About Shanks
"Red-Haired" Shanks, commonly known as just "Red Hair", is the chief of the Red Hair Pirates and one of the Four Emperors that rule over the New World.
Born in God Valley to the Figarland Family of the World Nobles, Shanks is the son of Figarland Garling and the younger twin brother of Shamrock. However, as an infant during the God Valley Incident, Shanks was bequeathed to Monkey D. Dragon by his mother Magnolia. He ended up in a treasure chest which was stolen by the Roger Pirates, resulting in him being adopted and raised onboard the Oro Jackson. He served on Gol D. Roger's crew as an apprentice alongside Buggy. After Roger's death, Shanks began to assemble his own crew, only to then return to Mary Geoise to reunite with his family and join the Knights of God, becoming Saint Shanks (シャンクス聖, Shankusu Sei?). However, Shanks ultimately abdicated his noble status after working against Mary Geoise; he then rapidly attained infamy as a pirate before being named as one of the Emperors six years ago.
Shanks is a major figure in Monkey D. Luffy's life, having saved his life as a child twelve years ago and inspiring Luffy to set his own path as a pirate to surpass him someday. He gave Luffy the straw hat that Roger once wore, as a symbol of their promise to meet again once Luffy had surpassed him, and also accidentally enabled Luffy to eat the Gomu Gomu no Mi. Two years ago, Shanks was pivotal in bringing the Summit War of Marineford to a close. Following the downfall of his rival Emperors in Wano Country, Shanks has set his sights on claiming the One Piece.
Shanks has been an important background character throughout the series, usually being shown acknowledging Luffy's ever-growing reputation as a pirate. He serves as a minor ally to Luffy during both the Marineford and Wano Country Arcs. He and his crew also have a sizable role in One Piece Film: Red, which centers on Uta, Shanks' adopted daughter.