One Piece finally explains why Shanks gave up his arm in the beginning

One Piece's The Elbaf arc continues to reveal a lot of exciting information for fans, especially when it comes to characters like Redhaired Shanks. All not directly involved in the Elbaf arc, fans well know that Shanks is extremely important here, and Oda has already incorporated him into the arc through flashbacks, along with giving him personal relationships with the likes of Harald and even Loki.

As for Luffy, fans know how big a role he plays in their life. Shanks is Luffy's idoland quite easily the biggest reason he's even a pirate today, and it's all connected to his great sacrifice for Luffy – his left arm.

Shanks gave up his left arm to save Luffy

• Shanks sacrificed his arm for Luffy's sake

• Oda's editor suggested that Shanks lose his arm

Shank's role in Luffy's life has always been extremely important, but it became extra important after he made a great sacrifice for Luffy. In the very first chapter of One Piecefans got to see why Luffy idolizes Shanks so much and why he intends to fulfill his promise to him. When Luffy was kidnapped by Higuma, it was Shanks who saved him from certain death and being chewed by the Coast King.

Not only did Shanks save his, but he also proceeded to sacrifice his left arm for Luffy, calling it a small price to pay for Luffy's life. There are many reasons why Shanks did that, and narratively speaking, Shanks sacrifices his left arm showed Luffy the determination it takes to be a pirate. But the reasons for losing an arm go beyond that. It had been revealed a long time ago Oda's editor suggested that the story would be more exciting if Shanks lost his arm. Initially, Oda had no plans to take Shank's arm from him. Oda took the idea and got Shanks makes a great sacrifice.

Shanks gave up the abyss mark on his arm

One Piece's Elbaf Arc confirms Shank's Abyss Mark

Even if Oda's Editor is the main reason Shanks lost his armthe author has since woven together a phenomenal story around this lost arm. In the Elbaf arc of One Piece, fans saw Shanks in a flashback that took place long before he even met Luffy. And, much to the surprise of fans, here, he was seen bearing the mark of the abyss on his left arm. This badge can only be given by the World Government, most likely by Imu. The Holy Knights all have this mark on their armsand that means essentially they are subordinate to Imu.

When I was a kid, I thought to myself: I would love to draw a manga with the most hyped ending! I wonder if I can take it! Now we only have a small piece of the Wano arc left, the preparations are almost done. Took me 25 years lol. That said, it's good if you start reading from now. Because from now on… it will be… THE ONE PIECE!! The mysteries of this world, I will draw them all! It will be super interesting! Fasten your seat belt! And please stay with me a little longer! — Eiichiro Oda, author of One Piece, 2022

Shanks knows that Luffy is Nika and Roger's successor

Shanks, knowing that Luffy is Nika and Roger's successordidn't think twice about saving his life and even sacrificing his own arm for it. It is very likely that his connection to Imu was multiple on this day, and that he most likely chose to sever connections since he had found the next Nika which he was desperately searching for.

One Piece's next chapter comes out this week. As usual, One Piece will be released on Sunday. In Japan, One Piece will be released at 12pm JST on Monday. However, the vast majority of international readers will see the chapter available on November 2nd. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus.

Release date

October 20, 1999

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Ma Shihi Endo, Toshihiro Ma Shihi Endo, Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou

Author

Jin Tanaka, Akiko Inoue, Junki Takegami, Shinzo Fujita, Shouji Yonemura, Yoshiyuki Suga, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hirohiko Uesaka, Michiru Shimada, Isao Murayama, Takuya Masumoto, Yoichi Takahashi, Momoka Toyoda

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  Mayumi Tanaka

  Monkey D. Luffy (voice)

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  Kazuya Nakai

  Roronoa Zoro (voice)