The Straw Hat Captain has changed quite a bit over the years, but in some ways, he hasn’t.
Ever since the two-year time skip in One Piece, the Straw Hats have undergone many changes, physically and mentally, namely, the captain. Monkey D. Luffy has grown so much, since the days of the East Blue. Throughout his journey, he has made many mistakes that he doesn’t want to repeat.
After almost completely losing his crew at Sabaody and seeing Ace die at Marineford, Luffy can't afford to make any more mistakes, from now on. Every now and then, however, he still manages to remind us he still Luffy.
10 He Changed: Got Stronger
Within those 2 years of training with Rayleigh, Luffy’s manages to master different facets of Haki, such as armament, and Conquerors.
During that timeframe, the Straw Hat Captain also attains a new powerup, Gear 4. He even starts the process of learning observation Haki but didn’t master it.
9 He Stayed The Same: He Still Loves Meat
Everyone knows the Captain of the Straw Hat love meat and after two years, he still feels the same about it. He once used meat has a metaphor on why he doesn't want to be a hero, during the Fishman Island arc.
Despite it being a very comical speech, it was still inspiring. Jinbe later promised Luffy he will give him all the meat he wanted and Luffy agreed, effortlessly. It’s nice to know where his priorities lie.
8 He Changed: More Mature
After his tragic losses at Saobody and Marineford, Luffy recognizes that if he isn't careful, he could lose his crew in the New World. That’s why after the time skip, fans see a slightly more mature Luffy. For example, during the Zou arc, Luffy refuses to aide in liberating Wano from Kaido, after Kin’emon asks until Momonosuke asks Luffy directly for his help.
He isn't willing to put his life on the line if Momonosuke isn't. Chances are Luffy would have done the same thing, two years prior, however, he still seems more mature now.
7 He Stayed The Same: Still Picks Fights
Monkey D. Luffy is no stranger to arguing with others or fighting them physically. Even after the time-skip, this has not changed. Luffy yells at Nami when he decides the crew to go a dangerous island.
He didn’t hesitate to threaten Big Mom, even though she is a Yonko. He pummels Ceasar Clown, disregarding his connections to Yonko, Kaido, and Warlord, Doflamingo.
6 He Changed: More Open To Alliance's
Prior to the time skip, chances are Luffy would reject the idea of forming an alliance with another pirate crew. He has worked with other pirates in the past, but one wouldn’t consider it an alliance. So, when Trafalgar Water D. Law proposes that he and Luffy form an alliance, many fans were taken aback by this. Some may even believe it’s out of Luffy’s character.
However, since being in the New World, Luffy recognizes the Yonko’s run this section of the Grand Line. He is going to need all the help he can get to become Pirate King.
5 He Stayed The Same: He’s Still Blunt
The most enduring and problematic aspect of this captain's personality is he’s blunt. Luffy has no qualms about expressing how feels about a person, ideology, or situation.
When Luffy is given his own grand fleet, he gradually turns it down and the reason being is due to him needing his space. Moreover, he divulges to Jinbe that he doesn't want to be nor be perceives to be a hero.
4 He Changed: Better Leader
Luffy's leadership skills as a captain has grown immensely. For the Straw Hats to make a successful escape from the Big Mom Pirates, Luffy grabs Katakuri and Brulee and tosses them into Mirror World. Luffy even breaks the mirror, which grants him access back to his ship.
He didn’t want to take any chances of Katakuri harming anyone of his crew members. This is one of the most epic moments of Luffy being a captain, in the post time skip.
3 He’s Stayed The Same: His Crew Still Thinks He’s An Idiot Captain
The Straw Hat Crew has a lot of respect for their captain, however, that doesn’t mean they believe he can be an idiot, from time-to-time. They once beat Luffy repeatedly for almost exposing Raizo’s identity, in the Zou arc.
Nami will still punish him if he does something stupid. Although he's the captain, Luffy still needs to be put in his place.
2 He Has Changed: Takes His Fights More Seriously
Early in the story of One Piece, Luffy usually will enter a fight impulsively and lose from lack of preparation. During the second or third time he fights an antagonist, he will usually win, but it’s due to a half-baked strategy. In the time skip, however, Luffy has gotten a little better with how he approaches a fight.
After realizing Katakuri outclasses him on every fundamental level, he decides to hone his Observation Haki skills, while fighting him. After the devastating loss against Kaido, while imprisoned, Luffy decides to practice a Haki move he saw Rayleigh initiate. This Haki move does damage to an opponent with a high level of defense. Since Kaido has durable skin, the Straw Hat Captain needs to figure out how to bypass that. It’s refreshing to see him try to strategize on how he’s going to defeat this enemy now.
1 He Stayed The Same: He’s Still Chivalrous
Luffy will gladly help anyone in need, regardless of the situation. This has not changed. He helped Neptune take back his kingdom from Hody. He liberated Dressrosa from Doffy and he’s attempting to do the same thing in Wano.
Again, Luffy and his crew are not heroes, but they will not let residents of a country fall victim to an oppressor if they can help it.