Luffy Gear 5, or “Gear Fifth,” is the awakened form of devil fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. This transformation not only enhances Luffy’s rubbery body but also grants him the extraordinary ability to manipulate and reshape his environment, akin to a Paramecia’s awakening. This milestone in Luffy’s power journey occurred during his epic final showdown with Kaidou on Onigashima, marking one of the most pivotal moments in the One Piece saga.
What Chapter Is Gear 5 Activated?
Luffy unleashes his Gear 5 transformation in One Piece Manga Vol. 103, Chapter 1044. This is where fans first witness the true potential of Luffy’s powers, forever altering the landscape of the Wano Country Arc.
What Episode Does Luffy Use Gear 5?
Gear 5 makes its explosive debut in the anime during One Piece Episode 1071. This moment is a visual and emotional treat for fans, showcasing Luffy’s god-like powers in all their animated glory.
How Did Luffy Get Gear 5?
Luffy’s path to Gear 5 was long, taking almost 5 years and finally unlocking the technique in his final battle against Kaidou during the climax of the Wano Country Arc. On the brink of death, Luffy’s devil fruit awakened—a phenomenon unseen since the Void Century. This awakening revealed the true nature of Luffy’s devil fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, a Mythical Zoan-type fruit.
For years, fans were misled to believe Luffy’s fruit was the Gomu Gomu no Mi, a Paramecia-type fruit. However, the truth was that Luffy’s devil fruit is one of the most powerful in the world, sought by the World Government for over 800 years. According to the Gorosei, it possesses “the most ridiculous power in the world.”
This power, known as Gear 5, elevates Luffy to a level never seen before. It grants him near-unlimited freedom, enabling him to alter his surroundings and reality itself. Gear 5 draws on Luffy’s inherent rubber properties, but much like a Paramecia awakening, it also allows him to manipulate his environment. In essence, Luffy has gained access to the “Toon Force,” a power that allows him to transcend the laws of nature and bend reality to his will—a phenomenon reminiscent of the limitless possibilities seen in cartoons.
The Connection to Mythical God “Nika”
In his Gear 5 form, Luffy takes on the appearance of the “Warrior of Liberation—Sun God Nika,” a legendary figure said to bring joy, freedom, and smiles to those in need. This form grants Luffy complete liberation from physical constraints, allowing him to reshape reality itself. With Gear 5, Luffy’s devil fruit becomes the most powerful in the One Piece world, giving him abilities that not only defy logic but embody the essence of joy and liberation.
Luffy’s constant smile throughout Gear 5 reflects this theme of liberation, creating a joyful parallel between his powers and his connection to Joyboy, the mythical figure tied to the Straw Hat and Luffy’s destiny. This connection adds depth to the transformation, making it a poetic moment in the story’s overarching narrative.
How Does Luffy Activate Gear 5?
Activating Gear 5 is a process as unique as the transformation itself. Upon entering Gear 5 for the first time, Luffy’s heartbeat began to mimic the rhythm of a drumbeat, which Zunesha, the ancient elephant, recognized as the “Drums of Liberation.” Luffy even noticed that his heartbeat sounded amusing.
To trigger Gear 5, Luffy needs to synchronize his heart to the rhythm of these Drums of Liberation. Once his heartbeat matches this rhythm, Luffy can activate Gear 5 at will, unlocking his most powerful form whenever he needs it.
What Does Gear 5 Luffy Look Like?
Gear 5 not only enhances Luffy’s powers but also transforms his appearance dramatically. Luffy’s hair, eyebrows, and clothing (except for his sandals and belt) turn a radiant shade of white, giving him an almost celestial look. A large, fluffy white cloud forms around his neck, further emphasizing his divine transformation.
Additionally, Luffy’s eyes take on a crimson hue, and his eyebrows become wavy and more pronounced. However, when Luffy exits Gear 5 mode, his appearance reverts to normal.
Luffy’s Gear 5: Powers, Abilities and Weaknesses
Luffy’s Gear 5, also known as his most powerful transformation to date, breaks the mold of traditional shonen power-ups by bringing an eccentric, cartoonish twist to combat. This form has taken fans by surprise, offering a blend of hilarity and immense power. For instance, when Luffy was hit by Topman Warcury’s Haoshoku Haki roar, the impact caused his clothes and scars to comically detach from his body, only for him to simply reattach them. This blend of humor and strength makes Gear 5 a standout transformation in a world where most power-ups are treated with intense seriousness. Now, let’s dive into the potent abilities that come with this peak form of Luffy’s powers.
Immense Strength, Speed, and Durability
Gear 5 propels Luffy’s physical abilities to new heights, surpassing most Zoan-type devil fruit users, including those with awakened powers. The increase in strength, speed, and durability is remarkable—Luffy is now on par with Yonkō-level fighters. For example, Luffy could fight on nearly equal footing with Kaidou, one of the most feared Emperors of the sea, who himself wields the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu. Luffy’s Gear 5 allowed him to overpower this fearsome opponent and defeat him, solidifying his status as one of the world’s strongest fighters.
Combining Powers of Gear 3 and Gear 4
One of the most striking features of Gear 5 is the ability to seamlessly integrate the techniques of Gear 3 and Gear 4. Luffy no longer needs to pump air into his body to inflate his limbs or muscles. This allows him to magnify his strength at will, enabling attacks of unprecedented power. In one instance, Luffy enlarged his arm to such an immense size that he was able to grab Kaidou’s gigantic, dragon-formed body and yank him out of the Skull Dome. He can also inflate his entire body to the size of a giant, an ability that significantly enhances his combat versatility.
Rapid Recovery and Durability
Luffy’s resilience in Gear 5 is almost god-like. He can rapidly recover from injuries—even while unconscious—making him nearly indomitable. His enhanced durability is showcased when he endured a direct hit from Kaidou’s powerful Bolo Breath attack, emerging with little to no damage. This regenerative ability ensures Luffy can remain in the fight for longer, even against opponents of Kaidou’s caliber.
Haki Infusion and Limitless Power
Gear 5 also allows Luffy to channel both Armament Haki and Conqueror’s Haki simultaneously, delivering devastating attacks on his enemies. This dual infusion of Haki makes Luffy’s strikes far more potent, enabling him to overcome even the toughest opponents.
Additionally, the flexibility and adaptability of Luffy’s rubbery body reach new heights in this form. His body’s elasticity, combined with his newfound freedom of movement, creates a cartoonish yet formidable defense. For instance, in the manga, Luffy used his pliable body to wrap his head around Kaidou’s Hassaikai attack, transforming his defense into a comical yet effective countermeasure.
Environmental Manipulation
One of the most unique aspects of Gear 5 is Luffy’s ability to extend his rubbery properties to his surroundings, including organic materials. This transformation enables Luffy to reshape the battlefield to his advantage, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to his already formidable skill set.
Inspired by the concept of “Toon Force,” Luffy’s powers in Gear 5 are only limited by his imagination. As his creativity knows no bounds, fans can expect to see even more inventive uses of this form in future arcs.
The Weakness of Gear 5
Despite its overwhelming power, Gear 5 is not without its drawbacks. Due to Luffy’s inexperience with this form, it consumes an immense amount of energy, making it difficult for him to sustain over long periods. After de-transforming from Gear 5, Luffy is often left severely fatigued and may even appear as though he’s aged significantly. This is visually emphasized in the anime, where his colors become muted after using Gear 5. However, these effects are temporary, and Luffy can restore his vitality and stamina by consuming large quantities of food.
Additionally, while Gear 5 offers incredible strength and defense, Luffy remains vulnerable to cutting attacks. This particular weakness leaves him exposed in certain situations, requiring him to strategize around opponents who wield bladed weapons.
Luffy’s Gear 5 Primary Techniques
From growing to the size of a giant to utilizing inventive, cartoonish techniques, Luffy’s new form blends absurdity with unparalleled strength. Below, we dive into the unique and powerful techniques that define Gear 5, showcasing the creativity and raw force that Luffy brings to his battles.
Gum-Gum Balloon
Luffy transforms his body into a massive, helium-like balloon, making himself nearly indestructible by absorbing impacts. First demonstrated against Kaidou’s beast form, Luffy showcased this technique by entering Kaidou’s body and expanding himself until the dragon could barely contain him. The Gum-Gum Balloon is a perfect example of how Luffy blends elasticity with combat, turning defense into offense.
Gum-Gum Giant
Channeling the power of Gear 3 across his entire body, Luffy enlarges himself to the size of an actual giant. This gives him tremendous physical strength and range, allowing him to dominate his opponents with sheer size. This transformation was one of the most visually striking techniques we saw during the fight against Kaidou, further highlighting the limitless possibilities of Luffy’s creativity in Gear 5.
Gum-Gum Bajrang Gun
The Bajrang Gun is arguably Luffy’s most devastating attack in his Gear 5 arsenal. Named after the Hindu monkey god Hanuman, the Gum-Gum Bajrang Gun is an upgraded version of the Gum-Gum King Kong Gun. In this move, Luffy inflates his fist to almost the size of the island of Onigashima. Infusing it with both advanced-grade Busoshoku and Haoshoku Haki, he delivers a punch that radiates Haki without making direct contact, causing cataclysmic damage. This technique was first unleashed against Kaidou in an epic clash that shook the heavens and earth, cementing Luffy’s status as a legendary force.
Gum-Gum Mole Pistol
An attack that adds a level of unpredictability to Luffy’s combat style, the Gum-Gum Mole Pistol involves Luffy punching his fist into the ground. From there, his fist emerges from another part of the environment—like a tentacle—striking his opponent from an unexpected angle. This move was first used against Rob Lucci in his awakened Zoan form, showcasing Luffy’s ability to control the battlefield with his surroundings.
Gum-Gum Dawn Whip
Combining the flexibility of his rubbery body with the power of Haki, Luffy uses the Dawn Whip by twisting his body, stretching his leg, and hardening it with Busoshoku Haki. He swings the reinforced leg into his opponent’s face, following it up by allowing his body to rapidly untwist, delivering a burst of additional force. This technique was another powerful move used against Rob Lucci in his awakened Zoan form, demonstrating Luffy’s ability to manipulate momentum for maximum impact.
Gum-Gum Dawn Rocket
With the Dawn Rocket, Luffy turns his environment into his ally. By bending the structure around him with his awakened power, he launches himself like a projectile, crashing into his opponent with tremendous force. In this attack, Luffy shapes his hair into goggles for a whimsical touch before slamming into his opponent’s abdomen, sending them flying. This attack was also first used against Lucci, showcasing the comical yet deadly nature of Gear 5.
Gum-Gum Dawn Stamp
Luffy takes on multiple opponents with this crowd-control technique. By luring his targets into a straight line, he hardens his leg with Busoshoku Haki and stretches it out to strike all of them in one powerful move. The Dawn Stamp was first used against Kizaru’s light clones, demonstrating Luffy’s ability to handle multiple adversaries with a single attack.
Gum-Gum Star Gun
One of Luffy’s more visually entertaining moves, the Star Gun is an enhanced, Haki-infused punch. After enlarging his muscles and hardening his arm with Busoshoku and Haoshoku Haki, Luffy spins in place and delivers a massive hook to his opponent’s head. Upon impact, cartoon-like stars appear, adding a comical touch to this otherwise brutal move. Luffy first used the Star Gun against Kaidou, but the technique went unnamed until he used it again on Kizaru, sending the Marine Admiral flying and immobilizing him temporarily.
Gum-Gum Dawn Gatling
Taking the destructive power of the Gomu Gomu no Elephant Gatling to the next level, Gear 5 eliminates the setup time for this rapid-fire attack. Luffy no longer needs to stretch his arms back or inflate his fists in advance; he can now execute the barrage of punches instantly, packing an even stronger punch. This improved version of the Elephant Gatling was first used against Jaygarcia Saturn, and it proved powerful enough to send Saturn crashing through buildings.
Gum-Gum Dawn Cymbal
A whimsical yet effective attack, the Dawn Cymbal involves Luffy enlarging his hands and clapping them together with his opponent trapped in between. The result is a flattened, disk-like form of his opponent, which Luffy then flings away. This technique was first used against both Kizaru and Saturn, exemplifying the playful yet destructive nature of Gear 5.
Gum-Gum Dawn Balloon
The Dawn Balloon showcases Luffy’s creative use of his rubbery body in a cooperative attack. After inflating his body, he grabs his opponent and pulls them into his belly. Luffy’s allies then strike his back, compressing his body and transferring the force into his opponent before launching them far into the distance. This technique was first seen against Marcus Mars, where Luffy combined his strength with Sanji’s Ifrit Jambe, Franky’s Strong Impact Right, and Bonney’s Tokudai Nika no Punch to devastating effect.
Luffy’s Gear 5 Situational Techniques
Luffy’s Gear 5, the culmination of his Devil Fruit powers, represents a truly unique and imaginative evolution in the One Piece universe. With this transformation, Luffy has unlocked a host of abilities that not only push the limits of combat but also blur the lines between the cartoonish and the extraordinary. Below, we explore some of the most innovative Gear 5 techniques Luffy has used to date.
Gum-Gum Escape Rocket
When trapped inside Kaidou’s massive dragon form, Luffy uses the Gum-Gum Escape Rocket to escape in a remarkably creative way. After inflating himself with Gomu Gomu no Fusen, he stretches his arms through Kaidou’s eyes, grabs onto his nose, and launches himself out of the Emperor’s body. This escape not only showcases Luffy’s quick thinking but also his ability to turn even the direst situations into an opportunity for counterattack.
Gum-Gum Jump Rope
In a moment that perfectly encapsulates the comical nature of Gear 5, Luffy uses his giant form to grab Kaidou’s serpentine dragon body and literally skips rope with him. This technique, Gum-Gum Jump Rope, demonstrates Luffy’s unprecedented strength while adding a lighthearted touch to their fierce battle. It’s moments like these that define Gear 5—blending overwhelming power with unexpected humor.
Gum-Gum Lightning
Luffy’s ability to manipulate his environment reaches new heights with Gum-Gum Lightning. By imbuing a lightning bolt with the properties of rubber, Luffy grabs onto it and hurls it toward his opponent. Though Kaidou managed to dodge this powerful attack, it showed how far Luffy’s creativity could stretch. In the anime, Luffy further demonstrated this ability by grabbing and launching multiple lightning bolts at once, solidifying his control over the battlefield.
Gum-Gum Counterblow (Anime-Only)
In this anime-exclusive technique, Luffy capitalizes on his surroundings. He grabs onto a section of rubberized ground that has been stretched and recoiled from his opponent’s attack, and then slams it down into an archway. Luffy then bounces himself along the rubberized surface, using the momentum to slam his body into his target, pinball-style. The Gum-Gum Counterblow is another example of Luffy’s mastery over his environment and his ability to weaponize it in unpredictable ways.
That’s a wrap on our explainer for Luffy’s Gear 5 technique, which is now his peak form.
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