One Piece: Oda Gives A Glimpse Of Shanks’s Pirate King-Level Strength

One Piece: Oda Gives A Glimpse Of Shanks's Pirate King-Level Strength

As a long-time admirer of the One Piece universe and its intricate storytelling, I have to say that the recent revelations about Shanks’ power level have left me absolutely astounded! It’s not every day you come across a character who’s got the Pirate King himself shaking in his boots.


This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Key Takeaways

  • Shanks’s strength in One Piece surpasses his title of an emperor and is on par with the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
  • Shanks’s genius is evident from his ability to wield Kamusari and Advanced Conqueror’s Haki at a young age, mirroring Roger.
  • Shanks, as the greatest Haki user in One Piece, possesses strength that goes beyond all imagination and is crucial to the series’ future.

Known to be one of the Four Emperors of the Sea and an apprentice of the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, Shanks is a tremendously important character, especially in the Final Saga of One Piece. He is also the individual who set Luffy out on the path of becoming the Pirate King, and even entrusted his own trusty Straw Hat to him. Shanks is, in many ways, the trigger of everything that’s going on in the world of One Piece, and that’s attached a special importance to him.

Concurrently, Oda recognizes that the character Shanks possesses numerous intriguing aspects and will likely have a significant impact in the Final Saga. Given this, it’s only natural that in the Final Saga, where Luffy has reached the Yonko level, Shanks must be exceptionally strong to stand out. In fact, although Shanks currently holds the title of an emperor, the narrative suggests his strength transcends this position, hinting that he may already be on par with the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

How Shanks Has Been Underestimated Over The Years

  • Shanks Was Revealed As A Yonko By Garp
  • Shanks Was Quietly On The Sidelines

It’s not surprising to learn that Shanks is often overlooked among characters in the One Piece universe. Over time, Oda has subtly developed him in an intriguing manner, leading readers to think he’s equally strong as the other Emperors without anything particularly unique about him. However, while the Yonko title does signify specialness, it doesn’t approach the level of uniqueness reserved for the Pirate King, a position Oda has assigned to Roger. In actuality, Shanks turns out to be far more extraordinary than his title suggests, and there is a hidden reason behind this.

One reason Shanks may be underestimated is because characters like Kaido, Big Mom, and Dracule Mihawk are more notoriously known and have higher bounties, with Kaido even being called the “World’s Strongest Creature.” Titles such as these can lead people to believe that Shanks is not as strong. However, it’s important to examine these assumptions more closely to determine Shanks’ true strength accurately.

One Piece: Oda Gives A Glimpse Of Shanks's Pirate King-Level Strength

In the world of One Piece, when discussing Kaido and Big Mom, it’s crucial to remember they’ve been Yonko for over two decades. During the Great Pirate Era, these two were at the peak of power, often standing second only to Whitebeard. Compared to them, Shanks became an Emperor just six years ago. Before the timeskip, Shanks had been an Emperor for a mere four years – a negligible amount of time in comparison. Moreover, fans know that Shanks wasn’t actively pursuing the One Piece until Luffy reached Yonko status and awakened his Devil Fruit. This was confirmed by Oda towards the end of the Wano Country arc, and it carries significant weight in the larger storyline. It seems Shanks has been waiting patiently for a special plan to unfold.

Hey, Beck. I think it’s time to claim it…the One Piece!! – Shanks

Instead of emphasizing his defeats against Mihawk as a point of criticism, it’s essential to consider Shanks’s battles with Mihawk less significantly due to his disinterest in being the world’s top swordsman. While Shanks is indeed a swordsman, his aspirations are focused elsewhere. It’s worth noting that Shanks has fought Mihawk on numerous occasions but has never lost a duel against him.

By this point in time, it’s plausible that Mihawk was already acknowledged as the World’s Strongest Swordsman. Shanks, however, proved himself to be an exceptional opponent for Mihawk, as their numerous confrontations indicated unresolved battles between them. In the world of One Piece, when Shanks first encountered Mihawk, he stated that he had come to “settle the score,” suggesting that their conflicts were yet to be decisively resolved.

To give you a clearer understanding, these conflicts took place in times past, when Shanks was yet to reach the pinnacle of his abilities, as shown by the fact that he wasn’t recognized as a Yonko back then. Shanks lost his arm 12 years ago and ascended to Yonko status 4 years ago, implying that currently, Shanks is at the zenith of his prowess. In his encounter with Mihawk, it’s evident that he was not at his present level. However, both Shanks and Mihawk have grown stronger since then, but now, Shanks has reached a stage where he can be directly compared to the Pirate King himself.

Shanks Is Just As Strong As Pirate King Roger

Shanks Carries The Will Of Pirate King Roger

In the world of One Piece, it’s often made clear that Shanks has far exceeded initial expectations and stands on par with legends such as Roger. Notably, Kaido, who is widely recognized as one of the strongest beings alive, holds four individuals in great esteem; these include Roger, Whitebeard, Rocks, and Shanks. The mere fact that Shanks is grouped with these powerful figures underscores his remarkable strength level.

It astonished the Roger Pirates immensely to find out that Shanks had mastered Kamusari (Divine Departure) independently, without any guidance from Roger. Not a single other member of Roger’s crew was capable of replicating this skill.

Apart from this, it has been revealed that as a child, Shanks was exceptionally skilled, mastering Kamusari control and Advanced Conqueror’s Haki before he turned 15. This makes him the unique member of the Roger Pirates capable of mimicking Roger’s techniques at such a young age, showcasing his prodigious talent from the start. To add to this, it is worth noting that the entire crew of the Roger Pirates saw Shanks as the likely successor to the Pirate King role and one worthy of following in Roger’s footsteps. There is essentially no feat that Roger could accomplish that Shanks can’t replicate.

Beyond doubt, it’s widely acknowledged among fans that Shanks is currently the most proficient Haki user in One Piece, surpassing even formidable characters like Kaido and Big Mom. This comparison extends possibly as far back as the Void Century. This notion is reinforced by Oda’s direct comparison of him to Joy Boy, where Oda himself poses the question of who the stronger Haki user between Shanks and Joy Boy might be, following Joy Boy’s Haki being unleashed by Emet. While it remains uncertain which is stronger, the mere fact that Shanks is mentioned in the same breath underscores his immense power.

One Piece: Oda Gives A Glimpse Of Shanks's Pirate King-Level Strength

Absolutely, Shanks’ bounty doesn’t suggest he’s on par with Roger or Whitebeard, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen much action from him, which is why his bounty isn’t as high. However, this doesn’t mean he’s not powerful; quite the contrary, he seems to be playing a strategic game that has only recently begun to unfold. His declaration of aggression in the fight for the One Piece, following the downfall of Kaido and Big Mom and the arrival of Nika, hints at this. Shanks is a significant figure in the world of One Piece, and fans can expect him to display an unimaginable level of strength in the coming days.

You can access “One Piece” through Viz Media. Fans can legally read it without cost on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter, “One Piece 1132,” is scheduled for release on December 1, 2024.

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2024-11-23 04:34