Timeline of Shanks's life across One Piece: A detailed year-by-year breakdown

In the world of One Piece, Shanks has been loved by fans despite his character being kept as a mystery for most of the story. Since the series has entered the Final Saga, Eiichiro Oda has been revealing more of his backstory, which is spread across the crossroads of fate, history, and power. Till now, we were getting bits and pieces of his past, although most of it was from his youth.

Now we know that he was present during the God Valley Incident. This is making fans wonder about his journey from a helpless baby who was found in a treasure chest to becoming a Yonko. That is why, with recent lore expansions, the timeline of Shanks’ life has grown clearer than ever. In this article, we will focus on it in a full chronological breakdown of everything we know so far about Shanks' life in One Piece.

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39-38 years ago: Birth at God Valley & tragedy strikes

Shanks was born 39 years ago at God Valley as a Celestial Dragon, and he is the younger twin brother of Shamrock. He is the son of Figarland Garling, and his father is the one responsible for them not having a mother because she was brutally murdered. During the God Valley Incident in One Piece, these kids were being saved by Dragon, but somehow, Shanks ended up being in the treasure chest of the Roger Pirates.

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38-25 years ago: Apprentice days on the Oro Jackson

After being found by the Roger Pirates, Shanks in One Piece grows up on the Oro Jackson alongside Buggy. This period shapes his future: he witnesses Roger’s strength, learns Kamusari by watching him, and forms a deep rivalry-friendship with Buggy. He also has the opportunity to meet legends like Rayleigh, Oden, and even Whitebeard’s crew. By age 9, he is already wearing Roger’s straw hat, and it becomes the symbol he later passes on to Luffy.

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25-22 years ago: The end of an era & founding his crew

After the disbandment of the Roger Pirates 25 years ago, Shanks witnessed Roger’s execution at Loguetown. A final argument with Buggy separates the two as each is destined for their own pirate path. Between 24-22 years ago, Shanks in One Piece recruits Benn Beckman, marking the beginning of the Red Hair Pirates. Around 22 years ago, he traveled to the Gecko Islands to recruit Yasopp after hearing of his unmatched sniping talent.

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19-15 years ago: Shanks becomes a father & his clash with Blackbeard

Nineteen years ago, the Red Hair Pirates rescued a two-year-old Uta, mirroring how Shanks was found as a baby. She joins as their musician and becomes Shanks’ adopted daughter. Fifteen years ago, Shanks in One Piece encountered Marshall D. Teach and received the iconic scar across his eye. It is an injury Shanks later admits was not due to carelessness but due to Teach’s terrifying potential.

This same year, Shanks travels undercover to Mary Geoise, rising to the position of “Devoted Blade of God” while secretly gathering information. During the Fisher Tiger incident, he aids Tiger in freeing slaves before leaving the Holy Land once again.

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14-13 years ago: Elbaf, Harald’s death & the Nika fruit

Fourteen years ago, Shanks returned to Elbaf and sensed strange Haki surrounding the castle at the time of Harald’s mysterious death. A year later, the Red Hair Pirates in One Piece attack a government ship carrying CP9 agents and successfully steal the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which is later confirmed to be the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.

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13-12 years ago: Foosha village & The birth of a legend in One Piece

Thirteen years ago, Shanks landed in Foosha Village and met young Luffy. The bond between them grows strong, especially between Luffy, Uta, and the Red Hair Pirates. Twelve years ago, Shanks saved Luffy from the Lord of the Coast, losing his arm in the process. It is one of the most defining moments in One Piece. Before leaving the East Blue, he gives Luffy an important item to hold onto. It was Roger’s straw hat, and he set sail for the New World, where Luffy will have to return it one day when he feels he is finally able to stand as equals.

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6 years ago-present: Yonko & world-shaking influence

Six years ago, Shanks defeated Prince Loki of Elbaf and became one of the Four Emperors. Since then, he has ended the Marineford War, protected territories under his name, crushed rivals like Eustass Kid, and finally declared his intention to go and get the One Piece treasure. From Celestial Dragon to Emperor, Shanks’ journey is one of the most remarkable in One Piece, and it’s far from over.