Few characters in One Piece command as much respect, admiration, and intrigue as Red-Haired Shanks. From the very first chapter, he has been presented as the figure who set Luffy on his path, gifting him the straw hat that became his iconic symbol. To many fans, Shanks has always represented the spirit of freedom, courage, and camaraderie. He is not only a Yonko but also one of the most universally beloved characters in the series.
And yet, in recent years, a bold theory has emerged that challenges this very perception. What if Shanks is not the noble ally we believe him to be, but the ultimate antagonist of One Piece? What if the story’s final twist is that Luffy’s idol, the man he admired above all others, has secretly been pulling strings all along, positioned to become the last and greatest obstacle in the journey to the Pirate King?
It may sound unthinkable—but within the shadows of Oda’s storytelling, there are enough breadcrumbs to make this possibility worth exploring.
Shanks’ Aura of Mystery
One of the most consistent aspects of Shanks’ character is his deliberate ambiguity. Despite being introduced in the very first chapter, his screen time and dialogue throughout the manga remain surprisingly limited. Unlike Kaido, Big Mom, or Blackbeard, Shanks’ role in the balance of power has always felt half-hidden.
We know he is strong enough to be considered a Yonko. We know he commands a crew feared and respected across the seas. We know he has connections that allow him to casually meet with the Gorosei—something almost unthinkable for any pirate. But what we don’t know is what he really wants.
That silence, that lack of revealed motive, is fertile ground for theories. Oda has shown us Shanks’ kindness, his humor, and his mentorship of Luffy. But he has also shown us his secrecy, his willingness to deal with world leaders, and his position as an untouchable figure who plays by his own rules.
The Case for Shanks as Final Antagonist
So why do some fans believe Shanks could be the last enemy? Several reasons emerge when examining the story closely.
1. The Meeting with the Gorosei
One of the most eyebrow-raising moments in the series was when Shanks met with the Five Elders at Mariejois. For a pirate of his stature to be granted an audience with the leaders of the World Government suggests a level of influence and mutual recognition far beyond ordinary Yonko status. The question remains: why?
If Shanks were simply a benevolent figure, why would the Elders listen to him at all? The implication is that Shanks has leverage, or perhaps an agenda, that ties directly into the secret history of the world.
2. The Scar from Blackbeard
Shanks is one of the only major figures in the story to bear a lasting injury from Blackbeard. He has warned others of Teach’s danger, painting him as a looming threat. But is this entirely altruistic? Some theorists suggest that Shanks’ emphasis on Blackbeard serves not only as warning but also as misdirection—positioning Blackbeard as the great evil while Shanks quietly operates in the background.
3. The Symbol of the Straw Hat
The straw hat has always been a symbol of inherited will, passed from Roger to Shanks, and from Shanks to Luffy. But what if the inheritance is not just a torch of dreams, but a chain of manipulation? If Shanks knew more about the hat’s history and its connection to Joy Boy, then giving it to Luffy may not have been an act of simple encouragement, but part of a larger design.
4. Oda’s Love of Subversion
Eiichiro Oda has repeatedly shown a knack for turning expectations upside down. Characters who seem villainous at first turn out to be allies. Heroes are revealed to have darker sides. Entire story arcs pivot around the idea that nothing is what it appears to be. Having Shanks—one of the most trusted figures in the series—emerge as the final rival would be the ultimate subversion, a twist that redefines everything we thought we knew.
Themes of Betrayal and Legacy
One Piece is a story built on legacies, inherited wills, and generational echoes. The parallels between Roger’s era and Luffy’s journey have been central to the narrative from the beginning. If Luffy mirrors Roger, then Shanks could mirror a different figure—perhaps someone like Rocks D. Xebec, a man who moved in the shadows and sought to shake the foundations of the world.
The idea of betrayal is also deeply woven into the series. From Blackbeard’s betrayal of Whitebeard to CP9’s betrayal of Iceburg, Oda consistently shows that trust is fragile and power often hides secrets. Shanks becoming an antagonist would be the grandest betrayal of all: the betrayal of the audience’s faith as much as Luffy’s.
Shanks vs. Luffy: Idol Against Student
If Shanks were to emerge as the final antagonist, the emotional stakes would be unparalleled. This would not be a clash of simple enemies. It would be a confrontation between master and student, idol and admirer, mentor and protégé.
Luffy has always seen Shanks as the man he most respected, the one who gave him the courage to pursue his dream. Facing him as an adversary would challenge Luffy on a deeper level than any other fight. It would not just be about strength—it would be about ideals, about what it means to be free, about what the Pirate King truly represents.
This is also why such a twist would fit Oda’s style. One Piece is not about defeating villains for the sake of it; it is about clashing ideals. If Shanks’ vision of the future diverges from Luffy’s, their conflict would be less about betrayal and more about a collision of philosophies.
Counterarguments: Why Shanks May Still Be an Ally
Of course, this theory is not without its detractors. Many argue that Shanks’ actions throughout the story point overwhelmingly to him being a force of balance, not villainy.
- He risked his life to save Luffy from the Sea King.
- He brokered peace at Marineford, preventing further bloodshed.
- He has consistently been portrayed with warmth and charisma rather than menace.
In this reading, Shanks’ meeting with the Gorosei and his mysterious actions are signs of his role as a mediator, someone working behind the scenes to prevent chaos rather than cause it. For these fans, Shanks represents the archetype of the noble pirate, the one who embodies freedom without corruption.
Why the Theory Matters
Regardless of whether it proves true, the Shanks-as-final-antagonist theory matters because it highlights the richness of One Piece’s storytelling. Few series can inspire such speculation after more than two decades of publication. The fact that Shanks’ role remains so ambiguous is testament to Oda’s mastery of long-term planning and narrative tension.
It also speaks to the heart of One Piece fandom. Fans are not content to simply wait for answers—they actively participate in building meaning, drawing connections, and imagining possibilities. This communal act of theory-making keeps the series alive between chapters and fuels its cultural longevity.
A Possible Middle Ground
Another possibility is that Shanks could occupy a role that is neither pure ally nor outright villain. Instead, he might be a rival whose goals simply cannot align with Luffy’s. He may wish to preserve the current balance of power, to maintain stability even if it means compromising freedom. Luffy, by contrast, seeks to break open the world, to pursue absolute freedom regardless of the consequences.
In such a scenario, their clash would not be about betrayal but about necessity. Shanks would not be the “villain” in the traditional sense but the obstacle that forces Luffy to prove his ideals once and for all.
Conclusion: The Allure of the Unknown
Whether Shanks turns out to be ally, rival, or antagonist, one truth remains: he is one of the most mysterious figures in One Piece, and his role in the final saga will be pivotal. His aura of secrecy, his ties to the Gorosei, and his connection to both Roger and Luffy ensure that his presence in the climax will be unforgettable.
The theory that Shanks could be the final antagonist may never be confirmed, but its power lies in the way it makes us rethink everything we thought we knew. It forces us to reexamine our assumptions, to consider that even the brightest figures can cast shadows.
And that, ultimately, is the magic of One Piece. It is a story that keeps us guessing, keeps us dreaming, and keeps us debating—even after more than twenty years.
If Oda truly wants to deliver the ultimate twist, perhaps the greatest enemy Luffy will ever face is not Blackbeard, not Imu, but the very man who first gave him his dream.