| Kawamatsu | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kawamatsu |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | "Act 1" (manga chapter appearances: chapter 909 / anime episode debut) |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Species | Human / Wano native |
| Occupation | Retainer of the Scabbards / samurai |
| Affiliations | Kozuki Oden's retainers; allied with the Straw Hat Pirates and Wano Alliance |
| Nationality | Wano Country |
Kawamatsu
Kawamatsu is a fictional samurai character in the manga and anime series One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. Introduced as a member of the Nine Red Scabbards, he plays a pivotal role in the Wano Country arc by aiding the revolt against Kaidō and the Beasts Pirates. His backstory, combat style, and symbolic importance connect him to central figures such as Kozuki Oden, Trafalgar Law, and the Straw Hat Pirates.
Kawamatsu is presented as an accomplished samurai and one of the loyal retainers who served Kozuki Oden of Kuri. He is notable for his distinctive appearance and revealed history as a former marine-turned-revolutionary figure within Wano. Kawamatsu's identity and actions are interwoven with the themes of honor, loyalty, and resistance central to the Wano storyline, reflecting Oda's recurring motifs of inherited will and rebellion against tyrannical powers such as the World Government and its allies like Big Mom and Kaidō.
During the Wano Arc, Kawamatsu operates both covertly and overtly to support the plan to depose Kaidō and restore the Kozuki clan to power. He participates in strategic operations with the Nine Red Scabbards and coordinates with external allies including the Straw Hat Pirates, Minks, Heart Pirates, and rebel factions of Wano. Kawamatsu is central to several infiltration and diversion missions within Onigashima and contributes to the multi-front assault against the Beasts Pirates and Calamities during the raid. His actions are frequently depicted alongside major set pieces involving Luffy, Zoro, and Kin'emon.
Kawamatsu's combat style blends classical samurai swordsmanship with unorthodox techniques derived from his personal history. He demonstrates high endurance, agility, and tactical acumen suited to both one-on-one duels and large-scale combat. Kawamatsu is capable of withstanding severe injuries and continuing to fight, a trait shared with other veteran samurai like Kiku and Kin'emon. While not a Devil Fruit user, Kawamatsu's prowess is comparable to other prominent retainers such as Raizō and the transformed fighters among the Nine Red Scabbards. He has also displayed skills useful for espionage and intelligence-gathering within hostile domains like Udon and Flower Capital.
Kawamatsu's primary loyalty is to Kozuki Oden and the ideals of the Kozuki clan. He shares deep bonds with fellow Scabbards including Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Denjiro, Ashura Doji, and others. These relationships are tested by betrayals and sacrifices that shape the Wano rebellion. Kawamatsu cooperates with visiting allies such as the Straw Hat Pirates, specifically Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji, and with allied captains like Trafalgar D. Water Law and Eustass Kid when broader strategies require coordination. His interactions also touch on political entities like the shogunate (notably Kurozumi Orochi) and criminal powers such as the Beasts Pirates.
Kawamatsu's backstory—his role during Oden's voyages and his activities in the aftermath of Oden's death—provides context for several revelations about Wano's suppressed history and the Road Poneglyphs. He plays a tactical part in the coup against Orochi and the liberation of prisoners held in places like Udon Prison. Kawamatsu's sacrifices and actions contribute to the eventual downfall of Kaidō's regime and influence character arcs for major protagonists, particularly Luffy's development as an eventual contender against the Yonko. Moreover, Kawamatsu's presence helps to unveil connections between Wano's past and the wider Great Pirate Era, including implications for the Will of D and the legacy left by Oden's decisions to sail with figures like Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger.
Kawamatsu appears across manga chapters covering Wano and the corresponding episodes of the anime adaptation. He is included in official character guides, databooks, and promotional materials produced by Shueisha and Toei Animation. Kawamatsu has been featured in licensed merchandise such as figurines, trading cards, and apparel distributed by companies collaborating with the One Piece franchise. He also appears in video game adaptations like entries from the One Piece game series and crossover titles, where his moveset and role mirror his depiction in the source material.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional samurai