Celestial Dragons in One Piece Explained! Is Shanks Related to Them?

In the world of One Piece, the Celestial Dragons can be considered a privileged class without exaggeration. Every time they appear, they exude a strong presence and have deep connections with important organizations and individuals in the story.

In this article, we will introduce the relationship between the Celestial Dragons, the Marines, the World Government, and the intriguing connection with Shanks and others! We will also provide explanations of their numerous arrogant episodes.

What Are Celestial Dragons?

The Celestial Dragons (World Nobles) are at the top of the world in One Piece and are a different kind of existence with extraordinary power.

They are an existence that even the royalty of each country cannot defy if they are not Celestial Dragons, and they are often portrayed as bad guys who can do whatever they want in work.

The privileged class living in the holy city of Mariejoies

The Celestial Dragons typically reside in the sacred town of Mariejoies on the continent of red clay (the Red Line). Since the headquarters of the World Government is also located in Mariejoies, pirates must pass through the ocean floor to travel to and from the Red Line.

Also, outside Mariejoies, Celestial Dragons cover their entire face with a mask resembling a soap bubble. They stated that this was because they did not want to breathe the same air as those who did not belong to the world aristocracy.

The Celestial Dragons are Descendants of “The Creators”

The Celestial Dragons are the descendants of 20 kings who created the World Government 800 years ago. Their blood is what makes them the World Nobility. The kings who became the World Nobility at that time were no longer the kings of their own countries, and new families took their place in each country. The Rikku royal family of Dressrosa is one of them.

Among the 20 kings, only the then King Nefertari, the ancestor of Vivi and Cobra, remained in the position of King Alabaster, as he did not want to participate in the Celestial Dragons.

Therefore, the Celestial Dragons are composed of the descendants of 19 kings.

In the story, the Celestial Dragons are doing outrageous things, such as suddenly enslaving people and suddenly shooting at them, but no one can stop them. As described later, Mjosgard is said to be treated as a freak among the Celestial Dragons because he has no enslaved people, so we can infer from this what the Celestial Dragons people are generally like.

If the Celestial Dragons were to be stopped using force, that person would instead be pursued by the Navy or the World Government.

What Happens When You Hit a Celestial Dragon?

If harm is inflicted upon a Celestial Dragon, their direct subordinates, either CP0 or Admirals, will take action. It can be said with certainty that “death” awaits those who provoke them.

In the Sabaody Archipelago arc, when Luffy punched Saint Charloss, the Marine led by Admiral Kizaru launched an attack. As a result, the Straw Hat Pirates were temporarily pushed to the brink of destruction. When Saint Mjosgard attempted to enslave Shirahoshi in the Reverie arc, he was sent flying by a punch from Charloss, causing even the CP0 guards to back down.

The situation was resolved smoothly since the attacker and the target were Celestial Dragons. However, the incident involving the attempted murder of Saint Charles led to the assailant being imprisoned at Mariejois.

Could Shanks be a Celestial Dragon?

Shanks is Luffy’s benefactor and the goal to which he aspires. However, his suspicious movements are occasionally depicted in work, and some readers anticipate that Shanks is the final boss of the story.

There is a theory that he is a Celestial Dragon before he is a friend or foe, and the possibility seems relatively high.

Reason 1: Shanks’ Real Name Revealed! What is The Figurand Family?

In the FILM RED, there is a scene where Uta causes an incident, and the Five Elders discuss her. Before that, it was broadcasted worldwide by Luffy that she was Shanks’ daughter. In response to the voices suggesting strict measures against Uta, another voice retorts, “Even if she is from the Figurand family?”

The Figurand family a lineage that is not mentioned in the original series. Based on the conversation leading up to this line, the Five Elders were unaware of Uta’s existence. In that case, it is natural to assume that the mention of the Figurand family came from Shanks’ background, not Uta.

Even though they are important figures like Dr. Clover, the Five Elders would not hesitate to attack if the person is a serious crime. Seeing their consideration of an attack, it is highly likely that the Figurand family is a lineage of Celestial Dragons.

Reason 2: He stopped the war at Marineford

Celestial Dragons have the authority to summon Admirals of the Navy if needed. In the Sabaody Archipelago arc, Kizaru was called Saint Rosward. According to a certain marine, the Marines must protect the World Nobles.

However, Garp seems to have a different perspective on this matter. In his conversation with King Stelly, he refers to the Celestial Dragons as “scum.” According to Sengoku, one of the reasons why Garp never became an Admiral is because becoming one would mean becoming a direct subordinate of the Celestial Dragons.

A Navy General Listens to Him

In the chaotic climax of the Summit War, where unnecessary bloodshed occurred, Shanks appeared before Akainu, who was relentless in his pursuit. Finally, Shanks requested that the battle be stopped, and Akainu complied, with Sengoku also giving in and declaring an end to the war.

Indeed, there have been several instances in which significant pirates and the Navy’s rivals seem to understand each other on a deeper level. However, if Shanks were just an ordinary pirate, it would be excessive for him to appear in the enemy’s stronghold and have his request respected to such an extent.

Reason 3: Shanks Received an audience from the Five Elders at the World Congress

At the World Conference in Mariejois, the Five Elders are seen conversing with someone. They tell this person, “You should not involve yourself in politics due to your position,” and even mention, “We took the time because it was you.” The person they are talking to is indeed Shanks.

The statement that these people should not involve themselves in politics due to their position proves that their current situation is of a lineage engaged in politics. The fact that the Five Elders are taking the time to meet with Shanks, a pirate with a high bounty on his head, is the ultimate proof that he is not an ordinary pirate!

Who are The Five Elders?

The Five Elders are the five individuals who hold the highest positions within the World Government. They are also among the Celestial Dragons, the world’s highest class.

While the Celestial Dragons may appear arrogant, how the hierarchy of authority is determined within their ranks has not been revealed. It could be based on literal age, but this has not been confirmed. In fact, among the Celestial Dragons, we have seen, the oldest known individual is Saint Rosward, who was 55 years old at the time of the incident at Sabaody Archipelago, two years after the Water 7 arc. The members of the Gorosei appear to be even older.

Flashbacks dating back ten years before the Water 7 arc have shown the Gorosei. Comparing their appearances then and now, it can be observed that they have hardly changed in appearance.

It is believed that the Celestial Dragons are descendants of the kings who founded the World Government. It is also possible that the members of the Gorosei have somehow obtained immortality or longevity, allowing them to have lived for 800 years. However, this is purely speculative and has not been confirmed in the story.

Celestial Dragons Members

St. Mjosgard, a Member of The Don Quixote Clan

Ten years ago

He is a member of the Donquixote Family. Ten years ago, he set out for Fish-Man Island to reclaim the enslaved people he had set free, but he encountered an accident and barely managed to reach Fish-Man Island.

There, he was almost killed by the Fish-Men who had once been his slaves, but he was saved by Otohime, who protected him. Although he initially showed no remorse, he seemed to be moved by Otohime’s persuasion, and in the end, he signed a document expressing his agreement to allow the Fish-Men to live on the surface.

Current

In the Reverie arc, Saint Mjosgard made a reappearance.

When Saint Charlos attempted to make Shirahoshi his slave and tensions escalated with CP0 and King Neptune, Saint Mjosgard intervened and punched Charlos, sending him flying.

According to Saint Mjosgard, he was “turned into a human” by Otohime ten years ago, and he had been waiting for the day to repay that favour.

He does not own slaves and is treated as a weirdo by the other Celestial Dragons.

Throughout the seven-day Reverie, he stayed by Princess Shirahoshi’s side, preventing other Celestial Dragons from laying hands on her. As a result, King Neptune and Princess Shirahoshi safely returned to the Ryugu Kingdom.

Rosward family

Saint Rosward, the head of the Rosward family, exhibits a more rational side than his son, Saint Charlos, but he still displays a prominent cruel aspect, such as collecting pirate captains as slaves.

In the Reverie arc, he appeared riding on Bartholomew Kuma. It seems that Kuma is being rented out among the World Nobles in turn.

Saint Charlos

Saint Charlos is the son of Saint Rosward and is known for his particularly inhumane behaviour, even among the Celestial Dragons.

When a person carrying a critically ill patient crosses his path, he would say, “I’ll put them out of their misery right now,” and kick them away. If he takes a liking to a woman, even if she is not part of a human auction but just someone he encounters on the street, he would forcibly take her to Mariejois and discard her when he grows tired of her. If the woman’s husband or lover objects, he would even shoot to bring her along. His actions demonstrate how the Celestial Dragons disregard others as mere objects.

During the human auction, he attempted to buy Camie for 500 million berries and even fired a shot at Hatchan due to his discrimination against Fish-Men. This led to him being punched by Luffy and became the reason for summoning Admiral Kizaru to the Sabaody Archipelago.

In the Reverie arc, he sought to make Shirahoshi, the princess of Fish-Man Island, his slave, showcasing his disdain even towards royal families of World Government member countries.

Shalria

Shalria is Saint Rosward’s daughter and Saint Charlos’s sister.

She also exhibits a nasty side, similar to her brother and father. When Devil Dias was immobilized due to the exploding collar, she shot him with bullets. In retaliation for her brother being punched, she attempted to shoot and kill Camie, but she was rendered unconscious by Rayleigh’s Haki.

Other Celestial Dragons

St. Jalmack

When he toured the Kingdom of Goa 12 years ago, a ship with Sabo aboard crossed in front of the boat with St. Jalmack aboard, so he had it bombarded and sunk.

The only reason for the bombardment was that it crossed in front of him.

St Camael

It is a world aristocrat who appeared in the movie ONE PIECE FILM GOLD.

When he comes to receive the Tenjokin from the Guild Desoro, his clothes are stolen and used to infiltrate Nami and her friends.

The Don Quixote family!

The family to which the previously mentioned Mjosgard also belongs. They ruled Dressrosa more than 800 years ago.

St. Don Quixote Homing

Thirty-three years ago, he gave up his Celestial Dragon status, his wife, and two sons to live a more human life. When other Celestial Dragons tried to stop him from choosing to cease to be a Celestial Dragon, he replied, “I was a human being to begin with,” which hurt their pride.

He then began to live with his family in a country that was not a member of the World Government. Still, when it was revealed that he was a Celestial Dragon, those who had a grudge against the Celestial Dragons subjected him to fierce persecution.

He approached other Celestial Dragons to see if he could make his wife and two sons Celestial Dragons again, but they refused, saying they had left the country alone.

Mrs. Homing

She sympathized with Homing’s idea and gave up her position as a Celestial Dragon together with him. Later, the people burned their houses, forcing them to live on the run with their families.

Eventually, they became ill and died due to unsanitary conditions.

Donquixote Doflamingo

He is the son of Saint Homing. He couldn’t let go of his identity as a Celestial Dragon and held resentment toward his father. In his childhood, at the age of 10, fueled by hatred towards his father, he killed him, which triggered the intense persecution they faced.

Afterward, he became a pirate and joined the ranks of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. It appears that he holds some vital secret related to the Celestial Dragons.

What is the Secret of the Celestial Dragons Known to Doflamingo?

Doflamingo was able to manipulate CP0 because he knew about the existence of “Mariejois’ national treasure,” which the Celestial Dragons hide. According to him, if the presence of Mariejois’ national treasure were known, it would corrupt the power of the World Government to an extreme extent.

Furthermore, he mentioned that he could have seized world control using the national treasure if he had obtained the “Ope Ope no Mi”. Therefore, Mariejois’ national treasure may be a “weapon” used by the World Government during the void century, which poses significant dangers even to its user.

Why Did Doflamingo Kill His Father?

Doflamingo killed his father with his own hands. He resented his father, who had initially abandoned his position as a Celestial Dragon and planned to bring his father’s head back to Mariejois.

However, the Celestial Dragons did not accept this; instead, they attempted to kill Doflamingo, who knew their secrets.

Donquixote Rosinante

He is the son of Homing and the younger brother of Doflamingo. After Homing’s death, he was taken in and protected by Sengoku and sent to Doflamingo’s side as a Marine to gather information. However, his plan was discovered, and Doflamingo killed him.

Law holds a deep admiration for Rosinante, whom he considers his saviour. When Law, who had a troubled past and a hardened heart, visited him, Rosinante treated him sternly. However, this was because he cared for Law, and in reality, he shed tears for the boy’s past and had a gentle nature that could get angry on behalf of others.

The Past of The Donquixote Brothers

The Donquixote brothers were severely persecuted by their father, who had renounced his status as a Celestial Dragon and moved to Earth. After their house was burned, they spent their days scavenging through garbage for food and being lynched by the inhabitants.

Eventually, Doflamingo decides to take revenge on the residents and kills his father with his own hands. Rocinante kept his brother away from him as a monster bent on evil.

What is The Relationship Between The Celestial Dragons and The World Government?

As mentioned earlier, the ancestors of the current Celestial Dragons are the ones who established the World Government. The Five Elders, the top leaders of the World Government, are also Celestial Dragons.

The member nations of the World Government must pay an enormous tribute called “Heavenly Tribute” to the Celestial Dragons.

Under the command of the Fleet Admiral, there is a covert intelligence agency called Cipher Pol. Among its branches, CP0 seems to be directly under the control of the Celestial Dragons. Former members of CP9, like Rob Lucci, Kaku, and Spandam, now belong to CP0.

The reason why the member nations affiliated with the World Government uphold the Celestial Dragons as world nobles is not solely because their ancestors founded the World Government. According to Doflamingo, the Celestial Dragons seem to possess a national treasure of such magnitude that its mere existence in secret could turn the world upside down…

What is The Relationship Between The Celestial Dragons and The D Clan?

In the One Piece world, individuals are known as the “D” clan. According to Rocinante, it is said that in the holy land of Mariejois, ill-behaved children are eaten by the “Dee,” which leads him to believe that there is some connection between the “D” clan and the Celestial Dragons, whom he speculates to be the gods.

From this, it is safe to assume that there is some destiny or connection between the “D” clan and the Celestial Dragons. Currently, among fans, there is intense speculation that the “D” clan is the clan that the 20 Kings destroyed.

If that is the case, why are there descendants of the “D” clan? Many individuals from the “D” clan appear to have a strong sense of individualism and do not seem to seek revenge for their ancestors desperately. However, many aspects still cannot be explained, such as why they are currently perceived as a threat.

As we approach the climax, the Celestial Dragons and the “D” clan will gradually reveal more mysteries.

Are the Celestial Dragons Strong?

The Celestial Dragons are protected by their authority, so they don’t need to fight. Therefore, their combat abilities are practically nonexistent, and individuals like Charlos have been easily knocked out with a single blow by Luffy.

However, the Celestial Dragons are descendants of humans who fought great battles during the Void Century. Characters like Doflamingo, who comes from a Celestial Dragon lineage, and Shanks, suspected of having ties to the Celestial Dragons, have demonstrated the ability to awaken Haki, including Conqueror’s Haki.

Moreover, the Five Elders, who represent the pinnacle of the Celestial Dragons, have an aura of martial prowess, suggesting that they may possess considerable hidden strength.

Are the Celestial Dragons Too Scruffy?

Why Does Garp Reject the Position of General?

Garp is known as the hero of the Marines, but he has remained in the rank of Vice-Admiral for many years. The position of Admiral, the highest fighting force in the Marines, is meant to be activated when Celestial Dragons are harmed. So it’s not that Garp cannot be promoted, but instead, he chooses not to become an Admiral because he doesn’t want to become a direct subordinate of the Celestial Dragons.

Furthermore, when Stelly, the prince of the Goa Kingdom, expressed his desire to become a Celestial Dragon, Garp calmly referred to the Celestial Dragons as “garbage.”

Saint Charlos Shoots and Kills a Passerby

On the Sabaody Archipelago, everyone around him kneels as Charlos walks along the road. However, a group of doctors carrying a severely injured patient on a stretcher had no choice but to keep walking. Upon seeing this, Charlos immediately kicked the patient aside.

Later, Charlos took a liking to a nurse and invited her to be one of his wives. When the nurse’s fiancé objected, Charlos shot and killed him.

This scene vividly demonstrates how absolute the authority of the Celestial Dragons is.

Human Trafficking

The culture of human trafficking prevails in the Sabaody Archipelago and has also permeated among wealthy individuals.

Of course, the Celestial Dragons also participated in the Human Auction, and Charlos purchased Keimi for 500 million. He even made despicable remarks about making Keimi play a game of chase with piranhas…it’s unforgivable!

Furthermore, when the Straw Hats Pirates rebelled, Charlos mentioned that the women would be turned into taxidermy and the men would be starved and reduced to emaciated slaves.

Saint Rosward Enslaves Kuma

In the Reverie arc, Rosward Saint was shown to have enslaved Bartholomew Kuma, a former Warlord of the Sea. Kuma’s body was depicted with numerous weapons impaled, illustrating the brutal nature of the Celestial Dragons.

As Kuma is also a benefactor to the Straw Hat Pirates, readers are shocked to see his tragic condition.

Summary

One Piece has finally entered its final chapter with the conclusion of the Wanokuni Arc. The final chapter will include a battle against the world government, so the existence of the Celestial Dragons will become more critical.

Also, we wonder if Shanks, one of the top critical figures in the work, is a Celestial Dragon. What will be the outcome of the Celestial Dragons, who are still a mystery to us? We cannot take our eyes off future developments!