A lot of OP theorists come up with Mihawk/Shanks theories that, simply put, make no sense whatsoever. For example, Morj, who many people in the community inexplicably see as a reliable theorist, believes that Mihawk will fight Zoro at Elbaf while Luffy and the Straw Hats face Shanks and the Red Haired Pirates in a Davy Back AT THE SAME TIME. This obviously shits on Zoro's dream and is brain dead in the sense that there is 0 chance of Luffy winning a Davy Back without Zoro. This is also entirely inconsistent with Mihawk's character. The man has no ties to Elbaf and has no reason to be there. There is also no reason why Zoro would have his final duel there of all places since it's more arguably Big Mom or Shanks' arc.
The main reason for these illogical theories is that most people see Zoro and Luffy's relationship as a direct parallel to Mihawk and Shanks. Not only is this a grave misunderstanding of all 4 characters, this makes the assumption that Zoro and Mihawk are, for some reason, essentially the same character. They are not, and their relationships with other characters are based on fundamentally different principles.
Zoro's Relationship With Luffy
Mihawk's Relationship With Shanks
Differences Between Mihawk's Relationship with Zoro and Shanks' Relationship With Luffy
Shanks' Relationship With Luffy
People theorising that Mihawk will join Shanks to fight BB (why tho) and that he will have a major role in the Elbaf arc aren't actually thinking critically about the character. They're just shoehorning him into their headcanons involving Shanks and crafting flimsy reasons for Mihawk to be there as well. Mihawk is not Zoro - where Zoro focuses on whatever problem he's dealing with in the moment, Mihawk is looking to the future, to the implications surrounding current events such as Reverie and planning his next move. While Zoro is undyingly loyal and welcomes suffering and hardship, Mihawk sees even a nick on one's blade as a symbol of disgrace. The two characters are extremely different, and trying to make them the same based on hurr durr sword hurr are misinterpreting both characters entirely.
The main reason for these illogical theories is that most people see Zoro and Luffy's relationship as a direct parallel to Mihawk and Shanks. Not only is this a grave misunderstanding of all 4 characters, this makes the assumption that Zoro and Mihawk are, for some reason, essentially the same character. They are not, and their relationships with other characters are based on fundamentally different principles.
Zoro's Relationship With Luffy
- Luffy is Zoro's Captain
- Zoro was willing to throw away his ambition and dream for Luffy's
- Zoro places Luffy's life in higher regard than his own
- Zoro is Luffy's Partner
- Zoro's relationship with Luffy is that of captain-vice captain.
Mihawk's Relationship With Shanks
- Shanks is Mihawk's Rival
- Mihawk did not abandon his ambition for Shanks
- Mihawk cares about Shanks, but there's no evidence he would go so far as to lay down his life for Shanks
- Mihawk and Shanks are not, to our knowledge, formally allied. Mihawk would never become Shanks' subordinate given that he's searching for a rival that's stronger than Shanks
- Mihawk and Shanks have a friendship based on friendly rivalry, similar to Roger's friendship with Garp
Differences Between Mihawk's Relationship with Zoro and Shanks' Relationship With Luffy
- Mihawk's Relationship With Zoro
- Zoro's ambition is to surpass Mihawk and become the new World's Strongest Swordsman.
- His promise to Kuina is Zoro's greatest motivation to become the World's Strongest Swordsman. Mihawk is just the current bearer of that title.
- Mihawk was neither and idol nor role model to Zoro. He's just the person Zoro needs to beat to become the strongest.
- Zoro doesn't directly desire to earn Mihawk's respect and recognition, but instead to best him in combat.
- Mihawk looks at Zoro as a potential new worthy rival. He's waiting for the appearance of the swordsman that surpasses Shanks, and he hopes that Zoro might be that Swordsman.
Shanks' Relationship With Luffy
- Luffy seeks to become the Pirate King (a title only Roger attained).
- Shanks was Luffy's inspiration to become a Pirate.
- Shanks was Luffy's idol and role model.
- Luffy seeks Shanks' respect and recognition (he'll meet up with Shanks again after gathering a crew that's even better than his).
- This is symbolised by Luffy returning his Strawhat to Shanks after becoming a Great Pirate.
- Shanks bet on Luffy and gave up his arm for him. He has high hopes for Luffy as the successor to Roger. He doesn't hope for Luffy to become a new combat rival for him.
People theorising that Mihawk will join Shanks to fight BB (why tho) and that he will have a major role in the Elbaf arc aren't actually thinking critically about the character. They're just shoehorning him into their headcanons involving Shanks and crafting flimsy reasons for Mihawk to be there as well. Mihawk is not Zoro - where Zoro focuses on whatever problem he's dealing with in the moment, Mihawk is looking to the future, to the implications surrounding current events such as Reverie and planning his next move. While Zoro is undyingly loyal and welcomes suffering and hardship, Mihawk sees even a nick on one's blade as a symbol of disgrace. The two characters are extremely different, and trying to make them the same based on hurr durr sword hurr are misinterpreting both characters entirely.
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@ranady
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@Prince Kronos
@Amparezy
@Nana
@Sunita
@LANJI CUCKSMOKE
@Jew D. Boy
@Bogard
@Panties Hunter
@Cyrus the Cactus
@Tris
@kumae
@nik87
@Nefertari Rhea
@Monarch
@Marimo_420
@Cinera
@Shishi
@Haoshoku
@Nidai_Kitetsu
@BossYimz
@Rivaille
@Reborn
@Geo
@Buggy D Clown
@Mikail
@Fleet Admiral Lee Hung
@Thabeast
@stormylife
@MasterD
@Camie
@Monet
@Sade
@Rukusho
@playa4321
@Dragomir
@HAJIKATA
@Reddot4
@Grumpy Zoro
@Aknolagon
@Ice devil slayer
@Zoro
@zorojurou
@Foxy Bunny
@K!NG HARA$H!MA
@KiriNigiri
@RZ.119
@Greenbeard
@Queen
@Mr. Bushido
@Guymieux
@IceWitch
@Dark Hound
@RyumaZoro
@Himura
@Fenaker
@yorosenpai
@yj
@Sievas
@MarimoHeado
@Orojackson Refugee
@Gensui Sazid
@bblue
@Tamerani
@Zowo
@style
@Sword God Ryuma
@Yo Tan Wa
@Sentinel
@Kejon
@Topi Jerami
@HA001
@Zorojuro
@Patryipe
@SHIHI
@KINGKONGGUN15
@Murilo
@Owl Ki
@Blackbeard
@Gon’s Missing Arm
@silverfire
@LolonoisZolo
@Akai
@Just a member
@MarineHQ62
@Jiihad
@Shanks Joestar
@ShishioIsBack
@baboura
@mad monk
@Zenos7
@Venom
@Daisuke Jigen
@Luffy is the mc
@Enma
@Ryuma
@Scarletmoon
@MasterD
@Trueprodigy
@Dark Admiral
@Artorias
@Silver
@Boboyo
@Fiji
@Gangstalicios
@Don DaSlayer
@Natalija
@rednose
@Gol D. Roger
@Pantheos
@Van
@Jo_Ndule
@Red Admiral
@Mihawksenpai
@Albino 👑
@Rukusho
@ShadyOjiro
@Shuyaku
@King7
@Fujishiro
@Garp the Fist
@VersusPhD
@Tobi
@salam22
@İsrafil2002
@BangMi
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@stairs-kun
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