Unveiling the Legendary Power of Shanks: How He Fends off the Sea Beast in Netflix's One Piece

Warning: spoilers ahead for Netflix's One Piece.

Summary

Shanks utilizes his Conqueror's Haki to intimidate a sea creature in Netflix's One Piece, a power that remains unmentioned in season 1 of the show.

Conqueror's Haki is an uncommon type of Haki bestowed upon select characters, representing an inner determination that subdues individuals with lesser resolve.

In potential future seasons of Netflix's One Piece, Haki may be introduced and play a significant role in the live-action story, particularly if characters like Garp, Koby, or Enel are included.

Within Netflix's One Piece, Shanks demonstrates his extraordinary power when he saves a young Monkey D. Luffy from a sea king monster simply by giving it a menacing glare. This moment holds more significance than initially apparent. The live-action adaptation stays true to the source material by delving into Luffy's past through flashbacks, specifically his time spent with the legendary pirate, Red-Haired Shanks, in Windmill Village. Although Shanks and his crew blend in without drawing attention during their stay, they swiftly enter combat mode when a local bandit threatens Luffy's safety. This abduction reaches a violent climax as Shanks sacrifices his own arm to protect the young boy from the ferocious sea creature.

The most intriguing part about Shanks' rescue is how he manages to scare away the sea creature. Despite its initial intent to harm the two swimmers, the creature quickly retreats after being met with a single stern look from Shanks. What's even more peculiar is that the live-action portrayal of this scene places great emphasis on Shanks' eye as he commands the creature to "leave," accompanied by a mysterious sound effect that hints at some sort of magical ability or clever deception. Shanks almost seems to be peering into the very essence of the creature. This particular moment in One Piece closely aligns with Eiichiro Oda's original manga, with both versions offering the same explanation.

Shanks Is Using A Power Netflix's One Piece Hasn't Mentioned Yet

In One Piece season 1, Shanks possesses a remarkable power that remains unexplained. Despite the detailed explanation of Devil Fruits in the live-action adaptation, Shanks' ability to swim reveals that he is not a user of these fruits. Instead, he utilizes Haki, specifically Conqueror's Haki, to intimidate and drive away the sea beast. Haki is a collection of combat skills that can be acquired by any character in the One Piece world. However, Conqueror's Haki is an exceptionally rare form that only certain individuals possess from birth, including Shanks. Essentially, Conqueror's Haki represents an indomitable strength of will that subdues those with weaker wills.

When Will Netflix's One Piece Introduce Haki?

As Shanks unleashes his Conqueror's Haki upon the sea creature, he overwhelms it mentally, exerting his dominance. Previous instances of Shanks employing this power against human characters in the One Piece anime and manga have resulted in either their loss of consciousness or incapacity to move, as they succumb to the sheer strength of Shanks' will. However, in the sea beast scene on Netflix, Shanks emits just enough Conqueror's Haki to instill terror in the creature, causing it to flee in fear. It is worth noting that the presence of Haki was not introduced by Eiichiro Oda during the manga's depiction of Shanks and Luffy's flashback, implying that this explanation might not have originally been the author's intention. With hindsight, though, it becomes evident that Shanks was indeed employing Conqueror's Haki in this early scene.

When it comes to One Piece season 1, Netflix conveniently omits any mention of Haki. This is hardly surprising though, considering that Haki only gains prominence in the manga around chapter 500. However, if the show continues into season 2 or 3, Netflix's adaptation could incorporate the power of Haki. The character Vice-Admiral Garp, who is known for his strong Haki abilities, could play a vital role in training Koby to wield this power. If the hinted future development of their relationship in season 1's ending is pursued in season 2, Haki may very well become a central aspect of the live-action story.

If Garp and Koby are less prominent, Haki could take a leading role in the potential third season of One Piece. If the live-action series reaches Jaya and introduces Blackbeard, the term "Haki" might finally be spoken aloud. Alternatively, if and when Enel makes his debut in the live-action adaptation of One Piece on Netflix, Haki will play a central part in the storyline. This villain from the anime and manga utilizes "mantra," which is a manifestation of Observation Haki and one of the earliest instances of this power in One Piece.

One Piece is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.