Shanks

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Shanks (香克斯)
Alias(es)	Red-Haired; Saint Shanks 294 594
Species/Race	Human; member of the Figarland Celestial Dragon family 294 295
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Roger Pirates (former); Red-Haired Pirates (former captain; later disbanded); Figarland Family 97 568 594
Occupation/Role	Former Pirate Emperor; captain of the Red-Haired Pirates; publicly regarded as the next King of the Pirates after reaching Laugh Tale 293 568
Status	Alive 602
First Appearance	Chapter 97

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Advanced Armament Haki	202	Intensifies his Armament Haki during the battle with Charlotte Cracker, breaks the Biscuit Armor, and wounds Cracker's real body. 202
Conqueror's Haki awakened	203	Awakens Conqueror's Haki; Roger identifies it as an exceptionally “pure” kingly disposition. 203
Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit	296–297	Eats the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit supplied by Gigue. Unlocks a scaled Dragon Human form, crimson long-dragon form, dragon breath, and wind blades. 296 297
Divine Dragon Fruit	298	Gigue fuses Source Power from the original Azure Dragon Fruit into Shanks's ability, evolving it beyond a replica and bringing it near Awakening. 298
Observation Killer	304	Suppresses Issho's Observation Haki, preventing the swordsman from reading him properly. 304
Awakened Divine Dragon Fruit	306	Displays the flame-like cloud ribbon of an Awakened Devil Fruit and turns Dragon's own lightning and weather phenomenon against him. 306
First Embrace	602	Receives a diamond-shaped forehead mark from Gigue, restoring a more youthful, smooth-skinned appearance. 602

Background / History

Shanks was born to Saint Garling Figarland and a maid. His mother's death was tied to the Celestial Dragons' bloodline-purity rules; Garling had intended to publicly acknowledge Shanks at a hunting competition, but circumstances prevented the announcement. 341

He was subsequently raised by Gol D. Roger, who publicly described him as an orphan he had found. At age twelve, Shanks served as an apprentice aboard the Roger Pirates alongside Buggy. During the Edd War, his distraction in combat nearly got him killed before Marine Admiral Candidate Gigue intervened and saved him. 97 198

Gigue's repeated, unexplained mercy toward Shanks continued during later clashes with the Roger Pirates. Shanks recognized that the feared Marine had deliberately kept him from harm, leaving him unsettled by a sense of familiarity rather than simple hatred. 148 173

After Roger's voyage, Shanks inherited Roger's Straw Hat and was privately troubled by Roger's words concerning destiny, freedom, and the person Roger awaited. Rayleigh urged him not to disappoint Roger or their fallen comrades. 233 248

Appearance

Shanks is a red-haired man whose appearance changes dramatically when using the Divine Dragon Fruit. In Dragon Human form, his body becomes taller and more muscular, with crimson scales and golden dragon horns. 97 297

• Red hair, which earned him the epithet “Red-Haired.” 97
• Wields the sword Gryphon. 305
• Dragon Human form features crimson scales, enlarged musculature, and golden horns. 297
• Full transformation manifests as a massive crimson dragon surrounded by flame clouds. 297 594
• Bears a diamond-shaped mark on his forehead after receiving the First Embrace. 602

Personality

Shanks values freedom above treasure, a belief that frequently caused arguments with Buggy during their years as Roger Pirates apprentices. He idolized Roger and remained deeply affected by Roger's death, the mystery of Laugh Tale, and the possibility that human destiny might be predetermined. 148 233 248

He is protective of his companions and family. He stayed behind to nurse Buggy through illness, intervened to save Yasopp from Gigue despite the danger, regretted leaving Uta behind, and resolved to become a responsible father to Sossia. 232 294 350 571

Though usually approachable toward ordinary people and playful with his crew, Shanks is ruthless against enemies. He showed no mercy to Teach after defeating him and was prepared to kill him before Gigue arrived. 352 394 397

Abilities & Skills

Haki

Shanks possesses highly developed Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's Haki. His Haki was already formidable before receiving a Devil Fruit, and later becomes central to his fighting style. 202 203 394

• Uses calm concentration and Observation Haki to predict opponents' attacks and locate hidden targets. 202
• Employs Observation Killer to suppress another person's Observation Haki. 304
• Strengthened Armament Haki allows him to break Cracker's Biscuit Armor and cut through Cracker's defenses. 202
• Projects Conqueror's Haki forcefully enough to incapacitate Burgess while simultaneously fighting Teach. 394
• Infuses attacks with Conqueror's Haki, producing scarlet lightning during clashes. 304 305

Swordsmanship

Shanks is an elite swordsman trained by Roger and Rayleigh. Frequent sparring with Mihawk further honed his style, and his swordsmanship is described as among the world's top three. 298 598

• Uses Gryphon for Haki-infused slashes and close-quarters combat. 305 393
• His swordsmanship is comparable to Mihawk's, while Shanks considers his Haki stronger. 298
• Can launch scarlet sword energy powerful enough to tear across the sea and force Teach to counter with an Earthquake Fist. 393

Divine Dragon Fruit

Shanks's Mythical Zoan ability began as the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit. Gigue later infused it with the Source Power of the original Azure Dragon Fruit, transforming it into the Divine Dragon Fruit. 296 298

• Transforms into a Dragon Human form with major boosts to strength, durability, and speed. 297 305
• Transforms into a crimson long dragon capable of flight. 297 594
• Produces destructive dragon breath, including lightning-infused blasts. 297 598
• Generates and controls wind, creating wind blades and resisting Dragon's hurricane-based attacks. 297 305
• Creates flame clouds for aerial movement and to lift the Red Force against Issho's gravity. 304
• Awakening allows him to seize control of Dragon's lightning and weather phenomenon. 306
• Strong emotions can trigger the fruit's bestial nature, causing Shanks to lose control of his anger. 600
• Like most Devil Fruit users, he becomes helpless in water unless holding Muramasa. 297

First Embrace

Gigue grants Shanks the First Embrace, creating a diamond-shaped forehead mark similar to Garling's. 602

• Restores Shanks to a younger-looking, smoother-skinned state. 602
• Marks his formal acceptance into Gigue's protection and the Figarland family circle. 602

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Gryphon — Shanks's primary sword, used with Armament and Conqueror's Haki. 305 393
• Demonic Sword: Muramasa — A sword temporarily given by Gigue; while holding it, Shanks can move in seawater without the usual Devil Fruit weakness. 297
• Straw Hat — Formerly Roger's hat, later passed from Shanks to Luffy. 233 269

Relationships

• Gol D. Roger — Adoptive captain and mentor. Shanks admired Roger deeply, inherited his Straw Hat, and was personally entrusted with sensitive information shortly before Roger's end. 97 233 248
• Buggy — Childhood crewmate, rival, and closest longtime friend. Their constant bickering masks mutual loyalty; Shanks cared for Buggy during illness and later arranged for his release from Impel Down through Gigue. 232 350 392
• Gigue Figarland — Cousin whom Shanks calls “Brother.” Gigue repeatedly saved Shanks, revealed his family identity, empowered his Devil Fruit, and encouraged him to pursue the title of Pirate King. 173 294 295 298
• Saint Garling Figarland — Biological father. Their first meeting is awkward, but a sword duel begins to build mutual respect while exposing Shanks's resentment over being left behind. 295 595 598 600
• Makino — Shanks's romantic partner and mother of Sossia. Shanks is embarrassed by his feelings for her and wants to provide a stable home for their family. 350 571
• Uta — Shanks's adopted daughter. He considers her his own child and seeks reconciliation after leaving her on Elegia. 350 352 602
• Figarland Sossia — Shanks's daughter. Her expected birth gives him new purpose after reaching Laugh Tale. 568 571
• Benn Beckman — First mate and trusted adviser. Beckman often challenges Shanks's decisions but supports him through his conflicts with Gigue, Buggy, and the future of the crew. 293 349 568
• Dracule Mihawk — Friend and recurring sparring partner. Shanks intends to use their duels to develop the Divine Dragon Fruit further. 298
• Marshall D. Teach — Rival pirate whom Gigue identifies as a competitor. Shanks defeats Teach's crew, captures Teach, and takes the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for Gigue. 349 394 396

Story Role / Major Arcs

Roger Pirates Era

• Serves as a twelve-year-old apprentice alongside Buggy during the Edd War and is saved from a Flying Pirate by Gigue. 97
• Faces Big Mom without fear when she threatens him to pressure Roger. 200
• Battles Charlotte Cracker with Buggy, exposes Cracker's hidden real body, and awakens Conqueror's Haki. 202 203
• Questions destiny after Roger confides in him and continues to struggle with Roger's expectations after the crew's losses. 233 248

Figarland Revelation and Divine Dragon Fruit

• Learns that he is a Figarland and Garling's son when Gigue confronts the Red-Haired Pirates. 294 295
• Accepts Gigue's offer of the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, choosing it for its red color. 296
• Receives the Divine Dragon Fruit enhancement and begins training to master its Awakening. 298
• Defeats Dragon while confronting Issho, displaying Observation Killer, Dragon Human transformation, and an Awakened Devil Fruit. 304 306

Pursuit of the One Piece

• Receives a deciphered Road Poneglyph from Gigue and is directed toward Teach as a rival in the race for Laugh Tale. 349
• Reunites with Buggy after arranging his release and invites him to search for the One Piece together. 392
• Attacks and defeats Teach's crew, captures Teach, and claims the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for Gigue. 393 394 396
• Reaches Laugh Tale with the Red-Haired Pirates but becomes disillusioned with the One Piece and considers disbanding the crew. 568

Return to the Figarland Family

• Chooses family and impending fatherhood over continued drifting at sea, announcing his intention to become a father. 568
• Learns of Sossia's birth and expresses his desire to be a responsible father. 571
• Returns to Mary Geoise, where he is publicly received as Saint Shanks and reunites with Garling. 594 595
• Duels Garling, loses control of his dragon's rage, then receives the First Embrace from Gigue. 598 600 602

Notable Quotes

“The ultimate pursuit of a pirate is freedom!” 148

“Compared to the sea, I think the sky is much more vast! This is the feeling of freedom!” 297

“Everyone, I'm going to be a father!” 568