Warning this thread might trigger certain fans.
I'm going to go over Oda's two favorite Red Characters along with Mihawk.
Now unless you are living under a rock or you are blind, it is no surprise that Oda loves Shanks.
Shanks appeared in the first chapter of the series and is the one who inspired Luffy to become a Pirate, he is also former member of the Roger Pirates, and one of the Yonko's being the captain of the Red Hair Pirates.
On top of all that, we also find out that Shanks is a former World Noble, whose family is the Figarland Family.
His father is Garling who was the former Supreme Commander of the God's Knights and is now a new Elder replacing Saturn.
And then you have his brother who is now most likely the new Supreme Commander of the God's Knights.
So already Shanks has a strong family connection.
Also recently ever since the end of Wano, we've also been getting some hype moments from Shanks such as him stopping Green Bull and him one shotting Kid.
And ever since Egghead we also learn that Shanks has a connection to Elbaf and during Elbaf itself, we also learn that Shanks has a connection with Loki.
But now let's move on to Oda's other favorite red character and that is Akainu.
Now even though Akainu hasn't done a whole lot post timeskip that doesn't mean there isn't any love or hype for the guy.
During the timeskip, Akainu had a ten day fight against Kuzan in which he became victorious, and ever since he became Fleet Admiral, Marine HQ got even more stronger.
As the current Fleet Admiral and as someone who killed Ace, not only is Akainu an important character to Luffy but he is also a huge major player in the overall series itself.
His devil fruit according to the vivre card has the highest offensive power among devil fruits.
Oda himself in a interview even said that if Akainu was the protagonist, he could end the One Piece series within a year.
In that same interview, Oda also said that he would like to cherish Akainu especially because the character is based on one of his favorite actors.
And finally on top of all that we also found out that Akainu's bounty is 5 Billion, which is the current highest bounty even being higher than Kaido and Big Mom's bounties.
Alright now that I'm done talking about Shanks and Akainu, that now only leaves Mihawk.
Now I like Mihawk and I do think he is a cool and interesting character, but let's face the facts here, and this something certain fans won't like to hear, but Oda does NOT love Mihawk or care about the guy in the same way he does with Shanks and Akainu.
Right now the only thing Mihawk has going for him is being the World's Strongest Swordsman and having greater Sword Skills than Shanks.
When was the last time we saw a hype moment from Mihawk? I guess it was during the Marineford arc in which he did cut that iceberg.
But it was also the same arc that we see Jozu blocking one of Mihawk's attacks as well as seeing Mihawk have a short clash with Vista and then postponing the fight.
Other than that, we haven't seen Mihawk do anything other than just relaxing on Kuraigana Island.
After the Warlord System was abolished, if Mihawk didn't join Cross Guild, he would have most likely went to another island and do nothing again.
Oda needed to force Mihawk into the plot so he could eventually see Zoro again and fight him, which is why he joined Buggy and Crocodile.
Also unlike Shanks and Akainu, for now Mihawk is not important to the overall series itself, his character is only important to Zoro's story.
This isn't saying he isn't an important character, because he definitely is, but in the grand scheme of things and when it comes to the One Piece itself he just isn't that important.
The only one he is important to for the story and plot is just Zoro.
Obviously this could still change in the future especially once we get major focus on Mihawk as a character.
And also in the One Piece world, many know Shanks as a Yonko and the captain of the Red Hair Pirates, and Akainu as the current Fleet Admiral.
But when it comes to Mihawk, many see him as subordinate to Buggy, we know Mihawk is stronger, but to those in the One Piece world, many think Buggy is stronger and that Mihawk is just another follower.
Btw remember this panel during the Egghead arc, with all the most important characters which of course includes Shanks and Akainu, even Garling and what is most likely Shanks's brother(The Silhouette) are also included.
But guess who is not included in the panel? Yep Mihawk.
So again let's go over Shanks, Akainu, and Mihawk.
Shanks:
Important to the overall story and to Luffy as a character
Inspired Luffy to become a Pirate
Former Roger Pirate
One of the Yonko's and the Captain of Red Hair Pirates
Is a former World Noble, whose family is the Figarland Family
Connection to Elbaf and Loki
Akainu:
Important to the overall story and to Luffy as a character
Fought Kuzan for ten days and become the winner
Current Fleet Admiral and made Mairne HQ even stronger
Could end the series within a year according to Oda
Has a bounty of 5 Billion
And finally Mihawk:
World's Strongest Swordsman and has greater Sword Skills than Shanks
Only important to Zoro's plot
Has no hype moments so far other than cutting an iceberg.
Swordstans needs to leech off of Shanks and his family to give false hype to Mihawk
The world views Mihawk as a subordinate to Buggy
Had his attack blocked by Jozu
Had to postpone his fight with Vista
Needed to be forced to join Cross Guild in order to move with the plot
So yeah again I'm not saying Mihawk isn't important or weak or that Oda dislikes him, but it's obvious that Oda doesn't doesn't care or love Mihawk the same way he does with Shanks and Akainu.
Swordstans have this false belief that Oda greatly loves Mihawk even more than Shanks and Akainu but in reality we all know that isn't true.
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