Shanks is currently a focal point of interest in One Piece, with much of this attention directed towards the events unfolding in the Elbaf arc.
As we have seen, the Final Saga of One Piece will heavily focus on the Figarland family and their relationship with Shanks, raising questions about the true identity of Shanks. While he may inherit a strong lineage from his father, there may still be another aspect of his heritage that he could inherit from his mother.
Shanks’ Connection to the Figarland Family
Shanks is a member of the Figarland family, although he does not appear to carry that name. This detail was first hinted at in One Piece Film Red, where Uta is revealed to be Shanks’ daughter. The fans speculated whether she might be a Figarland. This clearly signifies that Shanks is indeed part of the Figarland family.
This specific detail from One Piece Film Red has also been reiterated in the One Piece manga. In the Final Saga, the author has provided an intriguing glimpse into Saint Garling Figarland, a high-ranking Celestial Dragon who is revealed to be the leader of God’s Knights. Upon seeing Garling Figarland, keen observers have confirmed the striking resemblance between Shanks and this Celestial Dragon.
Furthermore, in a recent flashback regarding the God Valley incident from the Egghead arc, Oda has introduced a younger version of Saint Garling Figarland for fans to observe. This version of Garling bears a remarkable resemblance to Shanks, with the only notable difference being Garling’s hair, which is styled in a slick manner, while he wears royal attire. At this point, fans have firmly identified Garling as Shanks’ father.
Additionally, in this flashback, Garling appears to have a greater number of offspring. He spoke directly to his children in the flashback and demanded they observe him closely. The exact number of Garling’s children has yet to be confirmed in this narrative, but it is at least known that there are two, and possibly three or more.
While Shanks was inadvertently raised aboard the Oro Jackson alongside other children during the God Valley incident, it is possible that other siblings were also raised with Garling and nurtured within the ranks of God’s Knights. This explains why Shanks’ twin brother is a member of the Holy Knights, while Shanks himself is a notorious pirate who wants nothing to do with the Celestial Dragons.
Why Does Shanks Inherit His Mother’s Hair Color?
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Shanks is his red hair. His nickname is even “Red-Haired” Shanks, and his hairstyle has led to him being referred to as the “Red-Haired Pirate.” Shanks’ father, Garling Figarland, does not have red hair; instead, he has a golden hue.
While the anime may have glossed over the color discrepancy, or Garling’s hair may have simply changed color over time, this distinction is made quite clear in the manga.
Shanks’ red hair is consistently depicted as a striking feature, while Garling is shown to have completely white hair in the manga. This shows that these two individuals have different hair colors. Interestingly, Shanks’ twin brother also appears to have red hair, implying he too has inherited this trait from their mother.
Therefore, Shanks and his twin brother have inherited their red hair from their mother. As for the identity of their mother, fans are currently unaware, but it is possible that she may have connections to the Celestial Dragons, which would make Shanks a Celestial Dragon as well.
Is Shanks’ Mother a Celestial Dragon?
Shanks’ mother may indeed be a Celestial Dragon. However, Celestial Dragons are typically individuals who can take as much as they desire and enslave others without any consequences. Fans have recently speculated that this might connect with Ginny, who ultimately met a tragic end. Such speculation could also apply to Shanks’ mother.
If Shanks’ mother is a Celestial Dragon, it would certainly be a fascinating concept, yet Shanks’ red hair and a heart full of kindness would suggest he is far removed from the typical nature of a Celestial Dragon.
The implications of this could add depth to the identity of Shanks as he takes pride in being known as “Red-Haired,” and furthermore, he has named his ship the Red Force, especially if his mother was a Celestial Dragon.
