In various anime, power scaling and power creep are two very common things. The heroes get stronger and stronger as the show goes on. Then old villains need to level up or new villains need to be introduced to give them a challenge. If the anime goes on long enough, the power gaps grow so immense that you wonder if the main character will ever be beaten! The same goes for Monkey D. Luffy. He’s finally gotten his Gear 5 transformation in the anime. It comes with a slew of new abilities and fighting moves, plus it also removes his limitations. Gear 5 is acknowledged in the universe and out to be very powerful. This begs the question, what characters would be able to beat Gear 5 Luffy?
1) Kizaru
One of the first sequences where we saw Gear 5 was during a battle between Luffy and Kizaru. This was during the Egghead Arc and the first sign that showed the Admiral’s true power. Kizaru was able to stand up to Gear 4 Luffy for an extended period of time, forcing Luffy to go into Gear 5.
However, Kizaru was able to hold his own against Luffy even in Gear 5, before the pair left the battle inconclusive. If a rematch were to occur, Kizaru would have a very high chance of defeating Luffy.
2) Jaygarcia Saturn
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn is one of the Five Elders of the World Goverment. While he has had plenty of screen time, we’ve never really seen him get into a full fight. However, we do know that he has plenty of political power. Additionally, he has strength, durability, and even magic on his side.
But the biggest advantage that Saturn would have is his Zoan type Devil Fruit that allows him to morph into a horned monster. He’d be able to defeat Luffy for sure.
3) Akainu
Akainu has one major advantage against Gear 5 Luffy. He has the Magu Magu no Mi, which lets him control lava and magma. He can even turn his body into magma and still fight like a human.
His hot and explosive magma would burn even Gear 5 Luffy. He’d be able to hammer Luffy with all sorts of powerful attacks, and win the fight. Plus, he was the one who killed Ace, so Luffy might be emotionally ruined during the battle.
4) Kaido
While Kaido was one of Luffy’s first victories with Gear 5, both were exhausted from the fighting beforehand. Even with the Gear 5 win, Luffy was still knocked into a coma at the end of the battle. If the pair battled again with their full powers together and full energy, it would be interesting to see what would happen.
Kaido has massive power that allows him to stand up to some of the greatest fighters in the world. If he battles Gear 5 Luffy, the battle would likely shake the entire world!
5) Shanks
Kaido did tell Luffy that Haki beats Devil Fruits. When it comes to Haki, Shanks is one of the best Haki users in the world. We don’t really know about his upper limits, though we have seen him master all three types of Haki.
His skills at Haki have been mastered for decades. Plus, he also went after Luffy’s Devil Fruit years ago. He might have some extra knowledge of the Devil Fruit and how to beat it.
6) Marshall D. Teach -Blackbeard
Blackbeard’s biggest advantage is his Yami Yami no Mi Devil Fruit. It allows him to cancel out the powers of another Devil Fruit user. If Blackbeard can get his hands on Luffy, then Gear 5 is useless. While Luffy has his Haki abilities, it might not be enough.
Additionally, Blackbeard has the powers of Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit as well. The power of constant seismic waves might help him in the battle to defeat Luffy.
7) Daz Bones
The one weakness of Luffy’s Gear 5 is cutting attacks. His rubber body is vulnerable to slashing blows. The bounty hunter Daz Bones can turn his entire body into steel sharp blades, every single body part. With his martial arts skills, he could very easily overcome Luffy’s Gear 5
Daz Bones and Luffy would be a very interesting matchup for a fight, because despite their difference in power levels, the ability of Bones’ Devil Fruit would give him a serious advantage.
8) Bartholomew Kuma
One of the seven warlords of the sea, he is also a cyborg rebuilt by Dr. Vegapunk. Kuma has the paramecia Devil Fruit that allows him to grow paw pads from his palms. Then he can repel everything he comes into contact with. He was even able to repel Luffy at Gear 2, and Gear 5 wouldn’t be any different.
No matter how powerful the Devil Fruit is, it doesn’t matter if Luffy can’t hit his target. With Bartholomew Kuma, he won’t be able to.
9) Jewelry Bonney
As you might have guessed from the previous few characters, many aren’t able to beat Luffy in a straight fight. But Gear 5 has other weaknesses, mostly the massive stamina cost. Jewelry Bonney is able to manipulate the ages of the people around her. She managed to turn Luffy into a 70-year-old.
He was far too weak to move at that time on Egghead Island. If she were to advance or reduce his age enough, his body wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demands of Gear 5.
10) Inazuma
Going back to Devil Fruit users with cutting powers, Inazuma has the Snip-Snip fruit that allows him to turn any part of his body into scissors. He would be able to cut apart Luffy’s rubber body, even with the Gear 5 transformation.
He can cut through anything, meaning that Luffy wouldn’t be able to tank the hits and would need to avoid them.
It Will Be Interesting To See Who Will Beat Luffy
As the manga draws to its final chapters, plenty of characters will get their chance to battle Luffy. Whether it is old characters or new characters, those who can stand up to Straw Hat Luffy will certainly be dangerous!
