One Piece still attracts significant debate as the anime progresses further into the Egghead arc, especially with Jewelry Bonney appearing in a visual similarity to the Gear 5 of Luffy. This creation has brought back doubts in the minds of the viewers, particularly those who have not read the manga in its elaborate elaborations. The scene is interesting due to the fact that the Egghead fight already has some of the most stylized animation in the entire One Piece, and the similarities between Bonney and Luffy are striking to a greater degree. Consequently, the order has reinstated the confusion of the functionality of the Devil Fruit of Bonney and why she can imitate such an influential entity.
It is obvious that Bonney is not wearing Luffy's Gear 5 or has an ability related to the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. She is, in fact, consuming her own Devil Fruit, the Toshi Toshi no Mi (Age-Age Fruit) that enables her to travel to a different version of herself in the future through a power called Distorted Future. This transformation is based entirely on imagination, belief, and visual reference, not on copying another person’s Devil Fruit. The One Piece anime visually parallels the forms during the battle, but the underlying powers are completely different.

After Bonney witnesses Luffy’s awakened Nika form earlier during the Egghead incident, she gains a clear and accurate image of what the Sun God-like form looks like in One Piece. This is significant because her Distorted Future technique requires vivid belief and a strong mental projection, which she previously lacked due to never seeing the real Nika. Once she finally observes Luffy’s Gear 5 directly, her imagination makes it possible for her to craft a future version of herself that resembles the same liberated and exaggerated fighting style. The anime depicts these visuals with matching cartoon physics, white hair, and expressive movement, contributing to the recurring confusion among audiences.
Bonney’s transformation works the way it does due to the core nature of her Devil Fruit. Unlike many paramecia in One Piece, the Toshi Toshi no Mi manipulates age and potential futures rather than physical matter alone. Her Distorted Future power enables her to hypothetically transform into any variant of herself, provided she feels that it can exist. Her mental ability to imagine is better than most, as she is still a child, and that is why she can project such drastic projections of the future and do so without any hesitation.
When the battle against the Eggheads arrives, the anime emphasizes this imitation as Bonney is placed next to Luffy when both are fighting off the Gorosei, and their movements are synchronized. This presentation goes a bit further in creating the impression that two characters are exercising powers of Gear 5 in One Piece, even though the form of Luffy is the only actual awakening of a Devil Fruit. Bonney’s future projection retains her paramecia characteristics and does not grant her access to any mythical zoan traits such as the heartbeat rhythm, rubber-based constitution, or divine properties associated with Nika.
Bonney’s Distorted Future and Its Role in One Piece
The Distorted Future technique has existed since Bonney’s introduction, but the Egghead arc is where One Piece fully clarifies its scale. Because she can imagine different timelines for herself, the anime portrays her as adopting a Nika-inspired version that embodies freedom and elasticity. The result is a Gear 5-like sequence that emphasizes her connection to Kuma’s memories and her long-standing understanding of the Nika legend. This detail aligns cleanly with established lore, showing that the anime did not rewrite the mechanics of any Devil Fruit.
Her temporary form in One Piece does not include any of the attributes tied to Luffy’s awakening, such as the ability to transform surroundings, spontaneous rubber effects, or deity-linked energy. Instead, the moves she performs remain tied to the conceptual design of her imagined future self. Even the “Nika Punch” she uses is a thematic homage, reflecting her belief that she can fight like Luffy rather than a literal duplication of Nika’s abilities. This is why the anime frames her actions similarly without crossing into contradictory territory.

The confusion spread widely because One Piece Episode 1151–1152 showcases the peak battle effects with animation choices that intentionally resemble Gear 5’s chaotic style. This is a dramatic decision focused on storytelling impact rather than suggesting multiple users of Nika. Canonically, only Luffy’s Devil Fruit awakening carries the properties that define Gear 5, meaning Bonney’s imitation remains a separate but visually parallel concept. The sequence, therefore, fits both the anime’s adaptation approach and the manga’s original explanation.
In conclusion, Bonney is not using Gear 5 in One Piece. She is utilizing the Distorted Future ability of her Toshi Toshi no Mi to manifest a future self inspired by the Nika form she witnessed during the Egghead arc. The anime’s visuals enhance the similarity for dramatic effect, but the canonical mechanics remain unchanged. Her transformation highlights the thematic value of imagination and belief within One Piece, while preserving the uniqueness of Luffy’s awakened Nika form.