Tony Tony Chopper

Origin

Chopper was originally just an average reindeer with no name on Drum Island. However, he was still an outcast due to his blue nose. One day, he found and ate the Human-Human Devil Fruit. This changed his body to be able to speak and understand human and animal languages. He was now an even greater outcast to his herd, but the humans also treated him like a monster.

The only human who was kind to him was Doctor Hiruluk, a crazy doctor who tried to help the sick ad usually made things worse. It was Hiriluk that gave him the name Tony Tony Chopper. Hiriluk fell seriously ill, and Chopper wanted to help him by finding a rare mushroom on the island. He was attacked by his former heard while in the search and seriously injured.

Upon finding it, he crafted it into what he thought was a medicine. He only later learned from Doctor Kureha that he had made a deadly poison. Though, Hiriluk was murdered by the King Wapol in a trap before the poison could kill him. Chopper swore to become a doctor who could cure any disease, and Kureha was the person who trained him.

Creation

Tony Tony Chopper (トニートニー・チョッパー, Tonī Tonī Choppā) is a major character in the One Piece series, that was created by Eiichiro Oda. The series first began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump on August 4, 1997.

His first appeared in One Piece Volume 15, CH. 134 "Dr. Kureha".

Character Evolution

Major Story Arcs

Baroque Works Saga: Drum Island Arc

Chopper had been working as Kureha's assistant for many years. They had taken over the king's castle when Wapol ran rather than face the pirate Blackbeard. One day, a young man came climbing up the mountain carrying two ill friends. His name was Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy was originally chasing Chopper around trying to eat him, but then wanted him to join his pirate crew after he realized he could talk.

The castle came under attack when Wapol returned with his men. He fought using his rumble balls to defeated Kuromarimo and Chess, and Luffy helped in the fight as his friend. Luffy even protected Hiriluk's flag at the top of the castle. After Wapol was defeated, Luffy still tried to pressure Chopper to join his crew. he eventually relented. As they were leaving the island, they were sent off by Kureha revealing that she had finished Hiriluk's dream to show the winter island cherry blossoms.

Alabasta Saga - Alabasta Arc

His first adventure as a pirate was to the kingdom of Alabasta to help Princess Vivi to stop a civil war secretly instigated by Sir Crocodile and his Baroque Works gang. On the desert island, the crew were attacked by Marine officers after the Straw Hats then crossed the vast desert to what they thought was the rebel base. Unfortunately they had moved before their arrival. Once Luffy convinced Vivi to let him go after Crocodile, she led them ti Rain Base.

Chopper and Sanji were the only ones who weren't captured in a trap. Chopper posed as a decoy so Sanji could sneak in and free everyone. Luffy stayed behind to fight Crocodile so the rest could try and head to Alubarna to stop the war from starting. The war still began despite their plan and each of the crew teamed up to fight the Baroque Works officers. Usopp and Chopper paired off to fight Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas. While Usopp was seriously injured in the fight, Chopper used his Brain Point technique to find their weakness to help them win.

Everyone gathered together in the city, and Luffy arrived to fight Crocodile once again after his defeat. The crew were now trying to find the bomb in the town that Crocodile had planted. After the city was saved from he bomb and Crocodile defeated, they stayed in the castle to rest and heal. With Marines hunting the island, the crew had to sneak away. They said their goodbyes to Vivi at the coast as they sailed away.

Sky Island Saga - Jaya Arc

While leaving Alabasta, they discovered that Nico Robin, Crocodile's right hand, had stowed away on the Going Merry. She wanted to join them and was allowed by Luffy. Almost immediately, a giant ship nearly crushed them from the sky. They had a small clash with salvagers and went to Jaya to investigate about the Sky Islands. The clues they found led them to a man named Montblanc Cricket. While the crew went in search for a South Bird, Cricket prepped their ship for the trip to the White Sea in the clouds.

Sky Island Saga - Skypiea Arc

The impromptu vacation in Skypiea came to an end when Chopper got dragged along with Nami, Zoro, and Robin, aboard the Going Merry, into the Upper Yard by the minions of God Eneru as bait for Luffy. Chopper stayed to guard the ship while the others explored Upper Yard. Chopper tried protecting the ship from Shura, but resorted to blowing the whistle to call for Gan Fal. Soon after Luffy and the others arrived, they formed a plan to raid a lost city of gold. That also when awry as Eneru's forces were battling the native Shandians.

Chopper got separated from the crew and ended up battling Gedatsu. This was Chopper's first solo battle. He won over Eneru's priest, but partly because Gedatsu was a complete moron. Chopper was struck down by Ohm, but woke form his injuries just as Luffy was about the defeat Eneru and save Skypiea from destruction. Once the Straw Hats raided the treasure Luffy found inside the belly of a giant python, the crew returned to the blue sea with the gratitude of the locals.

Water 7 Saga - Davy Back Fight Arc

The crew got caught up in a round of Davy Back Fight with the Foxy Pirates partly thanks to Luffy's hotheadedness. Chopper was to take part in the second round Groggy Ball, but the Straw Hats lost round one, due to Foxy's cheating. Chopper was selected to join the Fox Pirates. He was won back when Zoro and Sanji won their match, despite being a man short.

After Luffy defeated Foxy, the crew were attacked by Admiral Aokiji. He froze Robin's entire body, and Chopper and Nami rushed her to the Merry to safely thaw her out. Chopper then also saved Luffy, who was frozen after losing to Aokiji.

Water 7 Saga - Water 7 Arc

Robin was with Chopper in Water Seven when she suddenly went missing. He found her later, but she was saying she was leaving the crew. Things got more hectic when Usopp left the crew, due to a conflict about leaving the damaged Going Merry; and the Straw Hats were wanted for attempted murder of Iceburg, the town's beloved mayor. They staked out the house for the attackers to return, and they did, along with Robin.

The CP-9 threw Zoro adn Luffy from the building, and Chopper saved Nami and Iceburg from the burning building. Iceburg then told them how he learned Robin joined the CP-9 to save them, and they were now taking her to Enies Lobby to die. Chopper and Nami scoured Water Seven to find Luffy and Zoro, Chopper found Zoro stuck in a chimney, and helped free him by giving him the katana he had dropped behind. With Sanji on Nami's train, the rest of the crew hopped on a second sea train to follow.

Water 7 Saga - Enies Lobby Arc

Luffy had gone on ahead and the Straw Hats struggled to catch up. Once at the top of one of the towers, they confronted Robin with the CP-9. After jumping the gorge on the sea train, Fukuro told them that one of the CP-9 had the key to Robin's sea stone cuffs. Chopper became so desperate in his fight with Kumadori that he violated the risks of using the Rumble Balls and used the Monster Point. He was completely unaware as he went on a rampage across Enies Lobby. He was attacking friend and foe. He was knocked out by Franky using Nami;s plan.

Chopper woke up on a ship, and Robin had been freed, though the crew was still surrounded by the Navy Buster Call forces. The crew fought to buy time while Luffy fought Rob Lucci, and they were able to escape on the Going Merry. Sadly, the ship cracked on the way back to Water Seven. They were forced to give the Merry a viking funeral and get a ride back on Iceburg's ship.

Water Seven erupted in a giant party, but soon after, the crew discovered they all had wanted posters for their part in Enies Lobby. However, Chopper was only deemed a pet of the crew and given a measly 50 berry bounty. Franky did offer to build a ship for the Straw Hats using the money his men had stolen from Usopp, and he joined the crew as the shipwright. The entire crew then sailed away on the Thousand Sunny.

Thriller Bark Saga - Thriller Bark Arc

Chopper had the perfect opportunity to meet one of his medical idols, Doctor Hogback, when he, Nami, and Usopp crashed ashore on Thriller Bark, but the island was filled with zombies and another monsters. As they investigated the island, they learned Hogback was creating the zombies with the powers of Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords. With Luffy's shadow stolen to power the giant zombie Oars, the Straw Hats had to combine forces to battle the behemoth with Luffy's power.

It took their combined efforts to break Oars, and Chopper's medical knowledge plays a strategic part in the plan. The crew got their shadows back, and most were then knocked out by the shock wave created by Bartholomew Kuma. Chopper woke up to find Zoro in serious condition. When the crew left Thriller Bark, the living skeleton Brook had become their latest member.

Sabaody Archipelago Arc

The Straw Hats befriended a mermaid named Camie and helped save one of her friends, Hatchan, from kidnappers. He then led them to Sabaody Archipelago to find a coating engineer. This would let them travel to Fish-Man island. While searching the amusement park, Camie was kidnapped and put into a slave auction. The island was eventually overrun with Navy after Luffy punched one of the Celestial Dragons in the act of saving Camie. Once they were hidden, Chopper saw to Hatchan's gun shot wound, and Silvers Rayleigh told them the truth behind the capture of Gold Roger.

The idea of going into hiding came to an abrupt end as they were confronted by a cyborg that looked like Bartholomew Kuma stood in their way. It took the entire crew to defeat this Pacifista, but more arrived with Sentomaru then Admiral Kizaru. As all looked lost, the real Kuma arrived, and he was using his powers to cast each crew member away. Chopper was so desperate to help he used the Monster Point, but it was of no effect against Kuma. Chopper was cast away just as all the rest.

Lost Friends Mini Arc

Chopper woke up and could barely move on Birdie Island in the South Blue. He was either attacked by giant birds, or the tribal people were trying to eat him. He found himself stuck in a conflict between the two. Being able to speak to the birds allowed Chopper to clear up the understanding between these factions. The birds had thought the humans were trying to harm their nests, but they were just trying to get to the herbs in that area for medicine. While Chopper was recovering from the aftermath, news arrived that Luffy had gone to Marineford and got caught into the war between the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates. Though, Ace had died in Luffy's arms.

Dawn Island Arc

Chopper had become all set to leave the Birdie Kingdom now that the conflict between the humans and the birds had been settled. He had taken off riding one of the giant birds and he got the paper from the News Coo. The paper reported Luffy had returned to Marineford with Rayleigh to ring the bell there and the picture on the paper revealed a secret message for the crew. They weren't going to meet as soon as possible, but would reunite after two years. Chopper tried returning to Birdie Kingdom in disguise, but the villagers saw through it. He discovered the wealth of information their library had on medicine. He swore to train hard to help Luffy in the future.

Fish-Man Island Arc

Chopper arrived on the island after the promised two years. He unfortunately was fooled by several Straw Hat imposters. He did run into the real Ussop and Nami after he ran away from the fakes for not caring about Robin being captured. Once everyone was back together, they set sail for Fish-Man Island at last. Chopper was kept busy during the trip, because Sanji was suffering from terrible nosebleeds every time he looked at Nami or Robin. The trip to the bottom of the sea was treacherous as they were attacked by pirates and a kraken. They did reach the island by shot past a group called themselves the New Fish-Man Pirates. The crew got separated as they blast into Fish-Man Island illegally.

Chopper woke up with Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji. They were at Camie's house, and she took them to Mermaid Cove. There, Sanji suffered a nosebleed so massive it could have cost him his life, but no one could give blood to a human because it was against the law. They eventually got him to a town and got him human blood. Chopper stayed with Sanji as he rested, but the royal guard tried to arrest them for some kidnapping charges. They ran into Hatchan, and Luffy arrived on a giant shark with Princes Shirahishi hidden inside. They then gathered up to leave for the Sea Forest. Much of the crew gathered there as Jimbei told them the history of Queen Otohime and Fisher Tiger. After the story, Hody Jones, the new Fish-Man Pirates leader, appeared on a screen announcing his take over of the kingdom and capture of Zoro, Usopp and Brook.

The Straw Hats gathered together to stop Hody's men from murdering the royal family. In this fight, Chopper was able to reveal many of his new transformations as he fought with Usopp to fight Daruma using similar tactics as they did in Alabasta. Though, Chopper used his finally controlled Monster Point to fight and defeat Dosun with ease. There was a giant party at royal palace after their victory, but later Chopper and the rest learned that Luffy had picked a fight with the crew of Big Mom, of the Four Emperors, while in town.

Dressrosa Saga - Punk Hazard Arc

Upon reaching the New World, the crew were distracted by a distress call they intercepted that led them to Punk Hazard. Chopper stayed aboard rather than go on the island covered in flames with Luffy. Though, he and the rest of the crew were knocked out with gas and locked up in a cell on the other side of the island covered in ice. They found a living disembodied head of a samurai in the cell, then a room filled with giant children when they escaped. They took the kids with them, and ran into Traflagar Law, Smoker, and Tashigi at the exit. As they tried to run away, Law used his powers to mix up their minds and bodies. Chopper's mind was now in the body of Sanji. Chopper examined the children while in an ice cave, and he learned that had been given a highly addictive drug.

Franky was in Chopper's body and went with Luffy to retrieve Nami after he was caught by the Yeti Cool Brothers. When he returned, Chopper's body was injured, and Law was with Luffy. They had formed an alliance, and Law put everyone's bodies and minds back. Law carried Chopper back to the lab of Caesar Clown to find a cure for the kids. He distracted Monet while Chopper looked around. Chopper watched from hiding as Law and the rest of the Straw Hats were captured. He rushed off to find and help the children. He was aided by Mocha, one of the girls, as the rest of the kids were rampaging from the drug withdrawals.

Nami and Robin arrived as Chopper's Monster Point wore off. They ran after Mocha, who was trying to keep the drug away from them, but in a desperate move she swallowed all of them herself. They eventually got the kids under control after Sanji and the G-5 arrived, and they rushed to save Mocha's life. They stabilized her and got her out of the facility with everyone else. Chopper saved Mocha's life, and the kids left with the Marines back home. Chopper the the rest left Punk Hazard with Traflagar, Kin'emon, and Momonosuke.

Dressrosa Saga - Dressrosa Arc

Chopper and Usopp weren't thrilled that they were openly challenging a member of the Warlords as they traveled to Dressrosa to destroy Don Quixote Doflamingo's artificial devil fruit factory. However, Chopper was made part of the team with Nami and Momonosuke to protect the ship.

Yonko Saga - Zou Arc

Powers & Abilities

Devil Fruit

Chopper is a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit (ヒトヒトの実, Hito Hito no Mi), a Zoan-type Devil Fruit that allows its user to transform into a human hybrid or a human at will. Each Zoan fruit have three forms of transformation. The user's original form, hybrid, and animal. Since Chopper was originally an animal that ate the fruit, this gives him the ability to change into a human-like form and speak and understand human language. He can also still understand and communicate with animals.

Originally, Chopper required the use of Rumble Ball to transform into various forms, but his training on the Birdie Kingdom had added benefits. Chopper can now transform into any of his alternate forms at will, he added the Kung-Fu Point, but he still needs the Rumble Ball to use Monster Point.

Weapons & Equipment

Rumble Ball

Through the use of his medical knowledge, Chopper was able to develop a drug that allows him to have various forms of transformation. He calls it the Rumble Ball. The effects of each rumble ball is temporary, and over use of the drug can have a terrible consequence.

Chopper can now use the Monster Point with the use of a single Rumble Ball. he now has control over himself in this form for three minutes, but he's paralyzed for nearly an hour after it wears off.

Other Media

Anime

One Piece (1999)

The One Piece animated series is a direct adaptation of Oda's original manga.. It's produced by TOEI Animation and first began airing in October 20, 1999. Chopper's the first anime appearance was in One Piece - Episode 81 "Are You Happy - A Doctor Called a Witch!".

He has had two separate voice actresses Japanese anime series. His standard Japanese voice actress is Ikue Otani , but while on maturity leave was filled in by Kazue Ikura (Ep. 254-263). For the U.S. dub produced by FUNimation is done by Brina Palencia.