Peppy Hare

Lore & Background

Peppy Hare is a hare who wears a red suit and is a member of the original Star Fox team, with leader James McCloud and wingmate Pigma Dengar. After Pigma's betrayal and James' capture, Peppy barely escapes and returns to inform Fox McCloud of his father's fate. Peppy serves as Fox's mentor, giving him instructions and advice throughout the course of the games. By the time of Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox: Assault, he is retired from flight duty, taking up an advisory position in the Great Fox. According to Star Fox Command, he has a daughter named Lucy. He later serves as an advisor to General Pepper, and while he is sometimes referred to as 'General Peppy' in official materials like the Star Fox 64 3D manual, his official rank in the Cornerian Army is not consistently defined. In the Nintendo Power comic, Peppy appears to have some form of extrasensory perception, although it is not elaborated upon. Peppy's phrase from Star Fox 64, "Do a barrel roll!", has become an internet meme. Google created an Easter egg homage to it in November 2011. Typing "do a barrel roll" or "z or r twice" makes the user's web browser appear to spin. Peppy appears in the Super Smash Bros. series as a collectable trophy.

In Their Own Story

Peppy Hare is a hare who wears a red suit and is a member of the original Star Fox team, with leader James McCloud and wingmate Pigma Dengar. After Pigma's betrayal and James' capture, Peppy barely escapes and returns to inform Fox McCloud of his father's fate. Peppy serves as Fox's mentor, giving him instructions and advice throughout the course of the games. By the time of Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox: Assault, he is retired from flight duty, taking up an advisory position in the Great Fox. According to Star Fox Command, he has a daughter named Lucy and is the widower of his wife Vivian. He is made general of the Corneria Army after Pepper grows ill.

Reader's Guide

Peppy Hare is a hare who wears a red suit and is a member of the original Star Fox team, with leader James McCloud and wingmate Pigma Dengar. After Pigma's betrayal and James' capture, Peppy barely escapes and returns to inform Fox McCloud of his father's fate. Peppy serves as Fox's mentor, giving him instructions and advice throughout the course of the games. By the time of Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox: Assault, he is retired from flight duty, taking up an advisory position in the Great Fox. According to Star Fox Command, he has a daughter named Lucy and is the widower of his wife Vivian. He is made general of the Corneria Army after Pepper grows ill.

Did You Know?

• Peppy's phrase from Star Fox 64, "Do a barrel roll!", has become an internet meme. Google created an Easter egg homage to it in November 2011.
• In the Nintendo Power comic, Peppy appears to have some form of extrasensory perception, although it is not elaborated upon.
• According to Star Fox Command, Peppy has a daughter named Lucy, but no wife is mentioned in canon.
• Peppy serves as an advisor to General Pepper, and is sometimes referred to as 'General Peppy' in official materials like the Star Fox 64 3D manual, though his official rank in the Cornerian Army is not consistently defin
• In English, Peppy was voiced by Rick May in Star Fox 64 and Star Fox 64 3D, Chris Seavor in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Star Fox Adventures, Henry Dardenne in Assault, Dex Manley in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Jaz Adams

Star Fox Origins and Role

Within the expansive universe of the Star Fox franchise, Peppy Hare stands as a foundational figure whose history predates the main narrative arcs. He is an anthropomorphic hare who served alongside the legendary Slippy Toad and James McCloud in the original Star Wolf team before that unit dissolved. Following the tragic loss of his friend James, Peppy took on the mantle of leadership for the next generation, effectively becoming the mentor and commander of Fox McCloud's team. His experience as a veteran pilot is central to the group's dynamic, providing the tactical wisdom necessary to navigate complex interstellar conflicts. Unlike many characters who rely solely on raw power, Peppy represents institutional memory and seasoned judgment, guiding younger pilots through the dangers of the Lylat System with a steady hand.

Commander of the Arwing

Peppy Hare is most frequently recognized as the commanding officer of the Great Fox, the massive mothership that serves as the mobile base for the Star Fox team. In this capacity, he acts not only as a strategic leader but also as a direct participant in aerial combat, piloting his own Arwing fighter with exceptional skill. His role aboard the vessel involves coordinating squad movements and making critical decisions during high-stakes battles against antagonists like Andross or the Aparoid invaders. Peppy's presence ensures that the team remains organized under pressure, often delivering crucial mission briefings before launching into action. His dual function as both a ship commander and an elite pilot highlights his versatility and deep commitment to protecting the Lylat System from existential threats.

Legacy of Mentorship

The enduring legacy of Peppy Hare is defined by his profound influence on Fox McCloud, whom he raised after the death of Fox's father. This mentor-student relationship forms the emotional core of the franchise, illustrating how Peppy instilled values of courage, loyalty, and responsibility in the young hero. By sharing his own past experiences and lessons learned from previous wars, Peppy ensured that the spirit of justice survived beyond his generation. His guidance helped transform Fox from a novice into a capable leader who could eventually take command when necessary. This intergenerational bond underscores Peppy's importance not just as a warrior, but as a guardian of tradition who prepares the future defenders of peace through dedicated teaching and unwavering support.

Iconic Character Design

Visually, Peppy Hare is distinguished by his mature appearance compared to other team members, featuring gray fur that signifies his age and extensive service record. He typically wears a flight suit adorned with medals and insignia that reflect his long history of military achievements within the Lylat System. His design often includes a distinctive mustache and expressive eyes that convey wisdom and determination during intense moments of gameplay or storytelling. These visual elements immediately communicate his status as an elder statesman of the Star Fox team, setting him apart from the younger, more energetic members like Falco or Slippy. The consistency of his look across various games and media reinforces his identity as a reliable and seasoned veteran who has weathered countless storms to protect his friends.