The One Piece manga is diving deeper into the Elbaf Arc, with fans buzzing over new plot twists and characters. One character, a lookalike of the iconic Shanks, has quickly sparked debate and memes across the fandom.
The mystery surrounding Shanks’ lookalike has been growing since his first appearance in Chapter 907. His full face has yet to be revealed, but his side profile has fans theorizing about his true identity. The latest Chapter 1136 finally confirmed that he isn’t Shanks but a member of the Holy Knights named Gunko.
For years, fans have joked about Shanks being a “rat” because of a scene in Chapter 907, where he met the Gorosei and discussed an unnamed pirate. His resemblance to the Gorosei’s informant fueled memes that mocked Shanks’ loyalty and character. Now, it seems the real culprit behind the meeting was his lookalike.
The Shanks lookalike hasn’t made a positive impression on fans. Many blame him for damaging Shanks’ reputation. Social media has been flooded with memes and complaints:
The theory that Shanks has a twin has been circulating since 2018. Fans noticed differences in scars and demeanor between Shanks and the figure seen with the Gorosei. Chapter 1134 clarified that the person talking to the Gorosei wasn’t Shanks but his lookalike, who now appears to be his brother.
The lookalike’s backstory suggests he may have been raised in a different environment, possibly as part of the Holy Knights, unlike Shanks, who grew up with the Roger Pirates.
Though the memes brought plenty of laughs, they also upset loyal fans who didn’t like seeing Shanks’ character misinterpreted. With recent chapters clearing his name, many are relieved:
“Shanks beating the allegations is a win for us,” said one fan.
Even though the memes about Shanks being a “rat” may persist, fans can now enjoy the story with a clearer understanding of the mystery surrounding his lookalike.