Eiichiro Oda officially confirms a new transformation stronger than Gear 5

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

When it comes to shonen series, transformations are a big part of what gets fans excited, and One Piece is no exception in that regard. The writer of the series, Eiichiro Oda, realizes this as well, which is precisely why over the years he has drawn countless exciting transformations to excite his entire fanbase. The most iconic, and quite easily the most powerful, transformation until recently was drawn by Oda in the Wano arc, and that is Luffy's iconic Gear 5. After awakening Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, Luffy's power reached sky high levels when he unlocked Gear 5.

This transformation allowed him to do things that were seemingly impossible and use his imagination to the fullest. The results of Luffy's incredible new power were quite clear to see when he managed to defeat Kaido in Wano. Until now, it could have been said that Luffy's Gear 5 was the strongest transformation in One Piecebut now, in the Elbaf arc, a new monstrously powerful transformation has arisen that leaves even Gear 5 in the dust, and this transformation belongs to the cursed prince of Elbaf, Loki.

Gear 5 was the ultimate one piece transformation until Elbaf

• Luffy achieved Gear 5 in the Wano Arc

• Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika Is The Most Ridiculous Ability

When it comes to mighty transformations, fans certainly can't deny it Gear 5 was the strongest in the entire series until recently. Luffy's first transformations, called Gears, paved the way for Gear 5 to eventually emerge. In Enie's Lobby Arc, Luffy first harnessed the power of Gear 2nd and Gear 3rd, and these gave him a significant boost to counter the threats of the Grand Line. Luffy went on to create Gear 4, with its many forms, during the time jump, and it's safe to say that this power allowed him to fight monsters as well.

But despite everything Luffy had learned, it wasn't enough to defeat the highest levels of the One Piece world, that's where the Gear 5 comes in. In order to achieve the power of Gear 5, Luffy basically had to face death himself. In the fight against Kaido, Luffy actually ended up dying, and that's when his Devil Fruit woke up and Gear 5 was triggered.

Gear 5 is Luffy's awakening of Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nikaand it is safe to say that this power is on a completely different level than any transformations that we have seen in One Piece to date. Gear 5 allows Luffy to perform even greater feats of physical strength and also gives him an advanced recovery rate. On top of everything else, it gives him an even more rubbery body and the most free-flowing combat of all.

Most of all, Luffy can do just about anything he wants, and the only thing he is bound by is his own imagination, which was quite evident in the fight against Kaido. When Luffy beat Kaido it was pretty clear to see that no one i One Piece the world could stop his freewheeling battle and that he was now truly worthy of the Yonko title.

Loki's mythical Zoan transformation has appeared in one piece

All that said, Luffy is still not the strongest in the One Piece world, and fans know many characters that are above his power level so far. As such, it really wasn't a surprise when Oda revealed an even stronger character in Elbaf in the form of Loki. When Loki first appeared, fans weren't quite sure what to make of his power level. On one hand, Oda made it clear that Loki was a monster strong enough to destroy not only Elbaf, but the entire world of One Piece. On the other hand, Luffy himself said that if Loki were to wreak havoc, he would beat him and put him back in chains. This gave fans some level of confidence that Luffy was already stronger than Loki.

All of this was shattered in One Piece Chapter 1170, where Loki's strength was revealed, and it's abundantly clear that his transformation far outshines even Gear 5 in terms of raw power.

Loki's mythical Zoan Transformation surpasses Gear 5 in raw power

IN One Piece Chapter 1170, Oda gave fans a good look at Loki's mythical Zoan transformation. This transformation came after Loki ate the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf, which was kept safe in the land for centuries. To begin with, this Devil Fruit was untouched, not because Elbaf was waiting for the right person to eat it, but because no one could actually get to it due to Ragnir, the hammer defending it. Ragnir is basically a warhammer who has eaten a squirrel Zoan Devil Fruit. Not even Harald himself could consume this legendary Devil Fruit, and it really shows that Loki was already a monster before he even ate this fruit.

I am the sun god inscribed in the legends of this land. You will not talk to me without permission, human. I consider myself the strongest living in the lands. This is the land of war, the violent kingdom of Elbaf. The most powerful nation in the world that once lived and breathed warfare. And I am the sun god who brings the world to an end, Loki! — Loki presents himself in the Elbafbågen.

Eventually, Loki managed to obtain this power, and he was instantly transformed into a creature that Oda held in silhouette. That said, the silhouette itself plays little role. It's the power of the creature that matters here, and Oda made sure to show that to the fullest. Loki, with the power of his Devil Fruit, was able to beat King Harald of Elbaf and even kill him.

Loki was able to defeat the Imu-buffed Harald

• Loki's powers are greater than Harald's

• Luffy is not at this level yet

One thing fans have to keep in mind here is Harald's own strength. At this point in the series, Harald was buffed by using his Deep Sea Covenant. Before the alliance, Harald was strong as rocks. After the alliance, he had reached a level even higher than Rock's, and yet Loki was easily able to overpower him and hit him repeatedly. Of course, in the end Harald allowed Loki to kill him, but it cannot be denied that Loki could easily overpower the King of Elbaf like it was absolutely nothing.

King Harald passed away after a vicious battle with Loki. What you see are the scars from that fight. Loki is certainly strong but King Harald was also known to be a great warrior in his own right. All this destruction was inevitable. The only surviving members of the castle were Chieftain Jarul and Loki that day. — Rodo about the battle in Aurust Castle, 14 years ago

As such, when it comes to raw power, fans know it for a fact Loki's new transformation is even above Luffy's Gear 5. What's even crazier is that Loki achieved all of this before he even reached the Devil Fruit Awakening state. Maybe in the eight years that followed, right up until the time Loki fought Shanks, he even managed to awaken his Devil Fruit, and if that's the case, Luffy, even with his Gear 5, can't hold a candle to Loki's power level right now. In order for Luffy to be stronger than Loki, he must reach the level of Roger, Rocks and Harald. Clearly, Luffy's Gear 5 isn't at that level yet, and Loki's new Zoan transformation remains at the top as one of the strongest in the One Piece world.

Eiichiro Oda's One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to claim the great treasure known as One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date for One Piece Chapter 1171 is January 18, 2026. In Japan, One Piece is released at 12pm JST on Monday, which is 11am EST, or 8am PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on the Manga Plus and Shonen Jump apps. If you do that, the fans will always support the writer.