Live action TV
Description
Bentham, more widely known by his code name Bon Clay or Mr. 2 Bon Kurei, is a supporting character from the Alabasta storyline. Standing at an imposing 238 centimeters tall with a swan-themed outfit and theatrical makeup, he is an okama, a term that encompasses his flamboyant and gender-nonconforming identity. His real name is Bentham, and he was born in the East Blue. At the time of the events in Alabasta, he is 30 years old.
Originally introduced as a high-ranking officer agent of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works, Bon Clay holds the position of Mr. 2. He is unique among the officer agents for lacking a female partner, as he considers himself to embody both masculine and feminine roles. His code name is a composite of the male numbering system and the female holiday naming scheme, with Bon Clay referring to the end of the Bon Festival.
Bon Clay possesses an extravagantly friendly and energetic personality. He is genuinely easygoing and prioritizes the concept of friendship above all else, believing it to be the most beautiful principle in the world and central to the okama way of life. Despite his cheerful demeanor, he was fully capable of committing heinous acts in service to his former boss, Crocodile, showing that his loyalty can serve noble or evil ends depending on who he follows. He has a habit of singing, dancing, and finishing his sentences with a feminine speech pattern, often using the catchphrase Jodan janai wa yo, which means it is not a joke.
The motivations of Bon Clay are driven almost entirely by his sense of friendship and debt. Initially acting as an antagonist, his perspective shifts after he befriends the Straw Hat Pirates without knowing they are his employer's enemies. When the truth is revealed, he holds no ill will toward them and accepts his defeat by Sanji with dignity, even begging to be finished off like a man. Sanji spares him, and this act of respect transforms Bon Clay into a devoted friend. His driving force becomes the protection of that friendship, leading him to declare that abandoning his companions goes against the okama way.
In the Battle of Alabasta, Bon Clay plays the role of a major antagonist turned ally. He chases the Straw Hats across the desert, using his powers to impersonate Usopp to trick Vivi. He engages in a fierce and prolonged battle against Sanji in the capital city of Alubarna. Their fight is notable for Bon Clay's use of his Okama Kenpo and his attempt to exploit Sanji's weakness for women by transforming into Nami. After his defeat, his role evolves. When the Marines surround the Straw Hats as they attempt to leave Alabasta, Bon Clay stages a desperate diversion. He and his crew disguise themselves as the Straw Hats, allowing the real crew to escape while he stays behind to be captured.
Key relationships define his character arc. His most significant bond is with Monkey D. Luffy, who affectionately calls him Bon-chan, a sign of deep respect and friendship. Luffy immediately took a liking to Bon Clay's entertaining antics and dancing. He also shares a notable rivalry with Sanji, based on their physical combat during the Alabasta conflict. Despite serving Crocodile, his loyalty to his friends ultimately supersedes his professional obligations to Baroque Works.
Bon Clay experiences a clear development from a villain to a heroic figure. He begins as a dangerous assassin working to destabilize a kingdom but ends the Alabasta arc as a selfless martyr for friendship. He explicitly tells Luffy that he is no longer a member of Baroque Works and wishes only to be a friend. His willingness to sacrifice his freedom so that others might escape establishes the core trait that defines his legacy.
Regarding abilities, Bon Clay is a formidable fighter who relies on a unique martial art known as Okama Kenpo, which blends acrobatic ballet dancing with powerful kicks and punches. He possesses superhuman agility, stamina, and endurance, allowing him to keep pace with high-speed opponents like Sanji and recover from heavy damage. His primary weapons are the two removable swan heads on his shoulders; he attaches them to his shoes to extend his kicking range and add steel beaks that strike with the force of a rifle shot. His most notable power comes from the Mane Mane no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. By touching a person's face with his right hand, he can perfectly copy their appearance, voice, and body. He reverts to his original form by touching his face with his left hand. He uses this ability primarily for infiltration, deception, and espionage. He also has a bounty of 32,000,000 Beli placed on his head by the Marines.
Originally introduced as a high-ranking officer agent of the criminal syndicate Baroque Works, Bon Clay holds the position of Mr. 2. He is unique among the officer agents for lacking a female partner, as he considers himself to embody both masculine and feminine roles. His code name is a composite of the male numbering system and the female holiday naming scheme, with Bon Clay referring to the end of the Bon Festival.
Bon Clay possesses an extravagantly friendly and energetic personality. He is genuinely easygoing and prioritizes the concept of friendship above all else, believing it to be the most beautiful principle in the world and central to the okama way of life. Despite his cheerful demeanor, he was fully capable of committing heinous acts in service to his former boss, Crocodile, showing that his loyalty can serve noble or evil ends depending on who he follows. He has a habit of singing, dancing, and finishing his sentences with a feminine speech pattern, often using the catchphrase Jodan janai wa yo, which means it is not a joke.
The motivations of Bon Clay are driven almost entirely by his sense of friendship and debt. Initially acting as an antagonist, his perspective shifts after he befriends the Straw Hat Pirates without knowing they are his employer's enemies. When the truth is revealed, he holds no ill will toward them and accepts his defeat by Sanji with dignity, even begging to be finished off like a man. Sanji spares him, and this act of respect transforms Bon Clay into a devoted friend. His driving force becomes the protection of that friendship, leading him to declare that abandoning his companions goes against the okama way.
In the Battle of Alabasta, Bon Clay plays the role of a major antagonist turned ally. He chases the Straw Hats across the desert, using his powers to impersonate Usopp to trick Vivi. He engages in a fierce and prolonged battle against Sanji in the capital city of Alubarna. Their fight is notable for Bon Clay's use of his Okama Kenpo and his attempt to exploit Sanji's weakness for women by transforming into Nami. After his defeat, his role evolves. When the Marines surround the Straw Hats as they attempt to leave Alabasta, Bon Clay stages a desperate diversion. He and his crew disguise themselves as the Straw Hats, allowing the real crew to escape while he stays behind to be captured.
Key relationships define his character arc. His most significant bond is with Monkey D. Luffy, who affectionately calls him Bon-chan, a sign of deep respect and friendship. Luffy immediately took a liking to Bon Clay's entertaining antics and dancing. He also shares a notable rivalry with Sanji, based on their physical combat during the Alabasta conflict. Despite serving Crocodile, his loyalty to his friends ultimately supersedes his professional obligations to Baroque Works.
Bon Clay experiences a clear development from a villain to a heroic figure. He begins as a dangerous assassin working to destabilize a kingdom but ends the Alabasta arc as a selfless martyr for friendship. He explicitly tells Luffy that he is no longer a member of Baroque Works and wishes only to be a friend. His willingness to sacrifice his freedom so that others might escape establishes the core trait that defines his legacy.
Regarding abilities, Bon Clay is a formidable fighter who relies on a unique martial art known as Okama Kenpo, which blends acrobatic ballet dancing with powerful kicks and punches. He possesses superhuman agility, stamina, and endurance, allowing him to keep pace with high-speed opponents like Sanji and recover from heavy damage. His primary weapons are the two removable swan heads on his shoulders; he attaches them to his shoes to extend his kicking range and add steel beaks that strike with the force of a rifle shot. His most notable power comes from the Mane Mane no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. By touching a person's face with his right hand, he can perfectly copy their appearance, voice, and body. He reverts to his original form by touching his face with his left hand. He uses this ability primarily for infiltration, deception, and espionage. He also has a bounty of 32,000,000 Beli placed on his head by the Marines.