Toppo

Toppo (トッポ, Toppo) is a supporting character in Suikoden III. Toppo is the quiet, talented fiddler and juggler in Nei's troupe.

History
"A busker who excels in fiddling and juggling, yet seldom speaks in public."

- Toppo's profile

Toppo is a travelling entertainer, skilled in juggling and playing the fiddle. He travels with Shabon and Nei, earning money for their performances.

Toppo and Nei first met after the passing of the latter's grandfather. Toppo made the depressed Nei laugh with a pantomime performance, and the two began traveling together. While they were performing, they took in the orphaned Shabon after bandits attacked the village they were performing in. The three soon bonded as if they were family and traveled together, performing in different parts of the continent.

Toppo rarely spoke in public, believing that whenever possible that actors should not talk. Instead, he usually communicated through miming. He did sometimes speak with Nei and Shabon but even then, he spoke very softly. He saw himself as something of a protector for his two companions. He would join the Fire Bringer alongside them after Shabon was rescued from Guillaume.

At Budehuc Castle, he was considered a kindhearted man, making wooden toys for the children who lived there. Following the War of the Champions, Toppo continued to perform with the troupe, dreaming of opening a small theatre someday.

Music
Toppo's theme is considered the aptly-name song "Toppo, Nei, Shabon Theme", which is played by and around the troupe in Vinay del Zexay and is reprised later during Suikoden III. It is shared across the troupe, meaning it is also the theme for Nei and Shabon. The song is track 15 on disc 1 of the official Suikoden III Original Soundtrack.

Trivia

 * A fiddle refers to any bowed string musical instrument, including the violin. They are used in folk music in many countries including Ireland, Norway and Hungary.