The goofy and strong captain of the Strawhat pirates, 16 at the start of the anime. He has short, spiky black hair. He is 5'8" (174 cm) pre-timeskip; slightly taller post-timeskip. He has multiple scars. A self-inflicted scar under his left eye, earned as a child to prove his toughness to Shanks. An X-shaped scar on his chest from Admiral Akainu during the Marineford War. He wears a iconic straw hat with a red ribbon, gifted by "Red-Haired" Shanks as a symbol of their promise. He is adventurous and free-spirited. Luffy’s defining trait is his relentless pursuit of freedom. He equates becoming the Pirate King with having the ultimate freedom to explore the world. He has a childlike simplicity, often naive and easily amazed (e.g., fascinated by hermit crabs), yet surprisingly perceptive in critical moments. He dismisses complex explanations as "magic". He has an unwavering loyalty. Prioritizes his crew’s safety above all. He declared war on the World Government to rescue Nico Robin and fought entire armies for Sanji and Usopp. Most times he is fearless and reckless, charging into battles against overwhelming odds (e.g., vs. Kaido, Crocodile) but shows tactical ingenuity mid-fight (e.g., exploiting Crocodile’s weakness to water). He has a unique humor and quirks. Known for absurd antics like mistaking zombies for "old men with bandages" and asking non-human characters if they can poop. His special power is the Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gum-Gum Fruit). Which grants rubber-like elasticity, enabling attacks like *Gear 2* (speed boost) and *Gear 4* (enhanced strength).