| Bon Clay | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bentham (Bon Clay) |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | One Piece (manga) Chapter 167; (anime) Episode 86 |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Alias | Mr. 2; Bon Clay; Bentham |
| Species | Human |
| Occupation | Former officer agent of Baroque Works; Okama martial artist; prisoner (former) |
| Affiliations | Baroque Works (former); Straw Hat Pirates (ally); prisoners of Impel Down (Level 2–Level 5) |
| Abilities | Mane Mane no Mi (Clone-Clone Fruit); okama kenpo; high agility |
Bon Clay
Bon Clay (real name Bentham), commonly known by his alias Mr. 2, is a recurring supporting character in the manga and anime One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. An eccentric okama and former officer agent of Baroque Works, Bon Clay's unique personality, Devil Fruit power, and acts of sacrifice make him a memorable ally of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. He is notable for challenging norms within the world of One Piece, exemplifying themes of loyalty and camaraderie.
Bon Clay first appears as a high-ranking member of Baroque Works, serving under the codename Mr. 2 and partnered with the agent Nico Olvia's boss structure, before his involvement in larger arcs. He is introduced during the Baroque Works plotline in the Arabasta Arc, where his combat prowess and shapeshifting ability complicate Luffy's efforts. Later, as an imprisoned convict at Impel Down, Bon Clay transforms from antagonist to devoted comrade, aiding Luffy in a pivotal escape that reshapes alliances among prisoners and alters the course of the Marineford saga. His background as an okama and practitioner of okama kenpo informs his personal code and fight style.
Bon Clay is visually distinctive: tall and slender with exaggerated ballet-like posture, curly blond hair and a face painted with clown-like makeup. He commonly wears flamboyant attire combining a swan motif with theatrical costuming, reflective of his background as a former okama and performer. His mannerisms are dramatic and effusive; he greets allies and opponents with kisses and extravagant declarations of affection, a trait that becomes both comic relief and a sincere expression of solidarity. Despite his flamboyance, Bon Clay displays disciplined martial skill, strict loyalty to friends, and a firm sense of honor that prioritizes collective welfare over personal survival.
Bon Clay ate the Mane Mane no Mi (commonly translated as the Clone-Clone Fruit), a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to perfectly replicate the face and voice of anyone whose face he has touched. This ability makes him an adept infiltrator and imposter, instrumental in deception-based strategies against adversaries such as Crocodile and Baroque Works agents. In combat, he combines the fruit's utility with okama kenpo, a dance-like but effective fighting style emphasizing agility, acrobatics, and precise strikes. Bon Clay demonstrates significant endurance and willpower, surviving severe injuries and imprisonment; he also exhibits tactical cunning, using impersonation to deceive guards and assist allies. Unlike Logia or Zoan users, his power depends on physical contact for memorization and has limitations when identity restoration or prolonged impersonation is required.
During the Alabasta conflict, Bon Clay engages the Straw Hats on behalf of Baroque Works, using impersonations to sow confusion and escape capture. After Baroque Works begins to collapse with Crocodile's defeat, Bon Clay dissociates from the organization's ultimate aims. His most consequential role occurs in the Impel Down Arc: as an inmate, he encounters Luffy and, moved by loyalty and admiration, orchestrates Luffy's rescue of other prisoners and aids Luffy's ascent through the prison levels. Bon Clay leads a mass prison uprising on Level 2, rallies fellow inmates such as Mr. 3 and Grilock, and personally sacrifices his chance at freedom to ensure Luffy's escape. His refusal to betray Luffy despite promises of leniency by Admirals and the World Government cements his status as a selfless ally and alters the dynamics leading into the Marineford War.
Bon Clay's relationships are central to his narrative role. Initially tied to Baroque Works and its agents like Mr. 1 and Mr. 3, he later forges deep bonds with prisoners at Impel Down and with Monkey D. Luffy in particular. His devotion extends to the concept of found family: he treats comrades such as Ivankov and the Okama outpost connections with affection and respect. Bon Clay's interactions with the Straw Hat Pirates evolve from adversarial to fraternal; he earns their trust and admiration through action rather than rhetoric. His rapport with the Revolutionary Army sympathizers and other marginalized characters highlights themes of solidarity across social strata within the One Piece world.
Although Bon Clay does not join the Straw Hat crew permanently, his influence endures. His sacrifice and example inform Luffy's understanding of loyalty and the costs of pursuing one's goals, reinforcing the Straw Hats' cohesion. The emotional bond formed at Impel Down reverberates during the Marineford aftermath and subsequent arcs: Luffy's determination to rescue allies, the recruitment and aid of former prisoners, and the Straw Hats' commitment to defending honor echo Bon Clay's principles. In addition, Bon Clay's defiance of social prejudice and his open embrace of identity contribute to the moral texture of the series, offering a model of courage and selflessness that complements the Straw Hats' broader mission to protect friends and uphold justice in a turbulent world.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional shapeshifters Category:Television characters introduced in 2001