The Unmatched Power of Gear 5: Who Truly Wields Luffy's Ultimate Form?

Oh, boy. When Eiichiro Oda first unveiled Gear 5, it wasn't just a moment in One Piece; it was an absolute earthquake that shook the entire anime and manga world. Seriously, the internet nearly broke! This wasn't just another power-up for Monkey D. Luffy; it was a revelation, a complete game-changer that redefined everything we thought we knew about his Devil Fruit and, frankly, about what's even possible in the Grand Line. The sheer joy, the outrageousness, the cartoonish yet terrifying power – it’s truly something else. But this naturally begs a question, especially for those who’ve been keeping up: "Who are all these Gear 5 users, and how do they stack up?"

Well, here's the kicker, and it's a wonderfully cheeky twist from Oda himself: as of the current saga, there's precisely one individual who has awakened and fully mastered the incredible, reality-bending power of Gear 5. And, of course, that's our beloved captain, Monkey D. Luffy, the man who’s officially the "Fifth Emperor of the Sea." You see, his "Gomu Gomu no Mi" wasn't just a simple Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, allowing him to stretch like rubber. Oh no, that was a misdirection worthy of a Yonko. It was, in fact, the Mythical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, the Sun God!

This awakening wasn't just about getting bigger or hitting harder; it was about embodying freedom itself. When Luffy shifts into Gear 5, he literally transforms into the incarnation of the legendary Sun God Nika, whose body becomes rubbery to an almost absurd degree, allowing him to manipulate his surroundings and even opponents with a Looney Tunes-esque elasticity. His heartbeat takes on the "Drums of Liberation," echoing the ancient rhythm that brings joy and freedom. He can turn lightning bolts into jump ropes, smash enemies through entire islands, and even pull his own eyes out without blinking. It's cartoon logic applied to combat, and it is devastatingly effective.

Think about what we've seen him do. Against Kaido, a creature believed to be indestructible and the "Strongest Creature in the World," Gear 5 allowed Luffy to not only keep pace but to decisively defeat him. We’re talking about punches that literally cave in the ground beneath his adversary, bounces that defy gravity, and a boundless, almost manic energy that's just contagious. More recently, against Admiral Kizaru, a man of light and one of the World Government's ultimate weapons, Gear 5 once again showcased its incredible versatility and raw power, demonstrating that Luffy is now firmly in the very highest echelons of strength in the One Piece world.

So, regarding "ranking all Gear 5 users by strength," it’s a beautifully ironic question. Because right now, the ranking is incredibly straightforward: Luffy is number one, and he's also number one. He's the only one. The unique conditions required to awaken a Mythical Zoan like Nika, coupled with the immense emotional and physical toll, means it's not a power just anyone can stumble into. While the lore suggests Joyboy, an ancient figure, also possessed the Nika Fruit and perhaps an equivalent form, he isn't a current user in the active storyline. Luffy stands alone as the beacon of liberation in this incredible form.

In essence, Gear 5 isn't just a power-up; it's a testament to Luffy's unyielding spirit, his unwavering belief in freedom, and his ability to inspire joy even in the most dire circumstances. It cements his place as one of the most formidable characters in the entire series, and honestly, seeing it in action just puts a huge grin on my face every single time. The future of the Straw Hat Pirates, and indeed the entire world, looks incredibly vibrant and gloriously chaotic with the Sun God Nika at the helm.