In this article, we theorize about Chopper’s Hito Hito no Mi Devil Fruit, the Wano arc as a Princess Mononoke homage, the Shishigami theory, and the fox/tanuki yokai connection.
Is the Hito Hito no Mi Only Mythical Zoan?
The Wano Country arc revealed that Luffy’s fruit is the Animal-type Hito Hito no Mi, Mythical Zoan Model: Nika.
This naturally leads to the question: “Could Chopper’s Hito Hito no Mi also be Mythical Zoan?” Every Hito Hito no Mi that has appeared so far has been Mythical Zoan — Sengoku = Model: Great Buddha, Onimaru (fox) = Model: Otoroki, Luffy = Model: Sun God Nika.
When gods and yokai can be Mythical Zoans, the imagination runs wild.
Moreover, Chopper’s Monster Mode via Rumble Ball already transcends human limits. Let’s theorize about Chopper’s true identity.
“Yeti” Is a Misdirection
First, let’s dismiss the popular “Yeti” theory right away.
It gained traction due to Chopper’s resemblance to the Yeti Cool Brothers in Punk Hazard — similar size, fur, and overall appearance.
But we can say definitively: it’s not a Yeti (Abominable Snowman).
Because Yeti actually exist in the One Piece world (proven by the Yeti Cool Brothers). That means they’re not “mythical beasts.” So the Yeti theory is a “No.”
Wano Arc Is a Princess Mononoke Homage
Both One Piece and Princess Mononoke celebrated their 25th anniversaries in 2022.
Whether intentional or not, the Wano arc was overall a homage to Princess Mononoke.
A deer and a reindeer are essentially the same creature. So it’s perfectly reasonable to think of Chopper as Shishigami, the Forest Deer God.
Animal Mode
Reindeer-form Chopper corresponds to Shishigami in deer form.
A human-faced deer and a human-faced reindeer — you could say they’re essentially the same.
Monster Mode
Giant Monster Mode Chopper is Shishigami going berserk and transforming into Daidarabocchi.
Gorilla Mode and Marimo (Algae) Mode are simply intermediate stages on the way to giant size.
Chopper Is Daidarabocchi
The name “Daidarabocchi” comes from “Daitaro” (meaning “great giant”) combined with “hoshi” (Buddhist monk title) — giving us “Daitaro-hoshi,” or Daidarabocchi.
It’s a legendary giant yokai said to have shaped Japan’s landscape — creating mountains and leaving footprints that became lakes.
This is very similar to the “Otoroki” (Great Priest) yokai.
Otoroki (Great Priest)
Ushimaru (Oinudou from the Ohaitagi Bridge) ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Mythical Zoan Model: Otoroki — confirmed by the Vivre Card.
What is Otoroki? A yokai that a fox or tanuki transforms into.
It can make people sick just by being seen, surprise them, or sometimes help them. Described as a mountain-like giant or a 2-meter tall man.
Otoroki and Daidarabocchi are similar, but officially classified as separate yokai.
Let me say it again:
The Fox (Onimaru) was Otoroki.
The Yokai That a Tanuki Transforms Into
All those times people called Chopper a “tanuki” — it was all foreshadowing for this theory.
Fox = Mythical Zoan “Otoroki,” Tanuki = Mythical Zoan “Daidarabocchi.”
There is even more evidence linking Chopper and Onimaru.
Paired with a Swordsman
Onimaru the fox (Otoroki) was the partner of master swordsman Shimotsuki Ushimaru.
Meanwhile, tanuki-like Chopper is close friends with master swordsman Roronoa Zoro, who resembles Shimotsuki Ryuma.
Is it not fair to say that the theory “Chopper’s Hito Hito no Mi is Mythical Zoan Model: Daidarabocchi” is now firmly established?