Marvel Rivals game developers may have copied Luffy’s Gear 4 from the One Piece series for Mr Fantastic’s abilities as most fans pointed out on X.

SUMMARY

For decades, Marvel has cemented itself as one of the most legendary comic publishing giants.
Mr Fantastic’s abilities in Marvel Rivals is copied from Luffy’s Gear 4 as One Piece fans suggest.
Oda fashioned Luffy’s abilities on various gods and fictional characters.

Marvel has had a huge cultural impact on media and society for decades. Be it Spiderman or Captain America, the publishing giant has made waves throughout the years. From merchandise to adaptations, it is soaring heights in every aspect.

It has reshaped the comic book industry through its impeccable superhero series. And while it has a chokehold on pop culture, it isn’t exempt from controversy, especially with plagiarism.

Gear 4 in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation

Recently, One Piece fans pointed out the glaring similarities between Reed Richards and the Straw Hat Captain. While both characters share similitude in terms of their abilities, the game developers were accused of plagiarism.

Conversely, fans may have gone too far in their criticism by exaggerating their claims. And though it seems partly plausible, the copying claim is far-fetched from reality. It also ties well with Oda’s inspiration for the hero’s character.

Marvel Rivals developers accused of plagiarism by One Piece fans

Arguably, Reed Richards is one of the smartest men in the Marvel Universe. He appears in the Fantastic Four series as Mr Fantastic. To this date, he stands as one of the iconic superheroes in the comic universe.

But most of all, Richards is hailed for his intelligence, wit, and power. Other than that, he is a socially awkward guy with his fair share of quirks. Regardless of that, though, he is an excellent leader who makes sound decisions.

Reed Richards in a still from the game | Credit: NetEase Games

On top of that, he possesses the power of elasticity, which allows him to contort his body at will. Though it seems gross, it comes in handy in the face of adversity. There are, however, downsides to this as well.

His rubber body is vulnerable to extreme temperatures. And while he has a rubber body, he can manipulate it to his will. This is reflected in the shooter game Marvel Rivals, which had One Piece fans accusing the developers of plagiarism.

On X most users called Reed Richard’s powers to be a straight copy of the Straw Hat. Others, however, clapped back.

By and by, it is important to note that Fantastic Four was made in the 1960s. On top of that Reed Richard’s ability to expand and contract his body was seen in an episode from the 1994 series. Oda, however, introduced the Gear 4 in his chapter in 2015.

Despite the similarities, both characters differ in more ways than one. While Richards is impervious to water, Luffy’s devil fruit abilities fail in this aspect. Moreover, Oda fashioned the rubber man’s abilities on several heroes and deities.

Oda’s inspirations for Luffy’s abilities

From his iconic straw hat to his catchphrase, Luffy has become an iconic hero in the Shonen genre. He stands legendary in terms of his heroism and feats. To say One Piece is popular would be a gross understatement considering its influence on pop culture and society.

Oda reshaped and redefined the shonen genre through his portrayal of heroism and camaraderie. But that is not all considering his inspiration and influences from other masterpieces. Like most artists, he had his fair share of influences.

Monkey D. Luffy in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation

For Gear 4’s Bajrang Gun, Oda was inspired by the Hindu God Hanuman. Most references in his series are reminiscent of the retro era, especially with the Gear 5. It is nothing short of caricaturish and melodramatic considering the goofiness.

Interestingly, Oda took inspiration from iconic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry for the gear 5. However, it is important to note that both series are iconic in their way. To imply plagiarism and copying would be too extreme considering Fantastic Four’s legacy and origins.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll. The manga is available to read on Viz Media.