The wild characters and creatures of <em>One Piece</em> are increasingly growing as numerous as they are often unparalleled in the world of anime and manga. But for the Straw Hats pirates, nobody, perhaps not even skeletal Brook or cyborg Franky, holds a candle to the uniqueness of Tony Tony Chopper’s character designs, especially spread across his multiple unique forms as a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit.

A Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, Chopper’s powers have always shown enormous potential, but only recently have they re-emerged onto the absolute forefront such as in the ongoing battle against One Piece’s greatest villain. He may be the crew’s doctor, but Chopper’s transformations make him far more versatile than his unusually, incredibly cute base form may suggest. But with such a powerful and memorable character, it may do some good to review each of Chopper’s forms in One Piece.

14

Chopper’s Earlier Design

Chopper’s Initial Concept Art

Chopper’s initial concept design wasn’t like the small and adorable mascot that fans loved, but he was bigger with an angry and gloomy expression and blue streaks all over his body. While his appearance resembles more of a reindeer, Chopper was originally designed as a grown-up, unlike his current version, who is only 9 years old, equivalent to 17 in human age.

This stripped Chopper was also much more mature as he is portrayed smoking a cigarette, even though One Piece’s author stated that he had a bouncy side and liked to play with Luffy. Fortunately, like the other Straw Hat members, Chopper’s design evolved, and he leaned more on the cuter side.

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Swordsman Chopper Preliminary Design

Eiichiro Oda’s Straw Hats Concept Art

In the second Chopper’s concept art, he was still grown up and smoking a cigarette, but he had a much taller figure and was depicted as a swordsman, wearing a more traditional shirt and wide pants and with a broad sash or cloth around his waist where he carried his sword.

Since Sanji also has a sword, this was before Oda decided to introduce different types of fighting styles, so the crew’s abilities resemble more real pirates. This version of Chopper is also more reminiscent of a hybrid between a reindeer and a human, like Chopper’s current human form, but slimmer, and while he could have had a great dynamic with the rest of the crew, he wasn’t particularly memorable, which explains why One Piece’s author went with more cartoonish design.

12

Chopper’s Original Design

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #139

Contrary to what some fans think, Chopper’s design during his introduction during the Drum Island Arc wasn’t the same until post-time skip. Chopper’s introduction design was chubbier with a round belly; his head was smaller, and he had a more prominent nose.

Later on, Chopper’s appearance started to change subtly in the manga in Arabasta and became more evident during the Sky Island Saga as he became progressively slimmer. Chopper was less plump due to Oda’s stylistic changes, which were mirrored in the One Piece anime adaptation. This design is also the favorite of many fans despite also being considered uglier as it resembles more of a reindeer. Also, it’s believed that he lost body fat due to the change of climate.

11

Chopper’s Redesign Evolution

From Water 7 Saga to the End of Pre-Time Skip

While Chopper’s design had already changed by Water 7, it took a more drastic change during the Enies Lobby arc, yet he still had traces of his original design. This is something that also happened to Pikachu from Pokémon, which was originally shorter and stout, but his design changed because it was easy to animate and was subsequently modified in the games.

However, Chopper’s change wasn’t due to the anime adaptation but came from the manga artist itself. It was revealed by Oda that even though he didn’t want to turn Chopper into a mascot, he decided to redesign him after hearing his voice actor, Ikue Otani, whose voice made the author change his mind and modify him to be cuter. This change progressed to the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, where Chopper was really similar to his post-time skip design.

10

Chopper’s Post-Time Skip / Brain Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #598

Chopper Post Time Skip’s design is more like a stuffed animal than a reindeer, with a rounder and less proportional head, bigger eyes, and he was skinnier. Chopper started wearing a shirt and had another hat to protect his original pink one as it meant so much to him.

This makeover sets up Chopper as an adorable mascot and is often mistaken for a tanuki. This appearance is also the same as the one Chopper has while using his Brain Point form. Although it’s his base form, it’s not characterized by its strength but it’s a hybrid version of his nature of human and reindeer and it’s also his smartest point because he is able to combine his intelligence with his animal instincts. Chopper can also use scope to determine his opponent’s weak points which explains why he is constantly in this form.

9

Walk Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #134

Chopper’s Walk Point would have been his current appearance if he hadn’t eaten the Hito Hito Devil Fruit since with this version it acquires a shape more similar to that of a reindeer in addition to increasing its size and strength. It also gives Chopper greater speed being an advantage when he needs to travel long distances or move quickly.

The difference between Chopper’s walk point pre- and post-time skip is that since he is still growing his current 17-year-old version looks much bigger and more resistant; he has more fur around his shoulders and his antlers are larger. Additionally, even though Walk Point isn’t very useful in combat it is one of Chopper’s most commonly used forms giving him great mobility and allowing him to easily track or transport someone.

8

Heavy Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #138

Heavy Point is Chopper’s most human-like form since he doesn’t have his antlers and hooves but still maintains some of his reindeer features like his fur and blue nose. This form is focused on strength with special emphasis on the upper part of his body and is often used for fighting. In this form Chopper could be mistaken for a gorilla because of his large body allowing him to deliver powerful blows.

This is also Chopper’s second-biggest form reaching a size larger than an average person which caused him to be rejected and considered a monster when he tried to blend with humans. Chopper’s Heavy Point has longer arms bigger head thicker fur around his neck and also looks considerably stronger post-time skip as he has gained more muscle mass.

7

Jumping Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #149

Jumping Point is one of the forms that Chopper artificially induces by eating a Rumble Ball pre-time skip. In this form Chopper had a slender upper body and his reindeer legs gained more strength which could even rival Sanji’s abilities to some extent. Like other forms this emphasizes one of Chopper’s physical traits by letting him execute longer jumps and move long distances at high speed being perfect for evading sudden attacks and maneuvering in midair.

Unfortunately while Jumping Point has great design it was rarely used originally since it isn’t fitting for combat which explains why it has yet to appear post-time skip as Chopper could have scratched it completely replacing it with other more versatile options.

6

Arm Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #149

Another one of the forms that Chopper obtained from eating a Rumble Ball is Arm Point whose design is similar to Jumping Point but instead of bigger legs his arms are more defined with marked triceps and biceps. Unlike Heavy Point this form doesn’t increase muscles in its upper part but only muscular mass in its arms gaining exaggerated strength that gives it greater advantage in combat.

Arm Point was one of Chopper’s strongest forms having greater offensive power which he often resorted to deliver final blows against enemies. Unfortunately Chopper has not resorted to Arm Point post-time skip which could mean that he no longer has access to it as he only used Rumble Balls for monster form.

5

Guard Point

First Appearance: One Piece Chapter #149

One of Chopper’s cutest designs is Guard Point which is also really useful in pinch situations as it strengthens defense allowing him to repel or resist direct attacks. In Guard Point Chopper is surrounded by thick clump of fur that absorbs damage making him appear rounded with only head and legs visible.

This was also one of Chopper’s forms that he mastered no longer needing Rumble Ball for use post-time skip. Also after only two years Chopper’s Guard Point reached much bigger scale as he can grow lot of fur compared to younger version even enough to cover Thousand Sunny’s deck. However despite looking adorable it limits movements so does not allow counterattacks making it entirely defensive.