Eiichiro Oda Officially Confirms A New Transformation Stronger Than Gear 5

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Final Saga.

Transformations are a key element in popular shonen anime and manga, and One Piece is no different. Creator Eiichiro Oda understands this, which is why he’s consistently delivered impressive transformations throughout the series. The most famous and arguably the strongest transformation, until recently, was Luffy’s Gear 5, revealed during the Wano arc. This incredible power-up occurred after Luffy awakened the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, taking his abilities to a whole new level.

Luffy’s Gear 5 was once considered the most powerful transformation in One Piece, allowing him to overcome seemingly impossible challenges and defeat Kaido. However, in the Elbaf arc, a new, even more powerful transformation has appeared. This transformation belongs to Loki, the Accursed Prince of Elbaf, and it completely surpasses Gear 5 in strength.

Gear 5 Was The Ultimate Transformation In One Piece Until Elbaf

Image via Toei Animation.
  • Luffy Achieved Gear 5 In The Wano Arc
  • Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika Is The Most Ridiculous Ability

Watching Luffy’s power grow has been incredible, and for a long time, his Gear 5 transformation felt like the absolute peak of the series. It didn’t just appear out of nowhere, though. He built up to it with earlier ‘Gears’. I remember when he first unlocked Gear 2nd and 3rd during the Enies Lobby arc – it gave him a huge power-up to deal with the challenges of the Grand Line. Then, after the timeskip, he developed Gear 4, which had several different forms, and that really allowed him to go toe-to-toe with some seriously powerful enemies. It felt like each Gear was a stepping stone to something even greater.

Even with everything Luffy had learned, he still wasn’t strong enough to beat the most powerful characters in the One Piece world – that’s where Gear 5 comes in. Reaching this new level of power required Luffy to overcome a near-death experience. During his fight with Kaido, Luffy actually died briefly, which caused his Devil Fruit to awaken and unlock Gear 5.

Gear 5 represents Luffy unlocking the full potential of his Devil Fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. It’s a power unlike anything we’ve seen in One Piece so far. With Gear 5, Luffy gains incredible strength and can recover from injuries much faster. Plus, his body becomes even more flexible and rubbery, allowing for a wildly creative and unpredictable fighting style.

Luffy’s ability to do almost anything is limited only by his own imagination, as demonstrated in his fight against Kaido. With his victory, it became clear that no one in the world of One Piece could stand against his unpredictable fighting style, solidifying his place as one of the Yonko.

Loki’s Mythical Zoan Transformation Has Appeared In One Piece

Image by Viz Media

Despite Luffy’s growth, many One Piece fans believe other characters are still more powerful. So, it wasn’t shocking when Oda introduced Loki, a character even stronger than Luffy, during the Elbaf arc. Initially, fans were unsure how to gauge Loki’s strength. Oda stated Loki was powerful enough to destroy the entire One Piece world, but Luffy confidently claimed he could defeat and restrain him. This led many fans to believe Luffy was already capable of overcoming Loki.

Everything changed in One Piece chapter 1170 with the reveal of Loki’s incredible power. It’s now obvious that his transformed state is even more powerful than Gear 5.

Loki’s Mythical Zoan Transformation Surpasses Gear 5 in Raw Power

Image via Toei Animation.

In One Piece Chapter 1170, fans finally got a clear look at Loki’s powerful Mythical Zoan transformation. This happened after Loki ate the famous Devil Fruit of Elbaf, a legendary fruit that had been protected in the country for centuries. The fruit wasn’t untouched because Elbaf was waiting for someone special, but because it was guarded by Ragnir, a massive hammer that prevented anyone from reaching it.

Interestingly, Ragnir is actually a warhammer that has eaten a squirrel Zoan Devil Fruit itself! Even Harald, a powerful warrior, couldn’t consume this fruit, which highlights just how extraordinary Loki was even before gaining its power.

I am the Sun God, a figure from the legends of this land. Mortal, you must not address me without my leave. I am the strongest being in the Lands. This is Warland, the kingdom of Elbaf – a nation once defined by constant warfare and the most powerful in the world. And I, Loki, am the one who will bring it all to an end! – Loki’s introduction in the Elbaf Arc.

Loki finally obtained this power and instantly changed into a form Oda had previously hinted at in shadow. However, the creature’s appearance isn’t the main point; it’s the strength of the power itself, which Oda clearly showed off. Using his Devil Fruit ability, Loki defeated and ultimately killed King Harald of Elbaf.

Loki Was Able To Defeat Imu-buffed Harald

Image by Viz Media
  • Loki’s Powers Are Greater Than Harald’s
  • Luffy Is Not On This Level Yet

It’s important to remember just how strong Harald had become. He’d already been incredibly powerful, comparable to Rocks, but then he gained even more strength through the Deep Sea Covenant. Despite this boost, Loki consistently and easily defeated Harald in fights. While Harald ultimately let Loki kill him, it was clear Loki could overpower the King of Elbaf with little effort.

Fourteen years ago, a fierce battle took place at Aurust Castle between King Harald and Loki. These scars are remnants of that fight. While Loki was a powerful opponent, King Harald was a renowned and skilled warrior. Sadly, the extent of the damage was unavoidable. Only two people remained after the battle: Chief Jarul and Loki. — Rodo, recounting the Battle of Aurust Castle

Many fans agree that Loki’s latest transformation is more powerful than Luffy’s Gear 5. Remarkably, Loki achieved this power before awakening his Devil Fruit – meaning he could be even stronger now if he has awakened it. To surpass Loki, Luffy would need to reach the same level of power as legendary figures like Roger, Rocks, and Harald. Currently, Gear 5 isn’t quite at that level, making Loki’s new Zoan form one of the most powerful abilities in the One Piece universe.

I’ve been following Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece for a while now, and it’s an incredible story about Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece. It’s currently in the final stretch of the story, what they’re calling the Final Saga. I noticed it’s going to be featured in this week’s Weekly Shonen Jump, and Chapter 1171 is officially coming out on January 18, 2026. For those in Japan, it releases at midnight on Monday. That translates to 11:00 AM Eastern Time or 8:00 AM Pacific Time for us in the States. You can read it for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump app, which is a great way to support the author and keep the series going.

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2026-01-13 01:35