One Piece is making Loki look more and more formidable, and it can only work in Shanks' favor

The One Piece manga has finally unveiled the mystery behind Loki, and it is exactly what the fans have been waiting for. Eiichiro Oda has taken this story 63 years before the current timeline and told the story of Loki. This proves that he is not a minor character, but one of the most dangerous and terrifying in the series, with a tragic past.

Chapter 1153 of One Piece becomes even more compelling as Oda takes the time to build up Loki’s character and also helps fans understand how strong Shanks truly is. It is confirmed that Loki is the “Accursed Prince” who survived against all odds, and the climber of the Treasure Tree, Adam. He accomplished all of this as an infant. It is safe to admit that even as a child, he was as strong as any Yonko.

For someone to be this powerful, it was almost impossible for anyone to bring him down. Shanks, on the other hand, not only faced him single-handedly but also captured this beast of a warrior and returned him to Elbaph alive.

This chapter also reveals new information surrounding the major accusation surrounding Loki. It suggests that he may not have killed King Harald at all. Additionally, this new information flips everything that was previously known about him wrong.

Loki was framed for the murder, and the Devil Fruit theft was part of a larger plot to control Elbaph — then his anger is suddenly a lot more justified. Shanks managed to bring Loki alive and had him imprisoned in the Underworld.

While this was a job well done, it raises new questions around Shanks, specifically, on how he managed to successfully get the job done. The current flashback is casting serious doubt on what happened during that confrontation.

Gaban, once the Left Arm of the Pirate King in One Piece, admitted no one else could stop Loki’s rampage but Shanks. Even during Shanks’ younger days, that is a massive compliment. Even if the battle between Shanks and Loki ended up in a draw, it is commendable to see a person with just the power of Haki take on someone that powerful.

But one thing is for sure: With every panel of Loki that makes him seem more monstrous and sympathetic, Shanks’ calm control in that situation becomes even more impressive. While we understand Loki’s situation and the extent of his strength, it just keeps on adding to how amazing Shanks is.

Why Making Loki Stronger Makes Shanks Look Better in One Piece?

The stronger Loki becomes, the more legendary Shanks’ previous victory (or even restraint) seems. If this man, this monster born in the Underworld and feared even by his own people, could not overcome Shanks, it only elevates the Emperor’s image.

If Loki was written as a weak character, then the gravitas of Shanks capturing him would have no meaning. If Oda confirms that Shanks in One Piece defeated him, it would make the Red-Haired Pirate’s composed legend even more deserved.

This isn’t the first time Oda has introduced an overwhelmingly strong character to make another shine in comparison. Before the Wano arc began, we saw Kaido jump off from a great height and survive. So when Luffy won against the best, the victory felt sweet.

With the Elbaf arc in One Piece feeling like it has reached its peak, we can expect a possible rematch between Loki and Shanks. And considering how tightly tied Shanks is to the final war, we can expect this arc to matter more than fans originally believed.

Final thoughts

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One Piece has picked up its pace in storytelling because Oda has been planting small seeds throughout the previous plot. The creator has done a phenomenal job in ensuring that a point in the story is not rigidly focused on one character. All actions have meaning, and they affect others for good or for worse. In the Elbaf arc, making sure that fans know how strong and more formidable Loki becomes, the more justified fans feel in admiring Shanks’ quiet strength.

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