Oda drops a big detail about Shanks' mother

This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Elbaf Arc.

Summary

• Shanks is a child of the Figarland family separated during the God Valley incident.

• Shanks inherited his red hair from his mother, not his father or Saint Garling Figarland.

• Shanks' mother could have been a commoner or a slave, adding depth to his rejection of his Celestial Dragon lineage.

Shanks is the center of attention One piece at the moment and a lot of it is due to the ongoing events of the Elbaf arc. As fans know, the Elbaf arc recently showcased its villain and that person is none other than Shanks look-alike, who is most definitely his twin. Of course, fans also know that there is another very important character that was introduced in the Final Saga related to Shanks, and that person is none other than Saint Garling Figarland.

As is clear, the Final Saga of One piece will focus heavily on the Figarland family and its dynamics, which leads to the question of who Shanks' mother actually is. While Shanks may have inherited his strength from a very powerful individual, there is something else he may have inherited from his mother.

Shanks' connection to the Figarland family

• Shanks Is The Lost Child Of The Figarland Family

• Shanks was separated from Figarland's family on the day of the God Valley incident

Shanks is a member of the Figarland family, although he does not actively bear the name. This was first hinted at in One Piece Film Red, where when Uta was revealed to be Shanks' daughter, the Gorosei were seen wondering if she was also Figarland. This was a clear indication of the fact that Shanks was a member of the Figarland family. This little detail was left there One Piece Film Redbut later it was touched again by v One piece manga. In the Final Saga, readers got a good look at Saint Garling Figarland, a very high-ranking celestial dragon who was revealed to be the Supreme Commander of the God Knights. When fans saw Garling Figarland, they finally got confirmation of the fact that Shanks is of the Celestial Dragon lineage.

Known as the Champion of God Valley, this man is now the supreme commander of the God Knights. – Narrator

Recently, in the God Valley flashback of the Egghead Arc, Oda revealed to fans a younger version of Saint Garling Figarland. This version of Garling looked exactly like Shanks except he had hair that was shaped like a crescent moon and his clothes that were regal. At this point, it was confirmed to fans that Garling was Shanks' father.

More than that, it was revealed during this flashback that Garling actually had more than one child. Garling spoke directly to his children in flashback and asked them to watch him carefully. However, the number of children Garling has yet to confirm in this story is at least two, and potentially even three or more.

While Shanks was mistakenly taken to Oro Jackson with the loot during the God Valley incident, the other children likely stayed with Garling and were raised in the ranks of the Heavenly Dragon Saint Knights. This is why Shanks' twin is a member of the Holy Knights, while Shanks himself is a pirate who wants nothing to do with the Sky Dragons.

Why did Shanks inherit red hair from his mother

Garling Figarland doesn't have red hair at all

One of Shanks' most defining features is his red hair. In fact, right from the very beginning of the series, fans knew that Shanks was described by his red hair. His nickname is “Red Haired” Shanks and his pirate crew is called the Red Hair Pirates. It can be just a nickname, or it can be given a much bigger meaning. When one thinks of Shanks and his deepest secrets, the Figarland family undoubtedly comes to mind. Curiously, Saint Garling Figarland may not have red hair at all. In fact, when the older version of St Garling Figarland was revealed to fans, it was quite clear that she actually had light blonde hair.

Be careful, kids! – Garling Figarland

Garling is not a redhead like Shanks, and this is even more apparent in the manga. While the anime may have mistakenly confused the colors, or Garling may simply have changed his hair color based on the fact that he is now quite old, in the manga Shanks' red hair is always gray. Garling, on the other hand, has completely white hair in the manga, suggesting that she has a different hair color. Shanks' twin, on the other hand, also has a shade of grey, which fans know means he also has red hair – something fans have already seen confirmed in the story. This red hair is not from Garling Figarland. Even in Garling's younger days, he is clearly drawn in the manga with no red hair shading, implying that Garling's actual hair color is blonde and not red.

Of course, it is then concluded that Shanks and his brother got their red hair from none other than their mother. As for who their mother is, fans don't know at this point, but since they probably inherited the red hair from her, she will be very important later on. It is certainly possible that Shanks' mother was also a Sky Dragon. However, it is becoming more common among sky dragons to have more ordinary “wives”. As such, the idea that Shanks' mother was a commoner is very strong.

Was Shanks' mother ordinary?

Shanks' mother may have been a slave

It's entirely possible that Shanks' mother was ordinary. Sky dragons are known to take as many wives as they want and interest humans without any consequences. Fans recently saw something similar happen to Ginny, and she ended up tragically dying at the end of it. Something similar could have happened to Shanks' mother. Shanks' mother being a celestial dragon would certainly be a boring idea, but Shanks inheriting his hair, and with it his heart of gold, from an ordinary mother would definitely take the story to the next level. It would also add more meaning to the fact that Shanks is proud to be known as a Redhead and even named his crew the Redhead Pirates and his ship the Red Force, especially if his mother was a commoner and a passer-by. on his red hair.

In Shanks's way, this would mean rejecting anything to do with the Sky Dragons and the Figarland family, which is quite clear from the fact that he didn't take his father's last name. Instead, Shanks only has Red hair attached to him, which could be his way of accepting only his mother as family – something similar to what Ace did with Rouge.

Of course, it could still be possible that Shanks' mother was also a Sky Dragon, but that's just one of many possibilities. Hopefully, the Elbaf farce will continue to explore Shanks and his family to the fullest, and if it does, then fans will surely find out everything there is to know about this mysterious person and his entire past.

One Piece is available to read through Viz Media. Fans can officially read the series for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The release date of the next One Piece chapter, One Piece 1135, is set for January 3, 2024.