Mysterious Power and Legendary Status
Although Shanks's exact strength has not yet been clearly demonstrated, his ability to single-handedly stop the entire battle at Marineford, as well as the respect and fear he commands from characters at the level of the Navy and Yonkou, speaks volumes. No one else has ever achieved such a balance.
He is the only pirate who can directly communicate with the Gorosei. Moreover, his desire to discuss a “threat that could disrupt the world's balance” during this meeting demonstrates that his political power is not limited to his physical strength. His ability to maintain his Yonkou status with only one arm challenges the conventional power dynamics of the One Piece universe. While the physical integrity of most characters is directly related to their performance, Shanks' loss of an arm has not hindered him.
Shanks and the Definition of Haki
Shanks was one of the few characters who used Haki even before the concept was officially introduced in One Piece. The scene where he saved Luffy by terrifying the Sea King with a single glance was one of the first examples of this power being hinted at to the audience. Shanks's “Haki of the Kings” is so powerful that he has been referred to by Kaido in Wano as one of the few individuals capable of sinking a ship with “pure willpower.” This statement not only highlights his strength but also grants him a unique status in terms of aura and charisma.
As shown in the film Red, his Haki can penetrate so far that he can affect his opponents without even seeing them physically. This is a rare use of Haki that breaks its dependence on distance.
Connection to Roger's Pirates
Shanks served as an apprentice in Gol D. Roger's crew. This detail not only highlights his pirate skills but also how familiar he is with Roger's worldview and philosophy. Shanks' refusal to explicitly confirm whether he knows about “Laugh Tale” remains one of the series' greatest mysteries.
Rayleigh stated that even those who were part of Roger's crew were not given the opportunity to go to Laugh Tale. However, Shanks' knowledge of this matter is implied by the scene where Roger spoke to him privately upon his return.
Shanks' Stillness and Strategic Role
Unlike the other Yonkou in the Grand Line, Shanks does not have a tendency to conquer large territories or engage in constant warfare. He acts as a balancing force among pirates, guiding younger generations like Luffy while closely monitoring threats like Blackbeard. Ace was personally warned by Shanks before pursuing Blackbeard. Ace's decision to ignore this warning and his subsequent death highlight Shanks' foresight.
Shanks' crew is known as the “most balanced crew” in the pirate world. Each crew member is nearly at the level of a leader, and there are no weak links in the crew. This is a sign of an order based on collective strength and loyalty, rather than the classic pirate structure based on individual power.
Surprising Connections with the World Government
Shanks' ability to leave Mariejois without an invitation and hold a private meeting with the five Gorosei shows that he is not only a player among pirates, but also among the world's elite. Some theories suggest that Shanks originally came from the Figarland family and may have a past directly related to the events of the Valley of the Gods. This is one of the rare speculations that could explain why he has such privileged political access.
The Depth of His Bond with Luffy
Shanks did not merely give Luffy a hat; he also imparted the ideal of what it means to be a pirate—that it is not defined solely by plunder and violence. This philosophical transmission forms the foundation of Luffy's current character.
Shanks was completely panicked when Luffy ate the Gum-Gum fruit. However, it doesn't seem like the reason for his panic was the fruit's special nature. As we learned in the Wano arc, this fruit is actually the “Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika” and is being closely monitored by the World Government. With this information, it can be argued that Shanks consciously carried the fruit to protect it and perhaps turned a blind eye to Luffy eating it.
Movie: Red and the Door to Shanks' Mysterious Past
The film: Red, alongside the character Uta, who is claimed to be Shanks' biological daughter, provided the first serious clues about his past. The Elegia Kingdom, where Uta was abandoned, sparked debates about why Shanks didn't explain himself enough to his daughter and why he remained so isolated.
Throughout the film, it is implied that Shanks is not just a father but also a strategic manipulator. He is shown to be tracking Uta's movements, keeping his crew ready to intervene when necessary, yet refraining from interfering with the natural course of events. This approach reveals that he prefers to be a warning figure rather than an active one in his approach to the world.
Although Uta's death is not explicitly shown at the end of the film, Shanks' heartfelt farewell and his refusal to take her aboard the ship are a silent yet intense expression of the regret he carries within him. This serves as a hint that Shanks' inner world may be far more complex and lonely than previously imagined.
Shanks' Blood Ties and Lineage Debates
Shanks' affiliation with the Figarland family was first hinted at in the film Red. This family is considered one of the most elite noble families in the World Government, and Gorosei's direct reference to this family proves that Shanks' origins are not ordinary.
It is claimed that Shanks was found as a baby by Roger during the Valley of the Gods incident and later taken aboard the ship. If this is true, Shanks could be both noble and a “child of the old world order.” This could be a natural consequence of his current role as a mediator.
The fact that the surname Figarland is not explicitly mentioned shows that Oda is deliberately keeping some origins in the shadows. This is a sign that Shanks' true role will take on much greater importance towards the end of the story.
Shanks and the Balance of Power with the Other Yonkou
Shanks, described by Kaido as “the least predictable man in the world,” occupies a sort of wild card position among the Yonkou. He is neither as destructive as Kaido, nor as domineering as Big Mom, nor as greedy as Blackbeard. This makes him a dual-sided character who both preserves and disrupts the status quo in the One Piece world.
Kaido was stopped by Shanks while advancing toward Marineford, and the details of this clash have yet to be revealed. However, the fact that a war monster like Kaido backed down proves that Shanks' physical strength was already on par with the Yonkou even at that time. Big Mom's refusal to directly threaten Shanks and Blackbeard's hesitation to confront him directly imply that he is held in a different regard even among the other Yonkou.
Shanks' Distance from Technological Developments
Shanks' crew is one of the few groups that has remained distant from technological developments. Compared to Germa, Vegapunk, or science-based pirate groups, the Red-Haired Pirates rely entirely on classic fighting skills and individual strength. This reveals that Shanks is loyal to the “old-school” philosophy of piracy, valuing human character, leadership, and charisma over technological advantages. In other words, for Shanks, war is more a matter of stance than a tactical game.
Laugh Tale, Joy Boy, and Shanks' Possible Role
Whether Shanks knows about Laugh Tale is one of the most intriguing questions in the One Piece universe. When Roger's crew reached Laugh Tale, Shanks was not on board, but upon his return, Roger spoke with him privately. The content of that conversation remains unknown, but the scene where Shanks cries clearly indicates that what was discussed was not an ordinary treasure.
Theories that Shanks knows about Joy Boy's identity or mission are widespread. Some fans argue that Shanks deliberately protected Luffy's Nika Fruit and knew from the very beginning that Luffy would become Joy Boy's successor. His protection, guidance, and eventual witnessing of Luffy's era beginning strengthen this theory.
Some fan theories suggest that Shanks never wanted the Laugh Tale, and that he tried to prevent the power that could disrupt the world's balance from falling into the wrong hands because he realized the weight of the information Roger had obtained. In this context, Shanks could be a neutral figure protecting the world itself, not against the rest of the world.
A Character Who Appears Two-Faced But Is Actually Deep
Shanks is someone who can both interact with the World Government and go toe-to-toe with the darkest names in piracy. This seemingly contradictory position makes him not just a gray character, but also the greatest balancing force in the story.
The fact that Shanks has never been directly involved in a battle scene to date does not mean that he is peaceful or cowardly; rather, it indicates that he is extremely selective in how he uses his power. This selectivity may be related to the final mission that Oda has in store for him: to either stop or direct the great conflict at the end.
Fan Theories About Shanks
Some fans argue that Shanks is actually the “villain.” This view is supported by events such as his failure to protect the fruit, his secret meeting with the Gorosei, and his decision to intervene in Wano from a distance rather than directly. Another theory suggests that Shanks, after learning certain secrets about world history, actively tried to prevent major wars. The fact that he was unable to prevent Ace's death at Marineford but managed to prevent further casualties is presented as proof of this peaceful approach.
Some detailed analyses claim that Shanks represents “balance” and that his disappearance would plunge the world into chaos. Therefore, Shanks' death could be a major turning point in the One Piece universe.
Unknown Facts About Shanks' Crew
Shanks' crew is not only supported by his charisma. Each member of his crew is capable of taking on rivals at the Yonkou level. Benn Beckman, in particular, stands out as one of the few characters who can stop Kizaru with a single move. Yasopp, as Usopp's father, is one of the standout members of the crew, embodying both emotional and warrior-like traits. He is known as the “deadly sniper” due to his mastery of Haki.
Lucky Roux being the first person to shed blood in the One Piece universe (in the mountain bandit scene of the first episode) shows that he is not just a joker but can be deadly when necessary. No member of Shanks' crew uses Devil Fruit powers. This makes them a team that has developed their abilities entirely through human capacity and often serves as an example outside of fruit-based combat systems.
Shanks' Death Scenarios and Possible Role in the Finale
The idea that Shanks could die at the end of One Piece is one of the most frequently discussed theories, both in terms of the series' dramatic balance and Luffy's character development. The most commonly mentioned possibility is that Shanks is killed by Blackbeard, which would both start a new war and shape Luffy's ultimate motivation.
The loss of Ace at Marineford was a turning point in Luffy's character. Similarly, Shanks' death could serve as a “forced growth” trigger for Luffy. Shanks is the one who handed Luffy his hat; the moment that hat is returned is likely to occur in the same scene as Shanks' farewell.
If Shanks dies at the end of the story, his death will not only be an individual loss, but also symbolize the destruction of the last pillars of balance in the world order. In this context, Shanks' disappearance could mark the beginning of the final era in which Joy Boy's legacy will be realized.
Shanks and Blackbeard: An Inevitable Conflict
The details of the past between Blackbeard and Shanks remain unclear. However, the three claw marks on Shanks' face point to a previous physical conflict between the two. The depth of these marks shows that Blackbeard was no ordinary man even back then.
Shanks directly warned Blackbeard at Marineford: “It's not the right time to fight you yet.” These words are both a sign of respect and a declaration of the inevitable clash to come. Every major battle Blackbeard has engaged in so far has ended with deaths and dramatic outcomes. If he were to face Shanks, this clash could be the most significant confrontation in One Piece, not just physically, but also ideologically and thematically.
Shanks and the “True Enemy” Theories
Some theories argue that Shanks may actually be the true antagonist in the finale. According to this theory, Shanks believes that the order of the world must be preserved, so he will try to stop those who seek the knowledge of Laugh Tale, especially Luffy. In this scenario, Shanks views keeping the knowledge he inherited from Roger as his duty and therefore negotiates with the Gorosei. If this theory were to come true, Shanks' image as a “good guy” could be completely overturned.
However, while this possibility does not fully align with Oda's character-building style, the likelihood of Shanks creating a rupture in the story as a gray figure remains high. This would be a move that aligns well with Oda's tendency to “do the unexpected.”
Possible Plot for Shanks' Final Scene
One possible ending begins with Luffy finally meeting the Red-Haired Pirates and returning the hat. Although this meeting is peaceful, it could quickly turn into Shanks' final battle with the emergence of a major threat (Blackbeard, the World Government, or another old enemy). Some fans believe that Shanks will reveal the secrets of Laugh Tale to Luffy in a final conversation and then disappear into the great battle. This scene could be one of the emotional climaxes of One Piece.
An alternative plot involves Shanks surviving and eventually witnessing Luffy officially ushering in his era. This more hopeful version allows Shanks to complete his mission and close the story as a living legend who witnessed the new world.
Extra Info: Oda's Silence on Shanks
Eiichiro Oda has said very little about Shanks to date. However, during the promotional campaign for the movie Red, it was clearly stated that Shanks is “moving toward the center of the story.” According to Oda, Shanks' actions will no longer remain behind the scenes.
This statement implies that Shanks will actively participate in the story and become one of the decisive players in the final battles. This clarifies that the character has been deliberately kept in the shadows and is one of the key pillars of the story.