Luffy’s pulling goggles from seemingly out of nowhere may be a gag, but it also gives another clue to the true power of his Awakened Devil Fruit.
Luffy’s Devil Fruit Awakening goes far beyond rubberizing his surroundings. He is also able to invoke cartoon physics, also known as toon force. Cartoon physics is often used for comedic effects, but Luffy also incorporates them into his fighting style. This was demonstrated in his fight with Kaidō, where he was able to run on air, grab lightning, and reach through the Emperor’s eyeholes among other things. Now, however, he can also manifest objects seemingly out of nowhere.
Chapter 1070 of One Piece, “The Strongest Form of Humanity,” showed Luffy generating a pair of goggles and putting them on. This was so he could slingshot himself into his opponent Rob Lucci. More importantly, however, it means that Luffy has some form of hammerspace. Depending on how this new power develops, it could lead to a change in his fighting style and make him a more formidable opponent. Or he could just keep using it for laughs.
Where Did Luffy’s Goggles Come From?
There are two explanations for where Luffy’s goggles came from. At a glance, it seems like he formed them out of his wispy cloudlike hair. It’s also possible that he simply pulled them out of thin air; the fact that he generated them over his head could simply be meant to invoke the image of lowering them over his eyes. This action is accompanied by a “poof” sound effect, which could technically support either claim.
It’s important to keep in mind how cartoon physics works. Even if they’re impossible in reality, they follow a certain logic that makes them at least possible for the cartoon characters; they have a cause and effect that creates the setup and punchline for their breach in physics. Looking at it like this, Luffy making the goggles out of his hair seems to make the most sense.
However these goggles came to be, they suggest that one of Luffy’s new powers is hammerspace. He can pull out whatever item he needs for whatever the occasion calls for. Luffy might even be able to pull out larger, more complex constructs from the steam hagoromo surrounding his body. Maybe he can pull out heavy objects like pianos, safes, and anvils. Maybe he can pull out weapons like giant mallets, bombs, and dynamite. If he can think of it, he should be able to make it.
Of course, this is assuming Luffy wants to use weapons like this. So far, his fighting style has revolved around using his own body, which he boasts is as powerful as any weapon. He probably could make weapons, but he’ll more likely stick to making gag props for the time being.
In any case, Luffy’s goggles should be taken as the tip of the iceberg. Whether it continues to be played for laughs or is foreshadowing something greater, Luffy is now confirmed to have hammerspace. There should be much more for him to make out of this power as the series progresses.
Src: cbr.com
