One Piece: Here’s How Many Gears Luffy Has & How Strong They Are
Monkey D. Luffy is the main character in One Piece, known for his stretching abilities gained from eating the Gum-Gum Fruit as a child. Over time, he has honed his skills and created seven special techniques known as Gears, which are categorized into four levels. This article ranks the Gears based on their strength and provides detailed information about each one. The Gears are going to be ranked according to their strength, as we have seen in manga and anime. They are going to be ranked from 7th to 1st place, with the 7th one being the weakest and the 1st one being the strongest.
Editor’s Note: This list was updated in January 2024 with the inclusion of Gear Fifth.
7. Gear Second
Luffy uses Gear Second for the first time in Chapter 387; Episode 272; “The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle”
Gear Second is a technique used by Luffy in which he accelerates blood flow throughout his body, increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to enhance his speed and strength significantly. This process, resembling doping, causes increased hunger, fatigue, and potential paralysis after prolonged use. Lucci, an opponent, likened it to doping due to its physiological effects. Luffy’s rubber-like organs and blood vessels allow them to expand and contract rapidly without damage, enabling faster blood flow.
The heightened physiology grants Luffy the ability to execute a more potent set of techniques, appearing nearly instantaneous to opponents. Initially triggered by using his leg as a pump, Luffy refines Gear Second after encountering CP9, activating it with improved control and precision post-time jump. He can now employ the technique in short bursts for specific attacks.
6. Red Hawk
Luffy uses Red Hawk for the first time in Chapter 644, “To Zero”; Episode 565, “Luffy’s Full-Power Blow! Red Hawk Explodes”
Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk is an upgraded version of Gomu Gomu no Jet Bullet, infused with Haki. After entering Gear Second, Luffy utilizes Busoshoku Haki to harden his arm and stretches it back like Gomu Gomu no Bullet. This action causes his arm to ignite, unleashing a fiery jet of flame during the powerful attack. The impact creates a fiery explosion even underwater, causing extensive damage and burning opponents. The attack pays homage to Ace’s Hiken, with the kanji name “hikenjuu” referencing Ace’s technique. It was first used against Hody Jones and later showcased in Luffy’s fight against Byrnndi World in the 3D2Y TV special. In the Wano arc, Luffy’s strength is evident as Kaidou opts to dodge the attack, showcasing the formidable power of Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk.
5. Gear Third
Luffy uses Gear Third for the first time in Chapter 403, titled “Mr. Chivarly,” and Episode 288, titled “Fukurou’s Miscalculation! My Cola is the Water of Life!”
Gear Third is a technique used by Luffy in which he closes his mouth, bites his thumb joint to create a small opening, and forcefully blows air into his arm, inflating it. The air is distributed throughout his body, allowing a single limb to reach giant proportions. This increased size adds mass and enhances the force of his attacks, turning his limb into a formidable weapon. However, this comes at the cost of mobility, as the enlarged limbs make it difficult for Luffy to move.
The key difference from his previous “Gomu Gomu no Fusen” move lies in the bones, which, when inflated, become extremely hard, akin to an inflated car tire. This hardness prevents bullets from ricocheting off, and instead, they bounce off the inflated bones. Gear Third compresses a significant amount of air, turning it into a powerful, mass-enhanced attack resembling a giant mace. Despite Lucci’s initial misconception, the technique is not merely a display but a potent offensive move.
Between attacks, Luffy retracts the air back into his chest and redirects it to another part of his body. However, the drawback is the time it takes to transfer and channel the trapped air, causing delays that can be detrimental in battle. In the Viz manga, this form is referred to as Third Gear.
4. Gear Fourth – Tankman
Luffy uses Gear Fourth – Tankman for the first time in Chapter 843, titled ‘Vinsmoke Sanji’ and Episode 807, titled “A Heartbreaking Duel – Luffy vs. Sanji – Part 1”
During his battle with Charlotte Cracker, Luffy unveiled a variation of Gear Fourth called Tankman. Gear Fourth’s heightened metabolism enables Luffy to exit this form shortly after activation. The specific details of the basic Tankman form are unknown, as it was introduced in the “Manpuku Version” after Luffy consumed an excessive amount of Cracker’s cookies.
In the Manpuku Version, Luffy takes on a sumo wrestler-like appearance with exaggerated proportions. His limbs are slightly enlarged with muscle, but the main focus is his torso, covered in Busoshoku Haki, which becomes significantly larger and rounder, resembling a bloated belly. The flame-shaped Haki covers his shoulders, arms, and the lower part of his enlarged torso.
Tankman provides Luffy with formidable Haki-based resilience, as seen when Cracker’s sword fails to pierce Luffy’s stomach despite nearly severing his Haki-coated arm. Additionally, this form enhances Boundman’s compression-based attacks by utilizing Luffy’s enlarged belly as a powerful launcher. The increased scale and power allowed Luffy to defeat Cracker by propelling Gomu Gomu no Cannonball through the tough Biscuit Soldiers created by Cracker.
3. Gear Fourth – Snakeman
Luffy used Gear Fourth – Snakeman, for the first time in Chapter 894, titled “12:05,” and Episode 869, titled “Wake Up – Kenbunshoku Able to Top The Strongest!”
During his confrontation with Charlotte Katakuri, Luffy introduced another variant of Gear Fourth known as Snakeman. Unlike the other two Gear Fourth forms, Snakeman doesn’t involve significant expansion; only Luffy’s forearms, legs, and torso experience slight enlargement while maintaining normal proportions elsewhere. The expansion of Haki is also more limited, not extending to Luffy’s shoulders and torso.
In Snakeman, Luffy’s hair takes on a flame-shaped appearance, and a gaseous substance resembling a mix of steam and fire envelops him, draping over his shoulders like a scarf. His fists flex differently with extended first knuckles. This form enhances Luffy’s speed significantly, enabling him to employ “Python” to alter the direction of his attacks. Unlike Boundman, Snakeman allows continuous acceleration of attacks, making them progressively faster and more powerful. This proves effective against agile opponents, as Luffy can adapt and increase attack speed until he successfully lands a hit.
Snakeman’s focus lies in dealing with opponents skilled in evasion, requiring Luffy’s improved Kenbunshoku Haki to convert strikes into semi-hard attacks. The form also grants Luffy the ability to jump from great heights, as demonstrated in Mirro-World, though the extent of this ability compared to Boundman is unclear. However, Snakeman’s defense is notably weaker compared to Boundman and Tankman. When slammed into a building by Katakuri, Luffy absorbed the impact like a normal human without the bouncing effect seen in Boundman. Additionally, he is susceptible to blunt attacks without the usual rebound characteristic of his inflated forms.
2. Gear Fourth – Boundman
Luffy used Gear Fourth – Boundman, for the first time in Chapter 784, titled “Gear 4,” and Episode 726, titled “Gear 4! The Phenomenal Boundman!”
Luffy’s initial Gear Fourth form is called Boundman, characterized by distorted proportions and a significant increase in size. In this form, Busoshoku Haki covers his arms, torso, and legs. Created for combat against powerful beasts on Rusukaina, Boundman exhibits principles reminiscent of Rokushiki, combining high-speed moves akin to Soru and the ability to pounce from the air, similar to Geppo. Luffy leverages his enhanced elasticity to bounce attacks off his body and deflect cutting attacks head-on.
However, the form has drawbacks. Luffy cannot stand still and constantly jumps in place, making landing after an attack uncontrollable. Despite increased resistance to slashing weapons, opponents with bladed Busoshoku Haki weapons of similar or greater strength can cut through Luffy’s sheathed arms. While nearly immune to blunt force attacks, exceptionally strong Haki combined with physical strength can overcome the rubbery defenses and cause injury.
The defensive capabilities can be surpassed by attacks of devastating power, as demonstrated when Kaidou countered Luffy’s assault with a Kanabo, flinging him into the air and rendering him unconscious with a single hit. Even the formidable attacks of Boundman were insufficient against Kaidou’s immense resilience, leaving the opponent unimpressed by Luffy’s barrage of powerful strikes.
1. Gear Fifth
Luffy uses Gear Fifth for the first time in Chapter 1044, titled “Warrior of Liberation,” Episode 1071, titled “Luffy’s Peak – Attained! Gear 5,” and One Piece Film: Red.
The awakening of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, formerly known as the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, transforms Luffy into a god-like being, earning him the title of the “Warrior of Liberation.” In this awakened state, his rubber body gains immense strength and freedom, allowing him to fight in various ways. Referred to as the “most ridiculous power in the world,” this transformation is marked by Luffy’s white hair, clothes, and swirling eyebrows, along with red ring-like pupils and clouds floating around his neck.
The awakened Mythical Zoan form grants Luffy unparalleled strength, speed, and durability, surpassing even those with awakened Zoan powers. Notably, he can engage in a nearly equal footing battle with Kaidou, an Emperor known for his formidable might and enhanced by a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit. Luffy’s strength and speed allow him to effortlessly overpower Rob Lucci’s awakened Zoan form. He displays exceptional durability, enduring direct hits from Kaidou’s powerful attacks with minimal damage and a swift recovery rate, even when unconscious.
The physical feats in Gear 5 are extraordinary, such as running through midair fast enough to ignite fire and transforming into a burrowing drill with incredible force. This awakened form showcases Luffy’s heightened abilities and resilience, making him a formidable force in battle.
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