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Explore the different styles of leadership displayed by Shanks and Luffy in One Piece and who commands more loyalty.
One Piece features several impressive figures who draw the awe of those around them, inspiring fierce loyalty from crewmates and allies. Among them, Shanks and Luffy stand as two of the most charismatic and likable characters. Throughout hundreds of episodes, we have seen the intense devotion others feel towards them, putting their lives on the line for their sake. However, who commands more loyalty in One Piece?
While both Shanks and Luffy are very popular figures within One Piece’s world, the allegiance towards Luffy currently trumps that of Shanks. Let us take a closer look at why that is so.
Who Are Shanks and Luffy in One Piece?
Shanks is one of the Four Emperors in One Piece and is considered a legend by most. Despite being the son of Saint Garling of the Gorosei, Shanks was abandoned early in life and taken in by Gol D. Roger. Due to his adventures with the Pirate King, his personality has been heavily shaped by him.
Shanks is a kindhearted individual who always helps those in need. He doesn’t jump into battle, choosing the path of pacifism if possible. At the same time, he never hesitates to fight if his loved ones are in danger. Despite not having a Devil Fruit, his swordsmanship, Haki abilities, and loyal crew have helped him reach the pinnacle of strength.
Most notably, Shanks is the main reason why Luffy is currently a pirate. As a child, Luffy was fascinated by the Red Hair Pirates when they stopped by his hometown. His feelings only intensified when Shanks sacrificed his arm to save him from the Sea King.
Following this, the protagonist was gifted Shanks’ straw hat, which originated from Gol D. Roger. Carrying this with him, Luffy decided to pursue freedom and become the Pirate King. Throughout his adventures, he has gathered a diverse crew, carried out heroic deeds, and freed islands from dangerous enemies. Consequently, he has also been rapidly growing his reputation, eventually gaining the title of Emperor.
Shanks’ Relationship With the Red Hair Pirates
Despite Shanks’ lack of screen time in One Piece, one key trait of his character is the strong relationship he shares with his crew. The Red Hair Pirates are among the most formidable and powerful groups in One Piece, with even the World Government recognizing their threat.
This is a result of their tight bond. With dependable members such as Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and others, it is very well-balanced. At the same time, the main glue of the crew is Shanks.
One Piece has yet to reveal the exact circumstances behind the Red Hair Pirates being formed, but we do know that Shanks does not actively recruit like Luffy. Rather, all his allies have decided to follow him due to his own capability.
They have a strong sense of camaraderie, following their captain into any dangerous situation. This was best displayed when the crew jumped into the tense battle in Marineford. While the Red Hair Pirates certainly have powerful members, most of their followers have admitted to being very weak.
The sole reason for their presence in the crew is their respect for Shanks. Hence, rather than being motivated by personal ambition, their loyalty towards Shanks is built on admiration.
Luffy’s Relationship With the Straw Hat Pirates
In contrast to Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates’ relationship, Luffy’s bond with his crew is much more personal. Luffy is an adamant person who doesn’t waver from a decision once he’s made it. Whenever he was captivated by a character, he persistently followed them until they accepted his demands.
Due to this facet, Luffy has unsurprisingly been a very transformative figure in the lives of his crewmates. He saved Nami from Arlong, Robin from Enies Lobby, helped Sanji find peace with his past, and many more.
Additionally, One Piece places emphasis on how Luffy’s crewmates have personal goals of their own. Zoro, in addition to being Luffy’s most loyal soldier, is actively working towards becoming the strongest swordsman in the world. While many of their ambitions were initially stagnant, Luffy’s unwavering will has helped push them toward achieving them.
Unlike Shanks, who commands respect through reputation, Luffy earns it through sheer authenticity. His crewmates recognize the central impact he has had on their lives. Therefore, they are willing to face off against the strongest of enemies for his sake. Rather than power, the relationship between the Straw Hat Pirates is built upon mutual trust and admiration.
Shanks’ and Luffy’s Leadership Styles in One Piece
From what we know about Shanks in One Piece, he is an easygoing leader who does not actively seek out trouble. He does not intervene in battles unless there is no other choice, opting for words over action. He also never demands anything from his crewmates, simply enjoying their presence and searching for Laugh Tale.
At the same time, Shanks fully realizes the burden of his duty as a captain. Hence, he uses all his abilities to handle any potential threat. This was shown when Shanks used Future Sight to stop Eustass Kid’s plan of destroying his ship.
Luffy’s leadership style is the complete opposite of Shanks’, where some may even describe it as “nosy.” Luffy doesn’t hesitate to fully involve himself in the lives of his crewmates, leading with raw determination and emotion. He is a highly empathetic individual who jumps in to help even if others cannot ask it from him.
As a result, his selfless nature makes others gravitate toward him. He relies on his crew when necessary, trusting them to grow stronger during the time skip. Hence, unlike Shanks, who is the center of his group, Luffy realizes he cannot become Pirate King without those around him.
His leadership is also built upon this, where he is willing to take criticism when necessary. At the same time, he stands his ground if his heart tells him to. This was seen when he fought Big Mom to save Sanji, a move that some of his crewmates didn’t agree with. Nevertheless, there were no bitter feelings since Luffy’s tenacity is what drew them together.
Why Luffy Commands More Loyalty in One Piece
Based on what we’ve seen in One Piece till now, Luffy commands more loyalty than Shanks. The main reason for this is that Shanks’ crew idolizes him and sees him as a superior figure, whereas Luffy has earned dedication from others through his actions.
While the protagonist may be the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, there is a relationship as equals between the crew. However, they all are willing to do anything for the sake of Luffy achieving his dream.
All of them respect Luffy for the impactful presence he has had in their lives, joining him for each of his noble deeds. They have witnessed firsthand how he can change the world, and their own personalities have been transformed because of him. Zoro taking on Luffy’s pain against Kuma and Nami standing her ground against the Beasts Pirates are just a few instances where this is best demonstrated.
Along with this, Luffy also earns the loyalty of those who are not in his crew. The Fish-Men, residents of Arabasta, Samurai in Wano, and an immeasurable number of people are invested in his journey. They see him not as a man of higher standing but as a person who will bring about change for the better.
Conclusion
While Shanks is one of the most respected figures in the One Piece world, his crew’s loyalty is built on long-standing relationships and admiration rather than deep personal transformation. Luffy, on the other hand, commands a much deeper and more emotional form of loyalty from others. His crew, allies, and even former enemies risk themselves for him, showing appreciation, love, and gratitude for the change he brings.
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