Kaku

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Kaku

Anime Post-Timeskip Anime Pre-Timeskip Manga Post-Timeskip Manga Pre-Timeskip Anime Post-Timeskip

Statistics

• Japanese Name: カク
• Romanized Name: Kaku
• Official English Name: Kaku
• Debut: Chapter 323; Episode 230[1]
• Affiliations: CP0;[2] CP9 (former);[3] Galley-La Company (former)[4]
• Occupations: Cipher Pol Agent;[5] Shipwright[1][6] (cover)[5]
• Origin: East Blue[7]
• Residence: Guanhao (former)[7]
• Epithet: "Mountain Wind" (山風, Yamakaze?)[8]
• Status: Alive
• Age: 23 (debut)[9]; 25 (post-timeskip)[7]
• Birthday: August 7th[10]
• Height: 193 cm (6'4")[7]
• Blood Type: X[7]
• Doriki: 2200[11]
• CP9 Key: 5

Portrayal

• Japanese Voice: Ryōtarō Okiayu
• English Voice (Funimation): Alex Organ; Jerry Jewell (Unlimited Adventure)

Devil Fruit

• Japanese Name: Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe
• English Name: Ox-Ox Fruit, Giraffe Model
• Type: Zoan
• Meaning: Giraffe

Biography

Kaku is a masked agent of CP0, having previously worked as an assassin for CP9. He was undercover to acquire the Pluton blueprints from Iceburg, posing as one of the five foremen at the Galley-La Company, specializing in ship mechanics and diagnostics. As a prominent antagonist during the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs, Kaku’s journey evolved further as he played a role in the Egghead Arc. Throughout these arcs, Kaku transforms from a cold and dispassionate agent to a reluctant, temporary ally of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Contents

1. Appearance
2. Personality
3. Abilities and Powers
   • 3.1 Physical Abilities
   • 3.2 Tactical Skills
   • 3.3 Carpentry
   • 3.4 Rokushiki
   • 3.5 Swordsmanship
   • 3.6 Devil Fruit
   • 3.7 Awakening
   • 3.8 Haki
   • 3.9 Weapons
4. History
5. Major Battles
6. Early Concepts
7. Translation and Dub Issues
8. Merchandise
   • 8.1 Video Games
   • 8.2 Playable Appearances
9. Trivia
10. References
11. External Links

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Appearance

Kaku’s appearance is notable for his distinct long nose, a characteristic that often causes confusion, as he shares a similar nose shape with Usopp, though his is rectangular. His eyes are large and black, adorned with three eyelashes on the top. His early attire while undercover as a shipwright at the Galley-La Company included a white cap, an orange shirt with blue sleeves, jeans, and white sneakers. Later, as a member of CP9, Kaku wore a black suit with an orange handkerchief and a black shirt.

When Kaku ascended to CP0, his look evolved to an all-white suit, complete with a top hat and yellow tie. He is also sometimes seen wearing a tribal mask with a long beard, further maintaining the mystery surrounding his identity. As a child, Kaku was depicted with fluffy hair and a smaller, though still long, nose.

Personality

Kaku stands out among his fellow Cipher Pol agents as the most "normal" in demeanor. While in casual settings, he is amiable and approachable, in his role as a CP9 agent, his behavior is often cold and professional. Despite his role as an antagonist, Kaku is not driven by personal vendettas but by the fulfillment of his duties. His personality also features moments of unexpected humor, such as when he openly admits his fascination with space monsters on Egghead Island.

One of Kaku’s notable qualities is his ability to embrace his defeat with good sportsmanship, notably laughing at Zoro’s comment about him working in a zoo. He doesn't hold grudges, unlike his fellow agents, such as Lucci, and has shown moments of regret about the paths his life has taken, especially during his time undercover in Water 7.

Kaku is also an honest individual, even toward his enemies, displaying little disdain but instead treating his battles as part of his job. He is also a strategic thinker, able to adapt on the fly, such as when he used his giraffe hybrid form in unexpected ways during his confrontations. His sense of wonder and curiosity manifests in his excitement to explore new and futuristic concepts, though he remains grounded in his professional nature.

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Abilities and Powers

Kaku possesses a wide array of physical, tactical, and specialized skills, honed through years of training and espionage. As a CP0 agent, he is one of the most formidable fighters and strategists.

Physical Abilities

Kaku's training in Rokushiki and his Zoan Devil Fruit transformation has granted him exceptional physical prowess. He is an expert in both speed and agility, with the ability to leap great distances without injury. His "Mountain Wind" epithet references his incredible leg strength, which allows him to make incredible jumps. He is also capable of using the strength of his giraffe hybrid form to deliver devastating physical blows.

Tactical Skills

Kaku's combat creativity is one of his defining traits. Even though he had no prior experience with his Devil Fruit, Kaku was able to fend off Roronoa Zoro by improvising techniques, using his giraffe neck and nose in creative ways. His tactical brilliance also extends beyond combat, as he was able to infiltrate the Galley-La Company and become one of their top shipwrights, secretly keeping an eye on Iceburg.

Carpentry

Kaku's skills as a shipwright were honed during his undercover mission in Water 7. He evaluated the status of ships, including the Going Merry, and demonstrated remarkable knowledge of carpentry, despite spending only five years learning the craft.

Rokushiki

Kaku is a master of all six forms of Rokushiki, though he specializes in Rankyaku. His Rankyaku abilities are greatly enhanced by his Zoan form, allowing him to slice through steel and even large structures like the Tower of Justice. He has also mastered techniques like Tekkai and Shigan, which serve him well in battle.

Swordsmanship

Kaku is the strongest swordsman of CP9, wielding chisels as makeshift swords during his battle against Zoro. He utilizes a unique style known as the Four Sword Style, employing two shirasaya swords and both legs in battle. This unorthodox style allows Kaku to fight at high speeds and overwhelm opponents with lightning-fast movements.

Devil Fruit: Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe

Kaku’s Zoan-type Devil Fruit grants him the ability to transform into a giraffe-human hybrid or a full giraffe. His hybrid form greatly enhances his strength, durability, and reach, particularly his long neck, which gives him a strategic advantage in combat. After acquiring this power, he struggled to control it at first, but soon adapted to using it effectively.

Awakening

Kaku has achieved the Awakening of his Zoan Devil Fruit, further enhancing his hybrid form. His awakened state significantly boosts his physical capabilities, recovery, and the power of his attacks. His neck elongates even further, adding an unpredictable element to his battle tactics. Unlike many awakened Zoan users, Kaku retains his personality and doesn’t become consumed by his animalistic traits.

Haki

Kaku possesses both Armament and Observation Haki, allowing him to enhance his defensive and offensive capabilities. His mastery of these abilities is evident when he uses them in battle against powerful opponents, such as Zoro, after the timeskip.

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Weapons

During his time as a shipwright, Kaku utilized pavers and chisels as makeshift weapons. However, upon revealing himself as a member of CP9, he began wielding two shirasaya blades in his Four Sword Style. After his promotion to CP0, Kaku seems to have abandoned his sword-wielding techniques in favor of more subtle weaponry, although his skills with a sword remain a hallmark of his fighting style.

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Kaku is a member of the secret organization CP9, initially posing as a shipwright in Water 7. His mission was to retrieve the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton from Iceburg, the mayor of Water 7. Kaku gained a reputation in the city and joined the Galley-La Company. During the Water 7 saga, he evaluated the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, the Going Merry, confirming it was beyond repair. Later, Kaku's true identity as a CP9 agent was revealed, and he played a key role in capturing Franky and the Pluton blueprints, setting Iceburg's mansion on fire to cover their tracks.

During the Enies Lobby arc, Kaku fought Zoro and was eventually defeated by Zoro's new technique, Asura. He was later fired from CP9 and expressed regret about no longer being a shipwright. After the events at Enies Lobby, Kaku and the other CP9 agents survived and spent time raising money in St. Poplar. They eventually defeated the Marine troops and began planning to eliminate their former director, Spandam.

In the Dressrosa and Whole Cake Island sagas, Kaku continued working with CP0, a more elite branch of the organization. He was involved in protecting the World Nobles and suppressing uprisings, including intervening during the Levely to protect Celestial Dragons.

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Wano Country Saga: Kaku, along with Lucci and Stussy, joined a World Government mission in case Kaido fell in Wano. They were involved in covert activities but were not key players in the arc's main events.

Egghead Arc: Kaku, Lucci, and Stussy were sent to Egghead Island to eliminate Vegapunk and his satellites, including the Seraphim. Upon arrival, Kaku showed excitement about fighting, but soon realized they were up against powerful foes, including Luffy and his crew. After some back-and-forth, including confrontations with Seraphim and Vegapunk’s defense systems, Kaku fought Zoro but was defeated. Later, Kaku and Lucci were temporarily captured, but they formed a reluctant alliance with the Straw Hats to fight the Seraphim, specifically S-Hawk and S-Bear. Despite initial mistrust, they teamed up to eliminate threats while still maintaining their mission to eliminate Vegapunk.

In summary, Kaku's role in the Egghead Arc is part of CP0's mission to take down Vegapunk, but he frequently faces setbacks, including being defeated by Zoro and dealing with internal conflicts within CP0.

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Summary:

During their fight against the Seraphim, Kaku and his group struggled to defeat them due to their enhanced resistance, similar to King’s Lunarian traits. Zoro figured out they needed to wait for the flames on the Seraphim's backs to go out to land an attack. Kaku, along with Zoro, chased after S-Hawk, though he was annoyed at being mistaken for Usopp. After the Seraphim were contained, Kaku recovered from his injuries, and the group learned about the World Government's plans through York, who was held hostage.

Later, Kaku was trapped in a seastone bubble by Sanji. He overheard Stussy's conversations with the Straw Hats and mocked her for being abandoned after betraying him. When Stussy freed him, Kaku refused her offer of friendship, warning her of Lucci's anger over her betrayal. Eventually, Kaku and Lucci returned to their ship, where Lucci revealed he had killed Stussy.

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Enhanced Trivia:

• Zoro’s "You're Fired" Pun: Zoro's message to Kaku, "You're fired," cleverly references Kaku’s giraffe theme. The Japanese word kubi (首?), meaning "fired," also translates to "neck," a nod to Kaku's long, giraffe-like neck.

• Kaku’s Name Meaning: The character Kaku’s name (角) translates to "angle," symbolizing his angular, rectangular nose and body shape when he activates his Devil Fruit powers.

• Pinocchio and Italian Influence: Kaku's long nose, reminiscent of Usopp's, is a possible homage to Pinocchio, a famous Italian fairy tale character, fitting with the Italian influences in Water 7 and CP9's design.

• Popularity Ranking: Kaku placed 70th in the sixth Japanese popularity poll, showcasing his fan following.

• Key Connection: Kaku is the one who possesses the key that unlocks Robin's handcuffs, linking him to a pivotal moment in the series.

• Non-Canon Cameo in Dressrosa: When CP0 returns to Dressrosa, a character with Kaku's distinctive speech pattern is seen talking to Rob Lucci. In the anime, this agent is identified as Kaku, although this is non-canon. During the Levely Arc, it was officially revealed that Kaku was part of CP0.

• Favorite Foods: Kaku enjoys bananas and castella, adding some flavor to his character’s preferences.

• Irony of Disguise: Despite his long nose, Kaku once wore a skull mask (which lacks a nose), offering an ironic twist on his distinctive feature.

• Devil Fruit Awakening: Kaku holds the record for the fastest Devil Fruit awakening, having unlocked his powers sometime between the Enies Lobby and Egghead arcs.

SBS Trivia:

• Birthday Significance: Kaku’s birthday, August 7, corresponds to the word Hana (鼻?), meaning "nose," as the numbers 8-7 can be read as ha-na, a playful reference to his long, rectangular nose.

• Usopp vs. Kaku: Usopp’s nose is slightly longer than Kaku’s, further emphasizing the exaggerated noses of these two characters.

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Psychological and Physiological Analysis of Kaku

Psychological Profile:

Kaku's character is complex, shaped by his time as an agent of CP9 and later as a member of CP0. While he is typically portrayed as calm, methodical, and sometimes even comical, his psychology reflects deeper layers influenced by his upbringing, experiences, and the role he plays within the World Government’s covert operations.

1. A Strong Sense of Duty:

   • Kaku has a deep commitment to his role as a government agent. He views his assignments as missions to be completed efficiently, without allowing personal feelings to interfere. This sense of duty, instilled during his training, makes him highly disciplined and resilient under pressure.
   • This dedication can sometimes come off as cold or detached, especially when dealing with ethical dilemmas or the suffering of others. His role in the destruction of the Lulusia Kingdom and his unwavering loyalty to the World Government exemplify his internal conflict between personal morals and professional duty.

2. Cognitive Dissonance and Identity Conflict:

   • Throughout his appearances, Kaku shows signs of cognitive dissonance, where his actions and values sometimes conflict. As part of CP9 and later CP0, he often faces morally ambiguous situations, such as executing innocent civilians or engaging in ruthless battles. Despite this, Kaku tends to compartmentalize these actions, rationalizing them as being for the greater good or part of the job.
   • His transition from CP9 (a group that primarily enforces the World Government’s will) to CP0 (a more secretive and elite force) suggests an evolution in Kaku's perception of power and responsibility. However, his occasional moments of doubt, like his reaction to Stussy's betrayal or his complaints about being controlled, hint at an underlying psychological tension between his desire to maintain loyalty and his growing internal conflict.

3. Social Relationships:

   • Kaku's relationships with his colleagues are significant, especially with Rob Lucci. While the two share a professional bond, Kaku's more casual attitude contrasts with Lucci’s ruthlessness. Kaku’s occasional sarcasm and humor serve as a coping mechanism, allowing him to deal with the high-pressure, often grim nature of his work.
   • His interaction with Stussy further highlights Kaku's reluctance to trust others. Though he initially seems to respect her as an ally, his cynicism grows when he recognizes her betrayal. This, in turn, suggests that Kaku may struggle with trusting others on a deeper emotional level, as betrayal directly challenges his internal values of loyalty and duty.

4. Coping Mechanisms:

   • Kaku exhibits several psychological coping strategies, including humor, sarcasm, and rationalization. These mechanisms allow him to remain emotionally detached from the chaos surrounding him, such as the violence he participates in or the betrayals he experiences. However, these traits also suggest a level of emotional repression, as Kaku rarely shows vulnerability or openly discusses his inner conflicts.

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Physiological Profile:

Kaku's physical form and abilities are highly influenced by his Devil Fruit powers and his training as an elite government agent. His physiology reflects the adaptability and strength required for his position, as well as the inherent advantages his Devil Fruit gives him in combat.

1. Giraffe Devil Fruit (Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe):

   • Kaku's most distinguishing feature is his Devil Fruit ability, which allows him to transform into a giraffe. This gives him a unique blend of human intelligence and animalistic traits, providing both agility and an enhanced physical form.
   • Physical Advantages: In his giraffe form, Kaku can extend his neck to great lengths, which makes him highly effective in combat, as he can reach opponents from a distance. His long neck also gives him a superior vantage point and the ability to quickly strike or evade attacks.
   • Strength and Durability: Kaku’s Devil Fruit enhances his strength, as he can utilize his long limbs for powerful attacks like Rankyaku (air-slashing kicks). His body is also more durable than a regular human’s, able to withstand significant physical punishment without immediately succumbing to injury.
   • Awakened Powers: Kaku is one of the few characters in One Piece to show the ability to awaken his Devil Fruit powers, which means his physical abilities have been further enhanced beyond typical limits. His awakening likely increases his strength, speed, and regenerative capabilities, allowing him to recover from injuries more quickly and to put up a more formidable fight against opponents.

2. Combat Skills:

   • Kaku is highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, having been trained in the Rokushiki martial arts. His abilities in techniques like Geppo (Moonwalk), Soru (Shave), and Rankyaku (Tempest Kick) make him an agile and versatile fighter, capable of both ranged and close-quarters combat.
   • His Devil Fruit ability complements his training, making him a highly unpredictable and dangerous opponent in battle. Kaku’s long-range attacks combined with his agility allow him to take on multiple enemies at once, though his reliance on these powers shows how deeply integrated they are in his fighting style.

3. Endurance and Resilience:

   • Kaku's endurance is notable, having fought through various battles without significant signs of physical deterioration. His high pain threshold and recovery abilities make him a resilient character, able to continue fighting even when heavily injured, as seen during his confrontations with the Seraphim in the Egghead Arc.
   • However, while Kaku can withstand physical damage, his emotional and psychological resilience may not be as robust, as evidenced by moments of frustration and doubt regarding his superiors and the actions he must take.

4. Aesthetic and Symbolic Physiology:

   • Kaku's long, rectangular nose is a unique feature, both physiologically and symbolically. It highlights his status as an unconventional character in the One Piece world, where exaggerated physical traits often carry deeper meaning. His nose can be seen as a symbol of his analytical, detached nature, giving him a more "mechanical" appearance compared to more emotional characters.
   • His body is also quite lean and agile, a reflection of his role as an elite agent and his need for quick reflexes in combat. This physique also makes him appear more predatory, echoing his role in the World Government’s covert operations.

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Simplified Theories on Kaku's Inner Thoughts and Feelings

1. Conflicted Loyalty vs. Morality: Kaku is loyal to the World Government but may question the morality of his missions. He often ignores his doubts, focusing on duty, but moments like the destruction of Lulusia hint at inner conflict.

Inner Thoughts: "I can’t question orders. But sometimes I wonder if this is the right thing to do..."

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2. Desire for Recognition: Kaku may crave recognition, feeling overlooked compared to stronger figures like Lucci and Stussy. His role in CP9/CP0 is important, but he may feel like he’s not truly valued.

Inner Thoughts: "Why does Lucci always get praised? Maybe I'm not cut out to be the best..."

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3. Resentment Toward the System: Kaku may secretly resent the rigid structure of the World Government. He feels like a cog in a machine, following orders without questioning them, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys it.

Inner Thoughts: "I’ve spent years doing this, but what do I really have to show for it? I feel like a tool for the system."

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4. Trust Issues: Kaku has trouble trusting others, especially after Stussy’s betrayal. His cold demeanor may come from a fear that anyone he gets close to will eventually turn on him.

Inner Thoughts: "I can’t trust anyone. Even Lucci could betray me. We're all just playing a game."

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5. Fear of Failure: Kaku is afraid of being seen as weak. He fears that if he doesn’t measure up to people like Lucci, he’ll be discarded, which creates a lot of pressure for him to prove himself.

Inner Thoughts: "If I fail, I’m nothing. Lucci is strong. Am I strong enough?"

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6. Longing for Freedom: Though loyal to the World Government, Kaku may secretly want to break free from the constraints of his role. The constant orders and lack of personal freedom could weigh on him.

Inner Thoughts: "Sometimes I just want to leave this all behind. But once you're in this life, there's no way out."

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