Shanks’ Final Battle Will Be Against Blackbeard in the One Piece Final War

by

Summary

  • Shanks’ final battle will likely be against Blackbeard due to thematic connections and mutual impact on Luffy’s journey.
  • Shanks may also face his Celestial Dragon family, especially his father, before battling Blackbeard, adding a personal and thematic touch.
  • The battle between Shanks and Blackbeard will test the superiority of Haki against Devil Fruit powers in the One Piece world.

Shanks is undeniably one of the oldest and pivotal characters within the world of One Piece. His significance extends beyond just being an Emperor of the Sea, making him one of the world’s top pirates. Moreover, he played a crucial role in igniting the series as we know it by serving as Luffy’s primary motivation to embark on his pirate journey. The anticipated reunion between Shanks and his protégé has long been a highly anticipated moment among fans.

In the grand saga of “One Piece,” an immense revelation unfolded when Shanks’ true ancestry was disclosed as a Celestial Dragon. This discovery led many to anticipate his final confrontation in the Great War would be either against Shamrock or Garling. However, there exists a substantial group of fans who speculate that his ultimate showdown might instead be with one of “One Piece’s” oldest and most significant antagonists. Let us delve into how this could transpire.

Shanks’ Final Battle Will Be Against Blackbeard

A Thematic Clash

Shanks’ First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Blackbeard’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 223, “I Promise Never to Fight in This Town”

Among the long-standing fan speculations within the community, a frequent topic is the potential confrontation between Shanks and Blackbeard. At first glance, it may seem there’s little evidence to support this theory, given their lack of obvious similarities. Upon closer examination, however, they exhibit several recurring themes that fuel the popularity of this well-loved One Piece fan theory.

Shanks and Blackbeard have had a connection since the beginning of the series, and it was first suggested that they knew each other when Shanks asked Whitebeard about Ace chasing after the villain onboard the Moby Dick. Here, Shanks implied that he didn’t believe Ace was prepared or powerful enough to fight Blackbeard at that time because his power was incredibly strong for what Ace could have handled back then.

Shanks himself admitted that when he encountered Blackbeard previously, it was Blackbeard who inflicted the three distinctive scars on him. It wasn’t a fluke or an accidental hit; Shanks was ready for the encounter. At that point in the narrative, viewers believed these two were equally matched, which is significant given that Blackbeard has grown even stronger since then after consuming Whitebeard’s powerful Quake Fruit.

From my perspective, these two characters – Shanks and Blackbeard – significantly shape Luffy’s odyssey, leading many to anticipate a confrontation between them. Shanks was the catalyst that ignited Luffy’s voyage initially, while Blackbeard seems to serve as a dark reflection of the protagonist, striving for the same goal as him, but for reasons completely opposite. Given Luffy’s deep longing to reconnect with Shanks, it appears that a showdown between him and Blackbeard might be more imminent.

Fate has chosen me to conquer this world!

Beyond being prominent figures due to their roles as Sea Emperors, Shanks and Blackbeard also carry the legacies of some of the series’ most revered characters. Shanks is perceived as supporting Luffy in becoming the world’s savior, mirroring his captain Gol D. Roger’s role, while Blackbeard aims to dominate and enslave the world, echoing Rocks D. Xebec’s ambitions. Given that these legends were historic rivals, this comparison is fitting.

In the end, Shanks and Blackbeard embody the two distinct power systems within the realm of One Piece. Shanks’ might stems primarily from his proficiency in Haki, while Blackbeard alone possesses the ability to wield multiple powers granted by Devil Fruits. Consequently, it seems fitting that these two antagonists are polar opposites in this aspect as well. The climactic showdown between them at the series’ conclusion will ultimately determine which power system holds more sway – Haki or Devil Fruits.

Why Shanks May Still End Up Fighting His Family

The Battle Of Figarlands

  • Many believe that a battle against his family must be on the cards for Shanks.

Just as fans anticipate a showdown between Shanks and Blackbeard, many believe his storyline won’t feel fully resolved without a clash with his Celestial Dragon kin. The specifics of how this might unfold or when it could occur remain uncertain, but a common belief about the climactic conflict known as the Final War is that Luffy will require exceptionally strong allies to aid in the fight against Imu and the Elders.

In this scenario, it seems logical for Shanks to confront his father, Garling, given their strong thematic and familial ties. Additionally, while a conflict with Shamrock could occur, the more compelling aspect lies in the fact that Shanks’ impending battle with Blackbeard is likely to happen later on, leading many to speculate that this is where the renowned Red-Haired Shanks may meet his fate.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Read More

2025-05-26 18:14