REAL Character Profile - Vector the Crocodile

CHARACTER INFORMATION

Name: Vector

Nicknames: N/A

Race: Crocodile

Gender: Male

Age: 20

Date of birth: Unknown

Birthplace: Unknown
(Speculation: Isolated Island or Angel Island maybe? Just logical suggestions.)

Height: 180 centimeters (5 feet and 11 inches)

Weight: 200 kilograms (440 pounds)

Physical techniques:
(1). Spin Attack
Description: While in locomotion, Vector can curl down and take on a fetal position, rolling along the ground as a ball at a very high speed rate of torque, meant primarily for breaking through barriers, or destroying enemies. Vector seems to look more like a spinning tire than a rolling ball.
In-game debut: Knuckles Chaotix, Sega Mega 32X, 1995

(2). Spin Jump
Description: Also referred to as the "spinball jump," Vector is able to leap into the air and curl into a spinning, tightly compacted ball of destruction which can destroy enemies and break barriers. Vector seems to look more like a spinning tire than a rolling ball.
In-game debut: Knuckles' Chaotix, Sega Mega 32X, 1995

(3). Spin Dash
Description: Originally named the "Super Spin Dash," Vector is able to curl down and begin revving up, taking on a diagonally pivoted, ovular shape. Once unleashed, Vector blasts forward in an acceleration roll of high speeds with limited airborne capability, meant to break barriers or mow down enemies.
In-game debut: Knuckles' Chaotix, Sega Mega 32X, 1995

(4). Power Boost
Description: When airborne, Vector can do an abrupt boost with his shoulder in a linear path in any direction. It is meant to impact directly into his foes or break down barriers.
In-game debut: Knuckles' Chaotix, Sega Mega 32X, 1995

Abilities and aptitude:
(1). Very powerful.
(2). Most of his power lies in Vector's jaws. He can crunch metal to dust in his mighty mouth.
(3). Skilled at climbing.
(4). Good swimmer.

Hobbies and talents:
(1). Vector can also spit out all types of projectiles ranging from explosive purple globs to fireballs, upping the sheer destructive power of those daunting jaws.
(2). Musical talent on piano/keyboard and vocals… okay, actually, he is a horrible vocalist, but let's keep that to ourselves and not discourage him.
(3). Very skilled detective.

Weaknesses:
(1). Rather slow.
(2). Large size is a hindrance at times.
(3). Can get a bit carried away with the detective stuff from time to time.

Physical Appearance:
- Vibrant green body covered in contoured, smooth scales
- Very long snouted greenish-yellow muzzle with four teeth visible at the end of the snout, and two pitted nostrils
- Vermilion eyes
- Triangular red spikes going down his back all the way to the tip of his tail
- Buff-chested physique that gets skinnier as it goes further down, tapering all the way to the tip of his tail
- Long, thick arms colored in greenish-yellow skin to match his muzzle
- Large-scaled chest in greenish-yellow that goes down his body to the tip of his tail

Attire:
- Pair of black and gray cordless headphones
- Thick golden chain around his neck
- Large black cylindrical cuffs striped in orange with gold-colored buckle fasteners
- White gloves
- Black sneakers with white and orange trim and white rubber soles
- Black… shoulder pads? (not sure what those are)

Items & weapons: N/A

Vehicle(s): N/A

Personality details: Vector is head honcho of the Chaotix Detective Agency. He's the brains behind the operation and unfortunately this crocodile lets it get to him. But when Vector isn't worried about the next time a new client will come along or when he'll get the money to pay the mortgage on the office, he is usually a real cool, charming, and decisive crocodile. He'll handle pretty much any type of business, but he is a crocodile with morals. He won't get into anything dirty. Although he takes his work seriously, Vector is still very giving and charitable. He'll do things for people that are big tasks such as finding a lost child or even the most meager things such as finding stolen candy for a child! In spite of his daunting appearance and sometimes mildly rude and snappy attitude when he gets peeved, Vector is a child at heart and is a gentle giant with a wealthy personality, charming conduct, a cool sense of humor, and a knack for leadership. Just make sure you can catch him when he isn't too busy listening to his tunes on his headphones or when he's not checking out the local food courts!

Historical biography:

           Vector, along with his good friends Espio and Charmy, all have very blurry pasts, as you'd expect. Who knows where Vector was born and when? But however he was raised and whoever he was raised by, he was certainly taught well because he is a guy that anybody would be a fool NOT to want to hang around with. Vector's first debut was when the likes of Dr. Robotnik mounted his giant, amusement-park-themed base, Newtrogic High Zone (AKA Carnival Island) upon what used to be a lush, tropical island that emerged from the depths thanks to the presence of the Master Emerald soon after Angel Island fell (after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles).

           Vector went to the mysterious island since he believes in God and the ascension of this mysterious island right out of the ocean was something he thought to be a miracle, so he obviously went to check it out. Unfortunately, once he arrived, he was one of three visitors frozen in time in Dr. Eggman's new Combi-Confiner machine, using technology from the Chaos Rings. Luckily for him, Knuckles came to the rescue and freed him, Mighty, and Charmy. Along with Espio, the four of them sought to stop Eggman; and after laying the smackdown on Metal Sonic for the last time, they eventually did.

           Afterwards, the five of them seemed to have gone their separate ways except for Vector, Espio and Charmy. It is unknown as to whether or not the three of them had the Chaotix Detective Agency running before they stopped Newtrogic High Zone, or if they decided to start it afterwards. But to this day, the Chaotix Detectives have always been at your service, and as leader, Vector holds his business as a top priority. But that has never stopped him from enjoying a nice tune every now and then or a huge feast.

Personal information:

Greatest friend(s): Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, Mighty the Armadillo, and Knuckles the Echidna.

Other friend(s): Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Amy Rose, Cream the Rabbit & Cheese, Big the Cat and Shadow the Hedgehog.

Rival(s): N/A

Enemy(s): Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik (mostly for not paying him for a case he took on), and Metal Sonic.

Likes: Jamming to music (even during his missions), playing the piano/keyboard, dancing, basketball, eating, and making money.

Dislikes: Being bored or when his business hasn't had a client for a long time, being ripped off or completing a case unpaid, and sometimes gets pretty peeved at Charmy's childishness.

Favorite food(s): Just about anything!

Favorite color(s): Unknown. Could be black.

Occupation: Detective. In fact, he owns the Chaotix Detective Agency.

Place of residence: The Chaotix Detective Agency office.

GAME INFORMATION

Franchise name: Vector the Crocodile

Original purpose: Friend of Sonic the Hedgehog, and to be the pianist of Sonic's rock band. The concept was scrapped before Sonic the Hedgehog 1 was even made. His purpose was officially revealed as to be a supporting role in Knuckles Chaotix.

Current purpose: Head detective of the Chaotix detectives; supporting role.

Date of first promotion/presence in the industry: Although Vector was actually designed before the release of Sonic's first video game, he didn't actually make a public appearance until the 32x title, Knuckles Chaotix, first released in the US on March of 1995.

Years in service: 11 and still going…

Original Designer: Unconfirmed. Naoto Ohshima?

Design process: Unconfirmed. Vector's design was actually very early in the development of even Sonic the Hedgehog as we know it. Before Sonic 1's release, Sonic Team planned to implement a background picture for the sound test depicting Sonic and his rock band including his friends: Max the Monkey as a guitarist, Mach the Rabbit as a drummer, Sharps the Chicken as lead guitarist, and Vector the Crocodile at the keyboard while Sonic sung the vocals. Since the whole concept was scrapped before Sonic 1's release, Vector's original design probably didn't involve many preliminary sketches since it looks a lot like an actual crocodile, hinting a lack of creativity or a rushed design. And since Naoto Ohshima was Sonic's original designer at that time, then that means he probably designed his rock band pals as well.

Vector was later re-designed for Knuckles' Chaotix, which was his first official appearance, while Max, Mach, and Sharps were forever rejected. (The one responsible for Vector's redesign is unconfirmed. It could be any one of the six character designers for the game; one of which included Ohshima.) His design for Chaotix was a lot more like something you'd see in a Sonic game, so it's safe to assume a lot of thought and initial sketches were thrown about before his first official design.

Possible design inspirations: No known design inspiration. Vector seems to be completely original.

Prestigious design variations: 3
+ - current design
— - original design

- 1, Pre-Sonic the Hedgehog 1, before 1991 (image, Vector is all the way on the right - this design never even made it to the video games and is technically unofficial, but is shown here to clarify that Vector was actually made before Knuckles' Chaotix)
- 2, Knuckles' Chaotix, 1995 — (image)
- 3, Sonic Heroes, 2003 + (pictured to the left)

Known Game Voice Actors:
Sonic Heroes (JP): Youko Teppouzuka
Sonic Heroes (US): Bill Corkery
Shadow the Hedgehog (JP): Youko Teppouzuka
Shadow the Hedgehog (US): Carter Cathcart

Sonic Games he has been playable in:
(1). Knuckles' Chaotix (Mega 32X)
(2). Sonic Heroes (GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox)
       - Sonic Heroes (PC)

Sonic Games he has made an appearance in:
(1). Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox)

Non-video game portrayals:

(1). Sonic the Hedgehog, SOA-licensed by Archie comics (Comic series)
(2). Sonic the Comic, SOE-licensed by Egmont Fleetway (Comic series)
(3). Sonic X, made in Japan, then later dubbed for US release (Anime TV Series)

Personal character analysis/commentary (by Nuclear Envoy):

          It seems our friend Vector the Crocodile has has traveled one of the more bumpier roads on his career. First off, he was designed before Sonic's first game was even released, but never even made it to the public, THEN was given an official design and released four years later (on a rather rare title), and THEN hasn't even made an appearance since then allll the way up until 2003. If Sonic Heroes wasn't released, Vector here would be in the Scrapped Characters part of this sub-section.

           I, for one, am glad Vector made a return with Espio & Charmy. It was high in fan demand, not to mention Vector is the only one of the three that was changed the least from his Chaotix design in 1995. The green croc is, without a doubt, my most favorite Sonic character of all time. Why? The same reason others may have picked him as a favorite: his personality. He probably has the most realistic personality out of any Sonic character and is the oldest one (that isn't human or created artificially).

           Vector's age is probably what makes him act the way he is, but his personality is really what makes him so appealing. He can be very charming if he wants to, but usually he just goofs around a lot. His attitude is snappy too, adding a sense of realism to his conduct. I couldn't help but laugh or smirk when he called Rouge a broad or Amy a little brat in Sonic Heroes. To put it simply, he is just a real funny guy with a Brooklyn-ish accent. He is one of the more fun male characters of the cast, and combining this with his appearance (which is pretty cool), you get a pretty neat character. Plus, he has practical interests: music, food, and cash. (Which, with the exception of cash, were left unchanged from his Knuckles' Chaotix design.)

           Even though Vector is head of the Chaotix detectives, outside of the story and into the fanbase, his popularity is usually shadowed by arguably the most favorable member of the three Chaotix boys: Espio. Typical, since the fun character is typically ignored if there is a silent and shady one abroad. His crappy new voice ain't helping, either. But Vector holds an integral role in the Chaotix group; albeit, not so much of one in the Sonic cast as a whole, he still is one of the coolest, most original characters of the Sonic universe. Let's hope that neither he, Espio, or Charmy are scrapped for another 8 years, or worse… for good.