Many Fans Are Joking About Shanks And His Family, Calling Them "A Bunch Of Rats"
Ever since new details about Shanks’ past and lineage have come to light in the God Valley flashback, a new meme has taken over the One Piece community: fans are jokingly calling Shanks and his family “a bunch of rats.” What started as a tongue-in-cheek reaction to how suspiciously “clean” and protected Shanks has always seemed in the story has now turned into a full-blown running gag across social media.
Fans point to the character’s mysterious connections to the World Government, his ability to walk into Mariejois and talk directly with the Gorosei, and the recent hints about his family background as proof that there’s “no way this guy is just a regular Yonko.” The joke paints Shanks and his relatives as quiet operators in the shadows — people who always seem to know more than they should, show up at just the right moment, and walk away with zero consequences. For many, calling them “rats” is less about hating the character and more about embracing the idea that Shanks might be far more morally gray than his friendly, mentor-like image suggests.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end. Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-mysterious event has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the enigmatic Imu — creating a flashback that feels more like a grand historical epic than a side story. The arc dives deep into the power struggles that shaped the modern world of One Piece, revealing long-hidden secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the early days of piracy. For many, it’s a rare glimpse into the “true history” of the world, something fans have been waiting for since the manga’s earliest chapters.
It’s within this backdrop that the “rat Shanks” jokes have exploded. The more the story reveals about the political machinery behind God Valley, the more fans look at Shanks’ later behavior with suspicion. Was he just a bystander shaped by the chaos, or did his origins put him closer to the center of power than anyone realized? Every new panel that links him to the highest levels of the world only fuels more memes, edits, and threads calling him “the world’s friendliest rat.”
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
Surprisingly, many readers say they don’t want to go back to the Straw Hat Pirates just yet. Social media platforms are full of fans expressing that this arc feels like the most thrilling part of One Piece in years — with its dark tone, intense storytelling, and lore-heavy revelations. While Luffy and his crew are the heart of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something entirely different: a look at the legends and events that shaped everything we know. One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter): “If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.” The sentiment highlights a unique moment in the fandom, where the past has become more captivating than the present adventure.
In that space, Shanks and his family have become prime material for both serious theorycrafting and lighthearted clowning. Some fans are writing long breakdowns about what his potential heritage means for the balance of power in the world, while others simply post panels of Shanks smiling with captions like, “When you’re the government’s favorite rat but still act like a chill uncle.” It’s a rare mix of tension and comedy: fans are genuinely intrigued by what his role might be, but they’re also having fun poking at the idea that he’s been “playing both sides” for years.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
The enthusiasm surrounding the God Valley flashback underscores Eiichiro Oda’s enduring genius as a storyteller. After more than two decades, he continues to surprise fans by revealing layers of history that connect generations of pirates, marines, and rulers. The arc’s pacing, emotion, and scope have reminded readers of One Piece’s golden era — a blend of mystery, world-building, and drama that few series can match. Even as some fans fear that returning to the Straw Hats will slow the story’s momentum, others believe this balance between past and present is what makes One Piece timeless.
At the same time, the “bunch of rats” meme shows just how deeply the fandom engages with the material. Fans are not only absorbing the lore, but transforming it into jokes, nicknames, and recurring bits that give the community its own culture. Shanks — once the distant, almost saintly Yonko who inspired Luffy’s dream — has now become a far more complicated figure in the eyes of many readers. Whether he turns out to be a secret noble, a political wildcard, or something even stranger, the God Valley saga has ensured one thing: Shanks and his family will be talked about long after this flashback ends, both in serious analysis and in meme form.
