The protagonist of the series, Monkey D. Luffy, tapped into the power of Gear 5 in the One Piece arc, specifically in One Piece chapter 1044 on March 28, 2022. Since then, Luffy has continually improved his usage of Gear 5. Now, the latest events of the Elbaf arc climax have confirmed to us that Luffy's Gear 5 is insufficient when it comes to taking on powerful enemies like Nerona Imu, the King of the World.
One Piece chapter 1193, which was released on September 13, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #42-43, has confirmed to us that Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 5 is eventually going to be replaced with a new form, the basis for which is being laid by the author right now.
Monkey D. Luffy has used Gear 5, which stems from the Devil Fruit awakening of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, extensively in the Elbaf arc. He first tapped into this form in the Elbaf arc in One Piece chapter 1187, which was officially released on July 6, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #32. While Luffy's battle against Imu in Gear 5 was quite exciting at first, the difference in strength between the two was made immediately clear by the author Eiichiro Oda. In One Piece chapter 1188, Monkey D. Luffy suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the King of the World as he was stabbed through the chest using the Blade of Nothingness: Vohu. In One Piece Chapter 1189, Scopper Gaban, the Left Arm of the Pirate King, stepped in to save Luffy from what would have been certain death.
"Of course I know that thou art not Joy Boy! Joy Boy was not this weak!!" — Imu defeats Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1188
Interestingly enough, Monkey D. Luffy has continued to maintain Gear 5 ever since he first tapped into it in chapter 1187. In the most recent chapter of the manga, that is, One Piece chapter 1193, which was released on September 13, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #42-43, Luffy's Gear 5 was finally hitting its limit. Just as Luffy attempted to follow up on his powerful Gomu Gomu no Dawn Thor Bullet by launching another powerful assault on Imu, his Gear 5 started running out of steam, and his heartbeat started returning to normal. Luffy collapsed in the midst of a run-up to Imu, and his Gear 5 seemingly began fading. However, Eiichiro Oda cleverly drew a key indicator that suggests something strange is now happening to Monkey D. Luffy's body, as it continues to evolve as we speak.
Luffy: He's gonna revive himself soon enough. We gotta pile it on before he gets the chance to do that.
Loki: You're right about that! Okay, I'm in!
Luffy: Oh no, my heartbeat is coming back. I can't go back now! If my injuries come back, there's no way I can keep fighting. No! Stop! At least let me beat him first!
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