Eiichiro Oda once again proves his mastery of long-term storytelling with the introduction of Shanks’ “twin” brother in One Piece Chapter 1134.

SUMMARY

One Piece chapter 1134’s final panel featured a man with a uncanny resemblance with Shanks.
It is assumed to be Shanks’ twin brother, however, it’s not the first time this theory has come to light.
Eiichiro Oda has been foreshadowing Shanks’ potential twin for a long time.

Spoiler Alert !!!

This article contains spoiler from One Piece chapter 1134.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece continues to astound us as it marches through its Final Saga. Chapter 1134 delivered a bombshell: Shanks might indeed have a twin brother. This shocking twist not only opens new doors in the current lore but also raises countless questions about the enigmatic Figarland family, their connection to Elbaf, and the long-hidden secrets of the God Valley Incident.

Shanks from One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

For years, fans have speculated about Shanks’ origins, lineage, and his role in the overarching plot of One Piece. However, the introduction of a twin brother in Elbaf’s arc was something no one saw coming. Yet, if we revisit the earlier sagas of One Piece we might see that Oda already hinted to us about it all along.

Chapter 1134 of One Piece: Shanks’ look-alike or twin brother?

Chapter 1134 of One Piece begins with the Straw Hat Pirates meeting Jaguar D. Saul in the Owl’s Library on Elbaf. Amid their discussions, the Giants prepared a grand feast to celebrate the Straw Hats’ arrival. However, this celebratory atmosphere was suddenly disrupted by a massive bolt of black lightning striking a castle near Elbaf Village; a site once ruled by King Harald but now abandoned.

Inside the desolate castle, we witnessed a fiery summoning circle similar to the one used by Saint Saturn during the Egghead Island arc. Yet, instead of another Elder emerging, two cloaked figures appeared. In the chapter’s final panel, their faces were revealed. One figure was a mysterious bandaged woman, while the other had an uncanny resemblance to Shanks.

Chapter 1134 panel featuring Shanks’ “twin” | Credit: Viz Media

As the chapter ended on a cliffhanger, it’s still not clear whether it was really Shanks’ twin brother or someone else who resembles him. However, earlier developments of One Piece suggest that the theme of Shanks’ twin brother appearing was foreshadowed long ago, particularly the shadowy figures in the silhouettes of the God’s Knights and Dragon’s mention of the Figarland family.

The hints Eiichiro Oda planted along the way

Although it may come as a shock for some fans, the speculation about Shanks’ twin in One Piece is nothing new. The first subtle hint of this twin brother appeared after the Wano arc when Dragon spoke of God’s Knights for the first time. Among the silhouettes, one figure bore a striking resemblance to Shanks. While silhouettes in One Piece are often exaggerated or inaccurate, this similarity raised eyebrows among keen-eyed fans.

Garling Figarland | Credit: Toei Animation

Another hint could be found in the premise of the Figarland family. The name of this family was first mentioned during the events surrounding Saint Garling Figarland, revealed as Shanks’ father and the Supreme Commander of the God’s Knights. Eiichiro Oda began weaving threads connecting Shanks to this noble lineage, hinting at a deeper familial structure.

During Kuma’ flashback in the Egghead Island arc, a younger Saint Garling was shown in the God Valley Incident, accompanied by his children. Notably, Garling referred to multiple children, subtly confirming Shanks had siblings. Moreover, throughout the latest developments, Oda dropped several breadcrumbs pointing to a figure who looked just like Shanks. This consistent imagery laid the groundwork for this shocking revelation in Chapter 1134.

Whether he is revealed to be Shanks’ twin, look-alike, or doppelganger, one thing is certain: Oda is planning to weave more mysteries in the ongoing Elbaf arc. The journey through the deepest labyrinth of One Piece is far from over, and with revelations like these, the final saga promises to be the most thrilling and unforgettable arc yet.