Character heights in One Piece are often a little too out of the ordinary, especially within the Monkey D. bloodline. And, from what we know, Monkey D. Dragon’s height is around 8’5″, no less.
Now, hypothetically, if we put the mighty Shanks beside him, Shanks would practically look like a dwarf.
Father's genes didn't Even tried pic.twitter.com/OV5rL4pWKN
But don’t forget that Shanks himself is no small figure. The guy is well-built, stand ing at a staggering 6’6″. Still, that’s nothing compared to the giant that Dragon is. Being the son of the great Monkey D. Garp, you can see how the genes have truly put on a show with Dragon’s height.
He might still be a little shorter than his father, but who knows? Maybe one day Dragon will surpass him.
What Shanks and Dragon’s Height Gap Reveals About Their Strength
Although Shanks and Dragon have a massive height gap, that doesn’t necessarily mean one is automatically stronger than the other. That’s just not how things work in One Piece. Oda has shown time and again that size and power don’t always go hand in hand.
Both characters are still shrouded in mystery, so trying to compare their true strength right now will be total guesswork. We simply don’t have enough concrete evidence from either of them to say for sure who stands above the other.
That said, many fans believe Shanks is at least on the same tier as Dragon, if not slightly stronger. His portrayal as one of the Four Emperors and the aura he carries in every scene back up the idea that he’s among the absolute top of the food chain.
On the other hand, Dragon is also expected to possess immense power. His bloodline as Garp’s son and Luffy’s father already sets him apart, and his role as the leader of the Revolutionary Army against the World Government pretty much guarantees he’s no ordinary fighter.
How One Piece’s Exaggerated Character Heights Contribute to Storytelling
Character heights in One Piece are wildly inconsistent and often way too exaggerated, whether tall or short. But that’s the beauty of it. In this world illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, a short character can be just as powerful as someone towering over them.
A lot of this comes down to artistic style. Oda often uses height differences as a way to make characters stand out visually, whether it’s to intimidate their opponents or to symbolize sheer power.
Other times, it works the opposite way: emphasizing the underdog. Luffy would be a great example of that. He is neither the tallest nor the bulkiest. Still, somehow, he constantly rises above giants and monsters and proves that height doesn’t decide strength here.
Doesn’t all of this make the world of One Piece feel even more outlandish and mythical? These exaggerated proportions truly help set the tone, making it clear that this isn’t just another pirate story; it’s a larger-than-life adventure. But what do you think? Can Dragon beat Shanks in any sense?
All episodes of One Piece are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
