Tao
| Tao | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | The Great Hairy Beast The Great Furry Evil The Great Hairy Threat |
| Japanese name | タオ ("Tao") |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 52 cm (1 ft 8.47 in) |
| Appearances | Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure! |
Tao is theSandersons' dog who is quite fond of dog bones, which can be found around the Sanderson household and brought to him.Chibi-Robo can communicate with him using theTao Suit, resemblant of Tao. He kidnapped Private Memphis and causedSarge to lose his eye, thus being campaigned against by theFree Rangers ever since. He has a bauble on his collar that contains Memphis. Some dog tags can be found in Tao's dog house, later revealed to belong to the lost Free Ranger.
Tao spends most of the early game in thekitchen along withMrs. Sanderson, sometimes moving to thebackyard after the door has opened. If found in the kitchen standing at the sink, his water bowl can be filled with theSquirter forHappy Points. Wherever he is, he often spends his day lying down, or chewing onSophie, his chew toy. He always sleeps on theliving room's couch at night, growling or whimpering when talked to.
If the player cooks with Mr. Sanderson while Mrs. Sanderson is locked in the bedroom, Tao will get the third burger. He will give the usual 20 Happy Points.
After activatingDinah's block gathering quest, he may be chewing on a blue block in the backyard, acquired by trading it for a dog bone.
Dialogue
When donning the Tao Suit, available through Sarge after completing four of his training regimens and acquiring theFoyer LadderUtilibot, Chibi-Robo is able to understand Tao.
When talking to him with it on for the first time, he remarks that Chibi-Robo being able to understand him is cool. If "No" is selected for an answer when he inquires if you can understand him, he says it must have been his imagination, since no one ever gets him and everyone is dumb. However, he quickly realizes Chibi-Robo had to understand what he said to provide the response, and states how cool it is.
In subsequent dialogue outside of context or scenario-specific cases, he may do one of the following:
- Ask Chibi-Robo if he thinks Tao lies down all day doing nothing.
- If "No" is picked, he dismissively asks Chibi-Robo what he knows of Tao anyway.
- If "Yes" is picked, Tao states he is fond of "straight shooters."
- Comment that there's nothing else like chewing.
- Ask Chibi-Robo if he's in canine training.
- State he doesn't think of Chibi-Robo as family, "no offense."
- After rescuing him from the Spydorz, he seems to stop saying this.
If the Squirter is used on him, he may either ask Chibi-Robo to stop as it's making him itch, or be taken aback and ask Chibi-Robo what he's doing.
- A unique case exists only for Funky Sweat. Tao will perform a small dance and exclaim"Funky!" . After stopping, he gives a concerned look and is briefly surprised, stating his body began moving on its own.
If standing by the sink in the kitchen, Tao comments on how thirsty he is, saying he feels like "passing out." If filled with the Squirter, he excitedly asks Chibi-Robo if he filled it before beginning to drink from it for the rest of the day. While drinking, he only woofs, even with the suit on.
If talked to with theDog Bone in the inventory, he notes how something smells good and asks if it's for him.
- If "No" is picked, he simply says that's lame.
- If "Yes" is picked and the wrong item is selected, he exclaims that's not what he wants.
- If "Yes" is picked and the bone is selected, he simply says"Yeah." and gives some Happy Points and Moolah, thanking Chibi-Robo. He will then spend the rest of the time spent in the area chewing the bone.
- If talked to again, he humorously comments"Um, HELLO? Can't you see I'm busy right now?"
There are also several scenario-related comments during the plot, including some in cutscenes.
- When upstairs in the Foyer with Jenny and George:"The fur's really flying between Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson. I've never seen her this mad before.
- During the second summoning of theAliens with Ganymede lying outside the ship: "Hey, is it cool if I go ahead and chew on this guy?"
- If "No":"Rats, I could really use a new chew toy." (After Ganymede talks)"What's he going on about now?"
- If "Yes":"Yeah! Now you're talking. Here we go!" "What? I think he's saying something." "So, um, should I chew on him or not?! He looks mighty chewy!"
- When talked to again:"Hey, Chibi-Robo. You understand him, don't you?" "Help him out already, then!"
- In the Bedroom when exploring its version of 10 years ago:
- Before being given the bone:"I'm staaaaaaaaarving!" "I'm not moving! Not 'til I get a bone! Man, I oughta go on strike. This is ridiculous."
- After being given the bone:"Oh, sweet bone goodness, yay!" "But..." "I have to go slow, or it'll lose its flavor..."
- In the final act withSpydorz taking over the house:
- When the Sandersons barricade themselves in the living room:"Hey! HEY! You want to take care of this little problem we're having here or what?"
- When talked to after getting the new blaster and leaving the foyer:"What are you waiting for? Go beat 'em down!"
- While tied up, before beatingQueen Spydor:"Hey! Jerk! I'm tied up here! You want to help us out, or what?"
- After beating Queen Spydor:"Hey! Come on! Get with it!"
- After being freed with the family:"Hey, thanks, pal."
Trivia
- It is possible to avoid alerting Tao in the kitchen before getting to the sink's level, by using the Chibi-Copter from the Chibi-Door above the toaster on a dresser to land near the Planter box.
- Furthermore, it is possible to gather the Dog Tags and complete all of the Free Rangers' training before interacting with Tao. Meanwhile the growls do not change while the suit is donned, Mrs. Sanderson will pick Chibi-Robo up if Tao is specifically spoken to with the suit on the second time. Tao will proceed to his default dialogue about the suit whilst looking at the floor, while Chibi-Robo is high in the air.
- Tao is never seen in his doghouse; him visiting there is only implied by muddy paw prints.
- Sophie is the only toy seen to actively avoid moving while Tao is around, in contrast to theFree Rangers andCaptain Plankbeard. This may be because Sophie is the only toy specifically meant for Tao.
- In the endgame cutscenes, both Tao and Jenny have unique dialogue tied to wearing a suit, locking the player out of seeing one in favor of the other for a playthrough.
- Tao is briefly mentioned by Jenny at the end ofOkaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Richie Ōsōji!
- Tao first appeared in the 1997 gameMoon: Remix RPG Adventure.
- Tao also appeared in the 2003 gameGiftpia as Pokkle's dog.
- He later appeared in a 2008 Japanese-only gameCaptain Rainbow as a third-party character.
- Tao is based on Kenechi Nishi's dog of the same name.
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