One Piece Season 2 Episode 7 “Reindeer Shames” has made me fall completely and madly in love with Tony Tony Chopper. And it isn’t even because he is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. It’s because his story is one of the strongest when it comes to perseverance. His story is also about pain but hope. And it’s tied all up together with this dream of being a doctor and changing lives. And if that isn’t quintessential One Piece Straw Hat Pirates material, I don’t know what is?
Tony Tony Chopper’s story started off very Frankenstein-esque. There was a monster in the woods being chased by desperate villagers. And it’s the whole concept of fear of the unknown. Fear of the monster. Then comes Hiriluk. On the surface he’s a quack of a doctor like Kureha says. But he sees the world in a way that I think is similar to how Luffy sees the world. He dreams of wonder and knows that not all pirates are evil monsters. He’s a pirate. And he decides that his mission in life is to heal this island.
When Hiriluk takes Chopper under his wing, he doesn’t just heal his wounds. Hiriluk also raises Chopper. He gave him his name, taught him what to do during tough situations, comforted him in his dark moments, and then like any parent, messed it up towards the end. That’s just what being a parent is sometimes apparently. But Hiriluk taking Chopper in also opened up this world of possibility for Chopper to dream. And sometimes that’s all you need to absolutely shatter these fallacies that you can’t reach your highest potential. You can.
I will say that “Reindeer Shames” is the most heartwrenching episode of One Piece as a whole. Because we’ve seen people who aren’t parents take children in on the show. We’ve also seen those parents die. But Chopper’s innocence and childlike wonder changed things and made it so much more devastating when Hiriluk kicked Chopper out to protect him, when Chopper then went to the death valley to get the mushroom, and then when Chopper realized that his father had died.
In a way, it was seeing that childlike wonder that still remained in Chopper being ripped away. And that hurt. That’s why the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates, especially Sanji, were reacting the way that they were to Chopper’s story. They all had that moment where they were no longer children because of the pain that they had experienced. It’s also why Luffy went to Chopper. Not just to offer him comfort and the sort of companionship that makes you feel like you’re less alone. But Luffy also wanted to honor Chopper’s father and let him know that he’s a monster just like Luffy. And it’s great. More than great. It’s wonderful.
In talking about Tony Tony Chopper, we definitely have to give a shout out to the team behind the special effects, prosthetics, and voice acting. These were various people across so many different departments that came together and created this curious, kind-hearted, and fierce young deer hybrid that I would protect with my life. And no it’s not just because he’s absolutely adorable. It’s because he already experienced enough heartbreak in his life. What he needs now is people to believe in him. People like the Straw Hat Pirates.
That’s not to discount the work that Kureha has done, by the way.
There aren’t enough women being featured on One Piece. Pretty sure we’ve never had a woman this old on the show either. But Kureha certainly doesn’t fall into any stereotypes that you would see on TV. She’s not the grandmotherly type or even the spinster. And then there’s that whole witch stereotype they put on her because she has a very witch cackle. She doesn’t care that people think that of her and she’s not as cold and heartless as people make her out to be.
Kureha took Chopper in and gave him a home. Even better, she taught him everything that she knew in hopes of getting him closer to that dream of being a doctor. And she didn’t take him in because she’s a woman and of course she has the urge to care for children. That’s a trash trope for a reason. Kureha took him in because she didn’t want to crush somebody with hope. She wanted to give that heart a chance to thrive in a way that Hiriluk couldn’t because he’s dead. And maybe if she did things a little bit differently this time around and offered help, Chopper could be a better doctor than all of them. Or at least that’s what I think.
So yes, Hiriluk is Chopper’s parent. The one who stepped up. And so is Kureha. Because again, this is what One Piece is about. Found family and choice. And these people choose each other, a force more powerful than anybody can comprehend.
Additional Notes About One Piece “Reindeer Shames”:
- I love you Luffy and Sanji, but I will destroy you all if it means protecting Chopper
- After getting sick, everything is the best meal
- And yes, Sanji. How does it feel to be flirted with like you do with Nami???
- That witch laugh, Kureha. 10 out of 10
- Hiriluk took it real serious to prove he had no guns
- Also, sorry villagers, but I might not forgive you. You hurt Chopper
- Also that Hiriluk wig is wild
- And you know its probably anime and manga accurate. *checks Google* Yup.
- “You are one of a kind.” Oh I’m going to cry. You hear that music?
- HE CRIED
- I CRIED
- “This is my first fight.” – Chopper
- Yeah imma need a moment
- Also Hiriluk is proof that there are more pirates like Luffy and the gang out there. It isn’t the violence people just wave hand off.
- What’s up with this show and found family and adults dying?
- WHY ARE YOU THROWING AWAY MY BABY BOY CHOPPER, HIRILUK
- “What did I do?” – Chopper
- OH WE’RE CRYING NOW
- THAT’S WHERE WE ARE
- Like dude I guess you’re sick, but he’s just a boy
- Just because Kureha was asked, doesn’t mean that she had to take on Chopper. Too often people play on the sympathies of a woman to get them to be caregivers. They don’t.
- OH NO. CHOPPER WENT TO DEATH VALLEY. HE HURT
- Oh wow Kureha. I know you are hurting, but chill out
- “Knowing the danger, why did you come?” – Dalton
- “Please don’t hurt him. He is my son.” Hiriluk
- Big boy Chopper isn’t so cute….
- Usopp and Zoro. I’ve been waiting for that.
- “I brought you breakfast.” – Usopp
- “We’re cool.” Zoro means it too.
- I knew that Dalton knew about Vivi.
- Luffy hanging the flag to honor Hiriluk. Crying.
- “Oh shit.” – Chopper
- “I’m a monster too. Isn’t it great?” – Luffy
- NO THEY SHOT DALTON. COWARDS.
One Piece Season 2 is now available on Netflix.
What did you think about One Piece Season 2 Episode 7 “Reindeer Shames”? Let us know in the comments below!
Make sure to read all our reviews for One Piece Season 2:
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 1 Review: ‘The Beginning and the End’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 2 Review: ‘Good Whale Hunting’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 3 Review: ‘Whisky Business’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 4 Review: ‘Big Trouble in Little Garden’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 5 Review: ‘Wax On, Wax Off’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 6 Review: ‘Nami Deerest’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 7 Review: ‘Reindeer Shames’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 8 Review: ‘Deer and Loathing in Drum Kingdom’
