Lottieβs analysis of Vector The Crocodile
Vector is a fun, lovable, and complex character that a ton of non-Chaotix fans seem to misunderstand completely. Iβm making this analysis to explain why I love Vector and why you should too.
From a glance, Vector just seems like a total brute. We know that he is loud, he is bossy, and he definitely has a short temper. Official material even states that heβs loud-mouthed and says whatβs on his mind! If you look further, youβd see that he has a sincere kind quality to him that gives the croc an admirable heart of gold. Thereβs been times in canon where heβs even been embarrassed to talk about his kind heart because he has an image to maintain! Itβs been stated before that heβll help those in need free of charge, all because he believes that helping those less fortunate than him is a reward in itself. This is a core part of his character, a core part of his morals and sense of justice too. It should be noted that he does this free work despite the fact that he is, well, dead broke. Guy canβt pay the rent to save his life. Thereβs an idle chatter in Heroes where he mumbles about βforgetting to pay the electric bill for the office.β If you know the Chaotix on a base level, you know that they are broke. But, theyβre broke out of Vectorβs own generosity.
Iβve seen people say that they believe the Chaotix arenβt a family and are just merely coworkers. However, official interactions say otherwise. Yeah, Vector leads the Chaotix as their boss, but he is also a guardian of sorts to both Espio and Charmy. In CrossWorlds, Espio mentions a βfire-forged kinshipβ between him and Vector. In the same game, Vector even asks Sage if she wants to have a play date with Charmy! Would someone who isnβt a parent ask a question like that? Vector also has such fun dynamics with Espio and Charmy. For instance, Charmy gets on Vectorβs nerves a LOT. Like, to the point where Vector yells and starts chasing the kid around. Thereβs nothing harmful behind that, though. Just family being family. We even see that Charmy really looks up to Vector, the kid is always imitating his bossβ gestures and behaviors. It should also be noted that Vector puts a lot of trust in Charmy, despite the fact he is just a little kid. Vectorβs relationship with Espio isnβt asβ¦nuclear? If that makes sense? They still have a clear familial relationship, but it can be interpreted in all kinds of ways, as opposed to the father-son thing that Vector and Charmy have going on. Vector respects Espio deeply, and trusts him to be independent and successful. Vector even values Espioβs judgments when the two of them disagree. What really makes the whole βfamilyβ thing set in stone is the fact that Vector calls them his βBoys.β Itβs not just a one time thing, itβs been happening consistently since Sonic Heroes. It tells the player that they arenβt just Vectorβs employees, instead, they are his family.
I do want to mention the most common mischaracterization when it comes to Vector. Itβs Sonic X that really hurt his characterization, turning him into a stupid guy who does things for himself. Lots of people write Vector off as being dumb because of this. Vector is much more than this. He has insane intelligence, he is a detective after all. Again in Heroes, he deduced that the client was Eggman really early into the game, he just went through with the case because heβs a good detective! Even Espio and Charmy had no idea that the client was Eggman. Yeah, Vector may not be composed like Espio or cheerful like Charmy, but he has a bright mind and a golden heart.
Vector, in my opinion, is one of the best written characters in the entire Sonic series when he is given his time to shine. Heβs rough around the edges, but he would do anything for you. Vector is the kind of person who would snap at you because he was having a bad day, but them go out of his way to apologize and make sure youβre doing alright. I love Vector, and so should you.
