Early One Piece prototype all but confirms who chapter 1134's "Shanks" truly is

One Piece chapter 1134 is set to be released on December 23, 2024, but the raw scans have already been revealed. While the spoilers have already given a written description, the raw scans showcased the arrival of a Shanks lookalike on Elbaph Island. Moreover, some fans even think that this lookalike might be the real deal, but what might be the truth behind this character's identity?

Some hints for this character could be taken from the author's unpublished prototype which featured a character named Shanks. Interestingly, this character was the 'Knight Leader' of the protagonist's order of knights. This could bring into reality the theory of Shanks' twin, who is also speculated to be the leader of knights (Holy Knights). This might also prove the Emperor as an evil antagonist.

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

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One Piece: Exploring the truth behind the Shanks' lookalike who appeared in chapter 1134

Shanks' lookalike as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The raw scans of One Piece chapter 1134 ended with a focus on the Heaven Realm, the top part of Elbaph Island, where a black magic circle appeared. This magic circle had a similar appearance to Saint Saturn's, although the only difference between them was that Gorosei's magic circle had the word '5' inside it.

As the circles disappeared, two entities, that were wearing black cloaks, emerged from it. The last panels of the raw scans revealed one of these entities to have a similar appearance to the Emperor and the Red-Hair Pirates' captains Shanks. The other entity had its face covered and looked like a girl.

While the chapter didn't specify anything about these entities, it did label them as 'intruders' hinting that this personality might not be Shanks (additionally from the fact that the Emperor had just left Elbaph Island after defeating the Kid Pirates. So, who might this mysterious lookalike be, and could he be trouble for the Straw Hat Pirates?

A key hint in this case could be taken from Eiichiro Oda's prototype for One Piece created in 1995. The prototype was titled Land, the Dragon, and the Ten Thieves and wasn't published in any magazine.

The prototype had similar character designs to the author's magnum opus and featured the story of Land, the original leader of the order of knights, and his dragon Fluke. An additional character in this prototype was Shanks, a knight leader (who might be the commander of one of Land's group of knights).

The Holy Knights as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Funnily enough, the Shanks from this prototype's story was very similar to One Piece's Shanks, begging the question of whether these two could be related in any way. As per some fans' speculations, the prototype's Shanks might be related to the lookalike that appeared in chapter 1134, who might be the Emperor's twin.

As speculated before, Shanks' twin might be the current captain of the Holy Knights (who replaced his father, Saint Garling Figarland, who was promoted to a Gorosei). So, connecting the dots of 'Knight leader' and 'captain of the Holy Knights,' the Shanks lookalike could be Shanks' evil twin who has been featured before in the series in a meeting with the Five Elders.

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Analysis and final thoughts

Eiichiro Oda has been very secretive about the identity of this Shanks lookalike and there are chances that he might be the Emperor himself (or even his alter ego). This would strengthen the theory of how Shanks might be the series' antagonist, plotting events to make sure his pirate crew could reach the final treasure.

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Related Links

• One Piece chapter 1134 raw scans
• One Piece's latest spoilers all but confirm the World Government's connection with Elbaph Island
• Shanks' return in the latest One Piece spoilers isn't what fans think
• One Piece's Holy Knights are all but confirmed as Elbaph Arc's final antagonists