Canon Shanks vs Mihawk

Who is stronger


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BlackHair

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Juracule "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk versus Red-Haired Shanks
​

This is surely a old topic, which have been popping up in every other discussions. So I thought about creating a own thread, since I believe it deserves one.

I personally think that Mwk is stronger. Since both are swordsman, while Mihawk is called the strongest, hence logically Mihawk is stronger.

I will leave my post on that and would like to hear the opinion of other.
 

madmotoristmonk

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ok, first and foremost i'm gonna say that the stronger "swordsman"/"one who's more skilled with the blade" is Hawkeyes Mihawk.

Now as far as who'd win in an all out fight? I'm on the fence about that one.

Before anyone comes in the trite and overdone "dur, shanks is yonkou! that makes him most powrfull!" I will cut your thin logic like paper. Shanks and the other yonkou are the strongest pirates in the new world for these reasons:

1. They are powerfull fighters themselves. Look at Whitebeard, nuff said.

2. They command the alligience and respect of other pirate factions of thier territory. A HUGE FACTOR, who could really see whitebeard fighting this war without the aid of the new world captains. Remember Whitebeard called Fishman Island his territory, in any kind of criminal faction (and yes he is a criminal, no matter how altruistic) drama territory is a measure of the power of the faction, i'm 100% sure that all the yonkou control a portion of the new world. in fact wasn't it in garps description (i'll leave that up to my detractors to disprove)

From what we can tell, Mihawk has no crew at the moment. I wouldn't be suprised if it was revealed that he never had a crew, and was merely a bad ass demon of a man who sought out the baddest sword wielding mofo's he could find. (having a crew doesn't seem to fit his personality, but then again niether would Basil Hawkins, X Drake, or anyone of a similar disposition)

Now its shown that Shanks has been holding a sword since he was on Rogers ship, and gained enough renown as a crewmember for Whitebeard to take notice and remember so I would believe he has some kind of prodigous skill, enough to beat mihawk years ago? I think no, the idea of them fighting all the time implies that they never quite resolved that. The meeting after Luffy got his bounty implies that Mihawk sought out Shanks, not the other way around (and that where the important fact lies)

once agian thanks for reading
 

shinsengumi

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i believe shanks is stronger,tho i dont really see a huge difference.shanks being a yonkou is really something,its not really a thin logic but they have always been rivals,so their powers must be on equal grounds.
i also want to say this, like how shanks being the yonkou doesnt make him automaticly stronger,mihawk being the strongest swordsman doesnt also make him stronger.because like @madmotoristmonk said, stronger swordsman simply means the one with more skills on the sword but shanks also uses haki on the level of WB.he is not just a swordsman,maybe he doesnt even know any special moves with the sword but he has other skills to support him.
think this way, if there were a strongest boxer,would it mean he is stronger than luffy,just because he also uses punches?ofcourse not,luffy uses punches but thats not all he's capable of
 

RichardMNixon

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SHITE! I misclicked and voted for Mihawk. Should be -1/+1.

Best swordsman doesn't mean you can beat anyone else who uses a sword; there's more to a fight than swordsmanship. We have never seen Mihawk use haki and Shanks damaged Whitebeard's ship with it (a physical object) practically by accident. His swordfight split the sky. When Mihawk cheered up a gloomy Shanks with Luffy's wanted poster, the sky brightened up with him. Shanks has some serious god-mode.

If haki is the only way to hurt a logia than Mihawk presumably uses it as well, but we have no reason to suspect he's on the same level as Shanks in that department whereas we do know that they are nearly equal in swordsmanship.
 

Fox666

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For all I know Shanks is a swordman, so I suppose that Mihawk title beats him.

Whitebeard power is based on Devil Fruit, that clash he had with Shanks means nothing. For all I can say, I am pretty sure Mihawk can split these clouds in the sky too.
 

Hand Banana

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I'm sure it'll be a flat out tie. Mihawk is skilled with the sword. Shanks may have some sword experience behind him as well. But I think he uses his Haki behind his attacks which amplifies his strength. Making him on par with Mihawk.
 

RichardMNixon

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For all I know Shanks is a swordman, so I suppose that Mihawk title beats him.

Whitebeard power is based on Devil Fruit, that clash he had with Shanks means nothing. For all I can say, I am pretty sure Mihawk can split these clouds in the sky too.
And you think things break just from being near Mihawk?

Mihawk's title is "World's Greatest Swordsman" not "Guy who can kill anyone who uses a sword." If Whitebeard picked up a sword does that give Mihawk the sudden ability to kill him? We have several depictions of Shanks using haki and none of Mihawk.

What if Shanks doesn't even call himself a swordsman? Shanks is a pirate in it for a good time, Mihawk is the one whose nuts about swords. Is Brook a swordsman or a musician? Was Spandam a swordsman? Is Law? Hawkins? Like all of those characters, Shanks has more cards up his sleeve than just a sword. We've yet to see Mihawk have anything else.
 

DutchPhoenix

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as far we know shanks is a swordsman.
mihawk is strongest swordsman in the world, thus he beats shanks.
 

BlackHair

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Mihawk's title is "World's Greatest Swordsman" not "Guy who can kill anyone who uses a sword." If Whitebeard picked up a sword does that give Mihawk the sudden ability to kill him?
Mwk's title says that he can beat any swordsman. Since WB is obviously not a swordsman, he is not included in a sword fight.

You are NOT a swordsman if u pick up a sword. Nightmare Luffy was able to wield a sword, but can't he be considered as a swordsman. Same with WB.

Shanks has more cards up his sleeve than just a sword.
What exactly is ur basics for that statement? I assume haki isn't the only thing you are basing this.

wtf? Mihawkk is yonkou level now? LOL
Yonko/Admiral lvl = last tier lvl.

We all know the monster trio will reach at the end of OP (or even before) the last tier level. Oda is building Mwk as Zoro's last goal for now about 10 years. Using some brain it is 's not so hard to understand that Mwk is at high tier level as well.

Anyway, here a bit better explained post.

Honestly are you expecting Shanks to rape Mwk in 3 seconds or sth?

I'll have you all know It takes 7 shichibukai to match the power of 3 admirals in order to BALANCE out the Greatest Pirate force which is the 4 yonkou. so Mihawk being a shichibukai he has no business being "near" yonkou level or "at yonkou level" cause that would insinuate Mihawk Can overwhelm atleast 1 admiral..which doesnt make sense
What kind of understanding of the three great power is that? We know Garp mentioned the MHQ and not only the Admirals. In the current arc, are the Admirals the only one fighting from the MHQ forces?

Also that power balance wasn't accuracy from the beginning, I mean Dragon isn't mentioned. Also its not like the WG does power measurement. Also the MHQ has to face EVERY pirate on sea. It's not like the yonko are the only ones, but they are the most powerful ones.

Dont bring their crews into this discussion cause when the yonkou are talking about in the manga no one mentions their crew, they only speak of the power of the individual.
Yes they are addresses as in individual, since they are the leaders of the their organisation. But they were referred as a crew for obvious reasons. We have here several character mentioning WB: Garp (P4), Iva (P2), Drake Pirates (P5) Garp (P9) again and some more. All these characters are referring to WB. However did he appear all alone? No of course not.

Going back to Garp's explanation: "They rule the latter half of the grand line as kings would do" How reign Kings: all alone or with subordinates? Go ask ur history teacher.

let me put it this way. Take away all the fodder marines and pirate crews and Square off the 4 yonkou and the Marines 10 great powers (7 shichi+3 admirals if you didnt get there yourself) Then you would have an evenly matched fight.
Nonsense! Roger was WB's equal. We heard that Garp fought Roger on equal grounds. That alone puts Garp on WB's equal grounds. Your math is good for nothing. I can't even believe that u didn't even mentioned Sengoku or Garp in ur calculation.

Like a great man once said, the simplest explanation is the best.
Mihawk is a Shichibukai and luffy has taken down several of those/people on that level.
That great man must be reading sth else. There is no such thing as "Schibukai level" for obvious reasons. They vary in battle power as individual from middle class to high tier class. Moria clearly on middle class, while Mwk obviously on high tier class.

If they fight it wont be a masacre. Mihawk will have to sweat for his kill
I agree with that. The SHs are getting stronger at high pace. I believe if Luffy manages to learn haki he would give every monster trouble.

But Mwk CAN'T fall. The one who will beat him is Zoro and only him. With that Im not saying Zoro is the only one, but he is the one who will do it. This is foreshadowed by Oda for about 10 years.

@ Rotten The Wizard - I totally agree,
when Mihawk said : I have given up fighting the one arm man liked you for a long time.
from my point of view, I would say that when "Mihawk" was trying to defeat Shanks he always failed, this is how I interpret that "I have given up".
You are only focusing on "giving up", thus ignoring the rest. What we know so far:
  • Mihawk and Shanks were equals and rivals fighting for the top. (Red Datebook)
  • Shanks spent one year in east blue and lost a arm.
Now rereading that sentence: "I have given up fighting the one arm man liked you for a long time" it sound to me, that Mihawk lost interest in fighting Shanks since he lost a arm. They were rivals and fighting for the top. Suddenly Shanks disappears for a year in one of the weakest seas and comes back with only one arm. So I guess Mwk lost interest in Shanks, since he didn't considered him his equal anymore. That's at least how I see it.

Now 10 years later, Shanks is a boss of a mighty crew and Mwk the strongest swordsman. In a 1vs1 fight Mwk is stronger, but if Red-Hair pirates vs Hawk Eye, then Mwk will be raped.

Just to make sure: Im considering Mwk stronger than Shanks. But Im not saying this will be a rape. Both are without doubt on equal grounds. If we consider a death match between those two, then Mwk will kill Shanks. However he will lose two arms and other body while accomplishing that.

PS: I took the freedom to answer on posts which are from a another thread. I was avoiding going off topic.

 

RichardMNixon

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Mwk's title says that he can beat any swordsman. Since WB is obviously not a swordsman, he is not included in a sword fight.

You are NOT a swordsman if u pick up a sword. Nightmare Luffy was able to wield a sword, but can't he be considered as a swordsman. Same with WB.

What exactly is ur basics for that statement? I assume haki isn't the only thing you are basing this.
It does not say he can beat any swordsman, it says he's the best swordsman. Let's say you and I are in a sword fight. You're slightly better than I am, and I have super powers. Who is going to win? For Shanks to beat him, it would take more than just swordsmanship. Shanks has displayed some of the most incredible haki thus far and destroyed an entire marine fleet Whitebeard style. http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/434/02/.

Mihawk destroyed Krieg's weakling fleet and has yet to display any haki or any ability other than swordsmanship.

Shanks has extreme haki and swordsmanship almost equal to Mihawks.
Mihawk, as far as we know, has only swordsmanship. Mihawk probably does have haki, but to presume that his is as strong as Shanks' is mighty presumptuous indeed.
 

Razh

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There's really no way to tell which of them is stronger. Sure, Mihawk is called the strongest for a reason. Maybe he even defeated Shanks is their last duel. I don't think they would just call him the strongest after seeing that Shanks lost an arm.

Mihawk doesn't want to duel with Shanks because he believes he has an advantage over him. I can't blame him. His victory over one-armed man would always leave doubt in his mind.

Personally, U think Shanks is stronger and better swordsman now, then he ever was before. I don't know if he could beat Mihawk, but I think it would be pretty close for each of them.

Also, the titles of Yonkou and Strongest Swordsman mean nothing in this discussion, since the two haven't had a duel for a long time, for reasons known.

I'd love to see their battle though.
This ain't bad for now-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHoSUrpyMbc
 

RichardMNixon

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Consider Luffy and Zoro though. Is the majority opinion that they are equal in power? So what happens when Luffy becomes Pirate King? Would Zoro be co-Pirate King? No, because that isn't his goal. If Shanks and Mihawk were equal, Mihawk might still be called World's Greatest Swordsman because that's what he's on about whereas Shanks has different goals.

And again, "World's Greatest Swordsman" is not the same as "Guy Who Can Kill Any Other Swordsman." He just has the best swordsmanship. Shanks and Mihawk were likely not dueling for the kill, but more of a fencing match. Mihawk being better at fencing doesn't mean he would beat Shanks in a real fight.
 

DutchPhoenix

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Consider Luffy and Zoro though. Is the majority opinion that they are equal in power? So what happens when Luffy becomes Pirate King? Would Zoro be co-Pirate King? No, because that isn't his goal. If Shanks and Mihawk were equal, Mihawk might still be called World's Greatest Swordsman because that's what he's on about whereas Shanks has different goals.

And again, "World's Greatest Swordsman" is not the same as "Guy Who Can Kill Any Other Swordsman." He just has the best swordsmanship. Shanks and Mihawk were likely not dueling for the kill, but more of a fencing match. Mihawk being better at fencing doesn't mean he would beat Shanks in a real fight.
if shanks had different goals then they wouldnt be called rivals. face it , mihawk would KILL shanks in 1:1.
 

DutchPhoenix

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well shanks lost a arm and mihawk is the strongest now. so if they would fight to the death currently, i hope shanks crew can arrange a nice funeral
 

RichardMNixon

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Could you please cite a page where it states that Shanks wanted to be the World's Greatest Swordsman? As far as I can tell he wants to the Pirate King and had a friendly rivalry with Mihawk along the way, not them striving to kill one another to claim the "World's Greatest" title.

Yes, Mihawk is probably a better swordfighter. No, Shanks' swordsmanship is not his only ability. The man has to deliberately restrain his haki to prevent it from knocking out everyone around him and damaging physical objects.
 

BlackHair

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Also, the titles of Yonkou and Strongest Swordsman mean nothing in this discussion, since the two haven't had a duel for a long time, for reasons known.
There are countless pirates (crews) in the NW. However only four of them are standing at the very top. Those four are leading a union of several pirate crews. So I agree, the title Yonko means NOTHING in this discussion. Since they are holding the title cuase of their crew. Of course you have to be strong, otherwise you can't be accepted as the leader and Im not saying Shanks is weak, he is without doubt on Mwk's equal grounds.

However the title strongest swordsman has a meaning in this discussion. Mwk earned that title on HIS OWN. Without outside help like a crew.

Even without that title, we can use Zoro to estimate who is stronger between those two. Zoro's goal is to be the strongest swordsman. Thus he have to fight his way to the top. At the very top stands Mwk as the strongest. Their battle is hyped by now for over 10 years. What is the point is hyping that, if Mwk is not the strongest swordsman? Doesn't rly make any sense to me.

And Shanks is a swordsman according to hints from the Manga and the red datebook.

It does not say he can beat any swordsman, it says he's the best swordsman. Let's say you and I are in a sword fight. You're slightly better than I am, and I have super powers. Who is going to win?
I don't know what kind of superpowers you might have, but as long you use a sword and ONLY a sword! You would win I guess. Better swordmanship isn't the only thing which determines the winner. So even if I have a better swordsmanship, it wouldn't bring much if you are like 100x faster than me.

According to my view, that title doesn't say who has the best swordsmanship, but rather it is just saying who is the strongest with a sword among men with swords.

For Shanks to beat him, it would take more than just swordsmanship. Shanks has displayed some of the most incredible haki thus far and destroyed an entire marine fleet Whitebeard style.
I hope u know that those guys who fell unconscious where just fodder. It was a way to present Shanks as one of the strongest in OP. Nothing more. I rly don't understand why you are putting him based on that and on that equal clash with WB above Mwk.

Consider Luffy and Zoro though. Is the majority opinion that they are equal in power? So what happens when Luffy becomes Pirate King? Would Zoro be co-Pirate King? No, because that isn't his goal. If Shanks and Mihawk were equal, Mihawk might still be called World's Greatest Swordsman because that's what he's on about whereas Shanks has different goals.
Zoro and Luffy can be considered as equals. However they are not rivals! While Mwk and Shanks were stated as rivals in the red datebook. Only those with the same goal can be considered as rivals, that's at least my understanding.

And again, "World's Greatest Swordsman" is not the same as "Guy Who Can Kill Any Other Swordsman." He just has the best swordsmanship. Shanks and Mihawk were likely not dueling for the kill, but more of a fencing match. Mihawk being better at fencing doesn't mean he would beat Shanks in a real fight.
I rly can't follow ur thoughts. What is the point in calling some1 the strongest swordsman if he can't beat a fellow swordsman? Doesn't rly make any sense to me. It does tell that he can beat any other swordsman in a a sword fight.

In a sword fight there is more needed than swordsmanship, things like agility, reflexes, haki etc. The one who has supreme (or a well balanced) rates in those factors is the strongest. If u every played a (mmo)rpg game u know what Im talking about.

Zoro's goal is to beat the strongest swordsman, if Mwk isn't the strongest then his goal would be some1 else. Simple.

Could you please cite a page where it states that Shanks wanted to be the World's Greatest Swordsman?
I can't show u a page where sth like that is stated. But I could show u a page where it says that Mwk and Shanks were once equal rivals. Rivals have same goals and seeing Mwk as the strongest, does only say that Shanks is (abit) weaker than him.

The man has to deliberately restrain his haki to prevent it from knocking out everyone around him and damaging physical objects.
Knocking out fodder and cracking some wood, won't help against guys on equal grounds. That goes for Mwk and many other high tier fighters in OP. It rly is pointless to bring that up. It is like me bringing up that Mwk beat down a entire armada of Crieg. Which is again just to hype his character, same in Shanks case.
 
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OdaisaGod

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If Shanks and Mihawk were to fight I would definitely have to lay my money on Shanks. Not saying that Mihawk isn't crazy strong but I just have a really strong feeling that Shanks would win the fight. Definitely would not be an easy fight though.
 
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shinsengumi

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However the title strongest swordsman has a meaning in this discussion. Mwk earned that title on HIS OWN. Without outside help like a crew.

Even without that title, we can use Zoro to estimate who is stronger between those two. Zoro's goal is to be the strongest swordsman. Thus he have to fight his way to the top. At the very top stands Mwk as the strongest. Their battle is hyped by now for over 10 years. What is the point is hyping that, if Mwk is not the strongest swordsman? Doesn't rly make any sense to me.

And Shanks is a swordsman according to hints from the Manga and the red datebook.
well this is really confusing..the definition of a swordsman.i dont see shanks as a mere swordsman,he has other skills and uses a sword. on this "other skills" part,i wont assume anything that we havent seen but just point out what we know,the extreme haki usage.knocking out fodders doesnt really mean anything you are right on that but splitting the heavens by the clash of his haki to WB's !! that tells a lot.as far as we know,hancock is a haki user too but i dont think her haki can be a match to wb's while shanks' is. just because mihawk is the strongest swordsman,you cant say he is stronger than shanks,it would be taking everything shanks has from his hand and letting him only to use a sword.
now i'll tell my example again,which probably fell to the previous page already. imagine there is a guy with the title "the strongest boxer". would it also mean he's superior to luffy just because luffy also uses punches? well he uses punches but he is not a boxer at all.so this definition wouldnt work on luffy to compare.i believe same principle work between shanks and mihawk. they both have swords,one of them uses it with the greatest skill in the world, the other just uses it as a tool with supportive skills.
 

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There are countless pirates (crews) in the NW. However only four of them are standing at the very top. Those four are leading a union of several pirate crews. So I agree, the title Yonko means NOTHING in this discussion. Since they are holding the title cuase of their crew. Of course you have to be strong, otherwise you can't be accepted as the leader and Im not saying Shanks is weak, he is without doubt on Mwk's equal grounds.

However the title strongest swordsman has a meaning in this discussion. Mwk earned that title on HIS OWN. Without outside help like a crew.

Even without that title, we can use Zoro to estimate who is stronger between those two. Zoro's goal is to be the strongest swordsman. Thus he have to fight his way to the top. At the very top stands Mwk as the strongest. Their battle is hyped by now for over 10 years. What is the point is hyping that, if Mwk is not the strongest swordsman? Doesn't rly make any sense to me.
Here we go again. Yeah, he is called the strongest swordsman. The only known rival is one handed and he has the best sword in the world.
But he hasn't fought his rival under the assumption that the guy can't fight like he used to. Or maybe there are different reasons. Who knows.

But they haven't fought in ages. And if people are going to keep repeating that goddamn title, we may as well just end the discussion.

Oh yeah, involving Zoro in this is really unnecessary. The only reason he wants to fight Mihawk is because he's known to be the best swordsman.
If some swordsmen managed to defeat Mihawk, Zoro's target would change.
 
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