Monkey D. Luffy is the main character of One Piece, known for his stretching abilities acquired by eating the Gum-Gum fruit as a child. Over time, he perfected his skills and created seven special techniques known as Gears, categorized into four levels. This article ranks Gears according to their strength and provides detailed information on each one. The Gears will be ranked according to their strength, as seen in the manga and anime. They will be ranked from 7th to 1st, with 7th being the weakest and 1st being the strongest.

Editor's Note: This list was updated in January 2024 with the inclusion of Gear Fifth.

7. Second gear

Luffy first uses Gear Second 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 the supply of oxygen and nutrients to greatly enhance his speed and strength. This process, which resembles doping, causes increased hunger, fatigue, and potential paralysis after prolonged use. Lucci, a dissident, compared 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, allowing for faster blood flow.

The enhanced physiology grants Luffy the ability to execute a more powerful set of techniques, appearing almost instantly to opponents. Initially triggered by using his leg as a pump, Luffy refines Gear Second after encountering CP9, activating it with improved control and a precision jump after time. He can now use this technique in short bursts for specific attacks.

6. Red Falcon

Luffy first uses Red Hawk in Chapter 644, "To Zero"; Episode 565, "Luffy's Full Power Move! Red Hawk Explodes"

Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk is an enhanced version of Gomu Gomu no Jet Bullet, infused with Haki. After entering Gear Second, Luffy uses Busoshoku Haki to harden his arm and stretch it like Gomu Gomu no Bullet. This action causes his arm to ignite, unleashing a fiery jet of flames during the powerful attack. The impact creates a fiery explosion even underwater, causing significant 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 featured in Luffy's fight against Byrnndi World in the 3D2Y special. In the Wano Arc, Luffy's strength is evident as Kaidou chooses to dodge the attack, showcasing the formidable power of Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk.

5. Third gear

Luffy first uses Gear Third 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 grow to giant proportions. This increased size adds mass and enhances the strength of his attacks, transforming his limb into a formidable weapon. However, this comes at the expense of mobility, as the enlarged limbs make it difficult for Luffy to move.

The main difference from his previous move, "Gomu Gomu no Fusen," is that the bones, once inflated, become extremely hard, similar to an inflated car tire. This hardness prevents bullets from ricocheting, and instead, they bounce off the inflated bones. Gear Third compresses a significant amount of air, transforming it into a powerful, enhanced attack resembling a giant mace. Despite Lucci's initial misconception, the technique is not simply a demonstration but a powerful offensive move.

Between attacks, Luffy retracts the air in his chest and redirects it to another part of his body. However, the downside is the time it takes to transfer and channel the trapped air, causing delays that can be detrimental in combat. In the Viz manga, this form is called Third Gear.

4. Gear Fourth – Tankman

Luffy first uses Gear Fourth – Tankman 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 variant of Gear Fourth called Tankman. Gear Fourth's increased metabolism allows Luffy to exit this form shortly after activation. The specific details of Tankman's base form are unknown, as it was introduced in the "Manpuku Version" after Luffy consumed an excessive amount of Cracker cookies.

In the Manpuku version, Luffy takes on the appearance of a sumo wrestler with exaggerated proportions. His limbs are slightly enlarged by muscles, but the main focus is on his torso, covered in Busoshoku Haki, which becomes noticeably larger and rounder, resembling a swollen belly. Flame 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-covered arm. Additionally, this form enhances Boundman's compression-based attacks by using Luffy's enlarged stomach as a powerful launcher. The increased magnitude and power allowed Luffy to defeat Cracker by propelling Gomu Gomu no Cannonball through the tough Biscuit Soldiers Cracker created.

3. Gear Fourth – Serpent Man

Luffy first used Gear Fourth – Snakeman, in Chapter 894, titled "12:05", and in Episode 869, titled "Wake Up – Kenbunshoku Able to Surpass 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 does not involve significant expansion; only Luffy's forearms, legs, and torso undergo slight enlargement while maintaining normal proportions elsewhere. The Haki expansion is also more limited, not extending to Luffy's shoulders and torso.

In Snakeman, Luffy's hair takes on a flame-like appearance, and a gaseous substance resembling a mixture of steam and fire envelops him, draping itself over his shoulders like a scarf. His fists flex differently with the first knuckles extended. This form greatly enhances Luffy's speed, allowing him to use "Python" to alter the direction of his attacks. Unlike Boundman, Snakeman allows for a continuous acceleration of attacks, making them progressively faster and more powerful. This proves effective against agile opponents, as Luffy can adapt and increase his attack speed until he lands a successful strike.

Snakeman's purpose is to deal with opponents skilled in evasion, requiring Luffy's enhanced Kenbunshoku Haki to convert strikes into semi-hard attacks. This form also grants Luffy the ability to jump great heights, as demonstrated in Mirro-World, though the extent of this ability compared to Boundman is unclear. However, Snakeman's defense is significantly weaker than that of Boundman and Tankman. When thrown against a building by Katakuri, Luffy absorbed the impact like a normal human, without the rebound effect seen in Boundman. Additionally, he is susceptible to blunt attacks without the usual bounce characteristic of his inflated forms.

2. Gear Fourth – Boundman

Luffy first used Gear Fourth – Boundman 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 to fight powerful beasts on Rusukaina, Boundman features principles reminiscent of Rokushiki, combining high-speed movements similar to Soru's and the ability to leap from the air, similar to Geppo's. Luffy uses his enhanced elasticity to bounce attacks off his body and deflect slashing 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 equipped with bladed weapons of similar or greater strength can sever Luffy's sheathed arms. While he is nearly immune to blunt attacks, exceptionally strong Haki combined with physical strength can overcome rubbery defenses and cause injuries.

Defensive abilities can be surpassed by devastatingly powerful attacks, as demonstrated when Kaidou countered Luffy's assault with a Kanabo, knocking him into the air and rendering him unconscious in one fell swoop. Even Boundman's formidable attacks were inadequate against Kaidou's immense resilience, leaving his opponent unimpressed by Luffy's barrage of powerful strikes.

1. Fifth gear

Luffy first uses Gear Fifth in Chapter 1044, titled "Liberation Warrior", Episode 1071, titled "Luffy's Peak - Reached! Gear 5", and One Piece Movie: Red.

The awakening of Gomu Gomu no Mi, formerly known as Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, transforms Luffy into a godlike being, earning him the title "Liberation Warrior." In this awakened state, his rubber body gains immense strength and freedom, allowing him to fight in a variety of ways. Considered "the most ridiculous power in the world," this transformation is marked by Luffy's white hair, swirling clothes and eyebrows, as well as ring-shaped red pupils and clouds floating around his neck.

The awakened Mythic Zoan form grants Luffy unparalleled strength, speed, and durability, surpassing even those with awakened Zoan powers. Notably, he can engage in battle almost on par with Kaidou, an emperor known for his formidable power and enhanced by a Mythic Zoan Devil Fruit. Luffy's strength and speed allow him to effortlessly overpower Rob Lucci's awakened Zoan form. He displays exceptional durability, withstanding direct hits from Kaidou's powerful attacks with minimal damage and a rapid recovery rate, even when unconscious.

Gear 5's physical feats are extraordinary, such as running through the air fast enough to start a fire and transforming into a burrowing drill with incredible strength. This awakened form showcases Luffy's enhanced abilities and resilience, making him a formidable force in combat.

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