This article contains spoilers from the Elbaf Arc of One Piece.
Overview of Recent Developments
- Oda unveiled Shanks’s twin brother in chapter 1134.
- Previous clues hinted at the existence of Shanks’s twin through silhouettes.
- Oda has declined to clarify if Shanks is actually two distinct individuals, intensifying the speculation.
Oda Confirms Shanks’s Twin Brother
- Oda introduces a lookalike of Shanks in chapter 1134.
- This revelation answers lingering questions from chapter 907.
In the latest chapter, One Piece 1134, Oda shocked fans by revealing Shanks has a twin brother. This twist comes as a huge surprise and contributes significantly to the ongoing Elbaf Arc. While fans anticipated learning more about Shanks as the story progresses, introducing his sibling was unexpected. The chapter heightened anticipation as Luffy and the Straw Hats continued their discussions in the Owl’s Library when a sudden threat emerged in Elbaf.
A dramatic bolt of black lightning struck a castle near Elbaf Village, previously ruled by King Harald. Interestingly, this castle has been empty for some time, paralleling the absence of any royal lineage. Inside, a large summoning circle surrounded by flames hinted at darker forces at play. Notably, this summoning circle mirrored the one seen in the Egghead Arc when the Elders were summoned by Saturn.
However, when the summoning occurred this time, rather than Elders, two cloaked figures emerged. The final panel of chapter 1134 revealed one of these figures as an enigmatic woman, while the other bore a striking resemblance to Shanks. This resemblance was further underscored by a profile shot closely matching a previous image from chapter 907.
Hints About Shanks’s Twin
Hints on Garling’s Offspring
Oda’s hints regarding Shanks’s family lineage have been subtle yet intriguing. Fans had long speculated about Shanks having siblings, particularly after narrative elements introduced during the Wano Country arc. During a pivotal moment, Dragon’s mention of the God’s Knights presented a silhouette that closely resembled Shanks, though initially overlooked by fans as Oda’s silhouettes often misrepresent characters.
As the God’s Knights continued to be referenced in subsequent chapters, silhouettes matching Shanks resurfaced, suggesting a deeper connection to the Figarland family. The Supreme Commander of the God’s Knights was identified as Saint Garling Figarland, linking him directly to Shanks and hinting that Shanks might have another sibling among these ranks.
Additionally, the Kuma flashback in the Egghead Arc illustrated a younger version of Saint Garling at God Valley, accompanied by his children. This reference to multiple offspring reinforced the idea that Shanks is not alone in his heritage, paving the way for the recent revelation of his twin brother.
Oda Evades Key Question About Shanks
Oda Dodges the Query on Shanks’s Secret
Although fans have speculated about the possibility of Shanks having a twin long before this revelation, Oda has historically sidestepped direct inquiries about this topic. His evasive responses sparked theories amongst the fanbase, particularly regarding how Shanks managed to appear simultaneously at critical plot points, such as at Marineford following an intense clash with Kaido.
F (Q): You might’ve been asked this thousands of times already, not sure, but is Shanks two different persons? F: You know, since Shanks is sometimes drawn without his scar, plus he arrived at the Paramount War so quickly with unbelievable speed (despite having just fought Kaido)…
O: (censored)
While Oda continues to leave this question unanswered, the introduction of Shanks’s twin brother affirms previous theories and highlights potential inconsistencies in Shanks’s character design. Now that fans have confirmation of his sibling’s existence, the excitement for future chapters is palpable.
Fans can enjoy One Piece via Viz Media, with the latest chapters available for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The upcoming chapter, One Piece 1135, is scheduled for release on January 5, 2024.
Leave a Reply