Shanks and Mihawk - My Final Opinion: NO BIAS.
One common argument from Mihawk supporters in the Shanks vs. Mihawk debate is this:
"Mihawk must be stronger because Zoro’s dream is to surpass the World’s Strongest Swordsman (WSS). If Shanks is stronger than Mihawk, Zoro’s dream would lose meaning since he wouldn’t truly be the strongest swordsman. That would hurt the story."
This can be explained in two ways within the story:
1) Zoro will surpass Shanks indirectly.
Shanks is one of the strongest pirates, but his strength isn’t based only on swordsmanship. His power is a mix of his sword skills, his extremely strong Haki, and his experience as a Yonko. Because of this, Zoro doesn’t need to surpass Shanks directly.
Mihawk represents the peak of pure swordsmanship. If Zoro surpasses Mihawk, it would mean Zoro is better than any other swordsman, including Shanks, in swordsmanship. However, Shanks might still be stronger overall because of his Haki. This way, Zoro’s dream still makes sense, and it doesn’t interfere with Luffy’s rivalry with Shanks.
2) The title of WSS refers only to swordsmanship, not total strength.
It’s very likely Oda will clearly explain that the title of World’s Strongest Swordsman is about pure sword skills and not overall power. There’s evidence in the series to support this idea:
Mihawk and Shanks’ rivalry was focused on swordsmanship. Their legendary duels were about skill, not about who was overall stronger. After Shanks lost his arm, Mihawk stopped considering him a rival, which shows that Mihawk is focused on pure swordsmanship, not total strength.
Haki is the most important power in One Piece. Shanks is known for having some of the strongest Haki in the series, especially his Conqueror’s Haki. This puts him above Mihawk in overall strength, even if Mihawk is better in pure swordsmanship.
Why Mihawk Exists in the Story
Mihawk exists to serve as Zoro’s ultimate goal. His title as the WSS gives Zoro a clear target that matches his dream. On the other hand, Shanks is a Yonko and represents something much bigger—he’s part of Luffy’s journey as a pirate.
If Mihawk didn’t exist, Zoro wouldn’t have a clear rival to aim for. Shanks is not someone who defines himself by swordsmanship alone, so he wouldn’t fit Zoro’s story. Mihawk’s role is to give Zoro a way to achieve his dream without interfering with Luffy’s rivalry with Shanks.
Shanks vs. Mihawk: Final Analysis
All signs point to Shanks being stronger overall than Mihawk. Here’s why:
- Shanks’ Haki Feats:
Shanks scared off Green Bull without even being there. His Conqueror’s Haki is so strong that it overwhelms even Admiral-level fighters. This shows that Haki is the key to his power, not just his sword.
- Mihawk’s Feats Are Less Impressive:
In Marineford, Mihawk didn’t show the same kind of overwhelming strength we see from Yonko. He couldn’t beat Whitebeard’s commanders or Luffy, which suggests that his swordsmanship is amazing, but his overall power isn’t Yonko-level.
- Yonko-Level Status:
Shanks is respected by the Gorosei, leads a powerful crew, and holds influence over the world. Mihawk, on the other hand, lives alone and later joins the Cross Guild for protection. This difference shows that Shanks is much higher in terms of status and power.
Conclusion
Mihawk is the strongest swordsman in the world, but his title only applies to swordsmanship. Shanks, on the other hand, is stronger overall because of his Haki and Yonko-level presence. This difference allows Zoro’s dream to stay meaningful—once Zoro surpasses Mihawk, he will be the best swordsman, even stronger in skill than Shanks. But Shanks will still be stronger overall due to his incredible Haki.
This explanation fits the story and keeps both Zoro’s and Luffy’s goals consistent.