C-3PO

Protocol droid fluent in over six million forms of communication

Protocol droid proficient in over six million galactic languages. Assists in communication and interpretation between various species. Golden body is its characteristic feature.

Quotes

  • Don't you think I'm brilliant?
  • We're doomed!
  • Artoo! Hurry! Do something!
  • Don't you think they look like gods?
  • I think I had a strange dream
  • Did I say something?

Trivia

  • Became quarreling friends with R2-D2 right after birth.
  • Speaks with a British English accent.
  • Design inspired by the humanoid Maria from the film Metropolis.
  • In the story, once its head and body were separated and connected to another battle droid's parts, causing confusion.
  • Left arm is red because it transplanted a fellow droid's arm.
  • Normally golden armor, but right leg below knee is silver.

Alternate names

3PO シースリーピーオー シースリーピオ See-Threepio

Tags

Protocol Droid Droid Star Wars Interpreter Golden Robot R2-D2 Humanoid Movie Character Sci-Fi

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Profile

Species
Protocol Droid (Robot)

Appearance

Overall appearance
Humanoid droid primarily gold in color. The right leg below the knee is silver. Notable for awkward movements and characteristic two arms.
Distinguishing features
  • Golden full-body armor
  • Only the part from the right knee down is silver
  • Awkward walking style
  • Two arms
  • Forward-leaning posture
Iconic items
  • Interpretation function
  • Multilingual synthesizer
  • Silver right lower leg parts

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Talkative
Detailed personality
Boasts high linguistic ability and knowledge, but has a noisy personality that brags about its own performance. Often annoys companions because it keeps talking constantly. Handles misfortunes calmly while constantly bickering with R2-D2. Polite and strict about diplomatic etiquette.
Keywords
  • Talkative
  • Noisy
  • Polite
  • Cautious
  • Jinxed
  • Loyal
  • Multilingual
  • Cantankerous
  • Kind
Motto
In a manner befitting diplomatic etiquette
Talents
  • Multilingual interpretation
  • Advanced cryptography decoding ability
  • Precise voice reproduction
  • Psychological understanding
  • Programming
  • Computer operation
Skills
  • Piloting of spaceships and vehicles
  • Broad knowledge of etiquette
  • Impromptu translation
  • Assistance in electronic device repairs
  • Communication assistance
Motivation
To support smooth communication between species and help companions escape crises
Habits
Often brags about its own abilities or makes snide remarks to R2-D2. Frequently subjected to treatment like being powered off.
Favorite colors
Gold
Disliked situations
Dangerous combat situations, Rude behavior, Being underestimated for its performance

History

Backstory
C-3PO is a protocol droid responsible for interpretation and etiquette for diverse galactic species. In Episode 1, it was assembled from scrap by Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes Darth Vader. It has silver right lower leg parts, and its golden exterior was attached by Padmé Amidala's mother, Shmi Skywalker. Designed to be fluent in over six million languages. Personality is constantly talkative and noisy, bearing the misfortune of being powered off or discarded in many scenes, but has overcome numerous crises alongside R2-D2. In Episode 5, its head is attached backwards during repairs; in Episode 6, it is mistaken for a god by Ewoks on Endor. The Episode 7 setting where its left arm turns red is established in a prequel comic.
Debut date
May 25, 1977
Work title
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Media type
Movie
Episode or chapter
Episode 4

Assembly by Anakin

Significant event
Assembly by Anakin
Description
Assembled from scrap by Anakin Skywalker.

Separation of body and head

Significant event
Separation of body and head
Description
In Episode 2, separated into a battle droid's body and head, causing confusion, but repaired.

Head attached backwards

Significant event
Head attached backwards
Description
In Episode 5, head attached front-to-back during repairs.

Mistaken for a god by Ewoks

Significant event
Mistaken for a god by Ewoks
Description
In Episode 6, treated as a god statue by Endor's Ewoks and helps the Rebel Alliance.

Red left arm part transplant

Significant event
Red left arm part transplant
Description
In Episode 7 prequel comic, loses left arm and transplants a fellow droid's arm.

Relationships

Anakin Skywalker

Creator and first master. Served Anakin, who later grows as a Jedi.

Shmi Skywalker

Mother who attached the exterior.

Leia Organa

Served the Resistance; still regarded even after memory wipe.

R2-D2

Best friend

Longtime companionship with frequent arguments, but strong trust.

Leia Organa

Servant

Continues to serve even after Leia's memory wipe.

Chewbacca

Ally

Helped during the accident where head was attached backwards during repairs.

Galactic Republic

Galactic Republic: unknown

Rebel Alliance

Rebel Alliance: unknown

Resistance

Resistance: unknown

Media appearances

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Movie

1977

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Movie

1999

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Movie

2002

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Movie

2005

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Movie

1980

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Movie

1983

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Movie

2015

Star Wars: Droids

Anime

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II

Game

Voice cast and creators

Anthony Daniels

Voice actor
Anthony Daniels
Language
English
Version or series
Live-action movie version
Notes
Original voice actor, also responsible for suit performance

Tom Kane

Voice actor
Tom Kane
Language
English
Version or series
Game version
Notes
Mainly game voice actor

Hiroshi Iwasaki

Voice actor
Hiroshi Iwasaki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Movies, anime, many games
Notes
Exclusive voice actor from Episode 1 onward

Sakae Takayama

Voice actor
Sakae Takayama
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Episode 4-5 theatrical release version

Nachi Nozawa

Voice actor
Nachi Nozawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Episode 4 initial broadcast version, etc.

Kei Tomiyama

Voice actor
Kei Tomiyama
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Episode 5 TV Asahi version

Hideyuki Tanaka

Voice actor
Hideyuki Tanaka
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II-III

Yoshihiko Kakagawa

Voice actor
Yoshihiko Kakagawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

George Lucas

Creator name
George Lucas
Role
Original author

unknown

Creator name
unknown
Role
Character designer

Lucasfilm

Creator name
Lucasfilm
Role
Animation studio

The Walt Disney Company

Creator name
The Walt Disney Company
Role
Licensee

Related goods

C-3PO Figure

Item name
C-3PO Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

C-3PO Plush Doll

Item name
C-3PO Plush Doll
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

C-3PO Costume

Item name
C-3PO Costume
Category
Apparel
Availability
Regular

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