This article includes spoilers from the Elbaf arc of One Piece.
Key Insights
- Both Shanks and Corazon hail from Celestial Dragon ancestry yet choose to reject their lineage.
- Each of them stole a Devil Fruit, ultimately imparting them to deserving children through significant sacrifices.
- Luffy and Law embody the legacies of their mentors, striving to honor them throughout their journeys.
The Celestial Lineage of Shanks and Corazon
Both Shanks and Corazon are significant figures in One Piece, and their backgrounds reveal compelling similarities. Both characters originate from Celestial Dragon families, yet they each reject these identities, forging their unique paths.
Corazon, known formally as Donquixote Rosinante, made his debut in a poignant flashback that highlighted his complex relationship with his brother, Donquixote Doflamingo. The brothers grew up in the Holy Land of Marijoa until their father, Donquixote Homing, chose a life among ordinary people, which forced them to follow. Notably, Corazon distinguished himself from other Celestial Dragons by embodying kindness and morality, qualities that set him apart in a lineage often associated with oppression.
In a parallel fashion, Shanks also shares Celestial Dragon heritage, linked to the Figarland family, as recently confirmed in the narrative. Both figures encapsulate the idea of rejecting their hereditary circumstances to become champions of the people. Their unique upbringings—Shanks under the guidance of the Roger Pirates and Corazon with Sengoku—shaped their identities profoundly.
Devil Fruits and the Celestial Dragons
Both Corazon and Shanks Stole Devil Fruits
Another fascinating connection between Shanks and Corazon involves their actions regarding Devil Fruits. Both characters resorted to stealing these powerful artifacts at pivotal moments in their lives. Shanks famously seized the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which was heavily sought after by the World Government, while Corazon took the Ope Ope no Mi, ensuring neither would fall into the wrong hands.
Shanks eventually passed the Gomu Gomu no Mi to Luffy, albeit unknowingly at first, while Corazon directly entrusted Law with the Ope Ope no Mi. Their legacies are further intertwined through their sacrificial acts: Shanks sacrificed his left arm to save Luffy from a Sea King, while Corazon gave his life to protect Law, underscoring themes of mentorship, sacrifice, and legacy.
How Luffy and Law Carry Shanks and Corazon’s Will
Both Luffy and Law Look Up to Their Benefactors
Despite Corazon’s passing, Law remains deeply inspired by his late mentor. Every success Law has achieved over the past 13 years is a testament to Corazon’s influence. Law aims to unveil the mysteries surrounding the D, just as Corazon envisioned. Similarly, Luffy’s aspiration to become the Pirate King is fueled by the ideals instilled in him by Shanks, establishing a shared dream between the two.
The connections extend further when examining the sacrifices made by both mentors. While Corazon died heroically, Shanks survived a life-threatening encounter, which raises questions about his fate moving forward. Will Shanks ultimately find himself in a position to protect Luffy at the cost of his life? Speculations abound as the story progresses.
Oda’s storytelling often intertwines lives, and the parallels between Shanks and Corazon not only enhance their narratives but also deepen the emotional resonance within One Piece. Such intricacies contribute to the development of Luffy and Law’s characters, paving the way for them to become powerful forces in the New World.
As Shanks steps into the spotlight of the Final Saga, fans are eagerly anticipating the direction of his storyline, especially with compelling developments on the horizon involving his older brother, Shamrock Figarland. The unfolding events promise to be riveting.
One Piece is accessible through Viz Media, and the latest chapters can be read at no cost on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter, titled One Piece 1139, is scheduled for release on February 9, 2025.
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