Tongpu (Mad Pierrot)
Context
Mad Pierrot appears in an episode of classic noir animé Cowboy Bebop.
This here writeup is a mini-profile done in 2008. It didn’t make the publication cut.
But since Verizon decided to destroy the Yahoo! Groups archives, it’s either process it (with edits) or lose it forever.
I think some of the material may be from rfblues.aaanime.net. But as of 2019 this site seems gone.
Mad Pierrot’s name continues the fine Japanese tradition of referencing classic French works. In this case Jean-Luc Godard’s Pierrot le Fou movie, which itself referenced traditional comedia characters.
— Ed.
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Background
- Real Name: Tongpu.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 6′ (1.82m). Weight:
- Eyes: Red. Hair: Grey.
Powers & Abilities
Tongpu was engineered to be the ultimate killing machine. He is:
- Capable of flying.
- Inhumanly fast.
- Protected by a personal forcefield capable of blocking bullets and explosions.
The forcefield doesn’t seem to work if Tongpu is distracted. Spike was thus able to catch him in the leg with a knife after Tongpu hesitated in their fight.
Tongpu is also quite deadly in unarmed combat and is a master of stealth.
History
Tongpu was a failed experiment by the ISSP to create a super-assassin.
He was subjected to countless tortures and painful treatments. During this time he was constantly watched by one of the scientist’s pet cats.
Eventually, Tongpu broke down, becoming child-like in mind. The ISSP called it quits and locked him away.
While Tongpu was being transported, he escaped, killing his captors.
He then began to hunt down ISSP executives. At first this was because he wanted revenge, but eventually he just enjoyed killing.
I’m talkin’ ’bout Spike
On Mars, bounty hunter Spike Spiegel happened on Tongpu after one of his assassinations. Not wanting to leave witnesses, Tongpu nearly killed Spike.
Tongpu later sent a recovered Spike an invitation to a Martian theme park. An epic battle ensued.
Tongpu may have won. But he noticed Spike’s heterochrome eyes, similar to those of the cat that used to watch him. Tongpu was distracted long enough for Spike to knife him in the leg.
Being unused to pain, Tongpu had a breakdown. He rolled around and screamed for his mommy. A giant mechanical parade float then stomped on him, killing Tongpu.
Personality
Pierrot quite resemble the Bruce Timms version of the Penguin. Though the Joker and the Tally Man also fed the design.
He had a gray beard and is bald. His face is normally twisted into a hideous smile. He has manic red eyes and pointed fangs.
He wears a top hat and uses a cane, which is really a gun.
Quotes
“Hello, gentlemen, I have come to take your lives.”
DC Universe Adaptation
(This section proposes ways of using this character in DC Universe stories).
He’s an homage to Bruce Timms designs, so he would easily fit in, say, a Batman Beyond setting.
Or he might be a Lexcorp experiment of some variety. Or a new hit man for Intergang. Considering the tech level of the DCU, Tongpu need not be restricted to a sci fi campaign.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Pierrot le fou
| Dex: 10 | Str: 06 | Bod: 04 |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 023 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Flight: 08, Force field: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Force field is Self Only.
- Force field is invisible.
- If Pierrot is distracted, he must make an INT/WIL roll against OVs/EVs set by the GM. Given his psychological stats, these can easily be in the 6-8 range. If he fails, his Force Field doesn’t function for this Phase and until his next Action.
Skills:
Acrobatics (Dodging)*: 10, Martial Artist (AV, EV): 12, Thief (Stealth): 11, Weaponry (Firearms): 11
Advantages:
Lightning Reflexes, Sharp Eye.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
- Creepy Appearance.
- Minor Rage.
- Socially Inept (Serious, Persuasion only).
- Traumatic Flashbacks (Cats, Physical pain).
- SPI (child-like mentality).
Motivation:
Psychopath.
Occupation:
Assassin.
Wealth:
002
Equipment:
Pierrot carries a ludicrous amount of deadly weaponry on him at all times. His preferred one is his cane gun [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 05, Range: 07, Ammo: 15, R#2].
He also has a history of using whips, grenades, and rocket launchers.
Source of Character: Cowboy Bebop.
Helper(s): rfblues.aaanime.net, Nathan Bredfeldt, Knightsky, David Johnston, Sébastien Andrivet, Darci.
Writeup completed on the 3rd of September, 2002.