One Piece: Oda Has Revealed The Roger Of The New Era, And It’s Not Luffy

by

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

In the ongoing Elbaf arc of One Piece, it’s now ripe for Eiichiro Oda to unveil the most profound mysteries of this world and pave the way for what could be termed the most monumental war in the realm of One Piece. Given this, fans are braced for some significant disclosures, including insights into historical figures who laid the groundwork previously, like the deceased Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

I find myself in a world where Roger is no longer present, yet his essence lingers on. Many enthusiasts of the One Piece series hold the belief that Luffy embodies Roger’s succession, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. In truth, as confirmed by Oda himself, Shanks stands as the true heir to the legacy once carried by Roger.

Roger Was Not The One To Free The World

  • Roger Did Not Have The Required Ability
  • Roger Was Too Early

It’s clear that Pirate Gol D. Roger possessed all the resources necessary to challenge the World Government and transform the world. However, contrary to expectation, he did not do so. There are two significant reasons for this. Firstly, Roger was not Nika; it has been prophesied that Nika will return to liberate the world. Secondly, and more crucially, Roger was afflicted with a terminal illness, giving him only one year to live when he discovered the One Piece, which meant he could never fulfill his dream of freeing the world.

Rayleigh-san, he said the same words as Captain Roger. The very same words. — Shanks about Luffy

From my perspective, it’s clear that the man, Rogue, had a deep desire to preserve his influence for future generations. This led him to initiate the Grand Pirate Age. He yearned for his successor to bear the burdens of those who came before and realize their dreams. While Luffy is widely seen as his potential heir by many, it’s actually Shanks who fits the role.

Shanks Is The Roger Of The New Era

Shanks Isn’t The Chosen One, But He’ll Bring Nika Back

Shanks possesses an extraordinary amount of strength, rivaling that of Roger himself. However, it’s important to note that Shanks is not simply a stronger version of Roger. Instead, Shanks was Roger’s apprentice. Before parting ways with his crew, Roger entrusted his hat to Shanks and assigned him a mission. Not only does Shanks bear a resemblance to Roger in terms of the saber he wields, but he also carries on Roger’s legacy by employing the same techniques as his mentor.

Everyone knew you were Roger’s apprentice. — Buggy

In much the same way as Roger, Shanks isn’t destined for greatness in the traditional sense. Instead of saving the world, his purpose seems to be ushering in a new age. Shanks embodies the role of ‘Roger’ for this era, while Luffy appears poised to follow in the footsteps of another figure.

Luffy Is The Joy Boy of The Current Era

In a world where Roger still walks among us, I’d be following in Luffy’s footsteps under his personal tutelage. But since that’s not the case, it was Gaban and Rayleigh of the Roger Pirates who Luffy encountered instead. Yet, it wasn’t Roger himself but Shanks who led him on this grand adventure. Although Shanks is my ultimate destination, I strive to embody the spirit of Joy Boy, the next in line for that legendary role, even as Shanks embodies the spirit of Roger.

In exactly two weeks from now, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the latest chapter of One Piece! Typically, new chapters arrive on Sundays, but for those in Japan, it’s 12AM JST on Monday. For most international readers like myself, we can expect to access Chapter 1156 on August 3. Mark your calendars, fellow fans, as that’s the official release date of One Piece Chapter 1156, 2025! And the best part? You can read it for free on Manga Plus!

Read More

2025-07-22 23:34