Chao

Chao
Artwork of a Chao as a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
First appearance	Sonic Adventure (1998, Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) (2007, Super Mario-related media)
Latest appearance	The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog (2023, Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019, Super Mario-related media)
Variants Hero Chao Dark Chao Omochao
Notable members Chaos Cheese

Chao are a friendly species from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise that appear in several installments of the Mario & Sonic series, as well as making some cameo appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series. In the Mario & Sonic series, Chao usually appear in supporting roles, such as forming part of the audience and having minor roles in story modes, but in certain events appear as additional playable team members. As well as the regular form of Chao, Hero Chao and Dark Chao also appear in similar roles in the games, and the Chao-shaped robot Omochao also appears throughout the series, albeit with some slightly different roles. Cheese also occasionally appears alongside Cream in various supporting roles. Chao are voiced by Tomoko Sasaki.

History

Mario & Sonic series

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Chao make cameo appearances in both versions of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, where they appear in the audience alongside Hero Chao. Hot air balloons in the shape of Chao's heads also appear in the background of some outdoor Events, including Archery and Single Sculls in the Wii version, and Dream Long Jump and Archery in the Nintendo DS version. A Chao also appears on the message that reminds players to take break after playing for a while in the Wii version.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Chao in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games' audience.

Chao also make similar appearances in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, where they once again appear as part of the crowd, with the addition of Dark Chao, and the Chao-shaped balloons also appear in several events. In the Wii version, Chao will occasionally send the player mail. In the Nintendo DS version, Chao serve a larger role, with a pair of Chao forming part of the player's team in Curling. They carry out the sweeping role, and their color corresponds to the team that they appear on. Several different varieties of Chao, including Hero Chao and Dark Chao, also appear hosting events and setting challenges in the Adventure Tours mode, with some appearing on the unlockable photo of non-playable characters.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games

A sticker of Chao in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, different types of Chao return to form part of the audience, and a Chao appears on the free sticker that can be obtained in London Party. Cheese also appears alongside Cream to host the mode.

In the Nintendo 3DS version, Chao appear in the audience as well as the Chao-shaped hot air balloons appearing in certain events. A pair of Chao also form one of the teams that the player competes against in events that require a pair of characters to be used, though the Chao are never seen participating the events. In the story mode, a single Chao appears at the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, and later appears in the bonus episode Junior, Super Hero?, where it is attacked by an Egg Pawn and Egg Flapper but is saved by Bowser Jr. Cheese also makes an appearance with Cream in the episode A Rainbow In Fog. Badges of a Chao, Hero Chao and Dark Chao can be obtained from the badge machine.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

A Chao-shaped ballon and Chao itself can be seen in the box artwork of Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Chao appear in the audience once again in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, as well as the Chao-shaped balloons making a reappearance in certain events. A Chao also appears sitting on the Fishin' Lakitu's starting lights in Groove Pipe Snowboard and Roller Coaster Bobsleigh.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

As well as reprising their usual role, Chao appear as referees and operating cameras in certain events in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, including Table Tennis and Rugby Sevens in the Wii U version and BMX and Table Tennis Plus in the Nintendo 3DS version. They also appear as additional teammates for Sonic or Mii if the opponent is Mario in Football and Football Plus in the Nintendo 3DS version.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Once again appearing as spectators in the Tokyo 2020 events, as well as the hot air balloons appearing in the events, Chao make a minor appearance in the story mode as characters that can be spoken to by approaching them. The Chao, however, will only make comments consisting of multiple uses of the word "Chao" with no meaning. Cheese appears alongside Cream supporting characters in the events.

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Chao make a cameo appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where a group of five of them appear as a trophy, and another three appear as a sticker. Cheese also appears as part of Cream's trophy and sticker.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Trophies of a trio of Chao appear in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, as well as Cheese once again appearing alongside Cream on hers.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A Chao spirit appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which can be enhanced into a Hero Chao, as well as Cheese appearing alongside Cream as another spirit. For the spirit battle, the player faces four Squirtle on the Windy Hill Zone that become more powerful after eating.

Profiles and statistics

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trophy

Name	Image	Game	Description
Chao		GCN SONIC ADVENTURE DX: Director's Cut	A type of creature that can absorb and learn skills and traits from other life-forms, adapting its shape as it does. This results in vast variations in appearance, behavior, and personality. Chao are generally very cute, and their mannerisms are pleasant and relaxing. Chao Gardens are a good place to find them, but they also inhabit areas with freshwater.

Sticker

Image	Game	Effect
	Sonic Adventure Director's Cut	Flinch Resistance +49

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy

Name	3DS Image	Wii U Image	Appears in	NTSC-U Description	PAL Description
Chao			GCN Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (02/2002) GCN Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (06/2003)	How can you resist the cute charm of these little guys? Don't you just want to hold them tight and protect them from the dangers of the world? Well, they'd like that too. Since ancient times, if they can't find a safe place to live, they find someone to look after them.	Aren't these little guys the cutest? You just want to hold them tight and make sure nothing happens to them. Well, that's how they've survived since...forever - if they can't find somewhere predator-free, they'll find somebody to look after them. Just like Cheese did with his owner, Cream!

Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit

Name	Image	Series / game	Type	Class	Strength / effect(s)	How to obtain	Spirit battle
							Opponent(s)	Battle conditions	Stage	Song
Chao		Sonic the Hedgehog Series	Primary (2)	Novice	deepskyblue Can be enhanced to Hero Chao at Lv. 99	World of Light (Light Realm); Spirit Board	Squirtle ×4	Rule: Item: Food The enemy become more powerful after eating The enemy is easily distracted by items	Windy Hill Zone	Escape from the City

Gallery

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  Toad and Chao in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)

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  Chao banner decal featuring Chao, Hero Chao and Dark Chao from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)

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  Chao item of Party Game Mode from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)

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  Mii costume featuring Chao in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii), also in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii)

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	チャオ[?] Chao	Chao
Chinese	奇恩[?] Qí Ēn	Chao
Dutch	Chao[?]	-
German	Chao[?]	-
Italian	Chao[?]	-
Korean	챠오[?] Chyao	Chao
Spanish	Chao[?]	-

External links

• Chao on Sonic Retro
• Chao at the Sonic Wiki Zone