Luffy’s gear 5 form, also known as his Awakened form, is one of the most powerful transformations in One Piece. Introduced during Luffy’s fight against Kaido in the Onigashima Raid, gear 5 gives Luffy incredible power and speed. However, there has been some debate among fans about the color of Luffy’s gear 5 form – is it white or is it yellow? In this 5000 word article, we will examine the evidence on both sides of this debate and try to come to a definitive conclusion.
The Case for White
There are several pieces of evidence that suggest Luffy’s gear 5 form is meant to be white in color:
Official Coloring
In the official colored manga, Luffy’s skin and hair are both colored white in gear 5. This seems to be the clearest indication that gear 5 is intended to be white. The coloring was approved by Oda and Shueisha, so it can be considered canon.
Anime Coloring
In the anime, Luffy’s gear 5 form is also colored white. His skin takes on a pure white appearance, as does his hair. Again, since Toei Animation produces the anime under license from Shueisha, this official coloring lends credence to gear 5 being white.
Connections to Mythology
Luffy’s Awakened form has ties to mythological deities. His appearance resembles the wrathful deity Rakta Yamari, who is depicted with white skin in Buddhist iconography. The all-white appearance helps connect Luffy to these divine figures.
Themes of Purity
The color white is often associated with purity, virtue, and innocence. For Luffy to take on an all-white appearance in gear 5 fits with One Piece’s themes of moral righteousness. Luffy unleashing his uncorrupted true power results in a white form symbolic of his heroic purity.
The Case for Yellow
However, there is also evidence suggesting Luffy’s gear 5 form is intended to be yellow:
Initial Release Chapters
In the initial black-and-white manga chapters where gear 5 debuted, Luffy’s form appears to be shaded in a light gray tone. Some fans argue this toning indicates a yellow coloration, as opposed to white which would be left unshaded.
Anime Lighting
While the anime uses a white color palette for gear 5, the special lighting effects give Luffy’s skin and hair a warm, yellowish tint at times. This could suggest an underlying yellow coloration beneath the white highlights.
Connections to Mythology
Like the white form theories, a yellow gear 5 also has mythological ties. It resembles Buddhist depictions of Buddha and other enlightened figures with golden or yellow-hued skin. The yellow evokes sun/light symbolism.
Themes of Freedom
Where white represents purity, yellow is more associated with joy, positivity, and freedom. Luffy’s boundless freedom is central to his journey, so a vibrant yellow form could symbolize his unchained spirit.
Best Evidence for Each Side
To summarize the strongest points:
White
– Official colored manga shows white skin/hair
– Anime uses white color palette
– Connections to white mythological figures
Yellow
– Initial black-and-white shading implies yellow
– Anime lighting adds yellow tint
– Connections to yellow mythological figures
Conclusion
After examining the evidence, it seems most likely Oda intended for Luffy’s gear 5 form to be white in color. The official colored manga and anime use white rather than yellow, so this is the safest conclusion. While some early manga shading and anime lighting effects suggest a yellowish tinge, these are also compatible with a basic white form, especially given the mythological connections.
Luffy’s pure white hair and skin in gear 5 matches key themes and symbolism about moral righteousness and freedom. And the white palette aligns gear 5 visually with divine transformations in myth. For these reasons, the weight of evidence indicates Luffy’s awakened form was designed as white by Oda. While open to some interpretation, white is the most logical color.