Shamrock is a lot like Shanks, actually.
Note : I use some french translated scans, since it's easier for me to find them. I did try to use english scans when I could.
The recent Elbaph arc has introduced a character whose existence was theorized about since the Reverie : Figarland Shamrock, aka Shanks' twin brother.
Part of the fandom has already sorted him as the "evil twin", Oda's final exploration of the nature VS nurture thematic which began with Dressrosa (the question of Doflamingo's supposed evil nature) then continued with Whole Cake Island.
If we compare Shanks and Shamrock's appearance, they couldn't be more apart : a carefree drunk hobo-looking pirate and a prissy and prim aristocrat.
But the deeper we look at Shamrock’s actual behavior in the new arc, the more it becomes clear he reflects Shanks far more than we initially supposed.
During his first appearance, Shamrock consistently shows a reluctance to engage in direct violence, opting for alternatives.
Shamrock : "If we spare it, will you change your mind ?"
During his mission, he needs to make Loki join the Holy Knights. He first asks him. Then he tries to negotiate by taking his wolves' hostage. He doesn't show any anger when dealing with Loki's refusal. Celestial Dragons in the series show extreme anger when being denied their demands or being treated with disrespect. Gunko's reaction is more in line with other CD (threatening death).
Shamrock's lack of anger and willingness to kill resembles Shanks’ behavior throughout the series. He is the one who taught Luffy not to use unnecessary violence in Makino's bar.
His expression is again partially hidden.
They cross paths again when Shanks halts the Marineford War.
Shanks' preference for de-escalation is clearly established in the series and is one of his main characteristics as a person.
This tendency to de-escalate conflicts is sometimes received with scorn from other people who call him a coward (Luffy, Loki, the bandit in Windmill village, Buggy).
"Needless killing doesn't make you a man."
Shamrock similarly doesn't finish Loki after he is done with him and gets called a coward for it by Loki.
Gunko : "Let's kill him."
Shamrock : "Calm yourself, Gunko."
He is the one holding Gunko back from killing Loki. The panel shows his face covered with a speech bubble, hiding his reaction to Gunko "Kill him." Is it approval ? Is it disapproval ?
Oda uses the same technique when it comes to Shanks. There are several panel where some of his expression is hidden by a bubble or an object.
The panel is off centered and the bubble is hiding part of his face, probably to represent Shanks' hidden feelings on the matter.
When talking about Buggy, the bubbles hide half of his face, probably because Shanks is yet again holding back his feels.
Shanks is a character who hides a lot of his thoughts and feelings. He shows the world the persona of a carefree pirate but underneath it there is a calculative and melancholic man who represses himself constantly.
A reluctance to dirty their hands
Shamrock distances himself from brutality and never indulges in direct violence unless required.
When convincing Loki fails, Shamrock allows Gunko to perform the torture while observing rather than intervening himself. When Gunko wants to kill Loki, he finally steps in.
Shamrock : "It's enough, Gunko."
This tendency to have his subordinate (or crew mate) do the dirty work is seen twice with Shanks :
First in Luffy's flashback when Lucky Roo shoots one of the bandit threatening Shanks with a gun ;
Second when Yassop shoots and sinks Batholomeo's ship;
After Loki provokes him by threatening both brothers, Shamrock gets visibly upset for the first time, mirroring Shanks during Kid's attack. Though it's more the reason for his anger is more ambiguous with Shamrock, is it because Loki threaten him or is it because he care for his twin ?
When provoked, Shamrock uses his sword's strange power, using it more like a subordinate than like his weapon. He sends his sword's dogs to Loki more like a subordinate.
Shanks’ anger when Kid threatens his crew (Ch. 1076)
Although Shamrock Figarland was framed as Shanks’ opposite, his behavior reveals he’s more similar to his twin than initially supposed.
Of course, there is still a lot we don't know about it. He appears in very few chapter but I think he's going to be more of an anti-villain than, let's say, Doflamingo or Sanji's brother.
I wouldn't be surprised if he was like Sanji as a child who unlike Sanji never escape and had to suppress himself to fit in.
