Kirby

Kirby riding a warp star
Kirby
Species	Unknown
Hair color	None
Eye color	Blue
Voiced by	Makiko Ōmoto
Debut	Kirby's Dream Land

Kirby is the titular protagonist of the Kirby series. He is a small, spherical creature with large, red feet and stubby arms. He is soft and flexible, allowing him to be squished or to expand. Kirby lives on the planet Popstar in a domed house within Dream Land. He is cheerful and does not usually speak, but he acts as a hero and constantly foils the plans of King Dedede and other significant threats. He is known for his ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers, although the latter ability was not introduced until his second game.

Background

The NES/Game Boy Era

Kirby's first known adventure began when King Dedede stole all of the food and Sparkling Stars in Dream Land as shown in Kirby's Dream Land (as well as the Spring Breeze remake within Kirby Super Star). Described as having ridden in on a spring breeze, Kirby embarked on an adventure throughout Dream Land to collect the Sparkling Stars while seeking out Dedede to stop him. In the end, Kirby and King Dedede battled in a boxing ring. After winning, Kirby transformed into a balloon and carried Dedede's castle through the sky as he returned the food to the inhabitants of Dream Land.

Later, Kirby was taking a nap when he woke up without having a dream. Suspicious, he visited the Fountain of Dreams to discover King Dedede had stolen the Star Rod and broken it into seven pieces. Kirby traveled across Dream Land and recovered the pieces in Kirby's Adventure (and in the Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land remake), meeting and fighting with the mysterious Meta Knight in the process. Upon reuniting the Star Rod, a dark aura called Nightmare appeared. He had corrupted the Star Rod, and King Dedede had actually been trying to protect Dream Land by splitting the Star Rod. Kirby managed to defeat Nightmare and restored peace to Dream Land.

The Super NES Era

Kirby's next adventure was to save the rainbows that connected the islands of Dream Land in Kirby's Dream Land 2. King Dedede was behind it, but he turned out to be possessed by a being called Dark Matter. With the help of Rick the Hamster, Coo the Owl, and Kine the Ocean Sunfish, Kirby was able to free Dedede's mind and then defeated Dark Matter.

Kirby also had a series of adventures within Kirby Super Star (as well as its remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra). He fought Dyna Blade, a giant bird terrorizing the land, in the sub-game of the same name. Upon defeating the bird, he discovered she had chicks and helped to raise them. Kirby also went to discover the Great Cave Offensive. He got lost and had to find his way out. By the time he was out, he had found a lot of treasure. After that, Meta Knight tried to take over Dream Land using his airship known as Halberd in "Revenge of Meta Knight". Kirby boarded the ship with the help of Dyna Blade. He got knocked off after making some progress, but managed to get back on and defeated Meta Knight. Having defeated Meta Knight, Kirby went out to settle the sun and moon's feud in "Milky Way Wishes". Using the advice of the innocent-looking Marx, Kirby traveled across several worlds in order to use the power of their Dream Fountains to summon the wish-granting Nova. He was successful in summoning Nova, but Marx betrayed him and made a wish to take over Pop Star first, turning Marx into a monstrous creature. Marx had manipulated the entire situation, but Kirby was still able to destroy Marx in his more powerful form. This brought peace back to the world.

Kirby faced more trouble in Pop Star in Kirby's Dream Land 3, when Dark Matter attempted a second invasion. Once more rallying his animal buddies, Kirby fought his way through Dark Matter's pieces, freeing a possessed Dedede again, and he eventually defeated Dark Matter once more.

The Nintendo 64/Gameboy Advance Era

In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, a young fairy named Ribbon crash-landed on Pop Star directly atop Kirby and recruited him in gathering Crystal Shards for use in saving Ripple Star from the threat of Dark Matter. They journeyed across six worlds to gather the 74 crystal shards, along the way being joined by a Waddle Dee, Adelaine and King Dedede after freeing each from Dark Matter's mind control through battle. Kirby was then able to use the crystal to free the queen fairy from Dark Matter's mind control and in a battle within the Dark Star, seemingly destroyed Dark Matter for good. The fairies rewarded the heroes with crystal medallions, and Ribbon congratulated Kirby with a kiss.

On Kirby's next adventure in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Mirror Land was threatened. Meta Knight attempted to protect it, but was defeated by Dark Meta Knight. Kirby, who came to help, was attacked by Dark Meta Knigt, who divied Kirby into four parts: pink, yellow, green, and red. After many battles, he defeated Dark Meta Knight and saved the real Meta Knight, only to discover that a being called Dark Mind was behind everything. Kirby was able to defeat Dark Mind, and then he and his clones flew off on Warp Stars.

The DS/Wii Era

One day, a mysterious witch appeared out of a portal in the sky. The witch, Drawcia, cast a spell over Dream Land to turn it into a world of paint in Kirby Canvas Curse. Kirby pursued Drawcia into her own world of paint. She cursed Kirby by removing his limbs, but Kirby was still able to roll. Kirby managed to reach Drawcia and destroyed her

In Kirby Squeak Squad, Kirby started off on a picnic when his strawberry shortcake was suddenly stolen. He decided that King Dedede was behind it and went to punish him, quickly defeating him at his castle. A group of thieves called the Squeak Squad took advantage of the confusion and stole a treasure that they believed would grant them ultimate power, and that Kirby believed contained his lost cake. They tried to get away, but King Dedede thew Kirby at them and knocked them all into a pit. Kirby traveled into the pit and pursued the Squeak Squad across several worlds, but Meta Knight showed up to take the chest after Kirby had finally defeated the Squeak Squad. Kirby then tracked down Meta Knight and defeated him, but Daroach, the Squeak Squad's leader, opened it up instead and released a dark power that possessed him. Kirby eventually defeated Dark Daroach and pursued the darkness that was released in order to confront it in its true form as Dark Nebula. Meta Knight had taken the chest to prevent Dark Nebula from being released. However, Kirby was still able to destroy Dark Nebula. Afterwards, the Squeak Squad apologized by returning his cake to him.

In Kirby's Epic Yarn, Kirby discovered and consumed a tomato, unaware that it was actually a Metamato. It belonged to the sorcerer Yin-Yarn, who was enraged and pulled Kirby through a sock portal to Patch Land. KIrby was trapped in yarn form there and quickly found that he could not use his usual air-sucking abilities. However, the Metamato that he had eaten gave him new powers to freely transform into a variety of vehicles and objects. He quickly adjusted to his new abilities to save Prince Fluff, who explained Yin-Yarn's plan to control Patch Land. The two worked together to save Patch Land by traveling across it and retrieving the magic yarn, then using it to sew the pieces of Patch Land back together. They fought the yarn-controlled Dedede and Meta Knight in the process. Once Yarn Land was finally saved, Meta Knight warned them that Yin-Yarn was now trying to conquer Dream Land. Kirby and Prince Fluff returned to Dream Land through Fluff's own sock portal and defeated Prince Yarn. Fluff then returned to Patch Land, but he left Kirby with one of the sock portals so that he could visit Patch Land whenever he wanted. The next day, Kirby fell asleep clutching the sock, despite its bad smell.

In Kirby Mass Attack, Kirby had been relaxing at the Popopo Islands when he was attacked by Necrodeus, the leader of the Skull Gang.. He used his magic to split Kirby into ten weaker Kirbys and so was able to defeat him. However, one of the Kirbys received guidance from a star that originated from Kirby's own heroic heart. The ten Kirbys worked together and with Daroach to defeat the members of the Skull Gang. After collecting all of the rainbow medals, the Kirbys traveled to Necrodeus's lair at the Necro Nebula and defeated him. They then used his wand to reunite into one single Kirby and returned home to Pop Star.

Kirby later went on another adventure in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. It started when a starship called the Lor Starcutter crash-landed on Pop Star. Kirby, Meta Knight, Dedede and Bandana Waddle Dee agreed to help the owner of the ship, Magolor, to repair it by gathering all of the Energy Spheres. After the ship was prepared, Magolor thanked them by bringing them on a trip to the planet Halcandra. There, they were attacked by a dragon called Landia. Under Magolor's instruction, they defeated Landia and took the powerful Master Crown from him. However, Magolor went on to reveal that he was manipulating them the whole time in his quest for power. He took the Master Crown and used it in his quest for universal domination. Magolor decided to start with Pop Star. With the help of the separated Landias, Kirby and his allies entered Another Dimension and defeated Magolor. The Landias were also able to save them from the dimension's collapse and returned them to Pop Star

The 3DS/Wii U Era

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe], parts of Pop Star were lifted by a plant called the Dreamstalk to Floralia, a land hidden in the skies of Pop Star. This included Kirby's house and Kirby himself. Kirby also saw that Dedede had been captured by Taranza and pursued him across Floralia. It turned out that Taranza had been brainwashed by Queen Sectonia to kidnap Pop Star's greatest hero for her and mistakenly believed that Dedede was that hero. Sectonia planned to conquer Pop Star, so Kirby engaged her in a series of battles. The queen fused with the Dreamstalk to become stronger, but Kirby received aid from Taranza and Dedede. Kirby ultimately defeated Sectonia for good after turning into Hypernova Kirby with the help of a Miracle Fruit provided by Taranza. Pop Star was returned to normal in the aftermath of her defeat, and Kirby and the others returned home.

Pop Star was later drained of color in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee were saved by Elline, a paintbrush fairy from the land of Seventopia. She restored their color and asked them to help her to stop Claycia, her friend who had turned evil and used Pop Star's colors to create seven new worlds. Kirby proceeded to journey through those worlds, but he was trapped in ball form (similar to Canvas Curse) and had to be guided by the rainbow rope painted by Elline. They eventually confronted Claycia and discovered that she had been possessed by a being called the Dark Crafter. The Dark Crafter was defeated through Kirby's efforts, and Pop Star's colors were restored. Elline and Claycia thanked Kirby by giving him a bushel of apples to consume.

In Kirby: Planet Robobot, Pop Star was invaded and conquered by the Haltmann Works Company and their ship, the Access Ark. This caused many parts of Pop Star to become mechanized. Kirby had slept through the initial invasion and then went on a quest to save Pop Star. To do so, he also employed the use of a special mechanical suit known as the Robobot Armor. Kirby made his way onto the Access Ark and confronted the company's CEO, Max Profitt Haltmann, who was working under the instructions of a supercomputer known as Star Dream. Kirby defeated Haltmann, only for him to be assimilated by Star Dream. Kirby worked with Meta Knight in confronting Star Dream, and it turned out the Access Ark was actually a Galactic Nova. They were ultimately able to destroy Star Dream, and Kirby was returned safely to Pop Star through the final act of the dying Robobot Armor. Pop Star was then returned to its natural state with the absence of Star Dream and Haltmann, and Kirby set off on a new adventure.

The Switch Era

In Kirby Battle Royale, Kirby was invited to a mysterious tournament called the Cake Royale and brought Bandana Waddle Dee with him. The tournament was organized by Dedede, and the other participants were a variety of Kirby clones who were created by a machine called the Kirby Printer. The prize offered was a giant cake. Kirby defeated the Kirby copies and ultimately won the tournament's championship after defeating Dedede and the Dededestroyer Z. This also caused the destruction of the Kirby Printer and the Kirby clones. Kirby had earned his giant cake and shared with everyone, including Dedede.

In Kirby Star Allies, various Jamba Hearts crash landed on Pop Star. Although contact with the Jamba Hearts caused most to be possessed, Kirby instead gained the ability to befriend enemies by throwing hearts from it. He proceeded to save Meta Knight and Dedede from the influence of the Jamba Hearts, and they traveled into outer space to find the Jambandra Base. There they battled Hyness, a dark priest who proceeded to summon an evil known as Void Termina. Kirby and his allies were able to summon the Friend Star in the form of the Star Allies Sparkler and ultimately used it to finish off Void Termina. Kirby then used a Warp Star to get himself and his friends to safety.

In Other Kirby-Related Games

Kirby was featured in a golf-like game known as Kirby's Dream Course and participated in aerial racing in Kirby Air Ride.

He was also featured in an early pinball game called Kirby's Pinball Land and was featured in the puzzle games Kirby's Avalanche, Kirby's Block Ball and Kirby's Star Stacker.

Abilities

See also: Kirby's Different Forms.

Kirby's main ability is the ability to suck up enemies with a vacuum force. After sucking up an enemy, he can either swallow them or spit them out, typically in the form of a star, which acts as a projectile attack. Swallowing certain enemies will cause Kirby to copy their powers, and this power will be used in place of Kirby's inhaling attack. He can release the copied power at will, or it can be lost if he is hit enough times. In both cases, it will fall out in the form of a star, and Kirby will have a limited amount of time to swallow the star to regain the power before it disappears. While these powers originally did not come with a physical change, Kirby Super Star introduced the idea of different abilities coming with a visible change to Kirby. This typically involves Kirby gaining a type of headwear, and sometimes Kirby's coloration and physical features are changed as well. Kirby is unable to use his ability underwater and will often release a burst of bubbles instead of using a copy ability or inhaling, which can still hurt enemies, although depending on the game, some copy abilities may still work underwater. Kirby also often gains a set of goggles and sometimes a snorkel when underwater.

Kirby was unable to copy abilities during his first appearance in Kirby's Dream Land. The power was introduced in Kirby's Adventure and has become known as one of Kirby's primary abilities in all following appearances, including the "Spring Breeze" version of Kirby's Dream Land included in Kirby Super Star. The "Milky Way Wishes" game in Kirby Super Star featured a unique variation in which Kirby could not copy abilities by swallowing them, but instead he could collect a Copy Essence for each ability that would unlock Kirby's ability to assume that form, and the player could toggle between each form freely. Some other variations on Copy abilities were featured throughout the series. Kirby Super Star had Kirby capable of performing a more variety of moves with a Copy ability, while previously he had been restricted to just one type of move per ability. In Kirby's Dream Land 2 and 3, each Animal Friend came with its own variation on a Copy ability when paired with Kirby, and Kirby could also combine his abilities with those of his allies in Star Allies. Kirby 64 had a unique gameplay feature in which abilities could be combined together, and a similar feature was unlocked through Ability Scrolls in Squeak Squad. Some games, such as Squeak Squad, Star Allies and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, also have gameplay elements which allow Kirby to upgrade his Copy abilities.

He is also known for his ability to float. When jumping into the air, he will suck up air in order to float, and he can continue jumping up indefinitely. When floating, Kirby will have to let out a puff of air and cease floating before being able to use any other moves. In addition to his standard moves, Kirby has also shown some unexplained abilities occasionally. One example is how in some games, several copies of Kirby will appear to perform a synchronized victory dance at the end of a level.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, there is an enemy based on Kirby known as the "Anti-Kirby".
• Kirby is seen on some billboards in Stunt Race FX.
• In Animal Crossing, a Kirby wallpaper could be unlocked by scanning an e-Reader card.
• In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Kirby is featured in a movie poster at the Yoshi Theater, with the movie being called Kirby Story. That poster was later omitted from the 3DS remake.
• In Nintendogs + Cats, the player's dog or cat can gain a Kirby hat when an AR Card of Kirby is scanned.
• A Kirby amiibo can be scanned to unlock Kirby-themed outfits/designs in several games: Mario Kart 8/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (for Miis), Yoshi's Woolly World (for Yarn Yoshi's design), Style Savvy: Fashion Forward (specifically a Kirby purse), Miitopia (again for Miis) and One Piece: Super Grand Battle X (for Tony Tony Chopper)
• In Super Mario Maker, Kirby is one of the costumes whose form Mario can assume when using a Mystery Mushroom. The Kirby costume could be unlocked by completing a 100 Mario Challenge or by scanning a Kirby amiibo and uses Kirby's sprite from Kirby's Adventure.
• In Chibi-Robo! Zap Leash, scanning a Kirby amiibo unlocks a Chibi-Robo figure based on Kirby that is referred to as the Kirby Pose.
• In Nintendo Badge Arcade, there have been various badges featuring Kirby from throughout the Kirby series.
• Kirby-themed outfits have been made available to be worn by Miis in Miitomo.
• Kirby has appeared as a guest character in Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!. In the former game, he was recruited as a Magic-type battle member by throwing a Star Coin into the Fountain of Acquaintances, and in the latter game he is an unlockable performer. In the arcade version of the game, the character Don Wada can wear a Warp Star costume that has Kirby clinging to it.

Super Smash Bros.

Kirby appears as a playable character in all of the Super Smash Bros. games: Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He is known for his ability to inhale other characters and copy their neutral special move afterwards, and he also utilizes a number of other Copy abilities from the games in battle. He is also known for playing a strong role in the games' story modes, as he is the initial playable protagonist in the Adventure Modes of Brawl and, more prominently, Ultimate.

In Ultimate, his personal Classic Mode route is called "Gourmet Clash", in reference to Gourmet Race. It featured battles against other characters who were known for their appetites. Each character started battles with 35% damage and surrounded by food items that could replenish health. Other food-based items could also appear during the battles. King Dedede acted as the last pre-boss enemy, and the boss of this route was Marx.

Abilities

His abilities are similar in the Smash Bros. games as in the original games, although can use most of his special abilities from the games without sucking up enemies. The following is his special moveset from the Smash Bros. series:

• Standard Special Move: Inhale - Kirby sucks up the nearest opponent, at which point he can either swallow them or spit them back out. Swallowing the opponent will cause Kirby to change into physically resemble the character, usually wearing a cap or wig. Afterwards, he mimics that character's standard special move until it is knocked out of him.
• Side Special Move: Hammer - Added in Melee. Kirby briefly takes out a hammer and swings it at an opponent.
• Up Special Move: Final Cutter - Kirby leaps into the air and then drops down while wielding a Cutter blade that releases a beam upon his landing.
• Down Special Move: Stone - Kirby transforms into a stone or one of several random heavy objects. When on the ground, this move acts as a simple shield. However, using this move in midair will cause Kirby to literally drop like a rock and cause damage to anyone he lands on.
• Final Smash: Cook - Exclusive to Brawl. When using a Smash Ball, Kirby dons his chef outfit and gathers nearby opponents into a pot, that boils for a while before launching them all out. This move also has a chance of leaving behind food items.
• Final Smash: Ultra Sword- This move replaces Cook in the 3DS/Wii U Smash. When using a Smash Ball, Kirby unleashes a giant sword that he uses to thrash enemies and attempt to launch them off the stage.

Trophies/Stickers/Spirits

In Melee, Kirby has eleven trophies - there are three normal trophies, five Kirby Hat trophies (showing Kirby after absorbing the powers of each of the game's characters) as well as individual trophies of Ball Kirby, Fighter Kirby and Fire Kirby. In Brawl, Kirby instead has twelve trophies. His first two trophies are his normal trophy and one of his Final Smash. There are additionally trophies for Beam Kirby, Needle Kirby, Sword Kirby, Sleep Kirby, Wing Kirby, Fighter Kirby, Fire Kirby, Ice Kirby, Plasma Kirby and Tornado Kirby. There are also stickers of Kirby from Kirby 64, Kirby Air Ride, Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, with Dedede in Kirby 64, as Cook Kirby in Kirby Super Star, as Needle Kirby in Kirby 64 and Cupid Kirby in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.

In the 3DS/Wii U games, Kirby has two standard unlockable trophies that are shared between both versions. The 3DS version's only additional trophy is one for Plasma Kirby, while the Wii U version has 13 extra trophies for Kirby: one is of his Final Smash while the others are of Sword Kirby, Beam Kirby, Fire Kirby, Needle Kirby, Tornado Kirby, Fighter Kirby, Mike Kirby, Sleep Kirby, Ice Kirby, Bomb Kirby, Ninja Kirby and Wing Kirby. In Ultimate, Kirby only has a Fighter Spirit.

Brawl: The Subspace Emissary

Kirby also plays a large role within Brawl's story mode, "The Subspace Emissary". In the opening scene, Kirby was seen taking on Mario in battle, but they then befriend each other and took on the invading Subspace Army, until Mario was sent flying by a cannonball. Kirby then fought off Petey Piranha, who had both Princess Peach and Princess Zelda held captive. Kirby saved one of the two, the other being turned into a trophy and captured by Wario. Kirby and the rescued princess escaped the stadium aboard a Warp Star while it was being transported away by a Subspace Bomb's explosion, but they were knocked off of the Warp Star by colliding with the Halberd. Shortly afterwards, the princess accompanying Kirby was herself turned into a trophy and captured by Bowser.

Kirby later showed up to sabotage the hover car that King Dedede had stolen from Wario, as it contained the trophies of various captive fighters. Kirby teamed up with Mario, Link, Pit and Yoshi to pursue Dedede. Although Bowser escaped with the princess Wario had captured, Kirby inhaled a badge that Dedede had left behind out of curiosity. The five fighters later joined up with the main party to enter Subspace for the final battles. First Kirby used the Dragoon to take down the massive battleship that Ganondorf was attempting to use against the heroes. However, shortly after entering Subspace, they were all turned into trophies by Tabuu. Kirby was soon restored by Dedede's badge, which was actually designed to undo being turned into trophies, and Kirby freed various other fighters whom had been turned into trophies for the final battle against Tabuu.

UItimate: World of Light

In the Adventure Mode of Ultimate, "The World of Light", Kirby was among the forces that were gathered to try to fight against Galeem and his Master Hand army. Galeem unleashed beams of light that captured almost every last fighter. Kirby was the only one to escape, due to the capabilities of his Warp Star. Afterwards, Kirby set off on a quest to free the captured fighters from Galeem's (and later Dharkon's as well) control. This started the adventure of "The World of Light", which Kirby as the sole playable character until other fighters were awakened.

Other Media

• Kirby starred in his own anime series, entitled Kirby: Right Back at Ya! (or Kirby of the Stars in Japan), which also explored Kirby's background and some darker themes then the games. Kirby was described as a legendary Star Warrior who was destined to save Pop Star from destruction, and he was meant to sleep for 200 years but was awakened too early, which caused his baby-like qualities.

Trivia

• It is commonly believed that he was named after the Kirby vacuum because of his sucking ability. Others say he was named after lawyer Jack Kirby for his help with a lawsuit involving Donkey Kong. Miyamoto has clarified that Kirby was on a list of potential character names when they met Jack Kirby, and Jack Kirby's help only partially influenced the decision to choose "Kirby" as the name. Miyamoto said that he also favored the name Kirby due to the humorous irony of a soft-looking character having a name with harsh (k and r) sounds.
• Initially, Twinkle Popo and Popopo were used as placeholder names for Kirby. One name would later be reused as the name of the Popopo Islands in Kirby Mass Attack.
• When the first game was being made, Shigeru Miyamoto wanted Kirby to be yellow, although his creator Masahiro Sakurai had always wanted Kirby to be pink. This debate to him being white in the art of the U.S. version of Kirby's Dream Land, until pink was established as his canon color by the time of Kirby's Adventure.
• Kirby's species has also caused some confusion, as very few other creatures of his species are seen and they are not given any official name. Other creatures who seem to be of Kirby's species appear in the ending for Dream Land, and the characters Meta Knight and Marx also appear to be of the same species as Kirby.