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The Chozo (鳥人族 Chōjinzoku?, Bird-Person Race) were an ancient, mysterious and highly advanced species of sage-like avian sapients that inhabited several planets in the cosmos, including Zebes, Elysia, SR388, Tallon IV, ZDR, and possibly others. Although the eventual fate of the race as a whole is unknown, countless ruins and technological wonders are littered throughout the many planets they once inhabited. The Chozo are also responsible for the creation of both the Metroids and Mother Brain; these both later posed a threat to galactic civilization, though they were both originally created for peaceful reasons.

Biology[]

The Chozo are a humanoid alien species that possesses avian traits, such as feathers, beaks, and talons. Long ago, the species used to have a pair of wings that enabled flight on their backs; Raven Beak still possessed such wings, although it is unknown whether these were artificial replacements. The Chozo are fairly tall among various sapients, easily dwarfing a grown human.

The Chozo were known to possess the most advanced technology and greatly advanced fighting strength. They also had the ability to survive in environments that would be toxic to humans.

MetroidDread Samus RavenBeak DNA

Raven Beak's Chozo biology compared to young Samus Aran

Many of the items Samus Aran collects in her missions contain the physical abilities the bird-like race possessed and excelled at, such as enhanced speed and agility, increased jump height, and the ability to curl into a ball. In the Super Metroid comic, Old Bird states that the Power Suit is meant to be tough, like the skin of a Chozo.

Different tribes of Chozo possess different attributes as shown in Metroid: Zero Mission concept artwork, such as sharp angular beaks or portly body builds. Chozo DNA carries these traits and can be integrated into the human genome by a Body Adaptation Machine. For example, Samus has both Thoha genes, which suppress her Metroid DNA, and Mawkin genes, which grant her the physical prowess of Chozo Soldiers.

Culture[]

The Chozo culture seemed to have been a peaceful one for the most part, prizing knowledge in all its forms. They were explorers in every sense of the word, simultaneously seeking scientific and technological advancement alongside primal shamanistic wisdom. This balance between technology and spiritualism seemed to be another defining trait of the Chozo culture.[2][3] This is in contrast to their original nature, which was more proud and warlike.

The Chozo had the utmost respect for the natural flora and fauna found on every planet they visited with the sole exception of the X Parasites they found on SR388. These were deemed a massive threat due to their ability to kill and assimilate any other life forms they came across; as such, the Chozo used their highly advanced technology to create an entirely new species, the Metroids, to combat said threat.

The Chozo often shared their knowledge and wisdom with other species, both those that were as advanced as they were and those who were not as advanced.[4] They also colonized other worlds, but never to the extent of harming any native lifeforms. The Chozo had their own language, as well as the habit of recording their own history through both art and writing that featured events, rituals, scientific discoveries, and even prophecies or warnings.

Mzm-chozo-tribute

Ancient Chozo art depicting a tribute.

Mzm-chozo-blessing

Ancient Chozo art depicting a blessing.

Many of their structures were built of stone, although it is clear they were capable of using far more complicated materials and building techniques. This is most prevalent in the crafting of their statues, which seem to be present in all Chozo colonies. This art form was considered to be a sacred process, reserved only for those Chozo who had lifetimes of experience in such things.[5] They also used illustrations similar to Ancient Egyptian art to depict aspects of their culture.[6]

There were at least two known tribes of Chozo in existence. The first, the Thoha, adhered to the exploration, scientific, and technological advancement and shamanistic wisdom, and were responsible for the creation of Metroids. The second, the Mawkin, adhered to the Chozo's former war-like nature and possessed battle prowess, with their leader Raven Beak obsessed with power and galactic conquest. The two tribes united to seal the Metroids on SR388 after they metamorphosed and grew out of their control, with the Thoha plotting to destroy the planet and eradicate both the Metroids and X, only to be betrayed and slaughtered by Raven Beak's faction whose megalomaniacal aims sought to use the Metroids for universal domination.

History[]

The history of the Chozo is shrouded in mystery, and what is known has no accurate timeline associated with it, save that they are confirmed to be present as early as 1500 years before the events of the Metroid series.[7]

10

Gray Voice in full armor.

Due to the Chozo's great longevity, old age wrought havoc on their ability to reproduce, causing a steep decline in their numbers. Sources also state that the Chozo's technology reached a point where it could advance no further. These changes were major factors leading to their decision to withdraw from the galaxy, going from a once-proud warrior race into non-violent observers that were content to live in simple harmony with nature.

War

Ancient Chozo art depicting warriors.

The Chozo of Zebes, who arrived via the Wrecked Ship[citation needed], were known to have a "mental block" that discouraged them from physically harming others. Those who defied this mental block (such as Grey Voice when he attacked Mother Brain) suffered immense pain, often enough to virtually immobilize them. This block may have been implemented when the Chozo changed their warlike habits and became a peaceful race. The mental block, however, does not prevent the recollection of memories from that time period, as evidenced by the existence of reminders of their warrior ways, in murals, architecture, statues, and so on.

The Chozo have a long history of making contact with other races throughout the cosmos and sharing their technology, wisdom, and culture; some of these include the Bryyonians, the Luminoth, Humans, and likely the Ylla. They also colonized several worlds and left behind many relics, machinery (such as drones/robots), and lore to mark their passing; among those were the observatory known as SkyTown high above the clouds of Elysia as well as the robotic Elysians, who were eventually given the gift of self-awareness. The last known Chozo colony was likely Tallon IV.

In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, there is a model of an unknown solar system depicted on a Celestial clock that may represent the Chozo home solar system.

Splintering and downfall[]

The Chozo were once presented as a united race under a single goal, this presentation however, is challenged by the new information gained from Metroid Dread. The two Chozo tribes Samus has had contact with are the Thoha and the Mawkin.

The Thoha were the main tribe, representative of the beliefs of most Chozo. They are peace-loving and benevolent, as evidenced by them taking in Samus Aran after she was orphaned by the space pirates. The Thoha tribe are the creators of the Metroid species, designed as a countermeasure against the rampant reproduction of the X Parasites on the world of SR388. Prominent members are Grey Voice, Old Bird and the newly encountered Quiet Robe, all of which are deceased.

The Mawkin are the near-complete opposite of the Thoha. At home on the planet ZDR and technologically advanced, the Mawkin are far more willing to resort to violence than their pacifist counterparts. Regardless of their opposing disposition, the Mawkin were ready to aid their Thoha brethren when the Metroids broke out of control. After this affair however, the Mawkin leader, Raven Beak, saw a great weapon in the Metroid race, and thusly disagreed with the Thoha plan to detonate SR388. Instead, the Mawkin tribe slaughtered all Thoha on the Planet with the exception of Quiet Robe, whom was spared to be used as an asset in Raven Beaks plan of utilizing the Metroids. From what is known from Metroid Dread, all members of the Mawkin tribe were infected by the X after an X disguised as a Mawkin warrior returned to ZDR from an expedition to SR388. Raven Beak later managed to contain the outbreak by locking all of his people into the quarantine zone of Elun.

Recent history[]

Gfs 52848 2 2

A wall engraving showcasing a young Samus with her Chozo parents.

The Chozo were the adoptive parents of Samus Aran, having found Samus at Earth Colony K-2L after a Space Pirate attack destroyed the colony and killed her parents. After using their technology to infuse their blood into the young orphan, the Chozo trained Samus to become a warrior of their people and gave her the trademark Power Suit. When Samus eventually reached adulthood, she parted ways with the Chozo and became a Bounty Hunter. There have been exceedingly few documented interactions with the Chozo: known encounters include only Samus's upbringing, one meeting with Old Bird in the Super Metroid comic, and the ghostly forms of Chozo on the surface of Tallon IV (who may or may not still be present after the events of Metroid Prime).

What exactly happened to the Chozo as a whole remains a mystery. Some sources state that the Chozo were killed off by continual Space Pirate raiding[8] or by out-of-control Metroids.[9]

Other sources would indicate that the Chozo attained some form of ascension beyond physical existence,[10] as described by the Chozo of Tallon IV. These, however, have since been reduced to a maddened state of dimensional flux due to the influence of Phazon and now only exist as the apparitions known as Chozo Ghosts.[11] At the same time, this may have simply been the fate of certain unfortunate individuals as opposed to the Chozo as a whole. As with almost anything else concerning the race, this will likely remain a mystery.

Finally, there are sources which suggest there are surviving Chozo that are either in hiding (as is true of Old Bird) or that have simply departed to an unknown destination far from any currently known galaxy in the Metroid series.[12] Likely a combination of all of the above factors is responsible for the Chozo's disappearance; in any case, it would seem that the Chozo as a whole no longer physically grace the cosmos but for a few isolated examples.

While the Chozo themselves were highly devoted in maintaining peace throughout the galaxy, they ironically unleashed two of the greatest known threats to galactic peace: the Metroids and the Mother Brain, both originally intended for noble causes. It was Samus Aran, who also happened to be of Chozo creation – albeit symbolically – who eventually corrected the Chozo's "mistakes".

Metroid Dread features the first two living Chozo to make a physical appearance: Quiet Robe, a Chozo of benevolent disposition, as well as the hostile Raven Beak, who is the main antagonist of Dread. Both of these Chozo appeared in the Chozo Memories of Metroid: Samus Returns.

Metroid Dread Report Volume 3 furthers the idea that there are still living Chozo merely avoiding the public eye, claiming that "only a few of them have been sighted, and these remaining Chozo mostly try to avoid attention."

Known Chozo[]

Enemies[]

Official data[]

Chozo civ

Interview[]

"I have a question regarding the design materials in the Development Room's [part of the site]; in the manga, the Chozo were described as a peaceful race, but in these documents, why are they only shown as a warrior race everywhere?"

Yoshio Sakamoto: "Formerly, the Chozo had advanced technology and were a race proud of their advanced fighting strength. However, due to their long lives, their fertility decreased and their civilization declined, so they changed their personality to a non-violent race. The Chozo gave Samus the "Powered Suit" which was created by assembling together the essence of this advanced technology." [4]

Official Metroid Prime website[]

"Homeworld: Undetermined

Civilization type: Unknown

The Chozo are a wise race of birdlike humanoids who prize peace over all other things. They have built many civilizations on planets across the universe and have spread knowledge and goodwill wherever they've found life, always striving to find the higher truths to the universe. They've left signs of their presence not only on planet Zebes but on many other planets as well. It is not known when the Chozo started to build their civilization on Tallon IV or how long they lived there.

The great bounty hunter Samus Aran's Power Suit was designed using Chozo technology, but the exact connection between Samus and the Chozo is unknown.

The Chozo exhibit both humanoid and bird-like traits. The Chozo's head is avian in nature, but its arms and legs are very much like a human's limbs. Unfortunately, very little is known about the physical composition of the Chozo body."

Metroid Prime manual[]

Chozoghostsityu4

"The Chozo... Over millennia, this bird-like race of creatures
made incredible technological and scientific leaps. Traveling at will
through space, they built many marvels across the universe-technology-
cal wonders of unfathomable complexity and cities unmatched in beauty.
They shared their knowledge freely with more primitive cultures and
learned to respect and care for life in all its forms.

Even as their society reached its technological peak, however,
the Chozo felt their spirituality wane. Their culture was steeped in
prophecy and lore, and they foresaw the decline of the Chozo coinciding
with the rise of evil. Horrified by the increasing violence in the universe,
they began to withdraw into themselves, forgoing technology in favor of
simplicity. Tallon IV was one of the several refuges they built - a colony
bereft of technology, built of natural materials and wedded to the land and its
creatures.

The years passed, and in time a great meteor crashed into
Tallon IV, sending a massive spume of matter into the atmosphere and
impregnating the land with a cancerous element known as Phazon. This
element immediately sank into the earth and water, poisoning life wher-
ever it bloomed. Most plants and animals died, while others mutated into
hideous forms.

The Chozo called upon all of their knowledge and technology to
control the power of the Phazon, but their efforts were doomed to fail. All
they could do was build a temple over the crater at the impact site, sepa-
rate the Phazon core, and seal it away. Believing that someday a savior
would return to the planet, the Chozo left for an unknown destination,
leaving behind nothing but engraved accounts of their time on Tallon IV."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]

THE CHOZO
"The Chozo, a bird-like race of creatures that made incredible strides in technology and science set up a utopia of sorts on a planet called Tallon IV. This planet was their escape from their technologic and scientific mastery. It was to be a place where they could live in peace with nature.
Unfortunately, the Chozo outpost that was meant for peace became the seeding point of evil when a meteor crashed int Tallon IV and left a cancerous element known as Phazon behind. Despite the Chozo's best efforts to contain the Phazon, they were unable to stop it. Instead, they built a temple over the meteor crater in an effort to seal it, hoping that one day a savior would come."

Metroid Zero Mission Official Site[]

MetroidFusion Fan
Warning: Fan Translation(s) Ahead

This article, section, or file contains text that is unofficially translated by Metroid Database. Some information (such as proper English names of characters or items) may not be accurate. If an official translation becomes available, the fan translation(s) may be replaced.

Gallery1 1 06

"When the Chozo developed from their ancient form, each race's characteristic physical abilities were enhanced. Each member of the various tribes had the astonishing abilities to perform quick movements while running, leap high in the air, and have flexible bodies that can uniquely transform into a sphere. These abilities contributed greatly to the prosperity of the Chozo culture. The various powerup items Samus gains contain the physical abilities the ancient Chozo excelled at."[13]

Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes Q&A[]

QUESTION: I'm very excited to play. Is there any relation between the Luminoth and the Chozo?

ANSWER: Actually, there is a strong possibility that there had been an interaction between them.[5]

Metroid Dread Report[]

Volume 4[]

6. The Chozo
"The Chozo were known to be a highly intelligent species capable of developing amazing technologies. Their primary mission was to achieve lasting harmony across the galaxy.
Once a very powerful force with both intelligence and military might, their position weakened over many years. Now, only a few of them have been sighted, and these remaining Chozo mostly try to avoid attention.
Chozo relics—such as ancient ruins from their former civilization—have been found in multiple locations across the galaxy.
~Transmission from the dev team~
"In fact, Samus’s equipment—like the Power Suit and Arm Cannon—are Chozo technology. When Samus was young, she lost her parents and her home in a tragic incident and was raised by the Chozo on planet Zebes.
During that time, she received a Chozo DNA transplant, which allows her to adapt to environments that are otherwise harsh for humans.
On planet ZDR, where the Metroid Dread game takes place, there are various implications to be discovered surrounding Chozo civilization, which might connect with the game’s story in some way."

Volume 7[]

Who are the Chozo?
"The Chozo were a highly intelligent and technologically advanced bird-like species who believed their purpose to be that of bringing peace throughout the galaxy. However, this once-mighty civilization eventually reached a breaking point and collapsed. Now, the Chozo who remain tend to avoid the galactic spotlight.
After Samus lost her parents at a young age, the Chozo took her under their wing and raised her on planet Zebes. If not for the Chozo, there may not be a Samus."
~Transmission from the dev team~
"As mentioned in a previous Metroid Dread Report, Samus received a transplant of Chozo DNA to allow her to survive the harsh conditions of planet Zebes. Her Power Suit and Arm Cannon are also made with advanced Chozo technology.

The Chozo are inextricably bound to Samus and the Metroid series. What role will they play in this story? Stay tuned!"

Nintendo tweets[]

Nintendo of America
"The mysterious Chozo were known to be highly intelligent beings who raised Samus and created many powerful technologies, including her Power Suit and Arm Cannon. They hoped to achieve harmony throughout the galaxy, but their position weakened over many years. #MetroidDread"[14]
On planet ZDR, the setting of #MetroidDread, there may be new secrets regarding the Chozo civilization to uncover.
http://ninten.do/6010nlC6O"[15]
"Before becoming a legendary bounty hunter, Samus Aran had a unique childhood. Losing her parents at a young age, the Chozo took her under their wing & raised her.
She’s encountered the Chozo on Planet ZDR, but for some reason they treat her as an enemy… #MetroidDread"[16]
Nintendo of Europe
"Chozo are rarely seen, so it’s surprising that several are found living on planet ZDR in #MetroidDread. What’s even more surprising is that they treat Samus as an enemy…"[17]
Nintendo UK
"The Chozo and Samus are forever connected; they raised her from a young age and gave her powerful Chozo technology, turning her into the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter. #MetroidDread"[18]

Metroid.nintendo.com[]

Chozo icon on Dread site
THE CHOZO
"Known to be an intelligent species capable of developing amazing technologies, such as those used by Samus. Once a powerful force intent on achieving galactic harmony, the few remaining Chozo mostly try to avoid attention. Relics of their civilization are found throughout the galaxy."

Development notes[]

The original Japanese name for the Chozo is chōjin-zoku (鳥人族?), which literally means "bird-person race". The English name is a contraction of this term. The Chozo were not named in Metroid; while Chozo Statues (鳥人の像?) were first named in the Japanese manual of Metroid II: Return of Samus, the English manual called them Artifactor Statues instead. Therefore, the term "Chozo" made its English debut in Super Metroid and its associated media.

In most games, Chozo are only represented by their statues and ruins. Old Bird was the first Chozo to be depicted in visual media, including the Super Metroid comic in Nintendo Power and the Nintendo Official Guide Book for Super Metroid. The Japanese version of Metroid Fusion marked the debut of Old Bird and Gray Voice in a Metroid game, albeit only as flashbacks in the endings for Child Mode. Outside of flashbacks, a living Chozo would not appear in any game until Metroid Dread.

Trivia[]

  • The only games where the relics of the Chozo are not present are Metroid Prime Hunters, Metroid Fusion, and Metroid: Other M. Though they were not in-game, Samus met species similar in purpose to the Chozo in Echoes (the Luminoth, along with relics that combined both races' technology) and in Hunters (the Alimbics). In Metroid Fusion, she discovered an X Parasite mimicking a Chozo Statue, the Elephant Bird.
  • Most Metroid games mention the intelligence of the Chozo, but they mentioned only their technological inventions until Metroid Prime, in which they saw the future of the Leviathan and Metroid Prime. The method for how the Chozo looked into the future is unknown; they went to Tallon IV to rid themselves of their technology, so it may have been some sort of advanced spiritual/supernatural ability. The Chozo Lore in the NTSC version of Metroid Prime states this: "At the highest point of our city lies the fountain, a wellspring of pure water that flows throughout our civilization. It is the jewel of the Chozo, the life-giver, and yet its waters speak of a clouded future. As we come to understand the paths of time and space more clearly, we have begun to glimpse rough tatters of past and future, glittering behind reality like soft lights behind a curtain. We have seen the fountain in these glimpses, pouring darkness instead of water, and we cannot guess what the visions mean."
  • The statues that the Chozo have built, such as the Torizos, are probably alive (though to a lesser extent than the Elysians on Elysia, as the Chozo gave the latter the gift of self-awareness). NTSC Chozo Lore from Metroid Prime states, "As we have done for millennia, we Chozo work constantly on our statuary. The statues are our sentinels: blind but ever watchful, they are and have always been, repositories for our most precious secrets and strongest powers. The crafting of each is a long and sacred process, performed only by those Chozo who have lifetimes of experience in such things. We have left these relics on planets across the solar system. Some are merely reminders: silent emblems of the Chozo that serve as icons of peace in lands that know only war. Others wield subtle strength, exerting their influence in ways beyond the understanding of mortal creatures. Still, others are guardians of our secret ways, and these can be as terrible as they are beautiful. Those who respect and honor these relics will know the friendship of the Chozo. Those who deface or destroy them will know our wrath, unfettered and raw." This can be proven as the statues blasted Meta Ridley off of the Impact Crater for having destroyed the entryway. However, the cause for the Torizo's aggressive behaviors toward Samus on Zebes is never officially explained.
  • In the Metroid manga, the Chozo call the Metroids their children because they created them, though they did not intend for them to kill all life in their path.
  • Oddly, most named Chozo have names consisting of a descriptive word (mostly an adjective) followed by a noun (such as "Old Bird"), but all Chozo mentioned in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption have names of a wholly extraterrestrial origin. This discrepancy has not been explained. It could be a cultural difference between planets or tribes, or perhaps the Chozo did not use their real names. Another possibility is that a name composed of an descriptive word and a noun is simply a translation of the name of extraterrestrial origin. The fact that Raven Beak and Quiet Robe's names are respectively pronounced roughly as "Ashkar Behek" and "Henki Maradis" in the Chozo language seems to suggest that may be the case.
  • It is noted that the technology of the Chozo is arguably more advanced than the Galactic Federation's. This is exemplified by the GF's Plasma Gun, a prototype of a reversed-engineered Plasma Beam developed by Chozo. While both weapons have the same approximate power output, the Federation's version takes a frustratingly long time to charge a single blast and requires a large power source, while the Chozo version is small by comparison (being integrated into Samus Aran's Arm Cannon) and can charge a blast in mere seconds. Other Chozo tech that has been reversed-engineered are the weapons and armors seen in Metroid Fusion and possibly the Aurora Units from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
  • The murals depicting a green-skinned Chozo holding a shepherd's crook resemble Osiris, the Egyptian god of the dead and afterlife.
  • The Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide says "Torizo and Chozo basically mean the same thing", but this is incorrect. The Japanese name for Torizo is 鳥人像 (Chōjinzō?), which literally means "bird-person-statue", whereas Chozo is 鳥人族 (Chōjinzoku?), which literally means "bird-person-tribe". However, there is no distinction in Japanese between Torizo and Chozo Statue; the latter is sometimes referred to as simply "Chozo" in early Super Metroid media, which likely explains this guidebook's error.
  • With the advent of Metroid Dread, the history of the Chozo splintering off into two separate tribes, the Thoha and the Mawkin, is very similar to the relationship between the Vulcans and the Romulans from the popular science fiction franchise, Star Trek. Both are cousin tribes with many physical similarities, yet have conflicting views of one another. The Thoha are peaceful and scientific, much like the Vulcans, while the Mawkin are warriorlike and ambitious, akin to the Romulans.
  • The Chozo race is most likely based on Ancient Egyptian mythology, most notably the Egyptian god Thoth, the ibis-headed god of maintaining the universe, as well as overseeing magic, writing and science, which would explain the Thoha tribe's focus on such subjects.

Appearances[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ Magazine Z manga
  2. ^ Metroid Prime - See logbook entry "Beginnings" in the Chozo lore section.
  3. ^ Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - See logbook entry "Age of Schism" in the Bryyo lore section.
  4. ^ [[Metroid Prime (game)|]] - See storyline section of the instruction manual.
  5. ^ [[Metroid Prime (game)|]] - See logbook entry "Statuary" in the Chozo lore section.
  6. ^ Metroid: Zero Mission - Chozodia
  7. ^ Metroid Prime 3: Corruption – See logbook entry “Creators” in the Elysian lore section.
  8. ^ Super Metroid (comic) – See issue #4 page 3
  9. ^ [[Metroid (game)|]] – See instruction manual pages 5-6
  10. ^ Metroid Prime – See logbook entry "Exodus" in the Chozo lore section.
  11. ^ Metroid Prime – See logbook entries "Chozo Ghost" and "The Turned" creatures and Chozo lore sections.
  12. ^ [[Metroid Prime (game)|]] – See storyline section of the instruction manual.
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 27 July 2021 3:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1420096658742947842
  15. ^ Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 27 July 2021 3:00 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1420096668368834565
  16. ^ Nintendo of America (NintendoAmerica). 13 September 2021 1:05 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1437462389977387009
  17. ^ Nintendo of Europe (NintendoEurope). 14 September 2021 8:00 a.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1437748035585445895
  18. ^ Nintendo UK (NintendoUK). 14 September 2021 2:30 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1437846172069150723




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