One Piecefans are no strangers to wild theories, but every so often, one becomes so widely accepted that it feels like canon until Oda proves otherwise. That is exactly what happened with the recent reveal of Saint Figarland Garling’s appearance. For years, fans believed that Garling, a powerful and mysterious Celestial Dragon connected to Shanks, must share some physical resemblance to the red-haired pirate. But the truth just dropped, and it turns out that assumption couldn’t be further off.
In a twist that blindsided even the most lore-savvy fans like@d0nut2xon X, Garling was revealed to be blonde, not red-haired as nearly everyone had speculated. This small detail may seem trivial on the surface, but inOne Piece, hair color can carry heavy symbolic and narrative weight.The assumption that Garling and Shanks shared a hair color was not just cosmetic, it was taken as a sign of a deeper biological or familial link.Now that this theory’s been shattered, fans are left reevaluating everything they thought they knew about Shanks’ origins.
The One Piece Theory That Everyone Believed
When Oda first dropped the name “Figarland” in reference to Shanks, fans immediately connected the dots.Garling Figarland, a high-ranking Celestial Dragon and Supreme Commander of the God Knights, seemed the perfect candidate to be Shanks' father or at least a direct blood relative.Given Shanks' striking red hair, it felt natural to assume any relative of his would bear the same trait, especially someone of Garling’s presumed importance. This theory quickly became the dominant theory and story across fan forums, videos, and Reddit threads.
The red hair was not just about appearance, it carried thematic weight.InOne Piece, distinctive features like red hair often signal legacy and identity.Shanks' hair has always been a visual marker of his character, passed down to Luffy through his iconic straw hat and ethos. Fans interpreted the potential family resemblance as symbolic continuity. But now that Garling is confirmed to be blonde, the visual connection is broken, undermining the idea that hair color was a narrative clue pointing to Shanks’ lineage.
What This Means for Shanks' Past
The Truth Behind One Piece’s Shanks May Be Even Stranger
The blonde revealdoes not completely eliminate a familial connection between Shanks and Garling, but it does cast serious doubt on their being father and son. At the very least, it suggests that Shanks may not be a straightforward heir of the Celestial Dragons, and possibly he was adopted, orphaned, or otherwise disconnected from his roots. This opens the door to more nuanced and unexpected backstories, possibly tied to themes of chosen family and rebellion against heritage.
It also highlights a recurringOne Piecetheme that appearances can be deceiving. Just because two characters look similar, or do not, does not necessarily reflect their relationships. The reveal encourages fans to focus less on superficial traits and more on deeper character development and storytelling cues.Oda has once again reminded fans thatOne Piecethrives on subverting expectations, and the truth behind Shanks' origins may be more complex, and more interesting, than anyone ever guessed.
