15 Things You Didn't Know About Tony Chopper
Vote up the facts you didn't know before.
Tony Tony Chopper is the reindeer-human hybrid who joins the Straw Hats as their onboard doctor. Both far stronger than he looks and ridiculously adorable, he's one of the crew's standout members. If he's your favorite, you're not alone - Masashi Kishimoto, the famous creator of Naruto, says that Chopper is his favorite character in One Piece. That might have been something you didn't know about Chopper. There's more where that came from!
The X on Chopper's hat doesn't mean “X marks the spot” and it isn't a random choice: it's supposed to be a medical cross, a reference to his profession. While he takes his profession seriously, Oda has an idea about what he'd do in another world: he'd be a Canadian school teacher.
- 1352 VOTES
His Voice Actress Is Famous For Another Adorable Mascot
Photo: Toei Animation / OLMIt's hard to imagine anything that could make Chopper seem cuter, but this does. He shares a voice actress with Ikuo Otani, who is best known for playing one of the most adorable mascots in anime history: Pikachu from Pokemon!
Otani provided Chopper's voice for every episode except for episodes 254-263 and Movie #7, where the role was temporarily played by Kazue Ikura. In addition to voicing Chopper and Pikachu, she also played characters like Konohamaru from Naruto and the child version of Sanji Vinsmoke.
- 2235 VOTES
His Birthday Is On Christmas Eve
Photo: Toei AnimationMost One Piece characters have birthdays that are based on numerical puns stemming from their names. In Chopper's case, things are a little different. His birthday, December 24th, is the result of a fan suggestion that was sent to the SBS column, which Oda happily accepted. While neither of them explicitly state why this date was chosen, it seems clear that it was because December 24th is Christmas Eve, and Chopper is based loosely on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
- 3239 VOTES
Where Does His Name Come From?
Photo: Toei AnimationThe name "Tony Tony Chopper" is certainly a creative one, but for some fans its origins may be a bit hard to parse.
"Chopper" is fairly straightforward to most Western fans - it refers to the fact that his antlers are strong enough to chop down trees. But what about the Tony Tony part? Well, it's a play on the word "Tonakai" which means "Reindeer" in Japanese.
- 4235 VOTES
The X On His Hat Has A Medical Meaning
Photo: Toei AnimationChopper has an X-shaped mark on his hat. This mark wasn't selected for aesthetic reasons alone - it actually has a symbolic meaning that relates to his role as a doctor. Here's what Oda says:
...about the X-mark on Chopper's hat. It's actually the same as that thing. You know, the cross mark you see in hospitals. It's just tilted diagonally. Oh, and I don't think many people noticed this, but Hiriluk's hair was also the same shape. The shape of a hospital cross.
- 5226 VOTES
He's Still A Reindeer In The Romance Department
Photo: Toei AnimationWhile the Human-Human fruit has given Chopper a number of humanlike traits, one thing it hasn't done is make him attracted to human women. When a fan asks what Chopper meant when he said he had no interest in naked women, Oda laid it down like this:
I see. Well, you might want to read it closer. He says, "I'm not interested in naked HUMAN women". He can speak human words, but he's still a reindeer! Which means, he can fall in love with a human because of his mind, but he won't be aroused by her looks. He just might be smitten with a really beautiful reindeer, though.
Oda also talked a little bit about Chopper's feelings for Milky from the Mink Tribe:
He hasn't met anyone yet, but being half-human and half-reindeer, the only one he wants to date is Milky from the Mink Tribe. But if one day Chopper falls deeply in love even I wouldn't be able to stop him. Why is that? Because "LOVE ALWAYS COMES IN A HURRICANE!!"
- 6169 VOTES
He Usually Doesn't Bathe
Photo: Toei AnimationA fan once asked Oda why Chopper refused to bathe with Nami when she invited him to do so, and instead claimed that he'd wiped himself down earlier. Oda replied that due to his animal nature, he really didn't need to bathe.
Well, in Chopper's case, I have a strong feeling that perhaps it's because he's an animal. Wiping his body down pretty much counts as a bath for him. Sometimes, the men of the crew have a Great Bath Party together and get really rowdy. Chopper gets invited to bathe with the ladies a lot, but he prefers the men's parties. - 7165 VOTES
What's Going On With His Antlers?
Photo: Toei AnimationChopper is a reindeer who has actual antlers that are attached to his head. However, there are a few scenes where his hat flies off of his head, and the antlers appear to be attached to the hat instead. Many readers wrote in to Oda asking for an explanation, which he gave:
Ah, I got a mountain-load of letters about this, so let me just say to all of you...
NOT EVERYTHING SEEN BY THE EYES IS LITERAL TRUTH.
Basically, in this scene, Chopper was SO surprised that he felt even his antlers were about to jump out. That's what he was trying to convey to us by striking this pose. Maybe! It could be said... That this was his own... unique style of... Rock!
One question about his antlers still remains unanswered, though. At one point, Chopper lost his left antler and it had to be re-attached. Only the stub is actually connected to his body, but for some reason the whole thing is able to grow and change when he transforms. Why does this happen? We just don't know.
- 8174 VOTES
Oda Drew His Future Self
Photo: Eiichiro OdaReindeer only live to be between 15 to 18 years old, but Chopper's Devil Fruit grants him a much longer lifespan. Oda drew what Chopper might look like at 40 years old or 60 years old. In one version, his life has continued happily, and in the other version, he's had to deal with some serious hardship.
Leave it to me!
Here it is, this will work on whatever you have.
A future where "something" happens
Straw Hats? Don't you dare mention that name again to me!
Bring in the sacrifice, now!
- 9169 VOTES
In Another Life, He'd Be Canadian Elementary School Teacher
Photo: Toei AnimationIf Chopper weren't a pirate, Oda says that he'd be an elementary school teacher. Considering the fact that he was a doctor before he ever hit the high seas, this career switch is a little unexpected. Still, both are professions that involve caring for others, so it fits.
Where would he be teaching if he didn't live in the One Piece world? Canada! Oda doesn't explain his reasoning, but it may be because Canada is the natural habitat of some breeds of reindeer.
- 10155 VOTES
Chopper & Franky Perform A Traditional Folk Dance
Photo: Toei AnimationIn Episode 380, Chopper and Franky perform a dance that will probably seem unusual to many viewers. But it isn't just a random dance - it's actually based on a traditional folk tale set to music and dance called izumoyasugibushi (出雲安来節). It involves a dancer playing a fisherman who is holding a bamboo basket and imitating the facial expression of the fire god Hyottoko. It's generally seen as a comedic dance that's appropriate for amateur performers. You can check out a video of someone performing it here!
- 11231 VOTES
Masashi Kishimoto Is A Huge Chopper Fan
Photo: Toei AnimationNaruto creator Masashi Kishimoto competed with Oda for the top spot in Shonen Jump. But just because the two of them had a bit of a rivalry doesn't mean that they can't admire each other's work. Kishimoto has a lot of respect for One Piece, and one of the things he likes best about it is Chopper. He talks about Chopper in a joint interview with Oda that appeared in Naruto ‘Book of Lightning.'
I would have to say [my favorite thing is] Chopper’s backstory! Things like his first time meeting with Hiruluk, or the cherry blossom snow falling as he leaves the island, that really gets to you!
Although, I like him, but he’s also scary! I mean, in many ways doesn’t he hold more “power” than Luffy? That’s why I think Chopper might be the “real boss.” (laughs)
Luffy’s the main character and more beloved than anyone else, but that’s all through Chopper’s existence! I mean, I really think that he created a kind of synergistic effect. He has this “presence” and gives off this “mood” and he actually holds a key role among the crew. Like, Chopper’s cute, but he’s actually a monster.
- 12159 VOTES
He Is Represented As Another Animal
Photo: Eiichiro OdaMost of the time, Chopper is represented as being a reindeer or a human-reindeer hybrid, which is what he is. But in Chapter 651, many of the characters are depicted as non-human animals. Even though Chopper is already a non-human animal, he's included and is portrayed as a red panda. Cute, right?
- 13165 VOTES
He Was Originally Going To Be Taller
Photo: Eiichiro OdaChopper wasn't always going to be pint-sized. Originally, Oda was planning to make him lanky but ended up shrinking him to let him stand out from the rest of the Straw Hat crew. He described this in a joint interview with Kishimoto.
As a bit of an inside story, Chopper was a character born out of desperation. Originally I had him mapped out as a tall, lanky bipedal reindeer but Luffy, Zoro, Sanji [Nami and Usopp] were too popular and I couldn’t find a place for Chopper. I thought that if I’d gone with that design, he’d have been upstaged by the other characters so I made him a bit shorter.
- 14150 VOTES
He Has Some Good Real-World Medical Tips
Video: YouTube
Have you ever wanted to get real-world medical advice from the good doctor Tony Tony Chopper? Well, now you can, because Chopper appears in a PSA with some tips on how to prevent contracting COVID-19. In the video, he advises handwashing and getting plenty of sleep.
While entertaining, Chopper's tips don't include all the information you need to stay safe. For detailed and up-to-date information on dealing with the pandemic, check out guidelines from the CDC.
- 15125 VOTES
What Would Chopper Look Like If He Weren't Cute?
Photo: Eiichiro OdaChopper is known for being outlandishly adorable, so it's tricky to imagine him any other way. But when a fan asked Oda to show us what Chopper would look like if his cute factor was removed, he obliged. Here's what the words on the side say:
Idiot, how can I by munchin' on sweets. Where's the beer, eh? The beer.
And here's what the words in the speech bubble say:
Hey, your curtains smell like crap… [This is a reference to the reader asking about Oda's curtains.]
He's a little more crude in this version, but honestly, he's still sort of cute.
