Funkfreed is Spandam's sword, a unique weapon that "ate" the Zou Zou no Mi and became an Elephant Sword (象剣,Zōken?).[1] As such, he also serves as a pet and unofficial bodyguard for Spandam, compensating his master's physical slightness.[3]
Untransformed, Funkfreed appears as a large and intimidating cutlass-esque sword, typically slung over-the-shoulder by Spandam. Only a few vestiges of his animal form are visible, most notably a pair of tusks set into the guard, and a tail-shaped tassel extending from the pommel.
Fully transformed, he appears as a gentle, friendly-looking elephant, about one or two heads taller than Spandam. Much of his upper body is covered by an elaborate leather harness vaguely resembling a jhul cloth (with headgear somewhat similar to Spandam's mask). His hide is an ordinary stone-gray (white in the anime).
In his hybrid form, his head and upper torso (notably smaller than those of his full-beast form) extend from the hilt in a serpent-like manner, with the blade melding into his trunk.
Funkfreed is a peaceable, devoted animal, effectively Spandam's closest (if not only) friend. As such, he tends to be physically affectionate in peacetime, and obedient during battle; however, he is not a particularly brave combatant, and will easily surrender if placed in direct danger.[4]
As a sword empowered by the Zou Zou no Mi, Funkfreed carries all the standard abilities of Zoan-type Devil Fruit, and can transform between an elephant-sword hybrid and a full elephant at Spandam's command.[1] This grants him the size and strength of an elephant, the sharpness and durability of a steel blade, and a sentient mind able to strategize between the two; his hybrid form is particularly flexible, and well-trained enough to ram opponents in tight spaces without any fatal damage.
However, given that Spandam has virtually no ability as a swordsman, most of Funkfreed's asset lies in catching others by surprise. His capacities for open battle amount to little, his temperament even less.
After the Water 7 team returned, Funkfreed passively witnessed the detained Nico Robin and Franky[6], a Golden Den Den Mushi being flaunted by Spandam[7], and even the Straw Hat Pirates' initial storming of Enies Lobby. He was not called on to act until the Straw Hats breached the Tower of Justice; panicked by their success, Spandam immediately began forcing Robin to a Marine Headquarters convoy on the island's far coast, bringing Funkfreed (reverted to sword form) and Lucci as guards.[8]
Once Lucci separated to head off Monkey D. Luffy's pursuit, Spandam was forced to use Funkfreed alone to stop Robin's escape attempts.[9] While initially successful, Funkfreed faltered when Franky caught up to them on the Bridge of Hesitation; outmatched by the cyborg's strength and threatened with a point-blank Weapons Left, he quickly surrendered and retreated to his full-elephant form, whereupon Franky grabbed him by the trunk and tossed him atop Spandam.[4]
The following events are Non-Canon and therefore not considered part of the Canon story.
Four Emperors Saga[]
One Piece Film: Gold[]
Spandam appears to have kept Funkfreed (or a superficially similar sword) after his transfer to CP0. During his attack on Gran Tesoro, he attempted to use the sword to execute a Seastone-chained Luffy, only to be intercepted by Ricca.[10]
Concludes non-canon section.
Anime and Manga Differences[]
The anime initially depicted Funkfreed with a white hide (possibly as a deliberate reference to the "white" elephants revered in various South Asian cultures)—a fact later contradicted by Volume 42's cover, which colored him a more conventional gray.[11] Much later, the Episode of Merry special redesigned him to match the manga's color scheme.[12]
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 40Chapter 379 (p. 10) and Episode 266, Spandam talks about the "special sword" he possesses that makes up for his lack of physical strength.
↑ 4.04.1One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 44Chapter 423 (p. 7-11) and Episode 306, Funkfreed is unleashed on Robin, only for Franky to hold back his charge, threaten him into surrender, and use him as a club against his own master.
