Laughing Octopus is a fictional character of the Metal Gear series. She was the stealth expert of Beauty and the Beast Unit. She, along with the other members, suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Biography

Early Years

Laughing Octopus was born in a small seaside Scandinavian town known as the Devil’s Village. It was there where octopus was eaten customarily. However, there was an anonymous cult that hated the village for this. During Octopus’ teenage years, the cult was able to gain access to heavy weaponry, and they struck the village with a deadly overnight assault. Soon enough, the village became a war zone, ending with the cult gathering all of the surviving villagers and executing them one by one, all but Octopus. Instead, they referred to her as the Devil’s Child, and forced her to torture her family and friends and then kill them herself, all the while making her laugh hysterically. Fearing death, she did so, killing her entire family. Eventually, the blood staining her skin turned from red to black, resembling the octopus ink which they loved so.

The event left her emotionally scarred, laughing while killing her victims. Eventually, she was recruited into the Beauty and the Beast Unit, soon becoming Laughing Octopus. She apparently was informed by Liquid Ocelot that by killing Solid Snake she would be cleansed of her pain and sorrow. She was fitted with an Octocamo suit developed by DARPA and a tentacle-bearing helmet, which she could use to carry herself as well as attack.

Guns of the Patriots

Laughing Octopus was first seen in the Middle East, along with the rest of the Beauty and the Beast Unit, attacking local rebels. She displayed her impressive camouflage abilities by hiding in the shadows before striking with her deadly tentacles, killing several soldiers before being called away by Screaming Mantis.

She later was stationed in South America, leading the French PMC, Pieuvre Armement, to attack the South American rebel forces. Arriving at Liquid’s safe house, she andVamp secure the area and capture several rebels and government forces. She kills all of the rebels except for one, at Vamp’s request. Changing her face to match that of Snake’s, she tells the survivor that Snake was the one that killed all of his comrades, which would cause the local regime to hunt him down. Using her tentacles to grab the armored van, she left with Vamp.

Laughing Octopus was then stationed at the research lab where Naomi Hunter was being held. Snake eventually reached the lab and made contact with Naomi, but she was quickly escorted off of the premises by Pieuvre Armement troops and the lab was rushed by FROGS, commanded by Octopus. After Snake eliminated the FROGS, Octopus entered the lab herself, formally introducing herself to Snake before attacking him.

Laughing Beauty

Despite her impressive camouflaging and ambush techniques, Snake was able to defeat Octopus. Once defeated, her octopus helmet and face mask fell off, and Octopus fell to the ground. She remarked that she is an octopus, and the octopus’ tentacles are beyond her control. Octopus then keeled over and began to spew what looked like octopus ink from her mouth onto the floor, all while laughing hysterically. Suddenly, Octopus seemed to come to her senses and came to terms with her PTSD, saying that she should have never laughed, and that in reality she was scared of the things she was laughing at. Snake subdued her and she fell to the floor, surrounded by what seemed to be flower petals, assuming the fetal position and finally bringing her to peace with herself and allowing her to silence the laughter.

Abilities

Laughing Octopus’ most notable feature is her four deadly tentacles that can be used to crush, electrocute or batter enemies to death. She is also capable of blending into the surrounding environment using technology related to OctoCamo.

She can also spew black ink to obscure herself from foes, and it armed with back-mounted homing explosives.

The four manipulators she possesses are an evolved form of Solidus Snake’s snake arm combat suit, and can be used to precisely attack foes, even at mid-range distances.

Laughing Octopus also carries a small assault rifle or a sub machine gun which she is able to holster when she is not using it.

Behind the Scenes

• Laughing Octopus holds the distinction of being the first Metal Gear Solid character to use the word “fuck” in the English version of the series. However, in the Japanese version of the series it was first used by EVA in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, who says “Fuck you” in English to Volgin. This was changed to “Go to hell” during localization.
• Laughing Octopus’ Beauty form is based off of South African model, Lyndall Jarvis.
• Her FaceCamo is unlocked after defeating her “Beauty” form by non-lethal means.
• An Octocamo named Laughing cameo is available for download anytime under extras in Metal Gear Solid 4

References