Highlights
- The Gomu Gomu no Mi is a unique Devil Fruit that grants the user a rubbery body and the power to bring laughter and joy to people, making it a perfect fit for Luffy.
- Other characters like Ace, Oden, Sabo, and Shanks could have been great users of the Gomu Gomu no Mi due to their cheerful personalities and their dedication to freeing the oppressed.
- While characters like Monkey D. Dragon and Gol D. Roger have the credentials to be contenders for the Gomu Gomu no Mi, their grumpy and early demise characteristics make them less suitable choices.
The Gomu Gomu no Mi is one of the most incredible Devil Fruits to exist in the world of One Piece. Although this fruit was believed to be ordinary for the vast majority of the story, it was only in Wano that the true nature of this power was revealed to the fans. The Gomu Gomu no Mi is actually a Mythical Zoan type Devil Fruit called Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
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This Devil Fruit is incredibly unique in the sense that it grants the user a rubbery body and allows them to fight with as much freedom as possible. This fruit gives them the power to spread laughter and joy wherever they go, bring smiles to people's faces, and lets them free slaves, by turning into the Sun God Nika. This Devil Fruit, being a Mythical Zoan, chooses its eater, and it is quite clear to see why Luffy ended up consuming it. However, there are other characters who this fruit could have fit very well too had Oda decided to go in a different direction.
7 Portgas D. Ace
Pirate Crew: Whitebeard Pirates
Ace was believed to be the leader of the next generation by many, including legendary figures such as Sengoku. This is because Ace was the son of Roger, the former Pirate King. Roger himself believed that his son would be the one to find the One Piece after him and fulfill the legacy of Joyboy. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
Even though Ace was a very influential pirate, he wasn't particularly interested in claiming the One Piece for himself. Eventually, Ace ended up dying in the Paramount War, however, not before reaffirming to Luffy that he believed in him and his dreams.
6 Kozuki Oden
Pirate Crew: Whitebeard Pirates, Roger Pirates
Oden is another incredibly charismatic character who could have been a fit for the Gomu Gomu no Mi. Fans know that this Devil Fruit would only go to someone very cheerful who cares about the lives of the downtrodden. Oden fits the billing perfectly. Oden saved the lives of countless people wherever he went and, just like Nika, he helped free slaves as well in many ways.
When the people of Wano were taken captives, Oden did not think twice before putting his own life at risk for them. In fact, he sacrificed himself 20 years ago when he endured a boiling and gave the country a chance to free itself. Oden was also very powerful and, with this Devil Fruit, he would become unstoppable. Clearly, he would have been a perfect fit.
5 Sabo
Organization: Revolutionary Army
The character of Sabo is deeply tied to the theme of freedom. Sabo was born into a nobility, however, he didn't think twice before throwing that life away and starting anew because the Nobles made him sick. Sabo realized that the people of the world are abused and used by the nobility and eventually, he found himself with the Revolutionary Army, where he made great waves.
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Sabo believes in leading this revolution and he thinks that a new world order where the Celestial Dragons need to be overthrown is extremely important. At the same time, Sabo is also a very cheerful personality and would certainly have been a perfect fit for the Nika fruit.
4 Monkey D. Dragon
Organization: Revolutionary Army
Dragon is the leader of the biggest revolution in One Piece and as the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, one can see why he could have been a perfect user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi. Dragon has liberated countless countries and slaves throughout his life. As such, he does have enough credentials to be a contender for this Devil Fruit.
The only thing holding him back is his personality. Nika is supposed to be a cheerful character who laughs and brings smiles to the faces of people. Dragon is almost always grumpy. Nonetheless, he does his free slaves and liberates people all over the world and would have been a good fit.
3 Gol D. Roger
Pirate Crew: Roger Pirates
Roger is yet another character who would have been a perfect fit for the Gomu Gomu no Mi in many ways. Roger was just like Luffy in terms of personality. In fact, the childlike innocence of these two characters is very similar. They even shared the same true goals which fans are not aware of just yet.
Roger also detested the Celestial Dragons and wouldn't think twice before helping those in need. Roger was just like Luffy, only too early. He would have been a perfect user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
2 Shanks
Pirate Crew: Red Hair Pirates, Roger Pirates
Shanks is a phenomenal character who many believe to be just like Luffy in many ways. In fact, Luffy himself believes Shanks to be his idol. Many of Luffy's own beliefs are based on the personality of the character that is Shanks. Shanks is incredibly hearty and always laughs and parties with his friends.
He would never stand the sight of anyone getting abused and fans already know that he has used his pirate crew for good by saving countless countries without even asking for anything in return. Shanks would have been a good user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi as well.
1 Bartholomew Kuma
Organization: Revolutionary Army
Undoubtedly, the very best user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi would be none other than Kuma. For one, it appears that the original Nika has some connections to the Buccaneer race which Kuma belongs to. The legend of Nika is very popular among the Buccaneer folk and because they know of this legend, they are persecuted and have been almost wiped out.
To Kuma, Nika is like an idol that he wishes to be more like. Kuma wants to free people just like him and liberate them from their misery. He wants to bring smiles and joy to the faces of people and he has dedicated his life to that end. Kuma possesses the hands of liberation and certainly would have been a perfect user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
One Piece (1999)
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga's popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.