Does Shanks have a twin in One Piece? The origin of the theory explored

Modified Jul 23, 2024 11:00 GMT

Does Shanks have a sibling in One Piece? The origin of the rumor explored (Image via Toei Animation & Shueisha) — Does Shanks have a twin in One Piece? (Image via Toei Animation & Shueisha)

The "Shanks twin theory" existed in One Piece fandom ever since Shanks appeared before the Gororsei, but the recent chapter added more fuel to the fire. One Piece chapter 1121 became the talk of the town due to the appearance of a mysterious character. Introducing a new character in the final saga is something that seems out of the box for the majority of the Shonen manga series.

So, fans have speculated that this character could not be a new one but someone related to an already-introduced character. While some speculated that he could be the twin brother of Shanks, others speculated that this character could also be the sister of Shanks. So, does Shanks have a twin in One Piece? Let's break down each element and find out.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from One Piece chapter 1121 and has the author's opinion.

Exploring the origins of Shanks' Twin theory in One Piece chapter 1121

The double spread in chapter 1121 (Image via Shueisha)

One Piece chapter 1121 puts a key emphasis on the grand treasure during Dr. Vegapunk's speech. The dead man kept talking about how Roger found out about the truth of the world, and now that he was dead, the next person to find the grand treasure would decide the fate of the world.

The spotlight of the chapter, which made it one of the best ones in recent times, was the double spread that featured the strongest people in the world after Vegapunk's message. Where this had people like Shanks, Luffy, Akainu, and some other personnel of high caliber, it also featured a mysterious person holding a sword in his right hand.

The upper part of this spread was nothing special, but the lower part was of particular importance—more specifically, how the characters were arranged. Koby was placed opposite Imu, which indicated the recent encounter these two had in Mariejois. So, the placement had a meaning behind it. But who was placed opposite the mysterious character?

Garling Fingerland as seen in the manga (Image via Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha)

It was the Leader of the God Knights and the Celestial Dragon, Garling Fingerland. So, these two could share a relationship, and that emerged from the speculative relationship between the Celestial Dragon and Shanks as father and son. This mysterious character could be a sibling of Shanks, who was hidden from the sight of the readers from the first day.

"Shanks twin theory" already existed in the fandom. The theory originated during the Mairnford arc, when Shanks appeared on Marineford to stop the war, but he was reported to be present somewhere else in the New World. So, fans speculated that the Shanks present in New World could be a twin.

Shanks meeting the Gorosei (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory always seemed delusional until chapter 1121. Shanks meeting the Gorosei without any worries in Mariejois is proof of this mysterious character being his twin because the twin's status as a Fingerland, Celestial Dragon, would have helped him in talking to the Five Elders.

Moreover, the mysterious character having a sword similar to Shanks's Gryphon and so many more details support the idea that the twin of this Yonko could finally be introduced to the series.

Tashigi as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Moreover, as this mysterious character was featured opposite Garling Fingerland, he could be a rebel, a pirate, or a part of the Revolutionary Army. So, could this mysterious twin be a male or a female? Where most fans consider the twin to be a male character, the character being a female makes it more lore-worthy.

Swordswomen are very rare in the series, with a few well-known ones being Tashigi and Big Mom. Tashigi proved to Zoro that women can become the best sword users in the world, and Big Mom was an ex-Emperor of the sea. So, this mysterious twin being a female twin of Shanks could make the swordswomen worth more than they already are.

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Edited by Somava