"I am no pet, I am an accomplished swordsman, green as I may appear. " — Frog |
Frog (カエル Kaeru?, Kaeru in the Japanese version) is a knight from the Middle Ages in Chrono Trigger. His real name is Glenn (or Grenn in Japanese media). He was presumably a squire under Cyrus, a "Knight of the Square Table." (This reference only exists in the SNES/PS version.) Glenn had a notably close friendship with Queen Leene. He later witnessed Cyrus's death at the hands of Magus, and shortly afterward, was transformed into an anthropomorphic frog by the dark mage. Typically chivalrous but mired in regret over the past, Frog dedicates his life to protecting Queen Leene and vows to avenge Cyrus by killing Magus. He blames himself for his friend's death, and at the same time fails to acknowledge that he is the true bearer of the Masamune, an ancient sword with offensive capabilities against magic users, which is Magus's major weakness. Frog can later put Cyrus' ghost to rest, regaining his courage and clearing his conscience, and he has the opportunity to either defeat or ally himself with Magus. Frog wields a broadsword and can learn "Water" magic once he meets Spekkio; like Marle, he also features a few healing techs.
Appearance
Frog, fully-armed.
In his changed form, Frog only stands around four to five feet tall. However, he is immensely strong, since he is able to wield the Masamune with ease. His amphibian physiology allows him to jump very high and move very swiftly by hopping. A few of his Techs involve the use of his long, sticky tongue to grapple enemies. Although transformed into an animal, Frog continues to wear human clothes, seemingly out of habit rather than apparent need. Iconic for his green cape, Frog also wears britches, a belt fitted with a scabbard, boots, and blue gloves.
In his human form he is called Glenn. Glenn wears the same clothes that Frog wears, a golden breastplate, a green cape, green gloves, boots, and white pants. Glenn appears as a tall young man with spiky green hair and a piece of hair sticking out in the front. He was described as handsome as a young man.
Biography
Childhood in Guardia
Glenn was born in Guardia, possibly in Truce or Dorino. His closest friend was Cyrus, who was several years his senior. The children in his home town often teased him for reasons unknown. Glenn never fought back since it hurt him emotionally to try and hurt another. Cyrus told him he was a marshmallow.
Several years later, when Glenn was a teenager, Cyrus declared that he was going to enlist as a royal knight of Guardia. He asked Glenn to come with him, but Glenn didn't feel he'd make a good knight. After Cyrus protested that Glenn was better than him with a sword, Glenn explained that he didn't think he could bring himself to hurt others.
The Squire
In the end, Glenn came to Guardia to serve as Cyrus' squire. He journeyed with Cyrus on many adventures, including a battle the Toad King which yielded the retrieval of the Hero's Badge. Glenn and Leene became close friends, the young queen was always fearing for his safety.
Frog and Crono in the FMV of the PlayStation release.
The Battle with the Fiendlord
In c. 590 AD, Cyrus and Glenn departed to face the Fiendlord Magus. Together, they traveled to the top of the Denadoro Mountains to claim the Masamune from Masa & Mune. Cyrus single-handedly managed to defeat the twin
Glenn witnesses the death of Cyrus at the hands of Magus.
Mystics, and they offered him use of the sword out of admiration for his skills.
Shortly thereafter, armed with the only weapon that could defeat him, Cyrus faced Magus. Glenn could only stand back and watch, afraid to get involved. Cyrus charged Magus, but was blown back by his powerful magic. The Masamune shattered.
Magus, in an act of utter spite, cast one final spell that killed Cyrus. Glenn picked up the broken hilt of the sword, growing angry and vengeful. Magus remained unimpressed. Ozzie suggested that Glenn looked like an angry, hopping toad. Taking his general's advice, Magus cast another spell that transformed Glenn into an anthropomorphic frog and flung him off the mountain.
The War with the Mystics
Since then, Glenn (now calling himself "Frog") has fought a one-man war against the Fiendlord's armies. He is consumed with regret and self-loathing over his weakness in the fight against Magus, and continues to blame himself for Cyrus' death. He dwells alone in a hidden grotto deep within the Cursed Woods.
The Kidnapping of the Queen
Ten years later, Frog learns that the Mystics have kidnapped Leene, and goes in search of her. He calls off the search when Marle is found in Truce Canyon and is mistaken for the Queen. Continuing his investigation, he knows that the queen is still in danger. He arrives at Manolia Cathedral, where he meets up with Crono and Lucca and discovers the cathedral to be a secret Mystic base. Together, the three of them defeat the boss Yakra and rescue both the queen and the Chancellor, whom Yakra had been impersonating for quite some time.
Rescuing them and returning to Guardia Castle, Frog departs once more, stopping only to marvel at Marle's uncanny resemblance to the queen. Leene begs him to stay, but Frog bows respectfully and disappears back into self-imposed exile.
The Hero Returns
Along the way, Frog lost track of the Hero's Badge, the magic sigil that showed one's true strength and aided the wielder of the Masamune. The badge is found by Tata, who is taken to be the new Hero.
Frog wanted no more to do with the Masamune, the badge, or even trying to be a hero. All he could think of was how he was nothing like Cyrus.
Frog unlocks the Masamune's power.
Recovering the Hero's Badge from a terrified Tata as well as the shards of the Masamune, Crono and company confront him, saying that he is the only one who can wield the Masamune and defeat Magus. At first, he is unwilling to help them, citing his own weakness. They then discover the hilt of the blade, which leads them to Melchior. When the sword is reforged, they return to Frog's hideout and ask him to help them defeat Magus once and for all. After some flashbacks Frog joins the party permanently.
The Battle in the Fiendlord's Keep
Crono, Frog, and their ally proceed to the Magic Cave, the only way to reach the Fiendlord's Keep. Finally taking
Frog ready to enter Magus's castle.
hold of the Masamune, Frog uses its awesome power to cleave the foot of the mountain in two, opening up the long-sealed pathway to Magus. After facing his generals - Slash, Flea, and Ozzie - Frog and the rest proceed to the inner sanctum where they find Magus. Magus uses powerful magic against them, but Frog uses the Masamune to break his nigh-impenetrable magic barrier, allowing them to harm him. Their battle weakens him, which causes him to lose control of his spell to summon Lavos. The creature begins waking up too early, and the space-time distortion it causes sends them all hurtling through time.
Frog braces for the assault against Magus in the FMV.
Facing Magus
In Antiquity (12000 B.C.), they learn that the so-called "Prophet" is actually Magus in disguise. They find Magus on the North Cape, and Magus offers Frog a chance for revenge. If Frog manages to kill him, the spell on him will be eventually broken and he will become Glenn once more.
It is up to the choice of the player whether to slay Magus or allow him to join the company (the canon is that Frog spares him). Frog sheaths his blade, saying that killing Magus would not return Cyrus nor give him back his life.
Side Quests
The Hero's Grave
In 1000 AD, Frog finds the restless spirit of Cyrus. In the past, they are able to repair Cyrus' grave which puts his spirit to rest. Proceeding to his final resting place, Cyrus' spirit descends and empowers the Masamune, making it stronger than ever.
Endings
Several endings of the game, particularly those that show the departure of the main characters back to their own time periods, have two variants based upon Frog.
Should the player decide to fight Magus the second time on the North Cape in the Antiquity, the spell on Frog would be broken, but not until the end of the game. When the group says their farewells on the last evening of the Millennial Fair, a tall, green-haired knight approaches them, thanking them for their help. Marle and Lucca realize that he is actually Frog transformed back into a human, and cannot help but admire how handsome he is.
A similar ending happens if you choose to fight Magus a second time and leave Crono dead. It starts the same with Marle and Lucca celebrating the last day of the Millenia Fair, then as you go to the two pods the gate bursts open with Gaspar, Ayla, Robo, and a long green haired man. Ayla demands the Time Egg, but before Gaspar give it to them he jumps back into the gate. The man explains the situation, then Marle and Lucca realize that was Frog now Glenn. Lucca then wants to follow the party using the Epoch for the sole purpose of hitting on Glenn, quoting: "Nya Ha Ha! Hey Frog! Why didn't you tell us you were a dish?" Then the ending part with King Guardia hanging on Nadia's bell happens.
If Frog spares Magus, the game ends with him looking off into the horizon on the peak of the Denadoro Mountains, reminiscing about Cyrus.
Defeat Lavos after giving the Masamune to Frog, but before fighting Magus, and the ending sequence will begin at Lucca's House. The group will celebrate their victory over Lavos. In the middle of the party, Frog slips away, saying he has unfinished business. The scene then switches to Magus' Castle. Frog moves through the Castle, easily killing Slash, Flea, and Ozzie. He moves through the castle traps and confronts the keep's master, Magus. The two battle to the death, knowing one of them will not walk away alive.
The sequence ends with a unknown silhouette perched on top of the keep. It is never revealed whether it is Frog (who has had the spell broken by Magus' death) or Magus who walked away the victor of the duel.
Another ending shows Marle post-Lavos, confronting her father. Both her and her father have some unseemly attributes. They croak and hop like frogs, suggesting they were descendants of Queen Leene and Frog, although the relationship between the knight and his liege is said to be strictly platonic.
Frog transforms back into Glenn and is knighted by the King Guardia XXI.
An ending exclusive to the FMV of the PlayStation and DS releases depicts Frog transforming back into a human male. A large ceremony including all of the nobles of the court and the royal guard is held for him, and the King, wielding a jewel-encrusted sword, knights him. One note about his design in this ending is that his hair has been cropped fairly short; in the flashback prior to his transformation, his hair is depicted as much longer, and is clearly tied into a loose ponytail from a rear shot.
Abilities
Frog is a very skilled swordsman able to fight multiple enemies with ease. Upon meeting Spekkio, which can happen any time after the Masamune is reforged, Frog learns to use Water magic. He is also able to summon forth a powerful, giant frog to trample his enemies. Frog's ability to deal out large amount of physical damage, heal, and inflict magic damage make him one of the most useful characters in the game.
Frog's element is water, so he takes extra damage from fire attacks.
Frog's Techs
| Tech (SNES/PS1 Name) | Japanese Name | MP | TP | Target | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slurp | ベロロン | 1 | 10 | One ally | Restore a small amount of HP to an ally. |
| Slurp Slash (Slurp Cut) | ベロロン斬り | 2 | 15 | One enemy | Snag an enemy with tongue, then slash it. |
| ☆Water | ☆ウォーター | 2 | N/A | One enemy | Attack an enemy with water. (Water) |
| ☆Heal | ☆ヒール | 2 | 10 | All allies | Restore moderate HP to all allies. |
| Aerial Strike (Leap Slash) | ジャンプ斬り | 4 | 250 | One enemy | Leap up and stab an enemy from above. |
| ☆Water II (Water 2) | ☆ウォータガ | 8 | 400 | All enemies | Attack all enemies with water. (Water) |
| ☆Cure II (Cure 2) | ☆ケアルガ | 5 | 600 | One ally | Restore a large amount of HP to an ally. |
| Frog Squash | カエルおとし | 15 | 1,000 | All enemies | Hit all foes. Damage higher when HP is low. |
Translation Differences
Frog's Japanese name Kaeru is a pun as this can be read both as "frog" (蛙) or the verb "to transform, to change" (変える) as well as the English name Kyle. In addition, Ozzie's comment about Glenn's inaction after Cyrus falls is, in Japanese, that he looks like a "frog glared at by a snake" (a Japanese idiom largely equivalent to North America's "deer in the headlights"). Thus he is transformed to match the idiom.
In the English translation, Frog speaks in a grandiose, semi-Shakespearean manner, using words such as "thou," "thee" and "shalt," though strangely no one else from his era speaks that way—including Frog himself when shown in flashbacks as Glenn. It's interesting to note that in the Japanese version, he instead talks in a more complicated, unusual way than people speak in real life. Among various character types in JRPGs, he speaks in a "well-trained/disciplined warrior" tone of speech.
Connections in Chrono Cross
In Chrono Cross there is a similar-looking, but unrelated character named Glenn appears who was named after Frog. He also possesses a a Dual Tech with Serge named X-Strike, similar to the one performed by Crono and Frog of the same name.
Turnip also vaguely resembles Frog's form in Chrono Trigger.