Luffy’s transformation into Gear Five in One Piece has become a pivotal moment in both the manga and anime landscapes. This innovative evolution signals the start of an exhilarating new chapter in the series. What truly sets Gear Five apart is Eiichiro Oda’s brilliant creativity, incorporating whimsical and exaggerated cartoon elements that starkly contrast with the more traditional, serious transformations typically seen in shōnen series.
Even with this remarkable twist, Luffy was already an established icon of finesse and individuality before this transformation. Fans cherished the unique qualities he displayed throughout various arcs. Unfortunately, the introduction of Gear Five somewhat overshadowed these defining traits, leading to a dilution of Luffy’s distinctive essence as the series progressed.
Luffy’s Devil Fruit Power Proved He Was A Badass Before Gear Five
The Devil Fruit Showed Luffy’s Resourcefulness & Ingenuity
Right from the beginning of One Piece, it’s evident that Luffy embraces a carefree spirit, guided by his heart. He fearlessly takes on anyone who poses a threat to his friends, showcasing his remarkable willpower that has allowed him to conquer overwhelming foes. What truly elevates Luffy’s badass status, however, is his command over his Devil Fruit powers. At first glance, his ability to stretch seems harmless and trivial, making it hard for fans to see him as a fierce contender.
Yet, Luffy’s resourcefulness shines as he wields what appears to be an underwhelming power with exceptional skill, outsmarting opponents and navigating perilous situations. One of Luffy’s early significant encounters was with Crocodile, a formidable adversary whose sand manipulation initially seemed insurmountable. Despite Crocodile’s dominance in the battle, Luffy’s ingenuity prevailed—he ingeniously stored water within his rubber body to neutralize Crocodile’s sandy attacks, proving his tactical acumen in combat.
Another memorable confrontation that underscores Luffy’s individuality occurs against God Eneru. This battle further emphasizes his distinctiveness. While Luffy’s various Gear transformations—excluding Gear Five—illustrate his strategic mindset and adaptability in fight scenarios, they also highlight his capacity to prevail through sheer tenacity. However, with the advent of Gear Five, Luffy’s former iconic traits, particularly his status as not being the “Chosen One,” were inadvertently cast aside.
Though Gear Five Is Peak, It Breaks Luffy’s Not Being a Chosen One Trope
The Transformation Makes Luffy Overpowered
Although Luffy was initially portrayed through a quirky lens, One Piece began hinting at a “Chosen One” narrative leading up to and following the time skip. With the emergence of Gear Five, it has become increasingly apparent that many narrative threads introduced after the time skip were delicately woven to propel Luffy onto this path.
While embracing the “Chosen One” trope isn’t inherently a flaw—especially considering Gear Five’s delightful strangeness that defies conventional shōnen upgrades—the concern arises from its overwhelming potency. With Gear Five’s unmatched power and eccentricity, the narrative could struggle to depict Luffy overcoming challenges solely through willpower, which was the very essence that made him both compelling and beloved to his fans.
