Shanks

"Red-Haired" Shanks, commonly known as "Red Hair", is a character from the One Piece anime and manga.

Shanks is the captain of the Red Hair Pirates and a member of the Yonko that rule over the New World. He is also a former member of the legendary Roger Pirates, the only group to successfully conquer the Grand Line.

Notably, he is the pirate who inspired Luffy to go on his journey as a pirate, and his crewmate Lucky Roo found the Gomu Gomu no Mi that was accidentally eaten by Luffy.

Appearance
Shanks always wears a long black cape over his shoulders and, prior to giving it to Luffy, wore a straw hatobtained from Gol D. Roger (his former captain) that he had worn for many years beforehand and which was synonymous with his image. He initially wore slightly loose brown trousers cut below the knee and collected halfway up the shin, with golden buttons down the outer leg. Recently he has been seen wearing a similar pair, but looser and with floral patterns on them. He wears a pair of sandals and is unshaven with a short, scruffy beard.

In all his appearances so far as captain of his own crew, Shanks has worn a white shirt which is only half buttoned, leaving part of his chest exposed. A large red sash is tied around his waist and holds his sabre on the right side. Initially, in Chapter 1, his shirt is tucked under the sash. However, in his appearances that feature him since he left Luffy's hometown, the shirt is untucked, giving him a much scruffier appearance than when he is seen in the past.

The most striking thing about Shanks is the color of his red hair, from which his epithet 'Red-Haired Shanks' is derived. He also has three scars across his left eye, which were revealed to have been given to him by Blackbeard. He is also missing his left arm, a direct result of him saving Luffy from a Sea King when Luffy was a child. The scars across his left eye seem to tingle whenever he confronts Blackbeard.

At the start of One Piece, Shanks bore a physical similarity to Luffy. As Oda's style changed, Shanks became more distinct. The shape of his eyes are much sharper and narrower than they used to be. His nose has become more defined, similar to how Nico Robin's nose is heavily defined compared to those of most other characters in the series. His trademark red hair is also slightly longer, with the fringe pushed more toward the sides. It is also wavier and more slicked back, as opposed to how it was parted in the middle at the beginning of the series.

Personality
Shanks is an extremely laid-back man, preferring to take his time as he and his crew travels around the world as opposed to rushing from one place to another. Shanks is a compassionate man who leads his crew members with benevolence and is largely seen with respect from other captains. His selflessness is thus that he didn't even think twice when losing his arm defending a young Monkey D. Luffy from the Sea King.

He typically avoids taking action that will result in violence, and is even able to waver the resolve of prominent figures, such as Dracule Mihawk to join in with his fun. However, despite his outward simplicity, Shanks bears a rather complex moral code. His aversion to conflict has lead him to believe that if personal opinions conflict, no matter how close the individuals may be, it is better to part.

It is indicative that Shanks prefers others to see him as someone who cares little about his own wellbeing, preferring to laugh off even dire situations as opposed to taking direct conflict. His carefree nature ends however when those under his leadership or protection are threatened.

Shanks and his crew are almost always seen partying and drinking alcoholic beverages whenever they make an appearance, as the captain's favorite pastimes are attending and hosting parties and banquets.

As noted by the Five Elders, Shanks is a pacifist by nature who does not actively seek to cause chaos and disorder. He is also against the idea of needless bloodshed, even if honor is involved, and so far seems to only step up for a fight when a friend is in danger. He also seems to admire those who have courage, having protected and commended Koby for gathering his courage to stop the war as the young Marine believed that it was pointless to continue.

Shanks also has skills in diplomacy, as shown when he brokered a ceasefire between the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government. His skills in diplomacy are so great that he managed to convince Sengoku to agree with his proposition, even though Sengoku has a strong hatred for pirates.

He also likes teasing people, as demonstrated by his apparent reactions to Luffy as a child. Shanks himself was like Luffy (as a child) in his younger years.

Despite being calm and brave most of the time, Shanks sometimes reacts in ways that are not always fitting in what others expect from him, a trait noted by Buggy as having "always annoyed him". These include panicking when things go wrong or shrugging off Buggy's angry disposition towards him to greet him in a friendly manner. He also seems to carry something personal regarding Marshall D. Teach deep within him, as when he spoke about his 3 scars to Whitebeard, he became serious about the situation surrounding Teach.

Even though he has traveled the world, Shanks believes the best sake can be found in his hometown in the West Blue. When with Whitebeard, he also refers to alcohol as "healing water".

Like other characters in One Piece, Shanks has his own unique laugh, starting it with a "Da" (i.e. Dahahahahaha!).

Abilities
As a former member of the Roger Pirates, captain of the Red Hair Pirates, and one of the Yonko in the New World, Shanks is known to be one of the four strongest pirates in the world. However, not much is known about Shanks' powers and abilities in detail.

Despite being among the youngest of the Yonko, it is implied that he is on equal level with the experienced Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and even Whitebeard, who was feared as the strongest pirate in the World. Rockstar also used his captain's name to convey to Whitebeard the importance of the letter he delivered to him. It was also stated by the Five Elders that he is one of the few people capable of stopping Teach. Admiral Akainu fought through many men, a couple of Whitebeard's division commanders, and a few Shichibukai to get to Luffy, but did not challenge Shanks when the Yonko appeared. Members of the Worst Generation such as Eustass Kid, Scratchmen Apoo, and Basil Hawkins had to ally with each other to have a possibility of overthrowing Shanks. Even Linlin acknowledged Shanks' power, as she claimed that only with the combined military force of the Big Mom Pirates and Elbaf's army of giants, which is famed as the strongest in the world, would she have a chance to kill Shanks.

As a member of the Yonko, Shanks' name alone commands great power, as Buggy himself proved. His assertion that he previously had a "brotherly bond" with Shanks was one of the many things that earned him respect from the Impel Down inmates. In addition, Buggy did not shy from using the names of Shanks and his previous captain, Gol D. Roger, to maintain his respect among them. Even the fact that Buggy was seen back talking to Shanks was seen as a testament of Buggy's own power to the former prisoners, who were not aware that the two had always acted like this and mistakenly thinking that it was because Buggy was not afraid of a Yonko. Shanks commands enough power to end the war at Marineford with just words. When he stated that there was to be no more fighting, no one stepped up to challenge him, even though the Marines were fired up after the death of Ace and Whitebeard. When Shanks offered to fight the very overconfident and pompous Blackbeard (who moments before had boasted about destroying the island and taking down Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp after having already killed Whitebeard), Blackbeard declined and decided to leave, as it was too soon for him and his crew to take on Shanks. Furthermore, when Shanks requested that Whitebeard and Portgas D. Ace's dignity at death not be violated, Sengoku himself decided to call off the war and offered to take responsibility, showing that despite being a pirate, Shanks has earned Sengoku’s respect, something that no pirate other than the late Whitebeard is known to have achieved. He also possesses enough influence to gain an audience with the Five Elders, who as the leaders of the World Government would normally consider him an enemy.

He proved skilled at infiltration and stealth, as seen when he successfully managed to infiltrate Mary Geoise by wearing only a cloak, a noteworthy feat considering that for most pirates, entering through Mary Geoise without being invited or enslaved is practically considered an impossible and unthinkable feat. He also avoided detection from the many guards and marines present.

Since Shanks was capable of swimming ten years prior to Luffy setting out on his adventure, meaning that he did not consume any Devil Fruit at the time when he was a rival to Mihawk.

Physical Abilities
Shanks has tremendous physical strength as he was once a rival to Mihawk, a master swordsman with tremendous power that could overwhelm Zoro in terms of brute force with immense ease. Even with only one arm, Shanks can apply tremendous power to his swordsmanship, able to easily match Whitebeard, a gigantic man, who could completely overpower giants and an entire army of powerful and skilled Marine officers. With his physical strength combined with Busoushoku Haki, Shanks could defend against Akainu's magma fist which has extremely destructive offensive power that could burn powerful enemies such as Jinbe, Ace, and even Whitebeard.

Shanks posseses an immense ammount of endurance and tolerance to pain. Even after having his arm bitten off by a Sea King that attempted to devour Luffy, Shanks was completely unfazed despite the heavy bleeding and simply used Haoshoku Haki to scare off the Sea King.

Swordsmanship
As the former rival of Mihawk who is known as the world's greatest swordsman, Shanks himself is an immensely powerful swordsman. Shanks could match a blow from Whitebeard with only one arm, which is a testament of his prowess in swordsmanship. Shanks is also powerful enough to easily defend against Akainu's magma fist using only his sword and Busoshoku Haki.

Shanks appears to have favored his left arm before he lost it, as he is always seen holding his sword in his left hand during flashbacks. He is presumed to have been left-handed.

Haki

 * Further information: Haki

Shanks can utilize all three types of Haki. Even Whitebeard complimented Shanks for his Haki when he used it on his visit.

Haoshoku Haki
Shanks can use Haoshoku Haki, an ability that only one in several million people can use.

After saving Luffy from a Sea King, Shanks frightened it off with a single angry glare using this ability. Later, while Shanks was boarding Whitebeard's ship for their meeting, a large number of Whitebeard's crew (experienced men who have survived in the New World) lapsed into unconsciousness and the ship itself began to take physical damage from Shanks' mere presence. Whitebeard's men attributed this to his superior Haki.

Oda mentioned in a SBS that Shanks could have knocked out all 100,000 pirates and fish-men opposing the Straw Hats during the Fish-Man Island Arc with his Haoshoku Haki (Luffy managed to overwhelm 50,000).

Busoshoku Haki
Shanks has great mastery over Busoshoku Haki, as shown during the Battle of Marineford, with his Haki infused sword he easily blocked Akainu's magma enhanced punch that is powerful enough to burn the strongest enemies such as Ace, Jinbe, and even the Yonko Whitebeard.

Kenbunshoku Haki
Shanks possesses the ability to use Kenbunshoku Haki, although he has only been shown using it in the video game One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3.

Weapons

 * Further information: Gryphon

So far, Shanks has only wielded a sword named Gryphon in combat. Gryphon is a large saber with a single edge blade and a large hand guard.

Shanks has wielded three different swords at various points in the past; two different swords during his time as an apprentice pirate aboard Gol D. Roger's ship(one around the time Buggy ate the Bara Bara no Mi and another during a clash with the Whitebeard Pirates) and another one during his stay in Luffy's hometown.[85]

In One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, Shanks wields a large firearm (either a shotgun or rifle) which he uses during certain combos. He also wields a similar weapon in One Piece: Burning Blood, though only as part of the moveset for his Strong World costume.

Techniques

 * This Isn't For Show: Shanks pulls out a large shotgun and fires it. Used by Shanks (Strong World) as one of his special attacks in One Piece: Burning Blood. He also uses the said gun as a part of his C2's full-input-finisher and his inverted C3's full-input-finisher in Pirate Warriors 3.


 * Betting on a New Era: Shanks charges towards the opponent and knocks them into the air with Gryphon, then pulls out his shotgun and shoots the helpless opponent. This Isn't For Show can be used afterwards for a follow-up attack. Used by Shanks (Strong World) as one of his special attacks in One Piece: Burning Blood.

Trivia

 * In one of the SBS sections, in reference to Shanks and Buggy's "which is colder" question, a fan asked Oda who got it right. Oda went on to explain that the Arctic was just a mass of ice and the Antarctic was a continent, which was made of land. Since land is colder than the sea (and the Arctic is frozen sea whereas the Antarctic is frozen land), Shanks was correct and the South Pole is colder.
 * In a SBS, Oda stated: "If a child asked Shanks for a Devil Fruit, he'd tease them about being ten years too young to eat one".
 * Shanks is the only Yonko confirmed to have not eaten a Devil Fruit.
 * Shanks is the first character in the series to use Haoshoku Haki.
 * He is the first character in the series to show any form of Haki.
 * In the 6th Japanese Fan Poll, Shanks is ranked the 11th most popular character in One Piece, making him the most popular of the Yonko.
 * Shanks' hair is depicted in a unique manner in the black-and-white manga, with it having a grey shade instead of being colored black or not colored at all like every other character.
 * In One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, Shanks' taunt action allows him to put on sunglasses, which is a reference to his Strong World costume.
 * Shanks' blood type is XF.
 * Shanks' favorite foods are kimchi fried rice and lobster.