One Piece chapter 1121's mystery character is all but confirmed a Figarland thanks to some hidden details

This past weekend, One Piece chapter 1121 was officially released via various official Shueisha sources and platforms, bringing with it the exciting continuation of the Egghead arc. One of the most notable aspects of the latest issue in author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s manga series is that it seemingly brought an end to Dr. Vegapunk’s long broadcast.

As the broadcast ended, Dr. Vegapunk claimed that the fate of the world would now rest with the person who is first able to claim the series’ titular treasure for themselves. As Dr. Vegapunk said this in One Piece chapter 1121, a massive double spread appeared, showing those most relevant to this race, including the four Yonko, Monkey D. Dragon, Imu, Akainu, Koby, Kuzan, Sabo, and Garling Figarland.

However, there was also a mystery character in this final spread of One Piece chapter 1121, showing only a portion of their face and wielding a saber-style sword in their left hand. While nothing about this character’s identity has been confirmed as of this article’s writing, some hidden details suggest them to be a Figarland family member.

One Piece chapter 1121’s mystery character may not be so mysterious after all

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One of the first things fans noticed about One Piece chapter 1121’s final spread is that the placement of each character in the spread’s layout seemingly represents opposites. Two of the best pairings to show this are Koby and Akainu, who are both Marines but with antithetical philosophies to each other, and Imu and Sabo, who squared off in Mariejois.

Likewise, this mystery character is being put opposite Garling Figarland in the spread, with Garling being known as the leader of the Holy Knights. This would suggest that this mystery character is affiliated with the Revolutionary Army in some way, possibly as the leader of their version of the Holy Knights. This is further supported by the fact that this character’s panel is placed directly under that of Monkey D. Dragon.

Combining this interpretation with the very popular theory that this character is related to Shanks (who himself is teased as a Figarland) by blood in some way, an interesting parallel is set up.

Both the Figarland and Monkey families would each have a high-ranking World Government affiliate (Garling and Garp), a key member of the Revolutionary Army (Dragon and the mystery character), and a Yonko (Shanks and Luffy) in their midst.

He who is likely One Piece chapter 1121's mystery character seen entering his meeting with the Gorosei (Image via Toei Animation)

In turn, this interpretation of the One Piece chapter 1121 mystery character’s identity can also explain Shanks’ apparent meeting with the Gorosei. This scene is also the origin of the Shanks twin theory. If Shanks did have a twin who was a Figarland, it would explain why he was able to meet with the Gorosei (as an ex-Celestial Dragon and relative to the Holy Knights’ leader) and their reactions to his presence.

Further supporting this idea is that their sword is a saber, sporting a rounded hilt, which looks similar to Shanks’ sword, Gryphon (which is also a saber). Likewise, Garling is also shown to use a Saber as his preferred blade based on what fans have seen from him so far. While sabers are one of the more popular sword types to use in the series’ world, this is unlikely to be a coincidence in this scenario.

Going back to the role of opposites, there is also a key detail about the way this character is holding their sword in One Piece chapter 1121, which further supports this theory. From what fans have seen, Garling wears his sword on his left side and draws it with his right. This mystery character (who is again opposite Garling in the spread) instead seemingly wears their sword on their right side and draws with their left hand.

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Assuming Garling’s style is based on the Figarland family tradition, this difference supports the idea that this mystery character is an ex-Celestial Dragon related to the Figarland family. Their wielding a sword in a manner directly opposite Garling could be a means of directly defying or rejecting him and the Figarland family, especially if Garling is revealed as the family’s patriarch.

Shanks could also play into this idea by being a mix of both. As a Figarland by birth, Shanks may instinctually wield his sword in his right hand. However, his nature (which is not that of a Celestial Dragon) may make his scabbard feel more at home on his right side.

In this way, he still plays into the dynamic while maintaining a unique identity beyond his suspected Celestial Dragon origins. The fact that all three use sabers for their swords further supports this.

However, this is all speculative as of this article’s writing, with confirmed info on One Piece chapter 1121’s mystery character not having been divulged in any way whatsoever thus far. Yet if series creator, author, and illustrator Eiichiro Oda has proven anything, it’s that there’s some meaning in every choice he makes and panel he draws, no matter how big or small.