Karoo is a duck of yellow-brown plumage, with black-tipped wings and tailfeathers. Typical of his species, he bears a black band around his bill and stands roughly as tall as the average human; his feet are tetradactyl, with ostrich-like talons (unlike the webbed feet of normal ducks).
His default wear consists of a blue-and-white chullo (typically unbuckled), pink goggles, and a large saddle carrying multiple saddlebags.[1] When travelling, he prefers to wear a barrel-shaped canteen around his neck, complete with drinking-straw.
Gallery
Main
A close up of Karoo's face.
Karoo at age 3.
Karoo's color scheme in the manga.
Karoo's appearance in the digitally colored chapters.
For the most part a comic-relief figure, Karoo often behaves uniquely, and in some cases dimwittedly, and has been known to misinterpret even Vivi's simplest commands. When given a command, he sometimes does exactly what he is told to do such as extending one hand, and sometimes does exactly the opposite such as drinking a large amount of water despite Vivi telling him to conserve his water in the desert.Despite his usual dimwitted nature, Karoo is smart enough to grasp the level of danger he and Vivi usually are in, and is usually more than willing to get himself and Vivi out of harms way. Despite his protectiveness of Vivi and his friends, he is also easily frightened, frequently shrinking—if not outright fleeing—at the first sign of danger.
At the same time, he is undyingly loyal to Vivi—and by extension, both the Arabasta Kingdom and the Straw Hat Pirates. On multiple occasions he has unflinchingly risked his life for theirs, up to and including using his own body as a shield.[4] He is smart enough to relay valuable information to Chopper from time to time, with Chopper being the only one able to understand and translate what he wants to say. Karoo's loyalty to his friends has also made him very determined to help in any way he possibly can both in and out of battle.
Examples of this include how he helped Luffy and Usopp to defeat the Baroque Works agents in Little Garden, how he arrived with the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops to help the straw hats out of the desert and save Vivi from Mr. 2 Bon Kurei in Arabasta.[5] He is the center of several jokes in the Arabasta arc. At one point he was used as bait for fishing by Luffy and Usopp, much to Vivi's anger and chagrin, and he was mistaken for an ostrich by Sanji. Despite this, Karoo, like Vivi genuinely cared for the straw hats and became very attached to them, as he tearfully parted ways with them alongside Vivi, and has been seen happily keeping tabs on their exploits alongside her as well.
Relationships
Nefertari Vivi
Straw Hat Pirates, Vivi and Karoo show their friendship mark.
Karoo has been the pet and friend of Vivi since the princess's childhood. He has always been attached to her, even joining her in infiltrating Baroque Works. In Arabasta, he shows his love for her by protecting her from the rebels and taking her over to Alubarna.
Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops
Karoo is the leader of the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops. The troops are very loyal to Karoo and Vivi, so much so that they assisted them and the Straw Hats in traveling through the desert, and later in the fight against Baroque Works. The newest member, Matsuge, also helped in the fight against Baroque Works and has been very close with the two ever since, even sometimes seen shopping with them.
Straw Hat Pirates
During his adventures with the Straw Hat Pirates, Karoo became fond of them and was proud to share the X mark with them.
Abilities and Powers
“
All right! Show him the powers that put a panther's to shame!
As captain of the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops, Karoo possesses the peak of his species' natural speed and stamina (already reputed to be the highest among all of Arabasta's land creatures). With only a small supply of water, he is capable of crossing hundreds of kilometers of desert in less than a day.
Karoo also demonstrated extreme endurance and durability when he protected Vivi from a trampling stampede of the Rebel's horses, and had enough strength to later continue carrying Vivi. He subsequently survived being hit by a stray bullet, again showing his tenacity. Despite this, his actual fighting capabilities are negligible. While he was able to successfully defeat Miss Goldenweek, it was only because she was caught by surprise. Still, Vivi as Miss Wednesday has been shown to engage in combat while riding Karoo, suggesting that the two possess a level of combat teamwork; although the actual effectiveness of the mounted pair was shoddy at best from the lack of coordination they demonstrated against Zoro.
While incapable of genuine flight, Karoo's wings are strong enough to keep himself (and a rider) aloft for several seconds if beaten quickly. His pinion feathers are also dexterous enough to act as makeshift fingers, able to use tools as elaborate as scissors.
History
Past
Vivi and Karoo when they were very young.
Only two years younger than Vivi, Karoo has lived as her personal pet for at least eight years, and is possibly her oldest friend and companion.[2][6] In time, he was appointed captain of the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops, an elite group of Super Spot-Billed Ducks used for special assignments by Arabasta's royal family.
When Igaram and Vivi learned of Baroque Works' plot against Arabasta and infiltrated its ranks, Karoo followed his mistress, serving as her faithful battle-mount.
Arabasta Saga
Whisky Peak Arc
Vivi rides Karoo as Miss Wednesday while spinning her Peacock Slashers.
In Whisky Peak, Karoo assisted Miss Wednesday (Vivi), Mr. 9, Miss Monday, and Mr. 8 (Igaram) in their fight against Roronoa Zoro. Karoo had trouble following the simplest instructions from Miss Wednesday.[7] Eventually, Zoro defeated the Baroque Works agents. Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine arrived on the scene with orders to eliminate Vivi.[8] Karoo helped Vivi evade the two officer agents until Monkey D. Luffy and Zoro intervened and defeated them.[9]
After Vivi accidentally told the Straw Hat Pirates of the boss's identity and Igaram's decoy ship blew up, Karoo quickly fled Cactus Island with Vivi and the pirates.[10][11]
Little Garden Arc
Karoo, Vivi and Luffy meet and dine with the giant Dorry.
Following the log pose, the Straw Hats arrived at Little Garden. After disembarking, Karoo and Vivi went with Luffy to explore the island[12] and met a giant named Dorry.[13] After Dorry drank some alcohol that had been tainted with explosives, the giant held Luffy responsible and Karoo quickly left the scene.[14] While running through the jungle, the duck unfortunately ran into Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine. The two officer agents tried to force Karoo to cry for help, but the duck remained silent. They beat Karoo up and dragged him to Dorry's home where Luffy, Usopp, and Vivi were present. After Vivi was abducted, Karoo, Luffy, and Usopp set out to save her.[15]
Karoo, Luffy and Usopp run to save their friends.
They later encountered two more Baroque Works agents other than the Mr. 5 pair: Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek. They also found Vivi, Zoro, and Nami stuck on Mr. 3's candle set and being turned into wax figures.[16] Karoo and Usopp spend most of the battle running from Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, but they also helped Luffy break free from Miss Goldenweek's Color Traps.[17] After Usopp figured out how to free Vivi, Zoro, and Nami, he had Karoo run around and wrap Mr. 3's candle set with a rope coated with oil. Luffy then lit the rope with the fire atop of Mr. 3's head, freeing the captives.[18]
Luffy and Karoo went after Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek as they were fleeing the scene. After Luffy knocked out Mr. 3, Karoo attacked Miss Goldenweek and quickly defeated her.[19]
After Sanji acquired an eternal pose to Arabasta from the Unluckies, Karoo, Vivi, and the Straw Hats set sail for the desert kingdom.[20]
Drum Island Arc
During the journey to Arabasta, Nami suddenly became sick and the crew needed to find a doctor.[21] They disembarked on Drum Island and Zoro and Karoo stayed behind to watch the ship.[22] Zoro took a swim in the cold river to train himself. Karoo, fearing that Zoro would freeze in the river, decided to jump after him but ended up getting frozen in the river himself. After the crew recruited Tony Tony Chopper and returned to the ship, they found the frozen Karoo and defrosted him. Once Chopper translated Karoo's speech on how he ended up like that, Nami smacked Zoro on the head since Zoro was solely responsible for this mishap.[23]
Arabasta Arc
On their way to Arabasta, the Straw Hats were short on food. Luffy and Usopp decided to use Karoo as bait to catch fish much to Vivi's dismay. After passing through a hot spot, Karoo caught Mr. 2 Bon Kurei.[24] After Mr. 2 is picked up by his own ship and crew and leaves, the Straw Hats disembark on Arabasta. Vivi sent Karoo with a message to Alubarna to warn her father. Karoo reached the palace and successfully delivered the message.[25]
Karoo and the Spot Billed Duck Troops make their appearance.
As Vivi and the Straw Hats (minus Luffy) make their way to Alubarna, Karoo and the Spot Billed Duck Troops came to their aid and they traveled to the capital. Once they reached the capital, the Straw Hats lured the Baroque Works officer agents away from Vivi. Vivi tried to stop the rebel army, but a dust cloud caused by a Baroque Works agent undercover in the royal army prevented the Rebel Army from seeing her. Karoo covered Vivi preventing her from getting trampled by the rebel army's horses. When Mr. 2 arrived attempting to finish off Vivi, Karoo ran off with her climbing the steep walls of Alubarna, but was still pursued by Mr. 2. However, Mr. 2 was delayed by Sanji, who bought Vivi time to get to the palace. On their way to the palace, Karoo was shot by a stray bullet. The Spot Billed Duck Troops took Karoo to safety while Vivi headed for the castle.
Karoo and Vivi saying goodbye to the Straw Hat Pirates with their X Mark.
After Crocodile's defeat and the rebellion came to an end, Karoo rested and recovered in the castle with the Straw Hats. When Vivi tearfully declined the offer of joining the Straw Hats, Karoo was there with her bidding farewell to the pirates.
Gedatsu's Accidental Blue-Sea Life
Karoo and the Spot Billed Duck Troops later enjoyed the geothermal baths of Ukkari Hot Spring, owned and operated by Goro (Toto's brother and Koza's uncle).[26]
Water 7 Saga
Post-Enies Lobby Arc
Karoo was later seen when the Straw Hats received their bounties after the Enies Lobby incident.
Summit War Saga
Post-War Arc
Karoo and Vivi read about Luffy's reappearance at Marineford.
After the Summit War of Marineford, Karoo and Vivi read an article about Luffy's second appearance at Marineford, looking surprised by Luffy's actions.
From the Decks of the World
Karoo and Matsuge ate apples and walked around with Vivi while she greeted the townspeople.[27]
From the Decks of the World: The 500,000,000 Man Arc
As the disclosure of Luffy's new bounty after his victory over Donquixote Doflamingo reached Arabasta, Vivi seemed to be happy to learn how her friends are doing while Karoo carefully added the recent news article about the Straw Hats to a scrapbook.[28]
On the way to the Levely, Karoo received the news of Luffy's exploits at Totto Land.[31]
The Arabasta Kingdom participants later arrived at Mary Geoise. At the castle, Karoo accompanied Vivi as she conversed with Rebecca and Shirahoshi about Luffy.[32]
After Donquixote Mjosgard stopped Charlos from enslaving Shirahoshi, Karoo stood close to Vivi as Mjosgard promised to protect Shirahoshi during the Levely.[33]
His name appears to be derived directly from karugamo (軽鴨?), a term that most commonly refers to the Eastern spot-billed duck. While often romanized as Carue in early fan translations, it is rendered Karoo in all officially-licensed English sources; the latter spelling was eventually confirmed canonical by the Vivre Card series.
The original Japanese anime and - to an extent - the FUNimation dub typically stress the first syllable of his name when speaking it aloud (i.e. "KAH-roo"). In contrast, the 4Kids dub typically stresses the latter syllable (i.e. "Kuh-ROO").
Trivia
In the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th fan polls of most popular characters, Karoo was ranked the 22nd, 47th, 53rd, 63rd, 55th, and 75th respectively.
His favorite foods are cold water and volti.
Despite his long absence from the series and ambiguous status as an "official" Straw Hat Pirate, Karoo - alongside Vivi - continues to appear semi-regularly in the manga's cover illustrations.
In addition, he was - again alongside Vivi - the first character outside the crew to be featured in one of the anime's eyecatchers. However, this practice stopped after the Arabasta Saga.
Karoo may have been inspired by the Chocobo, a fictional flightless bird commonly featured in Square Enix games (particularly the Final Fantasy series) as ground transport.
While probably not a direct inspiration, his name is also shared with the Karoo, a semi-desert region in South Africa.
External links
Chullo – Wikipedia article about the chullo, the hat Karoo wears.
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 18Chapter 163 (p. 13-14) and Episode 100, Karoo stands beside the ten-year-old Vivi—his earliest appearance, by in-story chronology.
