7 Iconic Anime Transformations That Rival Luffy’s Gear 5

Transformations are a common and exciting part of action and shonen anime, and some of the most memorable ones come from the incredibly popular manga and anime series, One Piece. A standout transformation is Luffy’s Gear 5, which he unlocked during the Wano arc. This form allows him to become the ‘Warrior of Liberation, Nika’ – a powerful, all-white being fueled by imagination, capable of freeing others. Gear 5 has quickly become a fan favorite, and other transformations in the series are poised to become just as popular.

Gear 2

Anime: One Piece
User: Monkey D. Luffy

While Gear 5 is Monkey D. Luffy’s newest form in One Piece and currently the most talked about, many fans consider his Gear 2 transformation to be just as iconic.

Okay, so Gear 2 is seriously where Luffy’s transformations really began, as far as I’m concerned! He first unlocked it during the crazy battle at Enies Lobby, and it was key to taking down guys like Blueno and eventually Lucci from CP9. The way it works is so cool – because he’s rubber, he can basically pump his blood way faster, giving him a huge boost in both strength and speed. It’s not as powerful as his Gear 5 now, obviously, but it was such an important step in his journey and really showed what he was capable of!

Kurama Chakra Mode

Anime: Naruto
User: Naruto Uzumaki

Alongside Monkey D. Luffy, Naruto Uzumaki is one of the most recognizable anime heroes of all time. Given his popularity, it’s no surprise that Naruto has several powerful transformations that are comparable to Luffy’s Gear 5.

While Naruto has many powerful forms, including Baryon Mode and Sage Mode, the Kurama Chakra Mode is arguably his most famous. When he enters this mode, Naruto gains the complete power of the Nine-Tailed Beast, Kurama, and glows with a yellow aura, significantly increasing his strength. He first used this ability during the Fourth Great Ninja War against Obito. Though not his absolute strongest form, it’s one of the most well-known and visually striking.

The Founding Titan

Anime: Attack on Titan
User: Eren Yaeger

Attack on Titan is a thrilling but often dark anime series. While it deals with serious themes, it’s also famous for its amazing and memorable character transformations. Many characters can turn into powerful Titans, and Eren’s transformation is arguably the most iconic.

Eren’s Attack Titan form is iconic in anime, but his most powerful and talked-about transformation is into the Founding Titan. By gaining Ymir’s power, Eren becomes this colossal and terrifying being. It’s a monstrous form, resembling a gigantic skeleton with a dangling head, and commands countless Colossal Titans to destroy the world.

Super Saiyan

Anime: Dragon Ball
User: Saiyans

When you think of anime transformations, few series are as well-known as Dragon Ball. Goku and the other characters have many powerful forms, and some, like the original Super Saiyan, are just as famous as Gear 5. Without a doubt, Super Saiyan is the most recognizable transformation in Dragon Ball.

The Super Saiyan transformation is instantly recognizable, even to those unfamiliar with anime, and has become a hugely influential template for power-ups in the genre. While many characters of Saiyan descent can achieve this form, it’s most famously used by Son Goku from Dragon Ball, who gains blonde hair and a significant increase in strength. It’s likely that this transformation even inspired Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, when designing Luffy’s Gear 5, considering Oda’s well-known respect for Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama.

Vasto Lorde

Anime: Bleach
User: Ichigo

Compared to the other two major anime series, Bleach is often considered the least popular. While it hasn’t resonated with fans as strongly as One Piece or Naruto, Bleach still boasts some of the most iconic power-up sequences in the shonen genre. Ichigo Kurosaki, the main character, has several transformations that are comparable to Luffy’s powerful Gear 5 form.

Of all his different forms, fans most readily identify Ichigo’s Vasto Lorde, which he achieved after his initial death. Bleach is famous for its impressive transformations, and Vasto Lorde is a standout example. Many consider it one of the greatest anime transformations ever designed.

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Adult Gon

Anime: Hunter x Hunter
User: Gon Freecs

Hunter x Hunter is a classic action anime, but it’s known for focusing more on strategy and character development than over-the-top transformations. Despite this, the series still features one of the most iconic and unforgettable power-ups in anime history.

During the Chimera Ant storyline, Gon is deeply traumatized when Pitou deceives him and is responsible for Kite’s death. Fueled by revenge, Gon gives up all of his nen abilities, resulting in a dramatic transformation fans call “Adult Gon.” This form instantly ages his body and massively increases his power, making him a skilled nen master capable of easily defeating Pitou. However, this transformation is a one-time event that Gon can never repeat. It nearly costs him his life, and he’s only able to survive thanks to the unique abilities of Alluka.

Sailor Scouts Transformations

Anime: Sailor Moon
User: Sailor Scouts

While many people think of action-packed shonen anime when it comes to famous transformations, the classic shoujo series Sailor Moon also features one of the most well-known. In Sailor Moon, the heroines, who are reincarnated Sailor Soldiers, transform into the powerful Sailor Scouts. This transformation sequence has become a model for magical girl anime ever since.

Sailor Moon’s first transformation, powered by ‘Make Up,’ is arguably the most famous of all the Sailor Scouts’ changes. Even people who don’t typically watch anime are likely to recognize this sequence and its music, perhaps even more so than the recent ‘Gear 5’ transformation from Dragon Ball.

2026-04-09 16:36