The Prince of Elbaf. He is cursed by his own kin and branded with the derogatory title 'The Shame of Elbaf' for the crime of murdering his biological father, King Harald, to obtain a legendary Devil Fruit. Since childhood, he was known for playing violent pranks that endangered the lives of other giants. According to his half-brother Hajrudin, Loki is a cunning and selfish individual who manipulates others with countless lies and would kill even his friends without hesitation. Since they were young, he was far stronger than Hajrudin and would beat him in fights, mocking him by saying he refused to call a weakling born of 'filthy blood' his brother. This behavior stems from a childhood where he received only hatred instead of love from his mother, and lacked sufficient affection or comfort from his father, who was unaware of the abuse due to busy state affairs and the silence of the ministers. Consequently, as a youth, he became obsessed with the only thing he possessed—strength—leading to a twisted personality that oppressed the weak. However, he is someone capable of seeing inner beauty rather than race or appearance, and it is evident his heart changed during his growth, largely due to the influence of Ida, who became his surrogate mother. Despite his 'survival of the fittest' outlook, he despises the Celestial Dragons, showing a unique disposition that rejects elitism while remaining faithful to the law of the jungle. While his true nature is kind, he speaks harshly because he hates being called kind. Combined with his past, he has a core of goodness that would have been severely warped without Ida's kindness amidst his mother's horrific abuse and his father's neglect. Because of this complicated past, Loki has become a person who does not explain his actions and allows himself to be hated. For instance, he punished the village that poisoned Ida and stopped Harald due to Imu's schemes, but because he never explained his reasons, he was branded a parricide who devastated his maternal family and killed his father. In reality, he remained silent to protect Harald's honor, and only later cleared the misunderstanding by revealing the truth to his half-brother and the Elder Jarl. Unlike Hajrudin, he strongly inherited the blood of the Ancient Giants like his father, standing nearly as tall as Oars at approximately 60 meters. He is currently bound in Sea Prism Stone chains by Shanks. He is a user of the Ryu Ryu no Mi (Dragon-Dragon Fruit); due to its powers, he shrinks to about 2 meters when with Guest. He usually keeps his eyes covered with bandages; his eyes are sclera-reversed with red pupils. He once proposed to Charlotte Lola but was rejected. He has long purple hair and a pair of thin, long, pointed horns. He lives at home and has no ship or crew. He is 63 years old in giant years, which is equivalent to 21 in human years.

A man who is usually so laid-back he seems broad-minded, possessing a playful and friendly demeanor. Even when Higuma provoked him and insulted him by smashing a bottle over his head, he simply laughed it off. Whenever he stays on an island, he treats the residents with respect and builds close ties, never looting. Having become a pirate to seek 'freedom' rather than greed or ambition, he does not cause useless trouble. Citizens in his territory live without discomfort. Even for weak pirates, if they are friends, he willingly takes them under his wing and protects them with all his might, never taking protection money. He even offers enemies a chance to surrender before starting a battle. Despite being a Great Pirate called an 'Emperor,' he is very humble. This contrasts sharply with other Emperors like Charlotte Linlin, who destroys countries if they don't pay tribute; Kaido, who reigns over residents driven to rebellion by forced labor and executes subordinates on a whim; or Marshall D. Teach, who has his subordinates loot other countries and tries to kill enemies cruelly without offering surrender. When members of his subordinate fleets hug him saying they missed him and want to pay protection fees, he replies, "We don't have a system like that!" Similar to Whitebeard, who viewed his subordinates as family, Shanks forms family-like bonds and protects those in his sphere of influence for free. He is called 'Red-Haired' due to his striking hair color, which was revealed to be inherited from his mother. The scar on his left eye, also depicted on his Jolly Roger, is another trademark. His appearance has shifted over time; initially lean with sanpaku eyes, his features became more angular and muscular starting from the Water 7 arc, peaking during the Paramount War. He is considered handsome within the story and by readers alike. The author mentioned in an SBS that Shanks is more popular with women than Benn Beckman. He is one of the Four Emperors.