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The final phase ofOne Piecehas not only taken the narrative to the next level, but has also put a special focus on Shanks and his motives in the series. The Emperor of the Sea has been a mysterious character since the beginning ofOne Piece,and it looks like it is finally time for him to come out of the shadows and get involved in the central storyline.
For the longest time, a large group ofOne Piecefans has believed that Shanks will be the main villain of the series as he will betray Luffy and take over theOne Piecetreasure to finally earn the title of the Pirate King that his former captain had. Fans assume that Shanks is not the good character that is portrayed in the series but the Sosuke Aizen ofOne Piece.
While this debate has been never-ending, there have been multiple moments where Eiichiro Oda has already hinted about Shanks and his true loyalty. TheOne Piecemangaka has been clear about Shanks’ stance in the series since the Marineford arc, but his mysterious appearance has made fans doubt his character.
Eiichiro Oda Cleared Shanks’ Stance in Marineford
Ever since Shanks met the Five Elders to discuss a “certain pirate,”One Piecefans have been divided about his role in the series. While some believe that he is genuinely a good character, others believe thathe is only acting like one. In truth, he is going to backstab Luffy at the last moment and try to take everything for himself.
Sanji is Not the Fastest Man in One Piece and It’s Not Kizaru Either: Shanks’ Left Hand Man Whose Speed We Often Overlook
However,Eiichiro Odahas been clear about Shanks’ loyalty, and he has even hinted at it during the conclusion of the Marineford arc.
When Shanks buried Ace and Whitebeard, he was seen having an inner monologue where he wished Luffy to get stronger and overcome the misery that he has been going through because of his brother’s death.
Even in his thoughts, he wished the best for Luffy, which in itself is the biggest proof that theOne PieceEmperor wants nothing but good for him. He had no reason to lie in his thoughts, which essentially puts an end to all the theories about Shanks being the biggestOne Piecevillain.
Other Good Deeds By Shanks inOne Piece
The whole argument about Shanks being an antagonist is based on the fact that he met with the Five Elders and had a discussion that no one knows about. But fans also need to understand that there have been many other things that prove Shanks is not an evil character. The first and most important is the motivation that he gave toLuffy during his childhood.
Whatever Luffy stands for is the result of what he learned from Shanks. While Luffy has his own mindset, he was motivated by Shanks as a kid and the morals that he stood for, which essentially led to Luffy saving literal countries. Not only that, Shanks even warned Whitebeard to stop Ace from going after Blackbeard as he knew that Blackbeard might be stronger than him.
“When you mention Shanks he loses all common sense”: Our Worst Nightmare About Luffy and Loki Will Come True in One Piece 1132
Finally, the most recent good deed done by Shanks is saving his fleet from Kid’s attack. He knew his fleet was not strong enough, but he still protected them from dangerous pirates like Kid. He has no need for them, but he still keeps them under his wing, which speaks for his good character inOne Piece.
One Pieceis available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2959
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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One PieceRed-Haired Shanks
