Like many shonen anime, One Piece frequently makes use of transformation sequences, which greatly enhance a fighter’s physical stats or even grant them special abilities. More often than not, it’s the result of a Zoan Devil Fruit, which transforms users into animals or human animal hybrids. Other times, it’s a completely different mechanism entirely, such as altering appearances via scientific expertise or engineering skills.

Eiichiro Oda uses the wacky zaniness of his series to his advantage. The greatest One Piece transformations invoke a sense of awe from the viewer. It’s the ultimate power-up in a shonen anime. Yamato’s divine wolf transformation radiates elegance, while Kaido’s massive dragon form appeals to size and strength. Character design wise, these awesome transformations perfectly convey the users in terms of their personalities and powers.

10Carrot Achieves Sulong Form During a Full Moon

A Cute Rabbit Suddenly Becomes a Ferocious Creature

Carrot transformed into her Sulong form Closeup of Carrot's Sulong form in One Piece Carrot in her Sulong form with a destroyed steering wheel in One Piece Carrot in her Sulong form in One Piece Carrot from One Piece smiling in her Sulong form with the full moon in the backgroundCarrot transformed into her Sulong form Closeup of Carrot's Sulong form in One Piece Carrot in her Sulong form with a destroyed steering wheel in One Piece Carrot in her Sulong form in One Piece Carrot from One Piece smiling in her Sulong form with the full moon in the background

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Chapter 888
Episode 862

The Mink Tribe have a very special ability that only activates during a full moon. Once they look at the large celestial object, they will undergo a major body transformation that increases their size, speed, and strength. Their fur turns white, their eyes turn red, and their hair grows longer. Carrot is still a young little girl in the One Piece series, but when she undergoes her Sulong transformation, even she appears to be a battle-hardened warrior.

During a chaotic escape from Big Mom in her own home territory, Carrot’s Sulong Form gave her the ability to move at the blink of an eye and glide through oceans. Her ability to use Electro is also greatly enhanced, as she can electrocute several random soldiers on Charlotte Daifuku’s ship. Carrot hasn’t quite reached her potential, but her Sulong form gives a sneak peek at what she could be fully capable of in the near future.

9Battle Franky Unveils The BF-38 Model

Franky Upgrades His Body to Become General Franky

Franky using the General Franky against the New Fishman Pirates in One Piece

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Chapter 636
Episode 557

Franky’s cyborg enhancements give him access to multiple transformations in One Piece. His body modifications are typically fueled by cola and range from machine gun arms to destructive laser beams. Amongst his three warships in the Battle Franky line, the BF-38 variation is his most stunningly powerful. ”General Franky” combines the Brachio Tank V and Kurosai FR-U IV motorcycle to create a super fighting robot.

The Iron Pirate is what happens when Transformers meets Gurren Lagann, albeit with a top heavy design that Oda is famously known for. Franky can wield a giant sword known as Franken and is able to fire off massive cannons. He is also strong enough to defeat several fishmen, despite the race having 10x more strength compared to humans, and durable enough to withstand many attacks from the same.

8Luffy Activates The Iconic Gear 2 Power-Up

It’s The First Major Power-Up For The Main Character

Luffy activates Gear 2 in One Piece

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Chapter 387
Episode 272

By the events of the Enies Lobby arc, Luffy can no longer solely rely on his Devil Fruit powers like he did in the East Blue saga. The CP9 organization is composed of highly skilled fighters trained in superhuman martial arts known as Rokushiki. During a tense showdown with Blueno on a courthouse rooftop, Luffy speeds up his blood flow to improve his physical stats. As his sweat becomes steam, Luffy’s Gear 2 form is a sight to behold.

It’s a very simple looking power-up, yet the scene where Luffy places his fist on the ground while steam arises from his body will forever be iconic. This is the first real instance where Luffy needs to level himself up in order to fight even stronger threats. Blueno is so completely overwhelmed by Luffy’s rapid series of attacks that he can’t even react in time. Gear 2 is only the start of Luffy’s various legendary transformations.

7Rob Lucci is a Leopard Human

He Looks Effortlessly Cool in His Classic Hybrid Form

Monkey D. Luffy blocks a two-handed attack from Rob Lucci in One Piece

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Chapter 349
Episode 246

As the One Piece series progresses and power creep sets in, Zoans based on normal animals have fallen out of favor. Mythical or Ancient varieties are now seen as the true pinnacle of this Devil Fruit classification. However, simplicity can sometimes be the ultimate sophistication. Rob Lucci is a bloodthirsty killer whose personality directly matches the powers of his Zoan Devil Fruit, the Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard.

Lucci’s bulking hybrid body is a lean muscular leopard that oozes charisma. Hybrid forms take both attributes of the human and the animal, so there’s always a risk it doesn’t look cool, such as Jack of the Beasts Pirates and his mismatched body parts of a mammoth. Lucci simply puts leopard patterns on a human body. His powerful hybrid form not only looks awesome, it also gives him extra offensive power with his attacks.

6Nightmare Luffy Brings Shivers Down Spines

The Gruesome Transformation Can Overpower The Likes of Oars

Nightmare Luffy with a sword

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Chapter 476
Episode 370

Sometimes a situational transformation is required to deal with looming threats. Gecko Moria was a terrifying menace due to his Kage Kage no Mi. With the ability to separate dark shadows from human bodies, he could power himself up with these spirits. Unfortunately for the main antagonist of Thriller Bark, this rule doesn’t only apply to him. The Straw Hat infuses himself with a hundred shadows to become the monstrous Nightmare Luffy.

This rare transformation only lasts for about ten minutes. With dark blue skin and disproportionate muscle increases, Nightmare Luffy is a bulking shadow behemoth with the power of a hundred souls. He becomes strong enough to the ancient giant Oars, one of the largest characters ever seen in One Piece. Nightmare Luffy is notable for his dead serious expressions, a stark contrast with his fun loving self.

5Yamato is The Guardian Diety of Wano

The Sacred Beast Controls large Amounts of Ice at Will

Yamato using the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami's Hybrid Form in One Piece A full body view of Yamato in his Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Okuchi no Makami Hybrid Form. Yamato looks stern in One Piece. Yamato in her full beast form in One Piece Kaido versus Yamato in their hybrid forms in One PieceYamato using the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami's Hybrid Form in One Piece A full body view of Yamato in his Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Okuchi no Makami Hybrid Form. Yamato looks stern in One Piece. Yamato in her full beast form in One Piece Kaido versus Yamato in their hybrid forms in One Piece

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Chapter 1019
Episode 1041

Yamato once ate a powerful Mythical Devil Fruit that was closely guarded by Kaido himself. Those who consume it will become a powerful ancient wolf deity. Yamato first displays this stylish transformation against Kaido during a confrontation on the Skull Dome. With the elemental power to control ice, the Okuchi no Makami is a white snow wolf that carries a ribbon of cold air, freezing anything in the way of the divine guardian.

It’s among the more beautiful transformations in One Piece based on the striking visuals. Yamato’s bright colors already stand out, but the white fur really adds that extra contrast with the red hakama pants. The self-proclaimed successor of Kozuki Oden is strong enough to stall Kaido for several minutes. It’s a very impressive feat considering he’s by far the world’s strongest creature, not to mention that he’s also taking Yamato very seriously.

4Luffy is a Force to be Reckoned With Gear 4

The Straw Hat Can Achieve Different Forms

Monkey D. Luffy turns Gear 4 for the first time in a fight against Donquixote Doflamingo in One Piece.

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Chapter 783
Episode 725

Silvers Rayleigh trained Luffy for a solid two years during the One Piece timeskip. By this point in the series, Gear 2 and even Gear 3 were no longer sufficient enough to deal with the stronger enemies of the New World. In the climax of the Dressrosa arc, Luffy was forced to undergo a bigger upgrade to his transformation against Donquixote Doflamingo, a master of Haki who awakened his Devil Fruit powers to control strings.

With his body coated in dark red Haki, Gear 4 not only intensifies Luffy’s physical stats to higher levels, it also gives him access to multiple transformations depending on what he needs. Boundman makes him bigger and gives him the robust power to get the better of Doflamingo. Tankman comically turns Luffy into a highly resilient balloon. Snakeman makes him leaner but significantly faster and stretchier.

3Monster Chopper is a Terrifying Beast

Chopper is No Longer a Cute Mascot in This Bestial Transformation

Monster Point Chopper vs Kumadori in One Piece

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Chapter 407
Episode 290

Appearances can be very deceiving. Chopper seems like a cuddly plush toy in One Piece, but the reindeer human is a surprisingly competent fighter that can stand firm on a battlefield. With the power of a Rumble Ball, he can alter his body to enhance his Devil Fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi. If he takes three of them, friend and foe alike should run for cover. Monster Point turns the innocent looking Chopper into a massively frightening creature.

CP9 agent Kumadori is the first victim of this highly dangerous form. With a monstrous roar and disturbingly blank stare, Chopper goes into a berserk rage as he pummels enemies into a bloody pulp. Despite the rarity of this altered state, Monster Point is arguably his most well known transformation, since there’s always tension involved. After the timeskip, Chopper is able to control his form, albeit with some difficulty, and only needs one Rumble Ball.

2Kaido Represents Power As The Azure Dragon

The Deep Blue Dragon Scales Are Difficult to Penetrate

A One Piece image shows Kaido launching an attack in his dragon form.

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Chapter 921
Episode 912

Awesomeness doesn’t even begin to describe Kaido, arguably the strongest physical specimen ever seen in the One Piece universe. After several years of anticipation, the first act of the Wano Country arc finally reveals his Devil Fruit abilities. Kaido is already a colossal titan in ”human” form, but when he transforms into a massive dragon that’s several miles long, that’s when it becomes apparent that he personifies the very concept of power. His Devil Fruit is among the strongest members of the Zoan class.

This is the raw power of the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu. With azure dragon scales in his serpentine appearance, Kaido commands respect with his very presence. The Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit grants him access to several elemental abilities that range from ice to fire. Kaido’s hybrid form is also right up there with Rob Lucci’s in terms of coolest looking designs. A single look is all that’s needed to determine if this is the world’s most powerful creature.

1Luffy Awakens The Ultimate Gear 5

It’s Truly The Most Ridiculous Power in The World

Gear 5 Luffy with glowing red eyes in the One Pice anime series Luffy flying through the air in Gear 5 with eyes popping out in One Piece Kaido hitting Luffy in One Piece Monkey D. Luffy uses his Gear 5 form to restart his heart during Episode 1072 of One Piece Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 5 form appears in Episode 1073 of the One Piece animeGear 5 Luffy with glowing red eyes in the One Pice anime series Luffy flying through the air in Gear 5 with eyes popping out in One Piece Kaido hitting Luffy in One Piece Monkey D. Luffy uses his Gear 5 form to restart his heart during Episode 1072 of One Piece Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 5 form appears in Episode 1073 of the One Piece anime

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Chapter 1044
Episode 1071

In the climax of his historical fight against Kaido, Luffy finally reaches the pinnacle of his power set with Gear 5, as he fully awakens the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. The Straw Hat is able to effectively fight in any way that he wants. With the power of freedom and flexibility in his rubber body, Luffy is only limited by his imagination on what he can do. Gear 5 is easily identifiable by his white hair, purple sash, and cloud of steam.

One Piece manga readers have speculated Gear 5 as a potential upgrade for several years, given that Gear 4 wasn’t going to be enough to defeat Kaido. However, as soon as Chapter 1044 dropped, the Gear 5 reveal broke the internet. To put this into perspective, it was not uncommon for anime-only watchers to get spoiled just by seeing artwork of Luffy using Gear 5 on a random sidewalk or side of a building.