One Piece Gives Fans a First Look at Live-Action Gear 5, and It's Amazing (2024)

Luffy's Gear 5 transformation is a long way off from being adapted in One Piece's live-action series, but that hasn't stopped Universal Studios Japan from providing the best realistic look at the iconic form so far. Monkey D. Luffy's transformations often include dramatic power-ups thanks to him finding new ways to manipulate his stretchy body, but his latest transformation makes him more cartoony than ever, which had many fans curious about how it could look in the real world until now.

Themed parks like Universal Studios often include attractions or rides themed after popular franchises. Several superhero-themed rides populate the parks in the United States but Universal Studios Japan has more than a couple based around beloved anime series'. One of which is One Piece, which recently released a stunning advertisem*nt for its 2024 Premier Show, complete with real-life actors playing the Straw Hats and a live-action version of Luffy's wacky Gear 5 transformation.

As posted by X user and One Piece super-fan PewPiece, the short ad shows several live-action Straw Hats, but once again, Luffy steals the show. The Universal Studios Japan-exclusive One Piece stage show has been an ongoing attraction for many years, but as the new ad suggests, this year's performance is setting out to include Gear 5 Luffy for the first time with its latest original storyline.

See Luffy's Gear 5 Form In The Real World This Summer In Japan

The Premier Show Is A One Piece Stage Play That's Been Ongoing Since 2007

The One Piece Premier Show is an annual performance that often puts on a grandiose stage play with original stories set in Eiichiro Oda's beloved super-power pirate-filled world. Creative special effects and talented actors have made a habit of bringing great joy to One Piece fans who can attend the show. Dance numbers, faithfully detailed costumes, and audience participation fuel their enjoyment. And the Gear 5-starring ad for 2024's version of the One Piece Premier Show looks like this year's installment will be no exception.

According to the official Universal Studios Japan site, 2024's One Piece Premier Show will include an entirely new story featuring the Straw Hat Crew fighting powerful foes who'll force Luffy to use Gear 5 for the first time in the live-action shows' history. The performances have previously found entertaining and creative ways to adapt Devil Fruit powers in a realistic way. However, Luffy's newest transformation showcases one of the most reality-bending Devil Fruits in One Piece, which adds to the excitement for fans to see how the accomplished stage-play will bring the mythical Gear 5 transformation to life.

Live-Action Gear 5 Luffy Has Been Done Before With Amazing Results

Luffy's Gear 5 Transformation Debuted In Episode #1071 Of The Anime and Chapter #1044 Of The Manga

After Gear 5 debuted in One Piece's storyline, several talented artists have adapted the transformation in visually stunning ways. One remarkably talented 3D artist took 100 days to create a shockingly detailed live-action version of Gear 5 Luffy versus Kaido. On the other hand, another creative fan recreated the entire Gear 5 fight against Kaido with Microsoft Paint, making the battle look like the coolest Super Nintendo game a One Piece fan could ever want.

So far, the Netflix Live-Action One Piece series has only adapted the East Blue Saga, but it did a great job of bringing Luffy's powers and those of other Devil Fruit users to life. If the Netflix series continues to knock its adaptation out of the park, it'll likely reach the point in One Piece's story where it must create its own version of Gear 5. Until then, talented artists, some of whom work at Universal Studios in Japan, will continue to show how cool Luffy and his powers can look in the real world.

Sources: pewpiece/X, Universal Studios Japan

One Piece

Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history's longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix's 2023 adaptation.