Shanks is one of the Four Emperors (Yonko) of the New World. He is the captain of the Red Hair Pirates. Shanks is the youngest Yonko as he became a one six years before. He used to be a rival of Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk before he lost his arm. Shanks is without a doubt one of the strongest characters in the series.
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Shanks can use all three types of Haki, making him one of the few characters able to do so. As a Yonko, very few people are capable of matching his strength. However, Shanks isn’t completely undefeatable. While there are some characters who can’t defeat Shanks, there are a number that can.
Updated On December 10th, 2021 by Claris Lam: As more One Piece storylines develop, more characters are introduced, giving Shanks a more potential opponents who may challenge his strength.
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15 Can't: Buggy Would Be Overpowered By Shanks' Haki
Buggy previously worked with Shanks as part of Roger's crew, but their partnership fell apart over time. While Shanks later grew to become one of the Four Emperors, Buggy started his own crew, the Buggy Pirates, from scratch and started raiding the weakest points of the East Blue. Shanks was always one step ahead of Buggy when it came to smarts, even in the past. The wide difference in their positions of power shows Buggy would likely lose if he ever tried fighting Shanks. Though Buggy has the power of a Devil Fruit, Shanks can use all three Haki and could overpower him with those abilities.
14 Can: Marco The Phoenix' Regenerative Abilities Would Make It Hard For Shanks To Win
Marco the Phoenix was the former 1st division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Although he started as an apprentice among the crew, he eventually became Whitebeard's confidant and right-hand man before his demise. Marco the Phoenix has great experience leading and commanding his crew, but his skills don't end there. He is extremely fast and agile and his self-healing abilities would make it more difficult for enemies to defeat him, including Shanks. If Marco and Shanks ever fought each other, it is possible that Marco could win.
13 Can't: Kuro Was Already Defeated By Luffy
Despite Kuro's reliance on trickery and ability to extend blades from his hands like talons, Shanks is too powerful for him to defeat. Shanks is one of the Four Emperors, while Kuro is only the captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
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Kuro was previously defeated by Luffy, Usopp, and their friends during the Syrup Village arc— which took place fairly early in the series. Considering that Kuro lost to Luffy, Kuro currently stands no chance against Shanks unless he gets stronger and acquires a wider range of abilities.
12 Can: Charlotte Linlin Is One Of The Four Emperors
Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, is one of the Four Emperors and one of the most powerful women in One Piece. Big Mom is one of the few pirates who were seemingly never defeated by their enemies. Luffy and his friends have only clashed with her once so far, which resulted in Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats retreating. Considering how tough Charlotte Linlin is, Shanks would have difficulty defeating her, even if he is one of the other Four Emperors.
11 Can't: Charlotte Flampe Has A Limited Range Of Abilities
Charlotte Flampe is the Minister of Honey and one of the Big Mom's children, but her current abilities make her helpless against a pirate as experienced as Shanks. Charlotte is a great marksman with her blowgun and can float in the air with assistance from the Fluffy Balloon System contained in her own outfit.
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However, Charlotte can't do much else — putting her at a significant disadvantage considering Shanks' abilities have a wider range. If she ever wanted to defeat Shanks, Charlotte would need to acquire more combat abilities than the ones she already has.
10 Can: Whitebeard Was Considered "The Strongest Man Alive" While He Lived
Whitebeard was a Yonko just like Shanks and was the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. While he was still alive, Whitebeard was considered the "Strongest Man Alive." According to Buggy, Whitebeard was the closest pirate to Roger's level. Whitebeard ate the Gura Gura no Mi, which gave him the power to destroy the world.
The devil fruit allowed Whitebeard to create quakes. At Marineford, viewers finally got to see what Whitebeard was capable of doing — making it pretty clear that Shanks won't be able to beat Whitebeard in a fight.
9 Can't: Kizaru Is Not Powerful Enough To Take On Shanks
Kizaru is one of the three Marine Admirals. He possesses the Pika Pika no Mi, which is a logia type devil fruit. The devil fruit allows Kizaru to manipulate light. Kizaru can launch laser beams from his fingers and used this ability in the Pacifista system.
Kizaru clashed with Rayleigh on equal footing — an impressive feat considering Rayleigh used to be the right-hand man of the Pirate King. However, there is a massive difference in the power of a Yonko and a first mate. Shanks would easily wipe the floor with Kizaru.
8 Can: Gol D. Roger Had Shanks As An Apprentice
Gol D. Roger was the captain of Roger Pirates and Shanks used to be an apprentice on Roger's crew. After reaching Raftel, Gol D. ROger became the Pirate King. Although Roger hasn't been seen fighting in the series so far, people who have watched Roger fighting label him as a monster.
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Only two people are known to be on Roger's level — Whitebeard and Rocks D. Xebec. Shanks hasn't displayed his true power either, but it probably wouldn't be enough to beat the Pirate King.
7 Can't: Charlotte Katakuri Is Strong But Not Strong Enough To Take On Shanks
Charlotte Katakuri is one of the Three Sweet Commanders of Big Mom Pirates and is the strongest among the three. Katakuri has a bounty of over 1 billion beris. He had a legendary record of never being beaten prior to the Whole Cake Island arc.
Katakuri has insanely strong Armament Haki and an Advanced Observation Haki, allowing him to look into the future. Katakuri's devil fruit adds even more power to his arsenal. He possesses the Mochi Mochi no Mi — a special paramecia type devil fruit allowing him to control and manipulate mochi at will. Despite all his resources, Katakuri wouldn't be able to conquer Shanks.
6 Can: Marshall D. Teach Has Two Devil Fruits
Marshall D. Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard, rose to fame astonishingly quick. He became a Shichibukai after capturing Ace. Blackbeard stole Whitebeard's devil fruit and beat the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, solidifying his position as the newest Yonko.
Blackbeard is the only person in One Piece to acquire more than one devil fruit. Both his devil fruits— Yami Yami no Mi and Gura Gura no Mi are insanely powerful. Blackbeard has already got some history with Shanks, but it is shrouded in mystery.
5 Can't: Kozuki Oden Would Fall Short Of Defeating Shanks
Kozuki Oden is probably one of the luckiest guys in One Piece. He sailed with two of the most powerful pirates ever to roam the seas. Kozuki was a division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates before he left for Roger Pirates. Oden is undoubtedly a very strong swordsman, wielding two Ō Wazamono grade swords — Ame no Habakiri and Enma.
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Oden achieved his greatest accomplishments when he managed to wound Kaido, who is supposedly trying his hardest to get himself killed. Oden is a powerful character, but all his might wouldn't help him defeat Shanks.
4 Can: Monkey D. Dragon Openly Challenged Entire World Government
Monkey D. Dragon is the leader of the Revolutionary Army. He is the son of Garp and the father of Monkey D. Luffy. Dragon is a very enigmatic character and very few things are known about him.
Dragon is the most sought-after man in the world. He has openly challenged the World Government and is trying to liberate the world from their clutches. It is fair to say that anyone who has the entire World Government on the ropes must be pretty powerful.
3 Can't: Monkey D. Luffy Is Way Behind In Power Compared To Shanks
Monkey D. Luffy is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and is known as the "Fifth Yonko." Luffy has become more powerful since he last met Shanks. Luffy can use all three types of Haki and after his fight with Katakuri, he can use Advanced Observation Haki to look into the future.
However, Luffy is still way behind in power when it comes to facing a Yonko, having been soundly defeated by both Big Mom and Kaido. It's too early for Luffy to meet Shanks, never mind fight him.
2 Can: Kaido Is One Of The Four Emperors And "The Strongest Creature Alive"
Kaido is one of the Four Yonko, just like Shanks. He is known as the "Strongest Creature Alive" and possesses a mythical zoan devil fruit that allows him to turn into an Eastern Dragon. Demonstrating his might, Kaido took out Luffy with one swift strike.
Almost all the Yonko are equal in strength and it wouldn't be at all surprising if Kaido could defeat Shanks. They have already clashed once before the battle of Marineford, however, no one knows what happened when the two exchanged blows.
1 Can't: Akainu Is Not Close To the Power Of A Yonko
The final character on the list is Fleet Admiral Akainu. Akainu is the user of the Magu Magu no Mi, which allows him to freely manipulate magma. Akainu is a very powerful character and has faced many super-strong opponents at Marineford. Akainu fought against the likes of Whitebeard, Marco, Vista, etcetera.
However, Akainu doesn't come close to the power of a Yonko and was destroyed by Whitebeard at Marineford. Akainu didn't even try stopping Shanks when the Yonko came to Marineford to stop the war.
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