Complete Guide to Shanks in One Piece: Is He a Villain or a Hero?

Red-Hair Shanks is one of the most enigmatic figures in One Piece, so here’s all the relevant information we can gather about the Yonko.

The One Piece manga is rich with mysteries, especially surrounding its characters. Shanks made his debut at the beginning of the series and remains one of its most pivotal figures. His rare appearances are always thrilling and eagerly anticipated by fans.

Even though he has limited screen time, Shanks remains a fan-favorite character in One Piece. As one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, he possesses immense power. Luffy first encountered Shanks as a child, and since then, he has aspired to become a pirate just like him.

In the Final Saga, Shanks is set to play a crucial role in the race to claim the One Piece.

Shanks Stole Luffy’s Devil Fruit from the World Government

An image of Luffy's devil fruit awakening in One Piece — Crunchyroll

Luffy obtained the powers of the Gomu Gomu no Mi after accidentally consuming a fruit brought by Shanks to Foosha Village. Initially thought to be a common Paramecia type that grants rubber-like abilities, One Piece Chapter 1044 ultimately reveals its true identity as the Mythical Zoan type, Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. Following a life-or-death experience, Luffy awakened his powers during a battle with Kaido, transforming into a mythical entity known as Nika, the Sun God.

Shanks’s audacious act of seizing the fruit from the World Government carries significant risk. The World Government sought this power desperately and believed they had finally obtained it after 800 years. Shanks seems to be aware of the fruit’s genuine capabilities, as he wasn’t surprised by Luffy’s bounty poster showcasing Gear 5.

Shanks Has Celestial Dragon Blood

One Piece Figarland Garling — Manga Plus

Gold D. Roger discovered Shanks as an infant, abandoned in a treasure chest on God Valley, and adopted him, raising him alongside his crew. The flashback from God Valley indicates that Saint Figarland Garling, the commander of the Holy Knights, bore a striking resemblance to a younger Shanks.

This strongly suggests that Shanks has Celestial Dragon lineage. In One Piece Film: Red, Gorosei devise a plan to thwart Uta’s chaotic scheme involving mass murder. They determine that eliminating such a threat is their best course of action.

However, Gorosei hesitates briefly before issuing the order, considering Uta’s connection to the Figarland bloodline. This mention is significant, as Uta is Shanks’ adoptive daughter, opening the door for further exploration of this lineage.

Shanks Is the Killer of Observation Haki

After more than 1100 chapters, Shanks stands out as a formidable character in terms of Haki. His mastery of Observation and Conqueror’s Haki is unparalleled. Moreover, he is dubbed the “Killer of Observation Haki.”

Shanks can disrupt his opponents by using his powerful Conqueror’s Haki, rendering their Observation Haki ineffective. He is currently the only character with this unique ability. His foresight allows him to predict events up to 10 seconds in advance, granting him a strategic edge in combat.

Shanks Currently Has Two Primary Goals

While the true motives of Shanks remain ambiguous, his two main objectives appear to be defeating Blackbeard and finding the One Piece. He recognizes Blackbeard as a significant threat to the world, which is how he acquired his facial scar.

In Chapter 1056, Shanks notes Luffy’s new bounty poster and informs Benn Beckman that it’s time to seek the One Piece. The chapter suggests that Shanks has been waiting for Luffy to unlock his devil fruit’s true potential before making any decisive moves.

He Has a Connection with Gorosei

One Piece Chapter 907 left fans astounded by Shanks’s unexpected visit to Mariejoise, the capital of the World Government where the top authorities reside. Given that the area is governed by the Holy Knights and inhabited by Celestial Dragons, it is nearly impossible to infiltrate. However, Shanks was greeted by the Gorosei.

The world’s highest authority was hesitant to engage in conversation with him due to the risks involved. During this meeting, Shanks expressed a desire to discuss a “certain pirate.” The identity of this pirate—whether it is Luffy, Blackbeard, or another individual—remains unclear.

Is Shanks a Villain in One Piece?

Shanks is not portrayed as a villain in One Piece, yet he exhibits some questionable motives. As a Yonko, he made a remarkable journey from the New World to a small village in the East Blue. It remains uncertain whether he intended for Luffy or someone else to possess the power of that legendary devil fruit.

A Japanese native speaker on Twitter/X offered insight into Shanks’s dialogue in Chapter 1056, indicating that the kanji used in that context implies “taking by force” (奪う), suggesting Shanks may aim to seize the One Piece from its rightful owner. He likely knows the true identity of the One Piece’s legitimate possessor, explaining his choice of words.

Nevertheless, Shanks’s pursuit of the One Piece does not seem to stem from selfish motives. Throughout the series, he has never displayed characteristics of an “evil” character, although he is indeed a pirate. The narrative holds potential for surprising developments concerning Shanks’s character.

Now that the Egghead arc has concluded, you can explore why the Egghead arc is considered the best one to date.

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