I never took Shanks being a rat seriously, and I don't think most sane people did either, if I'm being quite frank.
It was just the usual exaggerated flanderization slander, like Mihawk being a painter, Garp being a slaver, Admirals harassing the elderly, Rumor Man Kaido, Lend me some haki Oden etc.
Plus there was potential for a morally grey Shanks which might have been interesting in it's own way idk.
I'll miss the meme tbh, it spawned some pretty funny variants and gave Shanks a bit more personality outside of being Le Ultimate Chad.
It was just the usual exaggerated flanderization slander, like Mihawk being a painter, Garp being a slaver, Admirals harassing the elderly, Rumor Man Kaido, Lend me some haki Oden etc.
Plus there was potential for a morally grey Shanks which might have been interesting in it's own way idk.
I'll miss the meme tbh, it spawned some pretty funny variants and gave Shanks a bit more personality outside of being Le Ultimate Chad.