One Piece episode 1144 introduced the Five Elders, who have turned out to be nothing less than nightmare fuel. Each of them is alleged to possess Awakened Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, which means their physical abilities have been maxed out despite them maintaining sanity.
The beast forms of each of the Five Elders are massive in size. Some of them can even dwarf giants. Of course, all of them have unique abilities, and together they can destroy any battalion. However, they are also terrifying individually. Their yokai-inspired transformations show a blend of Japanese folklore with horror elements.
Yet, only one of them can hold the mantle of the scariest Five Elders. Thus, all the Five Elders and their transformations have been ranked from least to most terrifying. The spectrum goes from “cool kaiju” to “nightmare fuel.”
5. Saint Shepherd Ju Peter: Sandworm
Ju Peter can transform into a giant sandworm as well as a human-sandworm hybrid. The powerful vacuum breath ability that comes with it can even encompass an entire island and its surroundings. In fact, not even the giants can escape from the force of it. Episode 1144 of One Piece also showed the terrifying ability of the transformation, as it can dig through the earth with ease and emerge anywhere. In the episode, Luffy was flung into the air and swallowed whole by the sandworm.
Despite the massive size, Ju Peter can catch anyone off guard by just popping up from the ground wherever necessary. The way the ground stays silent before ultimately crumbling away to reveal a huge sandworm is horrifying. Additionally, this transformation can also bite through the hardest of substances.
This colossal limbless sandworm, burrowing through the earth at breakneck speed, can’t be underestimated. When the Five Elders got animated in episode 1144, the sandworm’s entire might was revealed. Its sheer size and ability to devour anything in its path scream ‘dessert predator.’ Not only is the sandworm wriggly and unpredictable, but its bite strength makes it a scary transformation.
4. Saint Topman Warcury: Fengxi
Warcury’s Devil Fruit allows him to transform into a fengxi, a boar-like monster. Since Warcury is one of the Five Elders, his boar transformation is massive, menacingly towering over Luffy. Warcury can also transform into a humanfengxi hybrid at will. In his full beast form, he resembles a boar with four tusks, and it is even bigger than a giant’s ship.
In this form, Warcury can unleash Supreme King Haki-infused roars. The massive tusks can be used as blades, and he is surprisingly nimble despite the size. The image of such a large animal somersaulting through the air to slam into an opponent with its tusks is frightening to say the least.
This form allows Warcury to bulldoze through everything in his path and even perform powerful tackles. The transformation also comes with a tremendously thick hide that can’t be penetrated. While it is undoubtedly a scary form, the boar is still grounded in reality and resembles a normal animal. Without the undead vibes of the other Five Elders, Warcury’s Fengxi seems much more tame.
3. Saint Marcus Mars: Itsumade
Among the Five Elders, Mars can transform into an Itsumade, which is a giant monster bird with the body of a serpent. This bird-like form enables Mars to fly anywhere freely. Of course, it is also resistant to plenty of attacks and can pierce through multiple defenses.
As for offensive power, the Itsumade can fire powerful energy beams directly from its mouth. These energy beams can ignite anything in flames and can destroy metal structures and even giants with a single hit. The reason it is so terrifying is because of its creepy face and beak. It looks like a disturbing mix of bird and psychotic humanoid. Of course, it also comes equipped with a massive beak and razor-sharp teeth and claws.
This speed demon, flying at lightning speed through the sky, is a sight to behold. Its flight ability, coupled with its predatory and unhinged face, makes it an intimidating presence. Yet, there are two more of the Five Elders who can triumph over this flying beast in terms of chilling presence.
2. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro: Bakotsu
Nusjuro can transform into a Bakotsu with the help of his Devil Fruit. This is a skeletal horse, and the Elder can also transform into a hybrid, which looks like a centaur but with skeletal legs and the body of a horse. This transformation is known for its speed amongst the Five Elders. One Piece episode 1144 animated Bakotsu and showed how it can charge across the circumference of Egghead at impossible speeds.
In his hybrid form, Nusjuro was able to cut down half of the Pacifista one after the other. In fact, the Marines were barely able to realize what was happening before the Pacifistas had already been taken down. Nusjuro can also deliver strong kicks, which can knock back giants. As if the undead horse wasn’t enough, Nusjuro is able to imbue his sword with power, and each strike freezes its target from the inside out.
The Bakotsu looks like a zombie horse that escaped the gates of hell. This bony beast with its raw power and speed can make anyone feel a chill run down their spine. The freezing power of Nusjuro guarantees that this chill might even turn literal. Imagining a flaming horse made out of all bones, charging at anyone is enough to render one into a useless pile of goo.
1. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn: Gyuki
Finally, it’s time for the most threatening/chilling transformation amongst all the Five Elders. Saturn, with the help of his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, can turn into a Gyuki, which is a monstrous bull-spider. The spider also comes with sharp, pointed legs, which are dark purple, and can be used to impale enemies with. These legs can even pierce Kuma’s body, which is stronger than steel.
In the full beast form, Saturn grows into a horned spider-like creature, and his face remains recognizable. However, his eyes become bizarre and too powerful to stare at. In this form, the Gyuki can also produce a corrosive poison from its legs. The legs move around eerily and with too much freedom, almost resembling tentacles. At the same time, they can also shatter the ground with minimal force.
The worst part is that Saturn can start spinning its body to achieve flight. It’s similar to how a helicopter works, but any modern aircraft diminishes when compared to a massive bull-spider flying around while spinning itself. The abomination of a beast can even paralyze people with a mere look. Not even Gear 5 Luffy could put a dent in this spider.
Needless to say, it is Saturn’s Gyuki that takes the first spot for the scariest transformation amongst the Five Elders. If there is any form that can give One Piece fans nightmares, it is this one.
Here is a list of all the Five Elders and their transformations:
Which of the Five Elders’ transformations did you find to be the most appalling and unnerving? Let us know in the comments below.
One Piece anime is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
