Chipp Zanuff

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I'm not your "lord!" How many times do I have to tell you?! PRES-I-DENT! President!
― Chipp Zanuff to Answer[src]

Chipp Zanuff is a recurring character in the Guilty Gear series. A former drug trafficker and addict, Chipp struggled in the streets of his hometown until a man called Tsuyoshi took him into his care. He trained Chipp in the arts of Ninjutsu until his death at the hands of a syndicate.

Design

Chipp is portrayed as a muscular, yet slender young man with red eyes and earrings, and with white hair sticking out in all directions. He invariably wears a black tank top—which resembles a leather jacket—tucked into a pair of white trousers with two straps on the left hip, shod in high closed shoes with large buckles. He is equipped with a short, curved silver blade attached to his right wristband that goes up along his arm to his shoulder.

His Xrd appearance has some changes, such as red accents on his belts, a red sash, and a prominent ninja star on his vest. He also puts on a pair of glasses in his victory pose. His Strive look has him wearing harem trousers, a light brown obi-like rope, and black sandals in conjunction with his black jacket vest, red sash, and black wristbands.

Personality

Chipp is a straightforward and simple-minded man, impatient and quick-tempered, unable to get angry for a long time. More of a street-brawler than anything else, he is hot-headed and not much of a thinker, but has a great intuition in the form of hunches.[1] His methods are crude, but the morality he learned from his master, Tsuyoshi, never wavers.[1] Chipp rarely loses hope, constantly striving to become stronger and improve his skills, and believes that failing is simply a chance to improve.

As Tsuyoshi was Japanese, Chipp possesses a great love of Japan, and even claims to have been born there, but his image of the country is largely idealized and has little to do with reality. Chipp's non-Japanese origin is given away by his speech: some of his lines during combat consist only of Japanese words known to foreigners ("harakiri", "kamikaze", "sushi", "sukiyaki", "Fujiyama geisha", etc.), and whenever he is surprised he will exclaim "What?" (ワット?) in English.

Even then, Chipp's past regrets in being a drug dealer still catch up to him time to time and has often been happy that his master saved him from such a life, which likely resulted in his overzealousness with Japanese culture.

Story

Background

Born in the U.S. during the Crusades, Chipp was orphaned shortly after birth. From a very young age, he struggled to make a living in the streets and got addicted to drugs. In order to secure a regular supply of them, he became a dealer for the Mafia. After years of punishing his body with all manner of narcotics, he finally broke down and was to be "disposed" of by the organization.[5][4]

Chipp fled from the Mafia. His pursuers were quickly dispatched by one man, but Chipp fell over and knocked himself out. He woke up in the care of Tsuyoshi, who rescued him but also took his drug stock away. To no avail, Chipp attacked Tsuyoshi to take them back for an entire month. Now completely sober, Chipp realized that he followed Tsuyoshi for another reason, owing him a debt, and asked to be his apprentice.[5] Chipp became a student at the ninja's dojo and trained body and soul in the ways of the shinobi.[5][4]

Tsuyoshi's death.

They lived peacefully together until, in 2180, the Assassin's Guild ordered Tsuyoshi's killing for his betrayal. Chipp and Tsuyoshi were training at the mountains when they felt the assassins coming, and they split up. Chipp later realized the main force were after Tsuyoshi. He returned to find the assassins dead and Tsuyoshi near death. Tsuyoshi berated Chipp for coming back for him,[5] and wanted Chipp to promise he would walk away and live his own life. Tsuyoshi passed away with a smile,[4] telling Chipp "I'm glad you're alive."[5]

Guilty Gear

Chipp claims he cannot honor that promise, and vows to enter the tournament he and Tsuyoshi have heard of, and will use the prize to wish his own organization to take Tsuyoshi's killers down.[4] The tournament turns out to be a farce to release Justice from her dimensional prison. Canonically, she is killed by Sol Badguy.

In Chipp's ending, Justice wonders why he wants to destroy her, and Chipp says it is simply because she opposed him.[6] He doesn't care for personal justice, just wanting to avenge his master. Justice dies as she reflects she has no connections like that. Chipp then comes to the realization that he hasn't changed at all, he just traded one vice for another—crime for revenge. He remembers Tsuyoshi's proverb, "Those enslaved by vengeance lose the light of virtue." Unable save the soul of one monster, Chipp feels he needs more training.[6]

Guilty Gear X

Having entered the previous tournament for revenge, during his battles Chipp realizes he lacks the devotion to complete the task at hand, and decides to go back into training. Less than a year later in 2181, when he hears news of a Gear with a bounty, he is ready to go out in search of "that which might truly save him" and focuses his interest on Dizzy's story. Both of his endings involve him having to devote more time to his training, albeit one of them involves being more motivated than ever by speaking with a projection of his late master's spirit.[7]

Guilty Gear XX

A few weeks later, Chipp notices that the Assassin's Guild has been acting pretty strange, and takes the chance to avenge his master.[8] In the first ending, Chipp defeats Eddie and angers Venom in the process. Chipp wins and spares Venom; he demands answers regarding his master's death but gets nowhere. Chipp realizes that avenging Tsuyoshi's death isn't the answer—if he is to make a difference, he will have to become president. He demands the Guild to come work for him if he succeeds; Venom laughs in his face, but agrees to the terms.[9] In his second ending, he has a conversation with Slayer where the nightwalker tells him that if he wants revenge against the guild, then he is the opponent Chipp should seek, as he is its founder. Slayer asks him if he has really accomplished anything at all, and Chipp swears that he will.[10] In his third ending, the route beforehand involves him being brainwashed by Robo-Ky, doing his bidding until Johnny manages to snap Chipp out of his trance. Chipp then finds the robot, fighting against him for payback and when defeated, the robot claims that Chipp will never escape the Post-War Administration Bureau, and so Chipp decides to catch them and make them pay, despite not quite knowing who they are.[11]

Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus

Chipp, having taken revenge against the Assassin's Guild, begins making his efforts to become a president. He first asks Venom to vote for him, but he declines, telling him that he does not have the right to vote.[12] Chipp is frustrated at him, claiming that a man should keep to his word and that Venom promised he would vote for him[12] (even though what Venom had actually said was that the Assassin's Guild would do as he see fit if Chipp became president).[9] Afterwards, Anji Mito asks him if he's still trying to become a president, and Chipp affirms that he is, once again telling him to vote for him. Anji declines, telling him that it would be a bad idea since he is a wanted man.[12] He then asks Chipp which country he's trying to become the president of, before surmising that it must be Zepp, since it's the only country nearby that holds elections. Chipp then realizes that not every country holds elections, and Anji challenges him to a quick fight, before ultimately wishing him luck.[12]

In one path, he goes to Zepp and meets with Potemkin there. He tells Potemkin that he needs his help, and that he wants to get on the ballot for the next election (and tells him to vote for him). Potemkin tells him that he is the bodyguard of the current president, and asks Chipp if he really has what it takes to be president. They battle, and afterwards Potemkin makes him an offer to join President Gabriel's guard.[12] Depending on his choice, he either accepts Potemkin's offer right away, or declines it only to later encounter Slayer. Slayer tells him that having so much faith in a title makes it seem like he admits he is powerless, and asks him what he's done to help the world. From there, Chipp either returns to Zepp and fights off multiple Robo-Kys with Potemkin, or encounters Baiken.[12]

In his other path, he instead encounters Bridget, and he asks her if she can help him become the next president of Zepp. She tells him that he should perfect his talent, and they battle.[12] Then, he runs into Crow, who tries to tell him that the Post-War Administration Bureau would be able to help make him president - but Chipp catches on immediately, telling him to "get lost" and declaring he would never get involved with a villain like him. He fights Crow's copy of Justice.[12] Then, he runs into Millia Rage, who tries to tell him that he shouldn't ally himself with the Assassin's Guild if he's going to be a president. After that, he encounters Slayer, before coming across Baiken. He tells Baiken that revenge is "lame" and that she shouldn't continue seeking hers, explaining that after he got his, all he felt was emptiness. Baiken takes poorly to this, and they fight. Afterwards, he offers for her to join him in using their strengths for the greater good. They are joined by Venom, and promise a woman that they will help her settle a score with a corrupt politician named Marco.[12]

The Butterfly and Her Gale

In 2182, Chipp appoints himself as the personal bodyguard of the U.S. president, Erica Bartholomew, in order to help her pass a bill that will end the Assassin's Guild foothold over the country.[5] He crosses paths with Volf, the man who killed Tsuyoshi. Chipp learns from Volf's taunts that Tsuyoshi was an assassin for the guild. In the end, Erica forms an alliance with President Gabriel and has the bill passed, whereas Chipp spares Volf's life. Ky Kiske tells Chipp the cause behind Tsuyoshi's assassination: Tsuyoshi indeed worked for the Guild, but as an undercover agent for the IPF. When his cover was blown, he ran away from the syndicate, which was when he picked up Chipp. Chipp parts ways with Erica afterwards.[5]

Guilty Gear Xrd

In the following years, Chipp was traveling around when he came upon a rather lawless area in southern Africa that saw little aid after the Crusades. Chipp managed to restore some level of order and reformed it into the Eastern Chipp Kingdom, with himself as the President. With a population in the tens of thousands, Chipp got his own staff, led by Answer.[13]

By 2187, Chipp is working to get it recognized by the United Nations.[3] When Ramlethal Valentine declares war on humanity, Chipp sets off to fight her alone, hoping that her defeat will bring his fledgling nation recognition. He tells Ky, the High King of Illyria, they cannot team up because the only credit he'll get will be as "some punk".[3] On his way to Japan, Chipp finds May and appoints himself as her chaperone.[14] They confront Ramlethal,[14] but it is too late for anyone: the Cradle is retrieved from Babylon by the Conclave.[3] Chipp leaves May to go investigate Babylon, but the Jellyfish Pirates ask for his help in finding her after she runs away.[15]

After a day of searching, Chipp finds May at the mountains of Uighur and saves her from falling from a bridge.[15] May thanks Chipp, who convinces her to return to her friends, and escorts her back to Johnny and her crew.[15] Faust soon shows up to give May medicine,[15] but his suspicions make Bedman (carrying the unconscious Venom and Millia, and a weakened Slayer) attack them.[16] Faust is knocked out, and Chipp tells Johnny to run away with the girls and Faust. Chipp keeps Bedman at bay, but he is soon knocked out as well. He is saved by Zato-1, and Bedman leaves to attend other business.[16]

When the Conclave's plans are thwarted by Sol and company, Chipp ponders as to why the public's bending the truth with the Conclave's case, and goes to the Opera House.[17] Chipp finds some documents and learns that the Conclave has played right into the Universal Will's hands, and asks Answer to look into it.[17] Ky and Potemkin appear to find info on the Opus, and Chipp tests their resolve. He raises to Ky the question of whether the Sanctus Populi is involved with the Universal Will.[17] Thanks to Answer's report, Chipp realizes that Ariels is the enemy.[18]

Chipp infiltrates Zepp and speaks directly with Gabriel, suggesting that their forces participate in the impending battle on his "hunch".[19] Seeing his conviction, Gabriel agrees.[19] At the celebration of victory, Chipp impedes Ariels from shooting Ky, and she retreats as Zepp's airship arrives.[19] Upon rescuing Ky before Ariels escaped shortly, Chipp noticed a much malevolent entity who had been sealed inside her body. Chipp subsequently helps defend the Illyrian capital from Ariels' Phalanx and Antimatter Gears.[20][21]

Guilty Gear -Strive-

In -Strive-, Chipp and Anji Mito are seen observing Happy Chaos during his chase with Sol and Jack-O'.[22] Chipp remarks that everyone was better off when Chaos was trapped inside Ariels. He decides to jump in for a closer look (despite Anji's warning), and Anji goes with him. Chipp attaches a chain to the back of Chaos' car, and slides behind it on the road. Chaos calls Nagoriyuki to his aid, who warns him to run before using a technique similar to Gamma Blade, to Chipp's bewilderment. Nagoriyuki cuts Chipp's chain, and Anji flies over on his swarm of butterflies to help Chipp up, and the two continue their pursuit while Sol and Jack-O' follow behind.[22] Chaos attempts to shoot at Anji, and Chipp jumps in to intervene and deflect the bullet, pushing him out of the way in the process. Chipp attempts to stop their momentum by jamming his gauntlet blade into the road, but it isn't enough - they both nearly fall off the cliff by the side of the road. Chipp throws Anji back up onto the cliff and nearly falls, before Jack-O' catches him with Dopros. He tells her he's already, but warns her to leave Chaos alone, as he isn't someone a normal person can kill.[22]

Later, Chipp shows up at the Pentagon to warn Erica and Goldlewis Dickinson about Chaos' plans.[23] Erica insists to Goldewis that they hear Chipp out, and he tells them that he has no plans to make any deals with Chaos. He proposes that the reason Chaos hadn't made any demands regarding the Tome of Origin during his takeover of the White House was because he intended for it to be shot down as a means of "getting rid of the guy protecting the book,"[23] as well as informing them of the fact that Chaos can't die. Anji interjects over Chipp's telecom, explaining that "That Man" is a title attributed to both the Gear Maker, and Happy Chaos. Chipp tells Erica and Goldlewis to tell everyone inside the White House during Chaos' takeover is on a time limit.[23]

While Sol and Vernon are in the Oval Office, Chipp talks to them from the Pentagon via radio. He tells him that although it's just his gut feeling, he is pretty sure that Nagoriyuki knows Chaos' weakness, and that Chaos is giving everyone a chance to kill him because he's just in it for the thrill.[23]

After I-No is defeated, Chipp returns to his the Eastern Chipp Kingdom. He is seen sometime afterward looking over documents with Answer.[24]

Spin-off story

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers

Chipp happens to cross paths with Gig, and kills the rampaging Gear. Gig's dying smile leaves Chipp unsettled, as he hadn't noticed until then that the monster he fought might be more than a mindless beast. Chipp realizes he's not good at seeing things beyond the plainly visible, and accepts that he still has further to go in his training.[25]

Guilty Gear Judgment

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Abilities

Main article: /Commands

Chipp is very skilled with his arm-blade, and is adept in the usage of kunai and shuriken. He has all the characteristic abilities of a ninja, such as invisibility, illusions, duplication, teleportation, and superhuman speed. He is able to easily run at hypersonic speeds for long periods of time. Taught the basics of Ninjutsu combat by Tsuyoshi, Chipp is the only known man who still uses this Japanese form of assassination according to the P.W.A.B.—although he is later joined by Answer in this regard. Chipp is regarded by others as "a highly skilled fighter" with unmatched speed, but his straight-forward approach and little mental defenses can often be used against him.

He also uses the power of Ki in his moves, presumably taught to him by Tsuyoshi as well. Chipp seems to use his Ki energy for lightning, ice and fire-based techniques. In The Butterfly and Her Gale, Chipp showed the ability to purge lethal toxins from his body using ki. He also seems to have knowledge of seals that can bind an enemy's movement or destroy them.

Music

Quotes

Main article: /Quotes

Trivia

  • Chipp is named after bassist Chip Z'nuff from the band Enuff Z'nuff.[26]
  • In "prototype" material released prior to the first game, Chipp's gauntlet blade was named "Les Paul" (in reference to the musician and guitar model). He was also stated to be 22 years old, and this age was confirmed to still be accurate in Guilty Gear X The Butterfly and Her Gale.
  • Since Λ Core, Chipp uses real Japanese names for his attacks instead of just uttering stereotypical Japanese words, implying that he may have learned to speak the language at last (although he continues to use them in the story, and his conception of Japan is as wrong as ever).
  • In Guilty Gear XX, Chipp says that he hates doctors and medicine, the latter likely a leftover from his past.
  • Chipp is the only character able to triple-jump naturally, without the aid of any glitches.
  • Despite being one of the fastest characters in the series, Chipp also has one of the lowest defense stats. This is comically alluded to in Blazblue's 'Teach me, Miss Litchi' segment when she tells Ragna that his defense is almost as low as Chipp's.
  • A costume based on Chipp's Strive look, the 'Incredibly Fast Ninja's Outfit', appears in Tales of the Rays.
  • Chipp has made guest appearances in the following games: Crusaders Quest and Code Shifter.

Gallery

Main article: /Gallery

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 GG World/Chipp Zanuff
  2. ↑ Anji Mito/Quotes#Intros/Outros-1
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- Arcade script § "Chipp"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Guilty Gear manual (US), pg. ??
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Guilty Gear X The Butterfly and Her Gale, pg. ???
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Guilty Gear script § "Chipp"
  7. ↑ Guilty Gear X Plus script § "Chipp"
  8. ↑ Guilty Gear XX script § "Assassin hunting"
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Guilty Gear XX script § "Chipp Path 1"
  10. ↑ Guilty Gear XX script § "Chipp Path 2"
  11. ↑ Guilty Gear XX script § "Chipp Path 3"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus script § " Chipp"
  13. ↑ GG World/Eastern Chipp Kingdom
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- Arcade script § "May"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- script § "Threat A"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- script § "Threat B"
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- Episode script § "Chipp"
  18. ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Sense B"
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Thesis A"
  20. ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Thesis B"
  21. ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Wall A"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Guilty Gear -Strive- script § "Encounter"
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Guilty Gear -Strive- script § "Confrontation"
  24. ↑ Guilty Gear -Strive- script § "Strive"
  25. ↑ Guilty Gear Dust Strikers script § "Chipp"
  26. ↑ Guilty Gear X Slash Encyclopedia, pg. 161
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