Monkey D. Luffywidely known as “Straw Hat Luffy” or simply “Straw Hat,” is the audacious founder, captain, and strongest combatant of the renowned Straw Hat Pirates. He embarks on a journey to claim the legendary treasure once sought by Gol D. Roger, aiming to become the Pirate King—a title he believes embodies the ultimate freedom in the world. While his grand dream remains known only to his closest crew and friends, it fuels his relentless pursuit of adventure and justice across the seas.

Luffy’s relentless actions, boldness, and heritage have made him a central figure of global infamy. His head carries one of the world’s most significant bounties, currently standing at a staggering Beli 3,000,000,000, and places him squarely in the crosshairs of the World Government, Marine Headquarters, and Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. He is acknowledged as a key member of the “Worst Generation,” a collection of notorious upstart pirates challenging the world’s status quo. Furthermore, following his triumph over Kaidou during the Raid on Onigashima, Luffy has been declared one of the Four Emperors, solidifying his status as a pirate of unmatched influence and power.

Born on Dawn Island, Luffy is part of the esteemed Clan of D., a lineage often marked by defiance and freedom. He is the son of Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army’s enigmatic leader, and the grandson of the legendary Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp. Raised under the strict yet caring guidance of Garp and mountain bandit Curly Dadan, Luffy’s childhood was filled with daring exploits alongside his sworn brothers, the late Portgas D. Ace and Sabo. His ultimate inspiration, however, comes from “Red-Haired” Shanks, the pirate who ignited Luffy’s dreams. Shanks not only saved Luffy’s life at the cost of an arm but also entrusted him with the iconic straw hat—a symbol of their shared promise for Luffy to become a great pirate.

Beyond his fearsome reputation, Luffy is driven by a profound belief in freedom and friendship. His adventurous spirit and willingness to challenge any obstacle have led to the awakening of the mysterious Gomu Gomu no Mi, which some now see as the resurgence of Joy Boy—a figure of legend tied to the ancient lore of the world. Throughout the One Piece series, Luffy embodies the relentless pursuit of dreams, the breaking of chains, and the quest to redefine what it means to be free.

Monkey D. Luffy is a young man of average height, characterized by his shaggy black hair, round black eyes, and a lean yet muscular build. His most iconic feature is his straw hat, the source of his epithet, “Straw Hat Luffy.” This hat holds deep sentimental value, as it was given to him by the pirate “Red-Haired” Shanks during his childhood—a hat that once belonged to the legendary Gol D. Roger. Luffy’s straw hat serves as a symbol of his vow to become a great pirate, embodying the spirit of adventure and the legacy passed down to him.

Before the series’ timeskip, Luffy’s typical attire was simple yet distinct: a sleeveless red vest, light blue denim shorts rolled up above his knees, and tan sandals. This casual outfit reflected his carefree and bold personality, allowing him maximum flexibility during his many exploits. Luffy also bears a small scar with two stitches under his left eye, a mark of his childhood recklessness. He acquired this scar by stabbing himself to prove his toughness to Shanks, showcasing his determination to become a pirate at a young age.

Luffy’s physical appearance has been shaped by his encounters throughout his journey. During the Summit War of Marineford, he suffered a grievous injury at the hands of Admiral Akainu, leaving a prominent X-shaped scar across his chest. This scar is a stark reminder of the trials he has faced and the resolve he carries as he pursues his dream to become the Pirate King.

Similar to many of his male crewmates, Luffy maintained a signature outfit throughout most of his adventures, typically returning to his trademark red vest and blue shorts after each island escapade. However, Luffy adapted his attire to suit various climates and environments encountered on his journey. Despite his characteristic look, he occasionally donned different colors and accessories, often on the advice of more fashion-conscious crewmates such as Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Robin, as noted by Eiichiro Oda in Volume 37’s SBS.

During the Drum Island Arc, Luffy changed his outfit twice to cope with the freezing weather. First, he wore a burgundy parka lined with white fur on the cuffs, hood, and hem. Later, he switched to a checkered parka in shades of white, orange, and bright yellow, a piece previously worn by Nami. These choices reflected his adaptability to harsh climates.

In the Arabasta Arc, he dressed in desert robes to combat the scorching heat. This outfit consisted of a dark red robe adorned with three white rings on each sleeve and a light blue wrap over his head. It provided protection against the desert sun while allowing Luffy to blend into the environment.

During the Skypiea Arc, Luffy made slight modifications to his usual outfit by leaving his vest open and sporting new accessories: a black wristband on his left wrist, gifted by Usopp, and a white bracelet from Sanji. These added elements hinted at his growing camaraderie with his crew.

In the Long Ring Long Land Arc, Luffy’s appearance took a playful turn. He wore an afro on his head, dark red shorts, and wrapped red bandages around his feet. For the fight against Foxy, he had an image of a blue flaming skull and crossbones painted on his chest, adding to the arc’s lighthearted and comedic tone.

Throughout the Enies Lobby Arc, Luffy sported black shorts with larger pockets, a practical change from his usual attire. Following this, in the Post-Enies Lobby Arc, he switched to a white T-shirt emblazoned with the Galley-La Company emblem in red, featuring navy-blue shorts. This outfit marked a brief departure from his more adventurous style.

For the Thriller Bark Arc, he opted for an orange vest paired with dark red shorts. Post-battle, he received a dark, jeweled armband from Nami, later revealed to be a map leading to Captain John’s treasure. Luffy eventually handed this armband to Buggy in exchange for navigation assistance through Impel Down.

During the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, his attire varied slightly between the manga and anime. In the manga, he wore a blue vest with red shorts, while the anime depicted him in the same vest but with dark blue shorts.

In the Amazon Lily Arc, he changed into a light blue vest with maroon shorts, reflecting the tropical setting of the island. This outfit persisted until the Impel Down Arc, where after his encounter with Magellan, he switched to a bright yellow vest and brighter red shorts provided by Inazuma.

Regardless of the changes to his outfits, one constant remained: Luffy’s straw hat. Initially prone to being knocked off, the hat became more secure with the addition of a string strap sewn by Nami during the Arabasta Arc, allowing Luffy to hang it around his neck during fights.

Notably, before the timeskip, Luffy marked his return to Marineford with the inscription “3D2Y” on his right arm, with the “3D” crossed out. This was a signal to his crew that they should reunite after two years instead of the originally planned three days following their separation by Bartholomew Kuma.

Over his journey, Luffy has creatively harnessed his Devil Fruit powers, transforming his body in various ways. His signature Gear techniques are prime examples of this, dramatically altering his appearance and showcasing the adaptability and evolution of his fighting style.

Post-timeskip, Luffy undergoes a noticeable physical transformation. He grows slightly taller and becomes more muscular due to his rigorous training. His neck appears thicker, his deltoids more pronounced, and his chest better defined, prominently displaying the X-shaped scar he received from Akainu during the Summit War of Marineford.

Luffy’s usual attire retains its signature style but with a few changes. He swaps out his red vest for an open, three-quarter-sleeved red cardigan, secured with four buttons. A yellow sash now wraps around his waist, reminiscent of Gol D. Roger’s iconic outfit. Despite adapting his clothing to suit different environments and situations, Luffy’s straw hat remains a constant. He sometimes covers it with other headwear to disguise his identity, reflecting his increasing notoriety.

Throughout the arcs, Luffy changes his outfit to adapt to various climates and circumstances:

In most non-canon material, Luffy generally wears his standard outfit, although this changes significantly starting with Movie 11. His attire varies to suit the storyline’s setting, often incorporating unique and thematic elements.

Luffy’s non-canon appearances reflect his adaptability to different environments while maintaining elements of his iconic look, such as the straw hat, which remains a constant symbol of his character.