Gear 3rd in all its glory

[Greg]

Thoughts, opinions, dissapointments?

Personally, I love it. I hope many of you feel the same way. I think this chapter today just bought itself a place amongst the great practical joke conclusions of our time.

Yes folks, of course I'm talking about such classics as:

The Last Seinfeld Episode

and of course who could possibly forget the Terrance and Phillip April Fool's Surprise.

I don't get why but those things always seem to piss a lot of people off. Why? Do they feel jilted? Maybe people just don't like being the butt-end of someone else's joke. I dunno. All I know is that last panel just made me smile from ear to ear. It's been several months now since Oda put the fear of God in me (and a few others I'm sure) when it seemed like he was going down a well-trodden path. Ultimately, it's his work and his story so I could care less what he did with it, but knowing his originality it would be a shame to seem him resort to something so predictable.

And then we got this. Man, what a great guy. I think it's one of the coolest things I've seen in the series and I can't wait to see his explanation that will no doubt have Einstein and Newton rolling in their graves…......plus I wanna see something the size of a basketball take on monster Lucci.

[onemoment]

It looks like Gear 3 is some sort of steam-based explosion that leaves Luffy small afterwards. Doesn't seem to tire him out like Gear 2 did, which leads me to believe that his gears are all different attacks with steam and rubber and not just consectutive power ups.

I'm guessing that there are more gears, since I can't imagine that this would have been a effective attack against Blueno–something more concentrated would have been better. Also, I have this feeling that a gear attack will finish off Lucci. But, whos been able to predict this story so far?

[Aldrich]

I love it too. It's things like this that makes One Piece so unique. In other shonens, powerups always turn the hero into some badass looking monsters, when the demon inside them awake or other bullshit like that. Here the hero turns into a dwarf probably as a result of extreme rubber compression. Not to mention a few chapters ago we were into a very serious and dramatic part of the story, and now it's just drugs-induced delirium.

I don't understand people complaining either, but I guess they must find something to whine about.

[Le Lawliet]

Chibi Luffy? Chibis are awesome even without the fact that Gear 3 isn't a super saiyan rip off. Just looks more like the compression of his rubber body.

[warp]

I have mixed feelings about gear 3rd. I need to see it in action or get a explanation. I really do hope luffy does stay in his chibi form for gear 3 and not just a side effect. It would be so original and great. Maybe gear 3rd can control size. I dont know

[Deicide]

Who in his right mind cannot like Gear 3rd?
I was worried for months because Gear 3rd (if it even existed) could be like a Super Sayajin upgrade. But Oda has just shown us that he is still Oda, and can do better than copy Akira Toriyama!

Go, Chibi Luffy!

[Buccaneer]

I love the idea of Gear 3 (I seemed to be the only one rooting for it), but the "chibi" drawback….it'll probably make for the lamest plot device since Pilaf wished Goku into a kid.

[Deicide]

I don't think the "Chibi" thing is a drawback.

Probably each gear focus on something. Gear 2 is all about speed. Gear 3 seems to be strength (and maybe resilience). He probably can do a devastating blow in this form, but is very slow to move.

Man, I would LOVE to see Blueno's face if Luffy used Gear 3rd back then. It would be fun as hell!!!

(And by the way, who was the guy who posted the Chibi Luffy vs. Evil Cat pictures in the spoiler thread? If you read this, guy-who-I-forgot-the-name, post them again in this thread so all can see! Those pictures were funny!)

[Malintex_Terek]

I liked it. There's a transformation, yes, but at least Gear 3 appears to be an attack instead of a consecutive "Super Saiyan 2-3" transformation. Oda "did good" with Gear 2, and since Luffy was going to use the third gear against Blueno, he had the idea of mutliple gears from the start. Afterall, we've been tained by the hierarchial system of fighting that is DBZ; if Oda gives sufficient explanation for the Gears, I'm sure everyone will be cool with them. Just where he gives the explanation is debateable, though; I'd rather Oda not address it in an SBS.

[RichardMcJew]

@omae:

And then we got this. Man, what a great guy. I think it's one of the coolest things I've seen in the series and I can't wait to see his explanation that will no doubt have Einstein and Newton rolling in their graves…......plus I wanna see something the size of a basketball take on monster Lucci.

I'd also like to see this. I'd also like to see Spandam, while he's observing the fight, completely underestimate Luffy in his new form. It'll make it all the more satisfying when we see the absolute look of shock and terror on Spandam's face as chibi-Luffy puts the smack down on the big ol' leopard.

[Tizoc]

@omae:

Thoughts, opinions, dissapointments?

Personally, I love it. I hope many of you feel the same way. I think this chapter today just bought itself a place amongst the great practical joke conclusions of our time.

Yes folks, of course I'm talking about such classics as:

The Last Seinfeld Episode

and of course who could possibly forget the Terrance and Phillip April Fool's Surprise.

I don't get why but those things always seem to piss a lot of people off. Why? Do they feel jilted? Maybe people just don't like being the butt-end of someone else's joke. I dunno. All I know is that last panel just made me smile from ear to ear. It's been several months now since Oda put the fear of God in me (and a few others I'm sure) when it seemed like he was going down a well-trodden path. Ultimately, it's his work and his story so I could care less what he did with it, but knowing his originality it would be a shame to seem him resort to something so predictable.

And then we got this. Man, what a great guy. I think it's one of the coolest things I've seen in the series and I can't wait to see his explanation that will no doubt have Einstein and Newton rolling in their graves…......plus I wanna see something the size of a basketball take on monster Lucci.

I like Gear 3rd, and whoever thinks it's shit then they can get their ass raped by a PYramid Head (Silent Hill 2) for all I care!
Seriously I went 'WinTF', Oda proves once again his genius by showing another unexpected event…...as if Luffy using a boat wasn't enough Chibi Luffy? TEH WIN!

[Ubiq]

@Buccaneer:

I love the idea of Gear 3 (I seemed to be the only one rooting for it), but the "chibi" drawback….it'll probably make for the lamest plot device since Pilaf wished Goku into a kid.

Eh, he'll probably use Balloon to get back to normal in the next chapter, so I really don't see it as much of a drawback.

[Greg]

Oh I'm sure it will be explained. I think the only thing we can say at this point that is likely to happen is, it sure as hell won't be Luffy that understands the 'physics' behind what he's done to himself.

[*Meh*]

Does anyone besides me remember the Droopy cartoon where Droopy swings a bull 5 times his size around by the tail? Effortlessly? I really want to see that happen to Lucci.

[Greg]

The other reason I like this is because every Luffy plush doll ever made just became incredibly badass.

[ron_8]

I like gear 3 and chibi luffy = omg!

[Solar Knight]

@Deicide:

Probably each gear focus on something. Gear 2 is all about speed. Gear 3 seems to be strength (and maybe resilience). He probably can do a devastating blow in this form, but is very slow to move.

Wasn't that how the Super Saiyan thing worked (Gear 2 being SS while Gear 3 is SS2 cause if I remember correctly, SS2 was slow as hell).

I was a little worried that Gear 3 would be some kind of badass sort of thing, which I would've though Oda was running out of ideas. Just goes to show you how something unexpected can happen at any moment in One Piece (such as in Skypia when Zoro thinks he can use his goggles to aovid being blinded, or when he yelled at Holy to stop. wrong character, but you get the drift).

[Ubiq]

@Solar:

Wasn't that how the Super Saiyan thing worked (Gear 2 being SS while Gear 3 is SS2 cause if I remember correctly, SS2 was slow as hell).

That bulky stage wasn't SSJ2, but some sort of Super Saiyan Plus stage. If I recall correctly, Gohan is the only one in DBZ to achieve SS2 form (Goku skips straight to SSJ3) and that's when he goes off against Cell.

[changsho]

It's cool, Gear 3! It shows once again just how unique Oda is.

I do hope that an explanation will be given. If Luffy's too stupid to explain, then there's always the seemingly smart Lucci who knows stuff about DFs.

[KatanaJon1.1]

@Ubiq:

That bulky stage wasn't SSJ2, but some sort of Super Saiyan Plus stage. If I recall correctly, Gohan is the only one in DBZ to achieve SS2 form (Goku skips straight to SSJ3) and that's when he goes off against Cell.

Goku goes SSJ 2 when he fights Majin Vegeta.

[Cap'n Carter]

Yeah, and Goku shows off SSJ and SSJ2 to Babadi and Boo.

[Tizoc]

Chibi-Luffy can rape SSJ3 Goku like he was his state certificated bitch.

[CheezyAzn]

Im thinking its like chopper's rumble ball where Luffy will have seven forms. Gear 2 was speed form. Gear 3 is strength. Maybe he'll show gear 4….

[Greg]

That bulky stage wasn't SSJ2, but some sort of Super Saiyan Plus stage. If I recall correctly, Gohan is the only one in DBZ to achieve SS2 form (Goku skips straight to SSJ3) and that's when he goes off against Cell.

As America's former DB expert and fanboy extraordinaire I just figured for the hell of it I'd say Goku, Gohan, Majin Vegeta and Gotenks have been seen as SSJ2.

[Phenomenol]

Chibi-Luffy can rape SSJ3 Goku like he was his state certificated bitch.

OK that is enough crap out of you. I seriously hope you were playing. If not feel free to respond and explain this.

[mazinkaiser]

GEAR 3rd is simply awesome, amazing work.
It's like one of the best moments of reading One Piece when I saw that.

What I'm really dying to see is the reactions of all SH when they see Luffy in that state!!

[changsho]

@Phenomenol:

OK that is enough crap out of you. I seriously hope you were playing. If not feel free to respond and explain this.

Take it easy man…:steve:

[Phenomenol]

I am taking it easy, but that was an unjust comment that he made.

[joekido the Second]

I like to see the reaction from Luffy's crew and his rivals. I wonder how Aokiji would react to Luffy's gear 3, I like to see how Smoker would react to that, I like to see everyone Luffy met in the past to react to his gear 3…

"Luffy in Gear 3, catchs up with Spandam, Lucchi and Robin"

Robin: Ah, Luffy? Is that you right?
Spandam: What the...?! "Burst in laughter" Don't tell me the great Luffy D. Monkey turned into a chibi!!
Lucchi: "raise his eyebrows" So is this the oppointment? A chibi pirate?
Spandam: "squats down to Luffy, rubbing Luffy's chin and spoke in a mockly voice" Awww.... What'cha gonna do kiddy? Are you going to hit us with your pitful weak hands? Want us to change your diapey?
Luffy: "Angrey snort" GOMU GOMU NO CHIBI PISTOL!
"Punchs Spandam, senting him flying towards Justice Gate"
Spandam: Fuuuucccckkkk yyyyyooouuuu ruuubbbeerrr bbboooy!!! "Crash"

"Later"

Chopper: Luffy? What happened? Your'er chibi!
Sogeking: I'm speechless
Zoro: What the hell?
Nami: My, Luffy's full of surprise. Hey Luffy can I carry you?
Franky: Whoa! Let's buy him a crib
Sanji: Hey Luffy, want me to make you a baby food?

Luffy: ........

Sorry, I had to do this >_<

[Ubiq]

@KatanaJon1.1:

Goku goes SSJ 2 when he fights Majin Vegeta.

Point cheerfully conceded; the main thing is that the bulky state Trunks attains while fighting Perfect Cell is not SSJ2.

@omae:

As America's former DB expert and fanboy extraordinaire I just figured for the hell of it I'd say Goku, Gohan, Majin Vegeta and Gotenks have been seen as SSJ2.

Wait, how does Majin Vegeta possibly count as SSJ2 when he's recieved a magical boost from Babidi? He might be at the same level of strength, but that doesn't really mean it's the same thing.

I suppose it could be argued that a Vegeta who never softened to the extent that he did might have attained that same level of power naturally, but Babidi's magic clearly increases the strength of the person under the spell.

[KatanaJon1.1]

@Ubiq:

Wait, how does Majin Vegeta possibly count as SSJ2 when he's recieved a magical boost from Babidi? He might be at the same level of strength, but that doesn't really mean it's the same thing.

If I remember correctly, you can see the SSJ2 electricity around him during that time.

SSJ2 Vegeta is also in DBZ: Sparking!

[Tizoc]

@Phenomenol:

OK that is enough crap out of you. I seriously hope you were playing. If not feel free to respond and explain this.

I was overexaggerting how badass Gear 3rd was & how SSJ3 is crap compared to Gear 3rd.
@joekido- LOL!

[Quexinos]

I had to admit I laughed pretty hard when I saw it XD He's so small and cute I just wanna CUDDLE him… odd that his clothes seem to shrink too though. Yes it wasn't expected at all. I expected him to turn huge and evil looking, but he's this cute little thing. It's probably something to throw off his opponents into thinking he's week. He's good at that

[Xephon]

@Sonique:

odd that his clothes seem to shrink too though.

Well they expand when he does gomu gomu no fuusen [sp] so I guess its super stretchy fabric? :huh:

[Daz]

On the Matter of DBZ: Vegeta goes SSJ2 of his own accord, in his final battle with Kid Buu. However, I don't recall Gotenks ever going SSJ2…

On the matter of Gear 3, I find it hilarious, and it would be great to see Chibi-Luffy whoop some ass. But beat Lucchi? Naw. In the Arc-Finale fights Luffy is always bloody, sweaty, and screaming with emotion, and I think it'd be hard to take seriously with him being a midget.
I mean, I find the thought of, say, Chibi-Luffy ringing the bell, laughter inducing instead of awe-inspriring.

[Demon Days]

@Xephon:

Well they expand when he does gomu gomu no fuusen [sp] so I guess its super stretchy fabric? :huh:

They do? I remember seeing Luffy's clothes the same size, stretched above his belly.

[Aldrich]

@The:

On the matter of Gear 3, I find it hilarious, and it would be great to see Chibi-Luffy whoop some ass. But beat Lucchi? Naw. In the Arc-Finale fights Luffy is always bloody, sweaty, and screaming with emotion, and I think it'd be hard to take seriously with him being a midget.
I mean, I find the thought of, say, Chibi-Luffy ringing the bell, laughter inducing instead of awe-inspriring.

That's a good point. I have a hard time picturing his Mini Me form after beating Lucci yelling "Robin! You're my nakama now!" like he did with Nami after kicking Arlong's ass, that would take all the dramatical aspect away. Bah, Oda will probably find a way to make him turn back to his normal size before the end of the fight.

[Megadoomer]

@omae:

As America's former DB expert and fanboy extraordinaire I just figured for the hell of it I'd say Goku, Gohan, Majin Vegeta and Gotenks have been seen as SSJ2.

I'm pretty sure Gotenks skipped SSJ2 and went straight to SSJ3.

[Ivotas]

I don´t really know what to think of it yet. Ever since Gear 2nd appeared I was worried that it might become another SSJ copy with countless power ups. The worries have been taken a bit away because in Gear 3rd Luffy is a chibi, meaning he doesn´t look like in normal mode or Gear 2nd that´s at least good.

But on the other hand it still seems kinda weird that the full powers of Gear 2nd didn´t get flashed out. However I really don´t want to judge any rash judgement because I would first like to see where Oda wants to take that whole Gear stuff. Maybe chibi Luffy was the general idea from the begining and he needed something to fill the gab between normal Luffy and chibi Luffy and that´s Gear 2nd then. In that case, I wouldn´t feel disappointed at all.

Best thing to do for me is probably to sit back and judge the Gears when the Strawhats set course to the next island.

BTW, I don´t know about the rest of you guys but when I saw Chibi Luffy I just couldn´t help but think of Yoda kicking as in Episode II.

[Fierce]

@Ivotas:

Best thing to do for me is probably to sit back and judge the Gears when the Strawhats set course to the next island.

That's probably the best thing to do in the moment or at least waiting for the Luffy vs. Lucci fight.

It's hard to judge what Gear 3 is. Is Chibi Luffy Gear 3 or is it an after effect of it? The only thing I can say, that I love it, because it's not that super "cool" upgrade thing from other mangas.

But I have problems with the theory Gear 3 being only a single attack and the chibi form an after effect of it, because Gear 2 was actually (like the name "Gear" says) a different state of Luffy or better say his rubber, so he could do new attacks like "Jet Pistol" and could move around like CP9 does. So imho Gear 3 is a new form of Luffy, so he can do new kinds of attacking. Maybe it's something like super compressed rubber and his attacks may have a small range now, but they're extremely concentrated. He may look super funny, but he may be super strong in this form. One Piece always told, don't judge your enemies by their cover. Okay, but it's really not the form for the final blow. ^^' Maybe there's a Gear 4, in which Luffy looks badass again.

We'll see.

[Robin Stjernberg]

I have two diffrent ideas about Gears.

It can be that Gear 2 is like of a speed power up, Gear 3 is like, power, and things like that. And Luffy will transform between them in the upcoming fights, to boost the diffrent abilities.

Or.

Luffy is just powering up in diffrent matters. He is gaining more and more power with each Gear and in the end he will "transform" for real and really gain much strenght and power.

I prefer the first idea, but thinks the second one is something that much rather be done. Or, this is Oda, he can do anything and make it look badass.

[Deicide]

If Oda is copying the gears of a car, than we will have five gears, plus "Gear Reverse". Hehehe

[Ivotas]

@Deicide:

If Oda is copying the gears of a car, than we will have five gears, plus "Gear Reverse". Hehehe

Ok if something as Gear Reverse or Gear -1st or whatever it might be called like really appears at some point then the Gear concept would truly be something totally new and wouldn´t get connected to stereotype manga power ups.

I don´t have no idea how it would look like in action but if it really would appear at some point I guarantee you now already that I would love it.

[zizou]

i have to admit that luffy turning chibi from gear 3rd caught me by suprise
but after that, i was laughing so hard and thought to myself, 'how cool is that?' lol

really looking forward to see what else gear 3rd is capable of ^^

[hanlesky]

its not possible for luffy to transform inbetween combination because first his has to bite his finger. As we have seen so far with the Gears.

[Greg]

As far as Gotenks being SSJ2 or not being SSJ2, if you wanna discuss who did what and whether or not they did it, that is absolutely fine. However, I'm simply going by not one, but two DB guides. One the GT Perfect File (which you could argue to death over whether something like that should be counted or not) and more accurately the 7th DB Daiz. I believe I also put to death any complaints about the validity of the Daiz when I actually translated Toriyama's intro to them (what a novel idea!) where he fully endorses them himself.

[Robin Stjernberg]

I would really like the idea of Luffy going trough more and more Gears gaining more and more power by each level, and then must use "Gear Reverse" to start from the beginning again. That would mean that he may have some strenghts and weakness' in every Gear and has to use them to it's limits. Like, as an example how it may be. In Gear 2 he gained a lot of speed, in Gear 3 he gains power and loses speed. Now he is in Gear 3 and can't go back to Gear 2, he has to evolve into Gear 4, giving him some other power and weakness, and than going into Gear 5 (possible) giving him a new power (and weakness) and THEN doing Gear Reverse.
So, if he would meet an enemy who is just super really fast, he would have one hell of a problem if the fight lasted to long.

[Robin Stjernberg]

This post is deleted!

[Greg]

Robin, yes it's an interesting point you make. From this point, it seems he can change to either 2 or 3 regardless of going through and sequential state. In other words it doesn't look like he has to go from 2-3. Some limitations on the states would be very interesting!

[COWMAKAZE]

I agree that chibi-Luffy winning against Lucchi would be annoying. I love the originality of GEAR 3, don't get me wrong, Oda is God, but we would never be able to take one of the most dramatic moments in the series seriously if he was a midget. That said, I love the idea of GEAR Reverse, especially because tires are rubber, and I like the idea of each GEAR having an Achilles Heel. However, I think after too many times seeing Chibi Luffy it will get old, so I'm hoping Luffy finds a way to drop the whole GEAR thing by the end of this arc.

Anyway, I would find it hilarious if in GEAR 3 Luffy were more like taffy than rubber. He'd slowly get back to his normal size by, say, stretching out his right arm and it wouldn't snap back, or having two different sized legs. This whole GEAR thing seems very similar to water Luffy or Gomu Gomu no Baka or even Gomu Gomu no Octopus.

Meh, whatever. Oda always come through in the end, doesn't he?