| Kaku | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kaku |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | "Water Seven" (manga chapter) |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Occupation | Galley-La Company worker; former CP9 agent (undercover) |
| Affiliation | CP9, World Government, Galley-La Company |
| Species | Human |
| Voice | Japanese: Hiroshi Kamiya (anime); English: Jason Liebrecht |
Kaku
Kaku is a fictional character in the manga and anime series One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. Introduced during the Water Seven arc, he is notable both as a skilled shipwright employed at Galley-La Company and as a covert agent of the government organization CP9. Kaku matters in One Piece for his combat role during the Enies Lobby conflict and for embodying themes of surveillance, state power, and personal conscience within the narrative.
Kaku first appears as a member of the Galley-La Company on the docks of Water Seven, characterized by a long nose and lanky build. He is later revealed to be one of the nine elite operatives of CP9, the clandestine assassination and intelligence unit under the World Government and the Cipher Pol system. His dual identity affects plotlines tied to the Thousand Sunny's construction, the hunt for Nico Robin, and the confrontation at Enies Lobby. Kaku's presence emphasizes the tension between civic labor (shipbuilding) and hidden coercive institutions in the world of One Piece.
Kaku is tall and thin with a distinctive, elongated nose and typically wears work clothes at Galley-La, including a headscarf; as CP9 he dons a black uniform. His facial features and exaggerated nose are often used for comic effect, yet his expression turns severe in combat. Personality-wise, Kaku balances a dry, pragmatic demeanor with professional pride in craftsmanship and fighting ability. He demonstrates a sense of duty to orders when acting as CP9, but also shows admiration for skilled opponents such as Roronoa Zoro and respect for the craft of shipwrights like Franky. He occasionally displays humility and curiosity, qualities that complicate his role as an enforcer of the World Government.
Kaku is a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, having consumed the Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe, which allows him to transform into a giraffe or a human–giraffe hybrid. His Zoan powers grant enhanced strength, reach, and agility, which he combines with a unique swordfighting style. As a CP9 member, Kaku masters the secret combat system known as Rokushiki, including techniques such as Soru (super speed), Geppo (sky-walking), Tekkai (iron body), and Rankyaku (air blade). He notably develops a sword-based derivative of Rokushiki, using powerful slashes that exploit his elongated limbs and giraffe physiology. Kaku's skillset makes him a formidable opponent against Straw Hat Pirates members and other high-level fighters.
During the Water Seven arc, Kaku operates undercover at Galley-La, gathering intelligence related to the Straw Hat Pirates and the secret knowledge of Pluton and Ohara. He participates in CP9 operations that lead to the kidnapping of Nico Robin and the World Government's effort to retrieve the Poneglyph scholar. At Enies Lobby, Kaku engages directly in combat with Roronoa Zoro in a duel that tests both fighters' techniques and resolve. The confrontation culminates in Kaku's defeat, which helps propel the Straw Hats' moral victory and the larger narrative about resisting state oppression. His actions contribute to the liberation of Robin and the exposure of CP9's ruthless methods.
Kaku's principal affiliation is with CP9, the covert arm of Cipher Pol controlled by the World Government. He maintains a professional cover with the Galley-La Company in Water Seven, interacting with characters such as Iceburg, Franky, and other shipwrights. Within CP9, he works alongside agents like Rob Lucci, Blueno, Jabra, Kumadori, Fukuro, Spandam, and Kalifa. His rivalry and combat pairing with Roronoa Zoro establish a memorable adversarial link, while his mutual respect with shipwrights underscores tensions between labor and state power. Kaku's relationship with his superiors is governed by duty, but moments in the story suggest internal conflict over CP9's extreme methods.
Created by Eiichiro Oda, Kaku was designed to juxtapose comic character design with serious combat ability, reflecting Oda's tendency to blend humor and gravitas. Critics and fans have praised Kaku's distinctive design, unique fighting style, and the unexpected twist of his Zoan Devil Fruit being a giraffe model. Reviewers noted how his duel with Zoro showcases tactical swordsmanship and the creative use of Rokushiki. Some commentary highlights Kaku as representative of themes such as state secrecy and the moral ambiguity of agents who hide in plain sight. Fan response includes popularity in character polls and frequent discussion in analyses of the Water Seven/Enies Lobby arcs.
Kaku's role in One Piece contributes to the enduring reputation of the Water Seven and Enies Lobby saga as a turning point in the series' exploration of political power and collective resistance. The character has appeared in One Piece adaptations, video games published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, and merchandising, reflecting his visibility in franchise media. Academically and fanwise, Kaku and CP9 have sparked conversations about surveillance, accountability, and the ethics of clandestine agencies, resonating with broader debates about state power in modern societies. His legacy persists in discussions of character design, hybrid Devil Fruits like the Zoan (type) category, and the narrative that champions solidarity against institutional injustice.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional secret agents Category:Fictional swordfighters