Monkey D. Luffy has never just been another pirate sailing the Grand Line—he’s a force of nature wrapped in a straw hat and a grin. From the very first episode of One Piece, Luffy’s unshakeable willpower, fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds, and undying loyalty to his crew have solidified his status as one of the most iconic shonen protagonists of all time. Whether he’s challenging warlords, defying emperors, or simply punching villains so hard they question their life choices, Luffy has delivered moment after moment of pure badassery that screams, “This guy is going to be the Pirate King.” Here are ten moments that prove exactly that.
#10: Luffy punches a Celestial Dragon
One of the most unforgettable moments in One Piece history came during the Sabaody Archipelago arc when Luffy did the unthinkable—he punched a Celestial Dragon square in the face. These so-called “gods” were considered untouchable due to their world-noble status, and everyone around Luffy warned him of the consequences. But when Saint Charlos shot Hatchan in cold blood just for being a fishman, Luffy didn’t hesitate. His punch didn’t just shatter Charlos’s jaw—it shattered the unspoken rule of the One-Piece world: don’t cross the Celestial Dragons. This moment was less about brute force and more about principle. Luffy showed that he answers to his own moral compass, not the fearsome power structure of the world government. The sound of that punch echoed not just through the auction house but across the entire fandom, instantly becoming a defining moment in Luffy’s rise.
#9: Luffy defeats Blueno with Gear Second
When Luffy faced off against Blueno of CP9 in Enies Lobby, fans knew something big was coming. What they didn’t expect was Luffy to debut a brand-new transformation—Gear Second. This moment wasn’t just badass because of the fight itself, but because it marked a pivotal shift in Luffy’s evolution as a combatant. By pumping his blood at incredible speeds, Luffy’s muscles bulked, and his speed skyrocketed, turning him into a blur of steam and force. His attacks had a new weight to them, both literally and symbolically. “You’re too slow,” he told Blueno, moments before flattening him with a Jet Bazooka. Gear Second was the moment we realized Luffy wasn’t going to rely on luck or friendship alone—he was a fighter willing to break his own body to become stronger.
#8: Luffy declares war on the World Government
The scene where Luffy commands Sniper King to burn the World Government flag is peak defiance. Set against the backdrop of Enies Lobby as the Straw Hats fight to rescue Nico Robin, this moment cements Luffy as a true rebel hero. Robin’s desperate plea to live, “I want to live! Take me out to sea with you!” is met by Luffy’s full-throated answer: declaring war on the mightiest power in the world to save his nakama. It’s pure shonen drama, but it’s earned. The image of that flaming flag and Luffy standing tall as chaos erupts around him is as iconic as it gets. He didn’t just oppose the government—he challenged it head-on in front of the world.
#7: Luffy punches Kaido in Gear Fifth
After years of buildup and heartbreak in the Wano arc, Luffy’s awakening of his Devil Fruit powers into Gear Fifth is a moment of sheer narrative and visual insanity. The rubbery god-like form allowed Luffy to bend reality, turning him into a Looney Tunes-esque figure with enough strength to match the world’s strongest creature. When Luffy lands that cathartic punch on Kaido, smashing him into the ground with cartoonish yet cosmic force, it’s more than just a victory. It’s Luffy rising to the level of legends. The joy, the absurdity, the determination—it all converges into a moment that proves this boy from East Blue was never just chasing a dream. He is that dream.
#6: Luffy’s arrival at Marineford
Impel Down was hell, but Luffy’s true test came at Marineford, where the world’s strongest pirates and Marines clashed. Just as the execution of Ace loomed near, a figure rocketed from the sky—Luffy, covered in blood and exhaustion but still roaring to save his brother. His entrance shook the battlefield and left admirals, warlords, and Whitebeard himself stunned. That he even made it to Marineford was a miracle. But what followed—Luffy clashing with Mihawk, Ivankov’s support, and the raw emotional drive to get to Ace—turned him from rookie pirate to living legend. His defiance in the face of absolute death was so intense that even those at the top began to take him seriously.
#5: Luffy’s King Kong Gun vs. Doflamingo
Dressrosa was a nightmare of political manipulation, slavery, and broken spirits—until Luffy unleashed King Kong Gun. After pushing past his limits in Gear Fourth, Luffy summoned every ounce of strength for one final blow. The animation, the music, the sheer weight of that punch hitting Doflamingo felt like the fall of an empire. What made this moment especially powerful was the context: Luffy wasn’t fighting for glory or treasure. He was fighting for the people who had suffered for years under Doflamingo’s control. That punch was justice incarnate, wrapped in Haki and delivered by a man who simply doesn’t quit.
#4: Luffy vs. Katakuri
The entire battle with Katakuri was one long dance of willpower and growth. Unlike many of Luffy’s opponents, Katakuri wasn’t a villain. He was a mirror—stoic, powerful, and bound by honor. As Luffy was pummeled again and again, he refused to stay down. He trained mid-fight, evolved Observation Haki, and earned Katakuri’s respect. That final moment when Katakuri asks if Luffy will defeat Big Mom and Luffy answers with a confident “Yes” encapsulates the entire theme of the arc. Luffy’s not just a pirate. He’s a symbol of progress and determination. Katakuri falling backward with a smile, allowing Luffy to walk away, was one of the most badass acknowledgments of his growth.
#3: Luffy vs. Usopp
What makes this fight so devastating isn’t the punches—it’s the emotional weight. Usopp, broken by the loss of the Going Merry, challenges Luffy for leadership of the crew. And Luffy accepts, knowing it has to be done. Their duel is brutal, heartfelt, and symbolic of the burdens of captaincy. Luffy could’ve crushed Usopp, but he didn’t hold back because he respected him. Walking away in tears, Luffy showed the pain of making impossible choices. It was badass not in power, but in emotional maturity. Being Pirate King isn’t just about strength—it’s about the weight you carry to protect your crew.
#2: Luffy rings the Ox Bell
After the war at Marineford, the world watched as Luffy did something cryptic—he broke into Marineford again just to ring a bell 16 times. Many saw it as madness, but it was a hidden message to his crew. Luffy wasn’t just grieving; he was planning. He used that moment to tell them: “We’ll get stronger, and we’ll meet again in two years.” That quiet defiance, the courage to ring a bell in the heart of enemy territory, and the strategic genius behind it all proved Luffy was growing not just as a fighter but as a leader. A future king in mourning—but with resolve unbroken.
#1: Luffy gives his hat to Nami
In Arlong Park, Nami breaks down, begging Luffy to help her. Without a word, Luffy places his precious straw hat—his most sacred possession—on her head and marches forward to destroy Arlong. It’s a moment that resonates through the entire series. That hat, a symbol of Shanks and Luffy’s dream, was entrusted to her, showing just how much she meant to him. The fight that followed wasn’t just about defeating Arlong—it was about freeing someone Luffy loved from her personal hell. He fought not for himself, but to return her freedom. It’s the moment that defined what kind of Pirate King he will be: one who frees, one who protects, and one who never lets his friends cry alone.
Monkey D. Luffy’s journey isn’t measured in bounty posters or flashy titles. It’s measured in these moments—times when he stood tall against impossible odds, not for fame, but for love, loyalty, and justice. Every punch, every tear, and every laugh along the way is part of the legacy he’s building. And when he finally finds the One Piece, it won’t just be a treasure—it’ll be the world recognizing what fans have known all along: Luffy is the Pirate King.
