In a world where islands float in the sky and sea monsters rule the depths, One Piece still manages to surprise us — and nothing surprised fans quite like Zunesha, the massive, world-sized elephant that literally carries a civilisation on its back.
With a presence that feels ancient and almost mythological, Zunesha is one of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring creatures in all of One Piece.
But who is Zunesha? And more importantly, why is it carrying an entire island — Zou — on its back for centuries?
Who Is Zunesha? The Elephant That Walks the Seas
Zunesha is a giant elephant so massive that its legs reach the ocean floor while its back towers above the clouds.
First introduced during the Zou Arc, this living island has been walking the seas for over a thousand years.
Until Luffy and his crew came to Zou along with Momonosuke, people only thought that Zou was just an elephant who didn’t have consciousness, he is roaming the world out of his mind or that it could talk.
🧠 Key Facts About Zunesha:
- Age: Over 1,000 years old
- Size: So huge it can carry the entire civilisation of the Mink Tribe on its back
- Intelligence: Capable of speech via the Voice of All Things (a rare ability possessed by Luffy and Momonosuke)
- Connection to Joy Boy: Implicated in having served or been associated with Joy Boy, a key figure from the Void Century
Despite being silent to most, Zunesha can communicate telepathically with those who possess the ability to hear the “Voice of All Things,” making it a living relic of a forgotten age.
He could be heard by people who had Voice of all things but he only follows the orders of Momonosuke. Currently, we don’t know the reason behind this.
Similar to how sea kings listen only to the commands of princess Shirahoshi, but could still be heard by Luffy and talk with him.
Zunesha’s History: A Punishment Etched in Time
During the Zou Arc, when Jack the Drought attacked the Mink Tribe, Luffy and Momonosuke both heard Zunesha’s voice for the first time. It pleaded to be given permission to fight back, revealing something shocking:
“I have been sentenced to walk for eternity… I cannot act unless commanded.”
This single line opened a door to one of One Piece’s greatest unsolved mysteries.
Zunesha is not simply walking the seas out of habit — it’s serving a punishment given to it over 800 years ago during or shortly after the Void Century.
The details are vague, but the implications are huge.
This will be updated as soon as Oda reveals the reason behind this punishment.
Why Does Zunesha Carry Zou?
Now, let’s address the big question — why is Zunesha carrying Zou on its back for over a millennium?
1. Atonement for a Grave Crime
Zunesha itself confessed it was punished to wander endlessly.
Though the nature of its crime is unknown, it’s safe to assume it committed a serious act, possibly disobedience or betrayal, during the time of Joy Boy and the Ancient Kingdom.
Carrying the island of Zou might not be the punishment itself, but a result of the punishment.
Unable to stop moving, Zunesha simply became a vessel — and the Mink Tribe, sometime in the past, settled upon its back, turning it into their sanctuary.
2. Protection of the Mink Tribe
The Mink Tribe are not an ordinary inhabitant.
They have a deep connection to the Kozuki Clan, and by extension, the Poneglyphs and the Will of D.
It’s possible that Zou and the Minks were placed atop Zunesha to protect them from the World Government, which actively suppresses anything linked to the Void Century.
A constantly moving island atop a mythical creature is, after all, the perfect hiding place — nearly impossible to track, unregistered on maps, and surrounded by natural defence (try climbing an elephant in the middle of the sea).
3. A Role in the Final War
Zunesha returned in Wano, answering the call of Momonosuke.
This confirms it still has an important role to play.
Considering its link to Joy Boy, its punishment may be lifted once Joy Boy — or his successor — fulfils their destiny.
Could Zunesha be carrying Zou to one day reach the final battleground? Is it slowly moving toward Raftel (Laughtale) or some ancient destination?
One theory is that Zunesha is guarding the Mink Tribe until the dawn of the new world — the day Joy Boy returns and the truth of the Void Century is revealed.
Final Thoughts
Zunesha isn’t just a giant elephant.
It’s a living monument of history, a being who walks the ocean not for pleasure but out of repentance.
The fact that it carries Zou is part of a much larger story — one that Oda is slowly unraveling.
As the One Piece story enters its final saga, Zunesha’s role will only grow in importance. Whether it was a loyal servant to Joy Boy or a sinner seeking redemption, one thing is clear:
Zunesha is one of the last living ties to a forgotten world — and Zou, the island it carries, might just hold the key to the future.
