In the vast world of One Piece that Eiichiro Oda has created, the relationship between Monkey D. Luffy and Tony Tony Chopper stands out as a test of friendship, acceptance, and common dreams.
Chopper's Origins and Abilities
Tony Tony Chopper, a reindeer that ate one of the Devil Fruits named Hito Hito no Mi, has the ability to change into different forms: human, human-reindeer hybrid, full-beast form, and others. Such a feature differentiates Chopper from all the other Straw Hat members. It is due to this ability that he becomes valuable aboard and, even in various combat situations, becomes ever so helpful as a doctor.
The Fateful Meeting on Drum Island
The highest decree of what Chopper could have lived out on Drum Island was while undergoing medical training under Dr. Hiriluk and afterwards under Dr. Kureha. On this snowy island, Luffy and Chopper first met each other. The meeting was also a fateful turn in Chopper's life as he was forever an outcast due to his suspicious appearance and abilities.
It is a critical point in his relationship where he is asked to join the crew by Luffy. Even though Chopper had doubts from the first stance, Luffy proved to be alright with the candid acceptance of Chopper. As a matter of fact, in one of the series, Luffy tells Chopper to "Shut up and come with them regardless," an inviting, blunt, and sincere way that makes poor Chopper cry. This moment represents Chopper finally finding out that he now has friends who actually accepted him, not by his looks or powers, but by who he really is.
Chopper's Role in the Straw Hat Pirates
Chopper fills a very important position as a doctor of the Going Merry, and later the Thousand Sunny. His medical competence adds to the reasons he is valued by Monkey D. Luffy in his team of pirates alongside the rest, but with his powers using the Devil Fruit. Common dreams are shared by Luffy and Chopper: to be a great pirate who is going to be the Pirate King, a position equivalent to his dream to be a doctor who can heal anything and overcome challenges in the process.
In the many adventures by Luffy and Chopper, they have gone through quite a lot of trying situations together. One notable one happened earlier at the beginning of the series when Luffy was kidnapped by the mountain bandit Higuma and the bandit took him out to sea. Although this happens way before Chopper is even a recruit to join Luffy's pirate crew, it is worth mentioning in that it shows the kind of dangerous situations Luffy puts himself in, just situations from which he is going to need Chopper's medical expertise.
Chopper's Loyalty and Emotional Connection
He is always supportive and loyal to Luffy and the other crew members in every situation that arises in the series. For instance, during the conflict between Luffy and Usopp, where things took a violent turn by mutual agreement, Chopper tried to step in and help Usopp and even attend to his injuries from having been beaten by Luffy. This goes on to prove that Chopper is very caring, emotional and feels the security of bonding with other crewmates, including Luffy.
Impact of Chopper's Backstory
Now here again, opinions of fans may differ, but Chopper's is often claimed as one of the saddest in the series. Some fans even argue it is stronger than those of Luffy, Usopp, Zoro, and Franky combined, though not as much as Robin's. This adds once more depth into the character of Chopper and his relationship with Luffy, who seems to have quite the knack for gathering crewmates with complicated pasts.