Unlocking the Unseen Power: Oda Unveils the Mind-Blowing Inspiration behind Luffy's Gear 5!

Gear 5 is undeniably one of the most memorable and influential transformations in the world of One Piece, as well as in the realm of anime and manga as a whole. Luffy achieved this incredible transformation during his fierce battle against Kaido in the Wano Country arc, completely altering the fans' perception of his abilities.

Gear 5 is undoubtedly Luffy's most distinctive and extraordinary transformation thus far, opening up a vast array of exciting possibilities for him. It harmonizes flawlessly with his character, which is why fans have grown so fond of it. While Gear 5 is widely adored, it may not necessarily appeal to everyone's taste, and Oda himself has recently shed light on his decision to infuse it with comedy.

How Luffy Awakened Gear 5

In the Wano Country arc, Luffy bravely faced off against a Yonko, joining forces with Law and the samurai of Wano. Their target was Kaido, one of the feared Four Emperors of the Sea, who had been wreaking havoc in Wano for two decades. Luffy, shouldering the hopes of the entire country, took on the immense responsibility to bring Kaido down. However, it quickly became clear that Luffy's initial attempt to battle Kaido fell short of expectations. Determined to improve, Luffy knew he had to train harder and become even stronger before he could pose a real threat to Kaido.

Under the guidance of Hyogoro in Udon Prison, Luffy underwent rigorous training to refine his skills. When he returned, he was rejuvenated and burning with determination. Yet, despite his renewed vigor, Luffy's powers still proved insufficient. Kaido swiftly extinguished Luffy's flames and sent him crashing to the ground, making Luffy fully realize the immense level of strength he needed to attain to rival the emperors. It was during this moment of realization that Luffy discovered the ability to coat himself in the Color of the Supreme King, which became a game-changer for him. Finally, his attacks began inflicting significant damage on Kaido, making a tangible difference in their clash.

Continuing his relentless efforts, Luffy successfully toppled Kaido multiple times, although it was only much later in the story that he finally achieved true equilibrium. Despite his mastery of the Color of the Supreme King, Luffy's abilities fell short. Inevitably, he was defeated by Kaido, and an untimely intervention by Guernica led to his demise.

It was at this critical moment that Luffy's Devil Fruit awakened, revealing a newfound power deep within him. Unleashing this power caused his heartbeat to resound like the resounding Drums of Liberation, echoing far and wide. Infused with Haki and an immense surge of power, Luffy's body underwent a remarkable rejuvenation. Rising to his feet once again, he assumed a radiant all-white form with a fiery cloud encircling his neck. Luffy transformed into the Warrior of Liberation and, in recognition of his prowess, the Gorosei proclaimed him as the Sun God Nika.

How Gear 5 Is Different From Regular Transformations

In the realm of anime and manga, transformations typically embody a character unlocking their next powerful ability, showcasing a formidable form and stronger strikes, among other things. Gear 5, however, breaks this convention and completely redefines the concept of transformation. Unlike a standard transformation, Gear 5 presents Luffy in a comically amusing manner, to the extent that it appears he isn't taking the fight seriously. Luffy's initial manifestation as the Sun God Nika involves laughter and enjoyment. Remarkably, this doesn't throw Kaido off balance. Kaido understands that the one who laughs the most is Joyboy, and believes Joyboy is destined to bring laughter and joy to the entire world, liberating them from enslavement and curing all their afflictions.

Instead of adopting a stern and badass demeanor with this new transformation, Luffy assumes the persona of a goofy character who laughs and crack jokes amidst the chaos of the battlefield. At his core, Luffy has always been characterized by his childlike and pure nature, and Gear 5 amplifies this aspect to the utmost degree. Furthermore, his power impacts those around him as well. Even Kaido, a formidable Emperor, succumbs to the profound influence of this ability, as do all his subordinates on the performance floor.

Luffy essentially becomes a character straight out of a comic strip that is meant for gags. He epitomizes the same traits as popular cartoons such as Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, shows that many fans all over the world likely grew up with. Simply put, Luffy enjoys himself and accomplishes his objectives while displaying a comical demeanor during his battles.

Oda's Inspiration For Gear 5 Luffy

While some fans may find Luffy's comical Gear 5 transformation to be a turn off, the majority of his followers have embraced it wholeheartedly. This transformation embodies Luffy's true essence from the very beginning of the story—a lighthearted and free-spirited rubber man who possesses a genuinely pure soul. Luffy cherishes aiding his friends and desires for them to experience the same unburdened joy he does. Ultimately, this is precisely what Oda intended to convey through Luffy's character. In 2022, Oda briefly discussed his decision to incorporate Gear 5 into the storyline.

Gear 5 was initially drawn by Oda as a risky joke, fully aware that it may not be well-received by his fans. Oda has observed a trend in battle mangas becoming increasingly serious to meet reader expectations, but he personally does not favor this approach. From the inception of the story, Oda aimed for One Piece to maintain a light-hearted tone, which is why Gear 5 as a fun transformation was so important to him. He believes that he accomplished this successfully during Luffy's fight against Kaido.

Interestingly, Oda has revealed that Tom and Jerry served as the inspiration for Gear 5. However, incorporating this inspiration into Luffy's battle against Kaido proved challenging since Luffy was playfully joking while Kaido remained serious. Nevertheless, Oda was able to effectively execute this conceptualization, resulting in a battle that fans will undoubtedly remember as one of the most iconic of all time.

Oda further expressed his fondness for the traditional symbolic manga. He specifically mentioned his love for the iconic leg-spinning motion of characters when they run, which can be witnessed abundantly during Luffy's epic battle against Kaido. Despite acknowledging their outdated nature, Oda is diligently working to incorporate these elements into One Piece with great passion.

Looking ahead, fans can expect Luffy to engage in numerous thrilling fights, where Gear 5 will play a central role. Its remarkably enjoyable nature will surely captivate audiences, particularly as One Piece enters its Final Saga.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.