans can assume that she made her final choice and said her goodbyes, sacrificing herself for those she wished to protect. Additionally, fans spotted Shanks standing over a structure that resembled a coffin with a flag on it, with the crew seemingly gathered around her.

Luffy also tips his straw hat with a somber expression, which could be seen as a respectful tribute to Uta. The final scene, seen below thanks to Wendell Magulud, shows Luffy attempting to speak to Sunny, after which he encounters a mysterious vision of Uta holding the straw hat—much open to interpretation.

The opening credits also show One Piece characters enjoying Uta's music in the future, after the events of One Piece Film: Red. Many fans believe this could be a way to keep Uta's spirit alive—her music was her identity in many ways. Still, Uta is Shanks' daughter, and she's extremely powerful—and he's Oda, so there's room for crazy One Piece theories, too.

A handful of fans believe this could imply that Uta somehow survived, hinting at the possibility of something miraculous happening on the ship. One theory is that Shanks could have forced the antidote after he collapsed, meaning Uta could very well be in a near-coma state—with a slim chance of recovery with enough care (granted, the film's "canon" continuity position alongside the manga and anime is still up for debate).

It's truly sad to see Uta fall like this, especially since she quickly became a new favorite among anime fans everywhere. However, there was certainly something dark yet poetic about her fate in One Piece Film: Red—and the possibility that she's still around in some capacity is enough to keep One Piece fans smiling.