
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is a hugely popular manga known for its long run and complex story. It’s filled with mysteries, memorable characters, and a unique system of powers, but what truly makes it the best-selling manga of all time goes beyond just these strengths. The story’s main character, Monkey D. Luffy, perfectly represents the series’ central ideas, particularly the importance of freedom. While transformations that increase power are common in action manga like One Piece, Luffy’s Gear 5 is different – it’s more than just a simple power-up.
Gear 5 isn’t just a power-up; it’s connected to a long history and the hopes of many, explaining why Luffy specifically unlocked it. We’ve also learned the truth about Luffy’s Devil Fruit, which wasn’t what everyone initially thought. Since gaining this ability, Luffy has become much stronger and is constantly improving as he battles increasingly challenging foes.
One Piece‘s Gear 5 Shared Its First Glimpse Exactly Four Years Ago

I remember when Chapter 1143 dropped – it was March 13th, 2022, about four years ago. It ended with a huge cliffhanger, Zunesha announcing Joyboy’s return, and honestly, the One Piece fandom went wild! Looking back, that chapter feels like a turning point. Everything we thought we understood about Luffy and the world’s history turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg. So much has changed since then, and it’s clear we were only seeing a small piece of the puzzle.
Joyboy was previously just a figure from the distant past, barely mentioned in stories. But Luffy’s recent power-up suggests Joyboy isn’t a single person, but rather a legacy – a title given to whoever possesses a special Devil Fruit that turns them into the legendary Sun God Nika. Separately, Zunesha is a very old elephant who was cursed to wander the world forever as punishment for a serious offense.
This power is connected to the legendary Joyboy from a forgotten era, which is why hearing the Drums of Liberation signaled his potential return. Luffy unlocked his full Gear 5 abilities in chapter 1144, becoming incredibly powerful and continuing his battle with Kaido, even while disoriented from the transformation. Before this, he was losing, but the fight dramatically shifted, and he quickly gained the upper hand.
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2026-03-14 05:11