Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece focuses on the adventure of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates on the quest to claim the One Piece. In the midst of this adventure, the crew has come up against various obstacles, which they had to overcome with immense strength. Naturally, One Piece features many amazing battles, and in a world filled with mystical abilities, it often sees the use of various transformations.
Over the years, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the series, has shown us many powerful transformations. 4 years ago, on March 28, 2022, we finally witnessed the most incredible of them all, that is, Luffy’s Gear 5. Now, after 4 long years, Eiichiro Oda has completed the set of the three strongest transformations in One Piece, and these include two mighty characters from the ongoing Elbaf arc.
One Piece’s Elbaf Arc Lines Up The Ultimate 3 Strongest Transformations of All Time
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets.
The Elbaf arc of One Piece has proven to be nothing short of sensational and has introduced threats on an unprecedented scale for Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. When the Holy Knights made their appearance in the Elbaf arc, it was clear that this upcoming battle for Luffy and his crew would not be easy. Things were taken to a completely different level when Nerona Imu, the King of the World, was officially revealed in One Piece chapter 1179 on April 5, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 19.
Creator of the World Government (One of the First 20)
Power: Akuma no Mi (The Devil’s Fruit)
King of the World St. Nerona Imu
— Imu’s introduction box, One Piece Chapter #1179
Naturally, with the introduction of such powerful characters, the strongest of all transformations was going to be revealed to us. To that end, Eiichiro Oda put together the three absolute strongest transformations in the Elbaf arc, which include Monkey D. Luffy’s Gear 5, Loki’s Ryu Ryu no Mi Model: Nidhoggr hybrid form, and Nerona Imu’s second stage of Akuma no Mi transformation.
Monkey D. Luffy’s Gear 5 is easily among the strongest transformations in the Elbaf arc. Gear 5 has continually expanded and improved in the final saga, and Elbaf was no different in this regard. Gear 5 was taken to a completely new level here, where Luffy continued utilizing it even after being stabbed by two legendary blades, those being Fragarach and Vohu. As the arc continues, so does the evolution of Gear 5, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Luffy pulls out a completely new form at the end of this arc to counter the threat of Nerona Imu.
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets.
Alongside Gear 5, we also witnessed the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, which is a legendary Devil Fruit properly introduced to us in One Piece chapter 1175. In the Elbaf arc, it was clearly stated to us that this Devil Fruit holds the power to destroy the world. Now, in One Piece chapter 1193, released officially on September 14, 2026, we finally get to see its hybrid form, which is its strongest. This transformation of Loki is among the three strongest transformations in the entirety of One Piece.
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!
Loki: Dogahaha! Looks like you’re at your limit!! I’ll be the one to finish him off! You just rest there!
— Loki starts his hybrid transformation, One Piece Chapter #1193
Finally, there is the King of the World, Nerona Imu’s transformation to consider. Imu’s transformations stem from the Akuma no Mi, which is a unique Devil Fruit that allows him to transform into the Demon God of the One Piece world and wield an ability known as God’s Domination, alongside the Black Flames of Omen. This Devil Fruit is incredibly powerful, and its second-stage transformation that Imu unveiled after being pushed back by Scopper Gaban is even more powerful, to say the least.
Why Nerona Imu’s Devil God Transformation Is The Strongest of Them All
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets.
Among the three elite transformations that we have seen in the Elbaf arc, Nerona Imu’s Akuma no Mi second stage is quite clearly the strongest. The Akuma no Mi is the ultimate Devil Fruit of the One Piece world, with powers that hardly any other fruit can rival. Naturally, this transformation is also the strongest. What makes Imu’s transformation the mightiest is the showing of strength in Elbaf. Not only has Imu defeated the likes of Zoro and Sanji, but he also defeated Loki, nearly killed Luffy, beat Scopper Gaban, and then continued to find them all over again.
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“Great Imu’s body isn’t meant to sustain the outside. But even pushing past that, the strength we need and the strength we ought to destroy are both right here.” — Saint Sommers confirms Imu’s nerf, One Piece Chapter #1182
To make things even more impressive, it must be remembered that Nerona Imu is doing all this while being in a nerfed state, which was confirmed to us in One Piece chapter 1182 on May 10, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 24. All things considered, Imu’s transformation is quite clearly the strongest of the lot, followed by Loki’s Hybrid Nidhoggr, and finally Luffy’s Gear 5 being the weakest of the three at this point in time. That said, Luffy’s transformation is certainly going to grow further as Elbaf continues and potentially be taken to the top.
One Piece’s Final Saga Will Unveil More Powerful Forms
Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.
The Elbaf arc of One Piece did wonders for transformations, as it revealed to us one powerful form after another from various characters. As the story continues, more powerful transformations will be revealed to us. There are many powerful Devil Fruits that have still to be revealed, and as such, there are a lot of transformations that Oda is hiding at this point in time.
As One Piece continues its incredible run, powerful transformations will continue to be revealed to us one after another. For instance, there are many powerful, godly individuals, such as the Forest God, the Rain God, and even the Earth God, whose identities we do not know yet. Just like Luffy’s Nika, all these gods will manifest themselves in the form of unique transformations. As such, we absolutely cannot wait to see what Eiichiro Oda has in store for us. There are also other legendary creatures, such as the Serpent of Hellfire, among others, that we have to see. Hopefully, after the Elbaf arc, Oda continues to expand upon the powerful transformations and show us more Gods of the world.
All the new chapters of One Piece by Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
