Red-Haired Shanks is one of the most enigmatic and beloved characters in One Piece. A former member of Gol D. Roger’s legendary crew and one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, Shanks carries with him an air of mystery, calm authority, and unshakable charisma. He’s a man who commands respect not with brute force alone, but with presence, principle, and rare moments of awe-inspiring power. Though he’s appeared sparingly throughout the series, every moment Shanks is on screen becomes iconic. Whether he’s laughing with old friends or staring down world-shaking threats with a steely gaze, Shanks leaves an impact. These ten moments reveal exactly why fans around the world adore him—and why he may be the most quietly powerful pirate sailing the Grand Line.
#10: Shanks laughs off Higuma’s insults in Luffy’s hometown
One of Shanks’ earliest and most revealing moments occurs in Foosha Village when the mountain bandit Higuma insults him, spills a drink on him, and smashes a bottle over his head. Shanks and his crew laugh it off. To a first-time viewer, it might seem like cowardice—but this moment is our first real glimpse into Shanks’ worldview. He doesn’t fight over pride. He doesn’t escalate meaningless conflict. And he teaches this to Luffy by example. It’s only when Higuma threatens Luffy directly that Shanks steps in. That contrast—his laid-back demeanor turning into icy fury to protect someone—reveals the heart of who he is. He’s not out to prove himself to the world; he only draws his sword when it matters. This moment set the tone for his entire character arc: a peaceful man with the strength to end wars, who chooses restraint over chaos until he’s forced to act.
#9: Shanks loses his arm saving Luffy
One of the most emotional and formative moments in One Piece history is when Shanks sacrifices his left arm to save Luffy from the Sea King. After Higuma throws Luffy into the ocean, the young boy is helpless—until Shanks appears, arm around Luffy, holding him close while the massive beast recoils. Shanks had arrived just in time, but not without cost. The shock on Luffy’s face, combined with Shanks’ calm reassurance, leaves a lasting emotional impression. Shanks could’ve avoided injury, but he didn’t hesitate to protect Luffy. This is also the moment Shanks places his straw hat—the one given to him by Gol D. Roger—on Luffy’s head, telling him to return it once he becomes a great pirate. That hat becomes a symbol of legacy, dreams, and destiny. Shanks’ act isn’t just heroic—it’s deeply personal. He believes in Luffy enough to risk everything. That selfless protection and emotional investment is what elevated Shanks from mysterious pirate to fan-favorite mentor.
#8: Shanks intimidates Whitebeard’s crew with his Haki
When Shanks sails to meet Whitebeard, one of the most powerful men in the world, their confrontation becomes legendary not because of violence, but because of presence. As Shanks boards the Moby Dick, his very arrival sends shockwaves through the ship. Weak crew members collapse from his Conqueror’s Haki. The air grows tense, objects split, and even Whitebeard himself acknowledges the gravity of Shanks’ spiritual pressure. This wasn’t a battle—it was a show of strength without a single strike. What makes this moment, so thrilling is the way Oda builds tension around Shanks’ mystique. He doesn’t need to boast or posture. His Haki speaks for him. The respect he earns from Whitebeard, and even his measured words about Ace and Blackbeard, display a level of wisdom few pirates have. It’s a masterclass in commanding a scene. In a world full of flashy fighters, Shanks stands out by doing less—and somehow, meaning more.
#7: Shanks clashes swords with Whitebeard
Despite his diplomatic nature, Shanks isn’t afraid to draw his sword when necessary. When words fail between him and Whitebeard during their meeting, they briefly clash blades—and the sky splits. Literally. This moment, though short, visually represents the godlike power both men possess. The shockwave from their clash tears the heavens apart, and every character nearby is struck by awe. What fans love about this moment isn’t just the scale—it’s what it symbolizes. Two emperors, two legends, each with different ideologies, test each other. Shanks doesn’t flinch, even facing Whitebeard’s towering presence and legendary reputation. That kind of courage and strength, coupled with his restraint, only adds to his mystique. For fans who had long speculated about Shanks’ true strength, this moment was confirmation: he isn’t just a peacemaker—he’s a warrior of unmatched caliber when provoked.
#6: Shanks arrives at Marineford and stops the war
Arguably one of the most badass entrances in One Piece, Shanks’ arrival at Marineford marks the true end of the Paramount War. With the sea littered in bodies, Whitebeard and Ace dead, and the Marines and pirates on the brink of annihilation, Shanks steps ashore with his crew and calmly declares, “If you’re still fighting, then fight us.” It’s not a boast—it’s a command. The Marines, including Sengoku and Akainu, actually listen. No one dares challenge him. The respect (and fear) he commands is staggering. Sengoku, a Fleet Admiral, personally agrees to end the war on Shanks’ word alone. This single scene showcases the culmination of everything fans love about Shanks: his timing, his presence, his principle, and his undeniable strength. He doesn’t need a flashy power-up—he is the power. In a series filled with epic battles, this quiet but commanding intervention might be the most legendary of all.
#5: Shanks gives Luffy the straw hat and starts his journey
While the moment itself is brief, its emotional weight echoes across the entire series. After saving Luffy and losing his arm, Shanks prepares to set sail from Foosha Village. Before leaving, he kneels down, places his iconic straw hat—the very one once worn by Gol D. Roger—onto Luffy’s head, and entrusts him with a dream: “I’m lending it to you… so bring it back to me someday, when you’ve become a great pirate.” This single act of faith becomes the foundation of Luffy’s entire identity. The hat becomes more than a keepsake; it’s a symbol of Luffy’s resolve, his legacy, and his promise to a man he idolizes. For Shanks, this wasn’t just about inspiring a child—it was about recognizing something world-changing in Luffy, even at such a young age. Fans revere this moment because it launched the entire journey of One Piece. The gesture is quiet, sincere, and deeply personal proof that Shanks’ influence reaches far beyond his screen time. Without this act, there would be no Straw Hat Pirates, no great voyage, and no Pirate King in the making.
#4: Shanks stares down Admiral Ryokugyu without lifting a sword
During the aftermath of Wano’s liberation, when Admiral Ryokugyu approaches the newly freed land to confront and possibly subjugate the weakened alliance, Shanks intervenes from offshore. What makes this moment iconic is that Shanks doesn’t even set foot on land—his Conqueror’s Haki radiates across miles, paralyzing Ryokugyu and causing him to retreat without a fight. It’s a powerful flex of strength and dominance. The world’s balance is still delicate after Kaido’s fall, and Shanks stepping in acts as a reminder to both pirates and Marines: there are still forces that cannot be ignored. This event also reinforces that Shanks is willing to act to preserve peace, even if it means challenging the World Government directly. Fans were blown away by the magnitude of his power from such a distance, and even more so by the composure with which he wielded it. It wasn’t about destruction—it was a calculated show of force that stopped a potential disaster cold. That kind of control is what separates a strong pirate from a true legend.
#3: Shanks meeting the Five Elders at Mary Geoise
In one of the most unexpected and mysterious moments in One Piece, Shanks meets with the Five Elders—the highest-ranking authority figures in the World Government. This stunned fans around the world. How does a Yonko, a pirate, get a private audience with the rulers of the world? What kind of relationship does Shanks have with them? And who is the pirate he refers to when he says, “I want to talk to you about a certain pirate”? This scene throws all previously held assumptions about Shanks into question. Is he a double agent? A peacekeeper? Someone operating under Roger’s hidden will. The moment is powerful not just for the mystery it raises, but because it once again shows how influential Shanks is—not just on the seas, but in the halls of power. It’s incredibly rare for One Piece to blur the lines between pirate and government cooperation, and Shanks walks that line with quiet grace. For fans, it adds layers of intrigue that make every future appearance something to obsess over.
#2: Shanks uses Divine Departure to one-shot Kid
In the post-Wano era, fans finally get to see Shanks engage in full-blown combat during his encounter with Eustass Kid near Elbaf. Kid, having acquired powerful weapons and Road Poneglyph information, threatens to attack the territory under Shanks’ protection. Without hesitation, Shanks uses his signature move, Divine Departure—a technique reminiscent of Roger’s own—and obliterates Kid and his crew in a single, terrifying blow. This wasn’t just a show of strength—it was a reaffirmation of dominance. For years, fans speculated about Shanks’ true power. Was he more than just a peacemaker? Could he actually go toe-to-toe with the best? This moment answered that question with thunderous clarity. In one strike, he eliminates a member of the Worst Generation and resets the playing field of the New World. What makes it even more chilling is how quickly and decisively he acts. There’s no gloating, no delay—just action. The message to the world is clear: you don’t challenge Shanks unless you’re ready to be erased.
#1: Shanks’ silhouette appears at the start of Luffy’s final journey
As One Piece enters its final saga, Shanks appears near Elbaf, watching the rising tide of chaos in the world. His presence is quiet but monumental. After years of observing from the shadows, he finally says something fans have waited to hear for decades: “It’s time to make our move. Let’s go claim the One Piece.” This is the moment that sends chills down every fan’s spine. For years, Shanks has been portrayed as a kingmaker—a mentor, a guardian, a stabilizer. But now, he’s ready to enter the fray himself. This declaration doesn’t just hint at a future confrontation—it marks the true beginning of the endgame. With that single line, Shanks transitions from background myth to active competitor. He’s not just Roger’s apprentice or Luffy’s inspiration anymore—he’s a pirate with a dream of his own. This final shift elevates him even further in the eyes of fans. He waited, he watched, and now he’s ready to move—and the entire world should be afraid.
Shanks may not appear often, but every moment he’s on screen is iconic, emotional, or game-changing. His blend of compassion, calm, and cataclysmic strength makes him one of One Piece’s most legendary figures. Whether he’s smiling at a bar, paralyzing admirals from across the sea, or preparing to claim the One Piece itself, Shanks is the definition of power without ego—and that’s why fans love him.
