| Kaku | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kaku |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | "Water Seven" (manga chapter) |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Species | Human |
| Affiliation | CP9, later CP0 (off-screen promotion) |
| Occupation | Cipher Pol agent; former undercover Galley-La Company shipwright (alias) |
| Devilfruit | Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Giraffe (Mythical Zoan) |
Kaku
Kaku is a fictional character in the One Piece manga and anime series created by Eiichiro Oda. He appears as a high-ranking covert operative of the government intelligence agency Cipher Pol and plays a central antagonistic role during the Water Seven and Enies Lobby arcs. Kaku's distinctive martial skills, Devil Fruit transformation, and undercover history as a shipwright make him a memorable member of CP9 whose actions significantly impact the Straw Hat Pirates and the World Government's clandestine operations.
Kaku is introduced in Water Seven posing as a trainee shipwright at the Galley-La Company shipyard, working under the alias of a keen, literal craftsman while secretly gathering intelligence for Cipher Pol on the Straw Hats. He is characterized by a tall, angular figure, prominent square-shaped nose, and a reserved demeanor that belies his status as an elite assassination specialist. As an agent of CP9, Kaku is trained in the lethal martial art called Rokushiki, which grants him superhuman techniques used in espionage and combat against pirate and revolutionary threats.
Kaku's official criminal status and bounty are not prominently displayed in the series compared to major pirates; instead, his threat is framed through agency authority. He is primarily affiliated with Cipher Pol and specifically with its covert enforcement unit CP9, which served the World Government and the Celestial Dragons with clandestine arrests and retrievals. After the events of the Enies Lobby incident, the structure of Cipher Pol is reorganized in the narrative, and many CP9 operatives' careers are later referenced as moving into CP0 (Cipher Pol Aigis Zero), indicating ongoing involvement with government intelligence and diplomacy.
Kaku consumes the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Giraffe, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit that allows him to transform into a giraffe or a human-giraffe hybrid. This Devil Fruit grants significant physical alterations: extended reach, neck elongation enabling long-range strikes, and altered body mass used both defensively and offensively. Kaku's primary fighting style combines the Devil Fruit's anatomical advantages with advanced Rokushiki techniques such as Soru (super speed), Geppo (sky-walking), Tekkai (iron body), and his signature move adaptations. He develops a unique swordsmanship approach known as the "Rankyaku" and "Shigan" integrations, using long-range hoof-like and blade strikes augmented by neck-extension maneuvers. During his fight with Roronoa Zoro and other Straw Hat members, Kaku demonstrates tactical versatility, shifting between ranged trample assaults and close-quarters swordplay.
Kaku's major appearances occur during the Water Seven and Enies Lobby arcs, where CP9's mission to obtain the Pluton blueprints and capture Nefertari Vivi's ally Nico Robin directly clashes with the Straw Hat Pirates' rescue efforts. Kaku participates in the covert infiltration of Water Seven, the abduction plot involving Franky and the Galley-La Company, and the consequential battle at Enies Lobby, where he fights key Straw Hats. Post-Enies Lobby, Kaku is seen in the aftermath of the conflict, reflecting the shifting balance between the World Government and pirate factions. He also appears in various supplementary media adaptations, including the One Piece (anime) episodes covering the arcs, several One Piece films tie-ins, and licensed video games where playable or boss versions of the character use his giraffe-powered moveset.
Kaku's personality is pragmatic, sometimes dryly humorous, and marked by professional detachment befitting a covert agent. While undercover at Galley-La Company, he develops working relationships with shipwrights like Iceburg and a superficial camaraderie with apprentices that conceal his true orders. Within CP9, he maintains a collegial but competitive rapport with fellow agents such as Rob Lucci, Kaku (note: same name conflict handled within continuity), Blueno, Jabra, and Fukuro—notably displaying loyalty to the unit's chain of command while occasionally questioning mission ethics. His rivalry with Roronoa Zoro and tactical respect for opponents like Trafalgar D. Water Law and the Straw Hat crew exemplify the complex interplay between duty and personal code among World Government operatives.
Kaku was created by Eiichiro Oda during the planning of the Water Seven saga to personify the hidden threat of governmental espionage within the nautical city setting. Oda's design decisions—such as the elongated nose, giraffe Devil Fruit twist, and formal attire—were intended to contrast with the shipwright milieu and emphasize the character's dual identity. Critical reception has highlighted Kaku's memorable characterization, inventive Devil Fruit usage, and contribution to the CP9 ensemble as an antagonist that deepened the stakes of the Enies Lobby confrontation. Fans and commentators frequently cite his fight choreography and the visual novelty of a giraffe Zoan as standout elements among CP9 operatives.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional government agents