🚨 MEGA BLOCKBUSTER AFTER 31 YEARS: Oda OFFICIALLY REVEALS SHANKS – THE RED-HAIRED GUY IS A TRUE “HOLY KNIGHT,” NOT JUST AN ORDINARY PIRATE?! 😱⚔️

One Piece fans should not be surprised to know that Shanks is one of the most important characters that Oda has ever created. In fact, it can be said that Shanks is such an important character that, in the Final Saga itself, he can be put on the same pedestal as Luffy.

Of course, Luffy is still the main character of One Piece, but Shanks is almost as important as him, especially in this last stretch of the story. While One Piece itself is only 28 years old right now, Oda already had plans for Shanks 31 years ago, and in One Piece chapter 1168, he brought one of these visions of his concerning Shanks to reality, as he finally appeared as a Knight in the Holy Land of Marijoa.

Oda Designed Shanks As A Knight 31 Years Ago

Oda Designed Shanks Knight 31 Years Ago one pieceImage by Toei Animation
  • Oda Always Wanted Shanks To Be A Knight
  • Even After Leaving The Holy Knights, Shanks Continues To Be A Knight

One Piece officially began its run in Weekly Shonen Jump around 28 years ago. However, Oda had drafted the story of One Piece long before that. In fact, the ending of One Piece is something that Oda envisioned back during his college days. Oda is known to have written prototypes for One Piece, such as Romance Dawn, long before One Piece. But not many fans know that even before Romance Dawn, that is, 31 years ago, Oda had initial drafts for many One Piece characters, and this also included Shanks.

This is my son, Shanks. He’s Shamrock’s younger brother. Once he acquires the power of the Deep Sea Pact, he should become a great asset to us, on the same level as Shamrock himself. — Garling Figarland introducing Shanks to Harald in the Elbaf Arc

Oda’s initial design for Shanks painted him as a Knight. This Knight was known to be chivalrous and, of course, good at heart. In the main story however, Shanks was always recognized as a powerful pirate. In One Piece chapter 1168, Shanks was finally introduced as a Knight in the story.

This is because 15 years ago, Shanks went back to the Holy Land of Marijoa, where he was made God’s Blade, the right hand of the Holy Knights. 31 years ago, Oda created the plan of Shanks being a Knight, and now, finally, this vision of his came to life.

Oda Finally Makes Shanks A Knight In The Manga

Oda Finally Makes Shanks A Knight In The Manga one piece

As seen in One Piece chapter 1168, Shanks is now officially a Knight in the story. However, he won’t stay a Knight for long. Shanks might or might not be promoted to the rank of a Holy Knight, but what is more important is to know that just 2 years later, that is, 13 years ago in the One Piece world, Shanks is already out on the seas again as a pirate. This is when he steals the Gomu Gomu no Mi from CP9, who were transporting it to the World Government.

Most importantly, one year after that, he meets Luffy, who then proceeds to eat the Devil Fruit. This means that Shanks’s role as a Knight, even though envisioned by Oda long ago, doesn’t last for long.

Shanks Still Carries A Knight’s Personality

Shanks Still Carries A Knight's Personality one piece

While Shanks leaves the ranks of the Gods Blade and the Holy Knights shortly after joining them, the fact is that the essence of a Knight never truly leaves him. Shanks will always be a Knight-like character, just like Sanji.

I won’t say that’s not fair, Navy man. But raiding the worn-out new green leaves that changed the era of piracy forever? Don’t you think you’re doing too much? Are you that afraid of the new era? —Shanks to Green Bull, One Piece’s Wano Arc

Even though he’s a pirate, he protects the weak and upholds true justice. This is the definition of a Knight and that is what Shanks will continue to be in the Final Saga, even though he acts as an outlaw in the form of a pirate.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to lay claim to the grand treasure known as the One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1169 is December 21, 2025. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday, which is 11:00 AM EST, or 8:00 AM PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps. Doing so will ensure that fans always support the author.