One Piece: Oda Reveals Early Design For Shanks

Shanks is one of the most important characters in One Piece overall, and fans have known of his importance ever since the very beginning of the series. This is a character that Oda has admired a lot over the ages, and one that he has saved until the very end of the story so that he can have the biggest and the most grand impact.

Shanks is truly an incredible individual who generates hype just by being in a select few panels in the story. There is hardly any character in One Piece as loved as Shanks outside of the Straw Hats and there is a reason for that. Of course, the Shanks that fans know right now is not the same that Oda had designed or planned for before One Piece began. There have been many changes being made to this character’s design and personality over the years, and Oda’s prototype before One Piece has recently revealed another such design for him.

The Creation Of Shanks

Shanks Was Created Early On By Oda As Luffy’s Idol

Shanks was created in early One Piece as a very important character who Oda Introduced in the story for Luffy to idolize and follow. As fans know, Luffy did just that, and come the beginning of the Romance Dawn arc, he had already established himself as a great individual who Luffy aspired to be like. Shanks’s overall character and everything about his personality immediately attracted the attention of the fans and his creation certainly wasn’t easy. In fact, it can be said that one of the most intriguing things about Shanks that made him so loved was the sacrifice that he made for Luffy. When Luffy was in danger and could essentially have died, it was Shanks who rescued him at the cost of his own arm. Later, when Whitebeard questioned him about it, Shanks mentioned that he bet it on the new era, meaning that he was placing all his faith in Luffy, even if it came at the cost of an arm.

Shanks giving up his arm was not supposed to be there in the early parts of the story. In fact, Oda has himself revealed that initially, Shanks never lost his arm. However, his editor wanted him to spice up the story, and because of that, suggested that Shanks’s arm be taken from him. Oda made this addition to his story, and it has resulted in Shanks becoming the person that he is today.

Other than that, there are many ideals that fans know Shanks represents. He is a very carefree and jolly individual, but, if anyone harms his friends, he brings out his worst side. Shanks loves his friends more than anything, and he values his crew more than any other treasure. He is more like a hero in the story for Luffy to look up to, but at the end of the day, he doesn’t follow any rules, because he is a pirate, after all. Shanks can also be seen as a peacemaker at times, and fans have already seen him maintain the balance on the ocean for many years. However, in the Final Saga, Shanks has decided to finally enter the race for the One Piece itself and this means that he is an active player in the ongoing wars now.

Oda’s Early Shanks Design And What It Represents

Shanks Was A Serious Individual In Oda’s Early Draft

Recently, a lot of Oda’s early character art, prototypes, and designs were revealed by one of his former editors. Among them, an early design for Shanks was also revealed. This character looks absolutely nothing like today’s Shanks, which means that Oda went through several redesigns for this individual. The old version of Shanks looked more stoic, and at the same time, with less emotions. The only thing that remained the same about this individual was the scar that he carried across his face. As fans know, this scar was given to him by Blackbeard, but back then, it is highly unlikely that Oda thought of that being the case. His hair was also completely different, as it was shown to be slicked back, and his personality didn’t look as fun as it is now.

This version of Shanks would have been completely different from the one that fans admire today. While it is truly impossible to say what this person would have been like if Oda did end up going ahead with him, most fans can see from the character design that he is a much more serious individual instead of a cheerful pirate who loves to sing and party.

In the end, Oda redesigned Shanks and made him into a person that Luffy, his main character, would go on to admire and want to be like. Had Shanks been more serious, then, Luffy having a fruit that makes him carefree and joyful would not make much sense. This is simply down to the fact that Luffy admires Shanks and wants to be a pirate like him, and, in many ways, surpass him. Luffy idolizes Shanks and for that reason, their personalities need to be somewhat similar. This is why Oda made Shanksa a likable guy, both in terms of character design, and at the same time, most likely personality as well.

How Important Is Shanks In One Piece?

Shanks Is Only Going To Gain Importance In The Final Saga

When one speaks of Shanks’s importance, they know that this character is one beloved to Oda and someone who will most definitely shine in the Final Saga. Oda has been saving Shanks for the Final Saga for many years. He has only appeared in a select few chapters in the story so far, and now, Shanks is going to be an active participant in the wars to come. Fans absolutely cannot wait to see him take center stage and light up the world as he is capable of doing. Right now, Shanks is actively on the hunt for the One Piece, but the reason for that is not known.

He stands in Luffy’s path as one of his last few tests, and at the same time, he represents the true core of a pirate. Shanks is also privy to many secrets of the One Piece world, some of which he likely inherited directly from Roger. Hopefully, as One Piece explores its Final Saga more, Shanks gets the chance to grow more into the story and then, fans can finally figure out everything about this one-armed individual who somehow managed to become one of the strongest, if not the strongest, person in the entire story.

Currently, fans are in the Egghead Island arc, and Shanks certainly has seen some involvement in this segment of the story. But, there is much more to come, specifically in the Elbaf arc, which fans know is a country under his protection. The time for Shanks to shine is getting closer and fans absolutely cannot wait for it.