4 years ago, March 28, 2022, one piece In episode 1044, published in the 17th issue of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, series creator Eiichiro Oda presented the awakening of the mythical animal Hitohitonomi, model: Nikaro Monkey D. Luffy's ultimate transformation. This transformation is Luffy's Gear 5 or Sun God Nika form. As soon as Nika came down to the world after 800 years, Eiichiro Oda confirmed that he was a warrior of liberation who brought smiles and joy to the faces of those around him. The power that Nika Awakening gave Luffy was absolutely enormous, but it also greatly simplified Luffy's tendency to joke around in battle. Gear 5 pushed these character traits to the absolute maximum, sometimes taking all the tension out of combat.
but, one piece The Elbaf arc completely solved this problem by giving Luffy's Gear 5 a whole new edge and having him fight completely seriously for the first time. in one piece In episode 1187, which was officially released on July 5, 2026, Eiichiro Oda gave Luffy's Gear 5 a completely new look by making it much more serious than before.
One Piece Episode 1187 Makes Gear 5 Serious and Officially Erases Luffy's Flaws
Luffy's character has always been stupid from the beginning. one piece. Whether it's his battle with Crocodile using Water Luffy or Enel utilizing the power of Gomu Gomu no Boh, Luffy is always somewhat comical in battle. Even in the battle with Rob Lucci, where the life of his colleague Nico Robin was at stake, Luffy did not let go of his comical personality. However, when Luffy harnessed the power of Gear 5 on March 28, 2022, this comedic aspect of his personality was taken to the absolute maximum level, which some fans did not like.
“What's going on? How can I stay still? I just lost, but I feel excited! Ahahahaha! Anything is possible now. I can fight a little longer.” — Monkey D. Luffy shows us the fun side of Gear 5. One Piece Episode 1044
In a 2022 interview, Eiichiro Oda stated that he hopes his manga will be one that makes people laugh no matter what. These days, serious comics are coming out one after another in the world, but Oda doesn't like them. Essentially, the comic exists to make kids laugh and personify it to the fullest, making Gear 5 a fun transformation for Oda. Even if people hate Gear 5, Eiichiro Oda knows that this transformation is what best represents Luffy's character.
“I painted Gear 5 as a big joke, knowing that not all readers would be satisfied. Battle comics become more serious when they live up to readers' expectations. I didn't like that. I didn't want my comic to be too serious, so I happily achieved that with the fight against Kaido.” — Eiichiro Oda explains the creation process of Gear 5. Interview with Aoyama
However, at times Oda overused Monkey D. Luffy's laughing trait when using Gear 5. Fortunately, in the Elbaf Arc climax, these flaws in Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 are officially addressed. In Episode 1187 of One Piece, which was officially released on July 5, 2026, and Issue 32 of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 5 once again received attention. As soon as Luffy entered battle with Gear 5 for the first time, it was clear that he had jumped into serious mode. Against his biggest enemies like Nero and Imu, Eiichiro Oda must keep the tension high, thus limiting the extent to which Luffy jokes around in battle.
Imu: So you've finally revealed yourself, Joy Boy!
Luffy: Don't call me whatever you want. I am Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King.
— Luffy vs. Immu begins, One Piece Episode 1187
Why Luffy's Gear 5 needs a serious edge after Wano
Luffy's Gear 5 is perfect the way Eiichiro Oda created it. A warrior of liberation and an individual who brings laughter and joy to the oppressed people of the world, Monkey D. Luffy's ultimate power-up is the absolute personification of his character, and that should never change. Luffy's ability to make people smile and laugh all the time is a core part of his character, and no fan who understands Luffy's character would ask for that to change.
But Eiichiro Oda's job is to strike the perfect balance between the two. When the tension in the story is high, Gear 5 has to adapt to this scenario. one piece Chapter 1187 Likewise, when Luffy arrived in the Sun World with Loki in One Piece Chapter 1175, Eiichiro Oda once again emphasized his serious and fatal nature through Gear 5, showing that this flaw he once struggled to balance no longer exists. With Gear 5 receiving more emphasis in One Piece Chapter 1188, which is scheduled to be released on July 12, 2026, it is likely that we will get more glimpses of Eiichiro Oda's new depiction of Luffy Gear 5.
“A strong Devil Fruit alone is not enough to conquer the sea. Look at Roger! He didn't have a Devil Fruit, but he still brought the world to its knees. Haki surpasses everything!” — Kaido explains One Piece's greatest power
How Luffy's Gear 5 Could Go Further in the Final Saga
Eiichiro Oda has practically mastered the balance between the fun nature and serious aspects of Gear 5, but he can upgrade his overall abilities to make this power even deadlier in Final Saga. in one piece In episode 1179, which was officially released on April 5, 2026, Eiichiro Oda introduced the idea of the awakening ring in the 19th issue of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump.
On May 10, 2026, in the 24th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, One Piece Chapter 1182 was revealed once again along with Zaza, the God of Rain. Despite being a god in the world, Monkey D. Luffy does not yet have this awakening ring and could probably upgrade his Gear 5 to include this powerful awakening ring. One way or another, Gear 5 will likely be upgraded in the final saga before the Great War begins, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what Luffy's upgraded form will look like in the future.
All chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga can be read through Manga Plus and Biz Media.
