The Franky Family: Water Seven’s Allied Shipwrights

September 1, 2026

The essentials in 30 seconds: The Franky Family is the gang of pirate shipwrights founded and led by Franky before he joined the Straw Hat crew. Based in the sewers of Water Seven, this colorful group makes a living by sabotaging ships and pulling off petty scams, but remains unwaveringly loyal to its captain. Zambai, Mozu, Kiwi, and even Sodom and Gonbe prove to be decisive allies when the Water Seven arc turns into a confrontation with CP9 and the World Government. A look back at this unusual family, too often reduced to mere comic relief.

In the vast gallery of supporting characters in One Piece, the Franky Family holds a special place. Introduced as soon as the Straw Hats arrive in Water Seven, this gang of pirate shipwrights is not merely a crew of extras: it carries within it the entire legacy of Tom, the legendary shipwright, and embodies an essential part of Franky's history before he became the Thousand Sunny's cyborg shipwright.

Often reduced to their comedic role—guys in skimpy outfits who hold curtains in front of their private parts—the Franky Family actually hides a strict code of honor, a well-oiled organization, and a courage that emerges during the darkest moments of the Water Seven arc. This article focuses on the group as a whole, its members, how it operates, and its role in the plot, avoiding the repetition of Franky's individual biography already covered elsewhere.

Who Are the Franky Family? The Origins of an Unusual Gang

The Franky Family is a gang of pirate shipwrights based in Water Seven, the city of water renowned for being home to the world's best shipbuilders. Founded by Franky himself after the tragic destruction of Tom's workshop, the group lives in the city's sewers, away from the eyes of the Marines and the official Galley-La shipyard.

Their main activity? Sabotage. The Franky Family discreetly sinks boats anchored in the harbor to force their owners to come back for repairs... at their place. A scheme that is both cynical and ingenious, allowing them to survive on the fringes of legality while practicing, in their own way, the same trade as the honest shipwrights of Galley-La led by Iceburg.

But beneath this veneer of roguish pirates lies a genuine family. Franky took in each member under different circumstances, often after they had hit rock bottom, and they all share the same keen sense of loyalty. This unbreakable bond will make all the difference when the city of Water Seven goes up in flames.

One Piece 750 ml Franky Cyborg Water Bottle

The Franky Family’s Iconic Members

The Franky Family has around twenty regular members, but a few figures stand out through their personalities and importance to the story. Here are the main faces of this decidedly discreet-free gang of shipwrights.

Zambai, the Right-Hand Man

Recognizable by his extravagant hairstyle and outspoken manner, Zambai is Franky’s unofficial second-in-command. He manages the gang on a daily basis and makes tactical decisions when his captain is absent or incapacitated. Zambai embodies the group’s brawling, boastful spirit while remaining utterly loyal to Franky.

Mozu and Kiwi, the Gang’s Mechanics

The only women regularly highlighted within the Franky Family, Mozu and Kiwi provide valuable technical expertise. Much later in the story, they will help build the Thousand Sunny alongside Franky, proving that their shipwright skills go far beyond simply sabotaging hulls.

Sodom and Gonbe, the Brute Force

This duo of colossi impresses as much with their build as with their unapologetic stupidity. Sodom and Gonbe provide the muscle for the Franky Family, ready to throw down at the slightest signal from their captain. Their blind loyalty drives them to follow Franky into the most perilous situations without ever questioning his choices.

Member	Role in the Gang	Defining Trait
Zambai	Franky’s Second-in-Command	Tactical and Loyal Leader
Mozu	Female Shipwright	Recognized Technical Expertise
Kiwi	Female Shipwright	Mozu’s Unfailing Partner
Sodom	Striking Power	Imposing Build
Gonbe	Striking Power	Unwavering Loyalty

The Sewer Hideout and the Franky Family’s Code of Honor

The Franky Family’s base is located in a vast sewer network beneath the city, converted into a genuine clandestine workshop. It contains carpentry tools, spare parts salvaged from sabotaged hulls, and above all a communal living space where the gang shares meals and stories. Despite its apparently unsanitary setting, it reflects meticulous organization inherited directly from Tom, the master shipwright who trained Franky.

What stands out most is the code of honor the crew imposes on itself despite its illegal activities. The Franky Family never preys on the weak, targets only ships belonging to owners capable of paying for repairs, and consistently refuses to cooperate with the World Government, regardless of the pressure. A principle that will take on its full meaning when CP9 arrives in Water Seven.

Lego One Piece Thousand Sunny Ship XXL Model

A Loyalty Inherited from Tom: The Connection with Franky and Iceburg

To understand the Franky Family, we must go back to the story of Tom's Workers, the legendary workshop run by Tom, where Franky and Iceburg grew up as apprentice shipwrights. After the tragedy that claimed Tom's life, Franky broke with the legitimate shipbuilding world and founded his own crew, while Iceburg took over Galley-La as the city's mayor—a story he also helped write for Water Seven.

This shared past explains why the Franky Family and Galley-La, apparently rivals, actually share a deep mutual respect. Both groups are heirs to the same master, and when the danger becomes real, their superficial rivalry immediately gives way to complete solidarity. That is the whole point of the Water Seven arc, where legitimate shipwrights and sewer pirates unite against a threat far greater than themselves.

The Franky Family Against CP9: Their Decisive Role at Enies Lobby

When the World Government sends its CP9 agents, led by the fearsome Rob Lucci, to infiltrate Water Seven and recover the precious blueprints for Pluton kept by Iceburg, the entire city descends into chaos. The Franky Family, initially mere spectators to the tensions between the Straw Hats and Galley-La, quickly chooses a side: Franky and his new pirate allies.

Zambai and his crew take considerable risks to help Luffy and his crew escape the Marines, provide crucial information about the city's topography, and do not hesitate to confront CP9 agents directly, despite their being far more powerful. Their selflessness comes at a heavy price: several members of the Franky Family are seriously injured during the assault, but none of them backs down.

The culmination of their commitment comes when Franky, injured and weakened after his fight against Rob Lucci, needs to be rescued. The Franky Family organizes the logistics needed to get him to safety, demonstrating that behind the childish jokes and ship sabotage lies an absolute devotion to their captain, ready to follow the Straw Hats to Enies Lobby if necessary.

What happens to the Franky Family after Franky's departure?

Once Franky leaves with the Straw Hats to experience the adventure of the Grand Line aboard the Thousand Sunny — the ship he designed himself with Mozu and Kiwi's help — the Franky Family remains in Water Seven. Zambai naturally takes the lead, perpetuating the legacy of sabotage and solidarity that has characterized the group from the beginning.

The gang continues to maintain close ties with Galley-La and the city's mayor's office. Far from being forgotten by the story, several members make occasional reappearances, reminding us that this family of pirate shipwrights remains true to its values even after the great departure of its iconic founder.

This journey perfectly illustrates one of the central themes of One Piece: family is never limited to blood ties. Whether it is the Straw Hats themselves or secondary gangs such as the Franky Family, each group forges its own notion of loyalty, often far stronger than any official bond. Fans of reenactment can also equip themselves with a Roronoa Zoro katana set, the swordsman who also distinguished himself during the assault on Water Seven, or go for a collector's Roronoa Zoro Triple Sabres TCG card.

Frequently asked questions about the Franky Family

Does the Franky Family have Devil Fruits?

No known member of the Franky Family has consumed a Devil Fruit. Their strength lies in their numbers, cohesion, and mastery of close-quarters combat, not in supernatural powers.

Why does the Franky Family sabotage ships?

It is their main means of livelihood: by discreetly sinking moored boats, they force their owners to come back for repairs, thereby generating regular income for the gang based in the sewers.

How many members are in the Franky Family?

The group has around twenty regular members, although only a few, such as Zambai, Mozu, Kiwi, Sodom, and Gonbe, are highlighted individually in the story.

Is the Franky Family connected to Tom's Workers?

Yes, indirectly. Franky, the group's founder, was trained by Tom alongside Iceburg. The Franky Family therefore inherits many values and methods from this legendary Water Seven workshop.

What happens to the Franky Family when Franky joins the Straw Hats?

The group remains in Water Seven under Zambai's leadership, continuing its activities while maintaining close ties with Galley-La and the city, now free from the World Government's influence.

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Key takeaways

The Franky Family is not merely a recurring gag in the Water Seven arc: it is a true family of pirate shipwrights, the direct heirs to Tom's teachings, driven by a demanding code of honor and unwavering loyalty to Franky. From their hideout in the sewers to their decisive involvement against CP9, Zambai, Mozu, Kiwi, Sodom, and Gonbe remind us that the strongest bonds in One Piece are often forged far from major battles, in the shadows of shipyards. To continue exploring the world of Water Seven, head to our selection of One Piece figures, our range of boats and ship models, our collection of katanas and swords, our official trading cards, or our One Piece gift ideas for all pirate shipwright fans. You can also discover our entire world in the One Piece Products collection and the Luffy Gear 5 Nika figure, a nod to the captain who earned the trust of this one-of-a-kind family.

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