Tony Tony Chopper
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Tony Tony Chopper is a fictional character in the anime and manga series One Piece. He is the Straw Hat crew doctor, although he is a reindeer. He ate the Hito Hito no Mi (Human Human fruit), which gave him the ability to change into a human, think like a human, and talk. Chopper is very naïve, believing all of Usopp's lies, as unrealistic as they may be.
Personality and Relationships
Chopper is a bit naive and is missing a bit of toughness and often acts like a child, but an upright friend and companion who will try anything to overcome a task given by his team. He also still is in distrust to entire mankind for his youth and will often outright insult a human who complemented him while obviously being happy about it (he starts to smile and also dances a little). Chopper also shows a certain interest in books, but mostly medicine related ones.
Chopper is more or less on a journey to define himself, seeing almost anybody of his team as a role model and sometimes will just imitate their behavior. In the group, Chopper often fools around with Usopp and Luffy for the laughs and is also a thankful listener to Usopps lies, mostly he realy believes in, at least for a short time. Robin calls him "Doctor-San" which makes him dance in joy. Sanji originally wanted to cook chopper and continues to refer to him as "the emergency food supply" to tease him, but considers him a friend. Chopper originally wasn't hired to be the ships doctor by Luffy, but just for being a "cool reindeer that can transform".
When Chopper recognizes someone needs medical attention he often will start to run around screaming for a doctor, just to realize that he is one. Another one of Chopper's habits is his reverse cartoon peek where he's standing behind a wall or doorway and peeks at people, trying not to be seen by them. Unfortunately he's not hiding his body behind the wall, as a result his body is visible and only one half of his face is hidden.
Chopper's dream is to expand his horizons and become a doctor that can cure any disease, thus he joins Luffy to travel the world.
History
The lone freak of nature
Chopper was originally a reindeer with the slight oddity of a blue nose, which caused other reindeer to treat him as an outcast (always making him follow the herd from far back). However, when the young reindeer ate the Hito Hito no Mi (Human Human Fruit in the English version), he was even more ostracized from his herd (and with the increase in intelligence granted by the fruit, now acutely aware of it) and struck out on his own. Unfortunately for Chopper, his attempts at communicating with the humans on Drum Island proved disastrous, and he was shot by villagers who mistook him for The Abominable Snowman. Luckily, though, he was rescued by the quack Dr. Hiriluk (Hiruluk in the Japanese version), who named him and took him in as his friend and 'assistant.' Although his deeds were of dubious medical value, Dr. Hiriluk became Chopper's role-model. Hiriluk taught Chopper his philosophy on life (that sakura, or cherry blossoms could heal a person), his strong faith in the Jolly Roger as a symbol of strength against all odds, and his belief in a panacea that would one day cure all illness. The two went from house to house, administering their "cures" in a country where all doctors not sanctioned by King Wapol were banned.
When Hiriluk's health took a turn for the worse, however, Chopper found himself left out in the cold once again as the old man (apparently) didn't want Chopper to watch him die. But once Chopper found out what was going on, he was determined that he would find something to cure his mentor and only friend. He soon found what he was looking for: a special kind of mushroom with a skull-and-crossbones prominently displayed, unaware of what that sign really meant due to Hiriluk's praising of pirates. Remembering what he overheard by some villagers that certain special type of mushroom can heal every illness, Chopper steals Hiriluk's favorite medical book to find the miracle mushroom. Chopper's arduous journey was a success, although he risked his life and suffered many injuries, such as a broken left horn.
Hiriluk overwhelmed with tears of gratitude, ate the mushroom to show his love and appreciation to Chopper, but Chopper would later find out from Dr. Kureha that he had given Dr. Hiriluk a fatal dose of poison. But Hiriluk was not to live much longer, anyway. Declaring that he had had a wonderful life, he committed suicide by blowing himself up outside of Drum Castle (before being killed by the poison, for Chopper's sake), where he wanted to heal the sick before he died. As per Hiriluk's last wish, Dr. Kureha (the last remaining doctor not owned by the Government) took Chopper in and taught him 'real' medicine for the next 6 years. Chopper worked as hard as he could, in order to one day create the panacea that he longed to have saved Dr. Hiriluk with.
Arrival of the Straw Hats
However, Chopper's isolated life in Drum Castle (which he and Dr. Kureha annexed after the King fled) would one day come to an end with the arrival of Monkey D. Luffy and his Pirate crew. Chopper, naturally distrustful of humans, was not pleased (nor was this helped by Luffy and Sanji's shared desire to cook and eat him). But when Chopper showed both his medical powers and his skills in battle against the returned forces of King Wapol, Luffy offered (forced) him the (as-yet unfilled) position of Ship's Doctor in his crew. While Chopper was at first unwilling to leave, he remembered Dr. Hiruluk wishing Chopper to sail around and seeing the world on his own and with his desire to broaden his medical horizons, he decides to join Luffy and his crew. Fleeing the castle with the Straw Hat Pirates, Chopper was given a send-off of gigantic proportions: Kureha had turned the snow into Sakura blossums, the very same that Hiruluk had researched over 30 years that would one day, cure the people of Drum of their "sickness of the heart," passed to Dr. Kureha as one of his last request before death. Overcome with tears, Chopper bade a fond farewell to his birthplace and mentors, setting out to sea for the first time in his life.
Life As a Straw Hat pirate
Chopper was originally abandoned by his family for being different, and being with humans was the same. Chopper's first friends (other than the people who raised him) were the Straw Hats, which opened him up to the world.
Aboard the Merry Go, Chopper was quickly thrust into battle against the forces of Baroque Works, on the island of Alabasta. While unused to the heat, Chopper was instrumental in getting the assistance of the island's animals and defeating the Mr. 4 / Miss Merry Christmas team.
As time would go on, Chopper would form an especially strong bond with the ship's Marksman and Liar, Usopp. The naïve reindeer would often get taken in by Usopp's fibs, believing him completely. But despite this oddity, the two came to be a sort of "team," supplementing each other's skills in battle and generally becoming the best of friends. On his own, Chopper became a vital aspect of the crew, treating their injuries and keeping their spirits up with his constant amazement at the variety and wonder of the world.
As of late, Chopper has become somewhat conflicted in his role. While he continues to be faithful to his crew and dispense valuable medical assistance, he was badly shaken when Usopp (arguably his closest friend in the group) chose to leave. Panicked and saddened by this development, it was all Chopper could do to leave behind some medical supplies to treat his former crewmate's wounds, while he followed his captain into the Venetian-styled city of Water Seven. He was instrumental in saving both Iceburg and Pauly from the destruction of Galley-La Company's headquarters, and afterward expressed his determination to help retrieve Robin from the clutches of the World Government organization CP9. While Sanji succeeded in retrieving both Usopp and Franky the ship dismantler, Usopp is currently in the guise of SogeKing (a sharpshooting hero of Usopp's own invention, from the Island of Snipers). Despite the others immediately seeing through "SogeKing," Chopper and Luffy do not recognize SogeKing as actually being Usopp (with Chopper even asking for his autograph). Usopp does not seem to want Chopper to know the truth yet, and guards his disguise carefully.
Recent Chapters
After defeating Kumadori using his "Monster Point" and returning to normal after falling into the ocean, Franky pulls Chopper on shore and has Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe carry Chopper and follow after him towards Robin.
Enemies defeated
Abilities and powers
Basic Transformations
As previously mentioned, Chopper ate the "'Human-Human Fruit'", or "Hito Hito no Mi". This is a "Zoan"-type fruit which gives the one who eats it three base transformations:
- Walk Point: This is Chopper's form as a normal reindeer, useful for general travel on foot. Called "Sprint Boost" in the English dub.
- Brain Point: Chopper's usual look, with a small body and large head. He is smarter in this form, and also inexplicably cute. In addition he can scope out an enemies weakness in this form while he is under the influence of a Rumble Ball. In the English dub it is named "Brain Boost". This is also the form where he does his best thinking because he can utilize both human intelligence and reindeer sensitivity at the same time.
- Heavy Point: Chopper's "human" form, which gives him a werehuman-like appearance and height. He uses this form to help steer the ship. Called "Heavy Boost" in the English dub. This form imbues Chopper with super-human strength. While his voice stays the same in all forms, his voice becomes deeper in this point in the English Dub.
Rumble Ball Transformations
Additionally, Chopper has added on to these by use of the "Rumble Ball", which gives its user several more transformations for a three minutes by 'distorting the wavelengths of transformation':
- Jumping Point: Chopper keeps his reindeer legs in a human-like form, which allows him to jump long distances. "Jump Boost" in the English.
- Arm Point: Chopper's fore-hooves become extremely muscular in his humanesque form, powerful enough to inflict a great amount of damage. In the English version, this is called his "Arm Boost"
- Horn Point: Similar to Walk Point, but Chopper's forelegs get bulkier and his horns get larger and sharp. In the English version it is called "Horn Boost".
- Guard Point: Chopper's fur grows out and becomes an impenetrable shield against outside attacks. He looks like an overgrown Chia Pet in this form. In the English version it is named "Guard Boost".
It's likely that Chopper will discover other forms that he can change into. It has recently been revealed Chopper can't eat multiple Rumble Balls back to back within 6 hours or otherwise he'll lose control of his transformations.
- Unnamed Monster Point: It seems that the consumption of three Rumble Balls in under six hours created a new Point in which he is standing similar to Heavy Point, but possesses an oddly misshapen head and antlers, as well as an incredible (likely more than twenty feet, or about the size of an office building) increase in height and strength. Chopper's fur is also lengthened in this form. Chopper also loses all consciousness and goes completely berserk in this form. Also, this form apperears to be a combination of all Chopper's points, not including Brain Point (Heavy Point stance, Walk Point speed, Horn Point horns, Jump Point legs, and Guard Point hair). Doctor Kureha told him after he had used it for the first time, that he had leveled an entire village on Drum Island while in this form. Kureha also commented on this form being that of a true monster; a danger to friend, foe, and even Chopper himself. According to Zoro's observation, this transformation appears to be lethal to Chopper, as the amount of energy needed to maintain the form is too much for his body to handle.
Other Abilities
Chopper being the doctor of the crew, has a large knowledge of medicine and medical drugs as well as the preparation of remedies and ointments from regular fruits, roots and vegetables found on most islands. Most of this he learned during his apprenticeship under Dr. Hiruluk and Dr. Kureha.
Chopper, who originally was an animal, is also capable of speaking to and understand other animals, which came in handy on various points of the story.
Trivia
- Chopper is obviously modelled on Rudolf the "Red-Nosed" Reindeer, both reindeers were outcasted because of their odd coloured noses.
- According to Oda, Chopper obviously resembles a reindeer, however, since he is not entirely a human he could resemble one instead.
- In Japanese Fan Polls, Chopper is constantly the fourth most popular character. He's the same in the 4Kids poll.
- The name "Tony Tony Chopper" is partly a play on "Tonakai" ("Reindeer"), and partly on the idea that his horns look like they could chop down trees. A running gag is that various though random characters in One Piece think Chopper is a Tanuki whilst in his Brain Point form. Chopper hates this, and usually replies with his catchphrase: "I'M NOT A TANUKI!"
- Chopper's left antler has a metal plate wrapped around it at all times. He originally broke it while retrieving the mushroom for Doctor Hiruluk.
- Chopper's reindeer appearance often comes in handy. Enemies will usually assume he is just a pet when they haven't actually interacted with him. This was especially useful in Alabasta, when he played an instrumental role in Sanji breaking the others out of Rain Dinners.
- In the 4Kids dub, Chopper's little "happy dances" appear to have other purposes.
- Most people call him Chopper, however Nefertari Vivi calls him "Tony-kun", and Nico Robin refers to him as "Doctor-san" (Mr. Doctor).
- His tail was never seen due to the shorts he is wearing
- Chopper's pajamas, according to the ending animation Free will, are star patterned much like Ussop's.
- Although Chopper shouldn't eat three Rumble Balls within 6 hours, in the filler part of the Davy Back Fight he took two right after another in the "Hit or Dodgeball" game. Thus this is one of the major plotholes Toei created. However because this was done before Oda got to that part in the manga, they had no way of knowing.
