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{{nihongo|'''Kirby'''|カービィ|Kābī|{{IPA-ja|kaːbiː}}|lead=yes}} is a fictional character and the main [[protagonist]] of the [[Kirby (series)|''Kirby'' series]] of [[video game]]s owned by [[Nintendo]] and [[HAL Laboratory]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site |url=https://kirby.nintendo.com/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504015650/https://kirby.nintendo.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He first appeared in ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' (1992), a [[platform game]] for the [[Game Boy]]. Since then, Kirby has appeared in over 50 games, ranging from [[Action game|action platformers]] to [[puzzle]], [[Kirby Air Ride|racing]], and even [[Kirby's Pinball Land|pinball]], and has been featured as a playable character in every installment of the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series (1999–present). He has also starred in his own [[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!|anime]] and manga series. Since 1999, he has been voiced by [[Makiko Ohmoto]].<ref name="Makiko"/>
{{nihongo|'''Kirby'''|カービィ|Kābī|{{IPA-ja|kaːbiː}}|lead=yes}} is a fictional character and the main [[protagonist]] of the [[Kirby (series)|''Kirby'' series]] of [[video game]]s owned by [[Nintendo]] and [[HAL Laboratory]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site |url=https://kirby.nintendo.com/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504015650/https://kirby.nintendo.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He first appeared in ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' (1992), a [[platform game]] for the [[Game Boy]]. Since then, Kirby has appeared in over 50 games, ranging from [[Action game|action platformers]] to [[puzzle]], [[Kirby Air Ride|racing]], and even [[Kirby's Pinball Land|pinball]], and has been featured as a playable character in every installment of the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series (1999–present). He has also starred in his own [[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!|anime]] and manga series. Since 1999, he has been voiced by [[Makiko Ohmoto]].<ref name="Makiko"/>


Kirby is well known for his ability to inhale objects and creatures to gain their powers, as well as his ability to float by expanding his body. He uses these abilities to rescue various lands, including his homeworld of Planet Popstar, from evil forces and antagonists, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare. On these adventures, he often crosses paths with his rivals, [[King Dedede]] and [[Meta Knight]], though Meta Knight can be seen as a hero, depending on the game. Kirby has been described as one of the most legendary video game characters of all time by ''[[PC World]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/220620/25_legendary_video_game_characters.html|title=25 Legendary Video Game Characters|magazine=PC World|last=Filice|first=Albert|date=3 March 2011|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121503/http://www.pcworld.com/article/220620/25_legendary_video_game_characters.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In virtually all his appearances, Kirby is depicted as cheerful, innocent and food-loving; however, he becomes fearless, striking, and clever in the face of danger.Last game kirby's dream land 4 (2027) latest game kirby's return to dream land deluxe (2023)
Kirby is well known for his ability to inhale objects and creatures to gain their powers, as well as his ability to float by expanding his body. He uses these abilities to rescue various lands, including his homeworld of Planet Popstar, from evil forces and antagonists, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare. On these adventures, he often crosses paths with his rivals, [[King Dedede]] and [[Meta Knight]], though Meta Knight can be seen as a hero, depending on the game. Kirby has been described as one of the most legendary video game characters of all time by ''[[PC World]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/220620/25_legendary_video_game_characters.html|title=25 Legendary Video Game Characters|magazine=PC World|last=Filice|first=Albert|date=3 March 2011|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121503/http://www.pcworld.com/article/220620/25_legendary_video_game_characters.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In virtually all his appearances, Kirby is depicted as cheerful, innocent and food-loving; however, he becomes fearless, striking, and clever in the face of danger.


==Concept and creation==
==Concept and creation==
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Kirby hails from the distant Planet Popstar, where he lives in a dome-shaped house in the country of Dream Land.<ref name="profilejp"/> He has a positive attitude, and frequently helps to save Dream Land through the use of his unique powers. His age is never directly stated,<ref name="20th"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn120.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 120 | access-date = 30 May 2021 | script-quote = ja:年齢はあえて決めていませーん。| archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20171124215758/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn120.html | url-status = live }}</ref> although he is referred to as a "little boy" in the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land'' (1992), described as a baby with a projected 200 years until adulthood in the anime, and was referred to as being a "jolly fellow" in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby Super Star]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=1996 |platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] |language=English |quote=This is Kirby, our hero! He's a jolly fellow!}}</ref>
Kirby hails from the distant Planet Popstar, where he lives in a dome-shaped house in the country of Dream Land.<ref name="profilejp"/> He has a positive attitude, and frequently helps to save Dream Land through the use of his unique powers. His age is never directly stated,<ref name="20th"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn120.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 120 | access-date = 30 May 2021 | script-quote = ja:年齢はあえて決めていませーん。| archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20171124215758/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn120.html | url-status = live }}</ref> although he is referred to as a "little boy" in the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land'' (1992), described as a baby with a projected 200 years until adulthood in the anime, and was referred to as being a "jolly fellow" in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby Super Star]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=1996 |platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] |language=English |quote=This is Kirby, our hero! He's a jolly fellow!}}</ref>


Kirby is cheerful and innocent. He eagerly assists those in need of help and readily attempts to befriend others upon first meeting them, a [[Naivety|naïvety]] that may leave Kirby to be taken by surprise or betrayed.<ref name="KirbySuSt">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby Super Star]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=1996 |platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name="KRtDL">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2011 |platform=[[Wii]] |language=English}}</ref> He is often depicted with a voracious appetite. The games (first stated in the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land 2'' (1995)) describes his favorite food as Maxim [[Tomato]]es, a healing item in the franchise that restores all health in most games. Some games such as ''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]'' (2006) and ''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'' (2022) have shown Kirby to have a strong fondness of [[Strawberry|strawberries]] and strawberry [[shortcake]].<ref name="KirbySqSq">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2006 |platform=[[Nintendo DS]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name="KirbyDB">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English}}</ref> In the anime, his favorite food is instead stated to be [[watermelon]]s. His other hobbies include singing, fishing, napping, and drawing. Kirby is said to dislike [[caterpillar]]s, and eating them will damage him in several titles, suggesting a mild form of [[entomophobia]].<ref name="20th"/><ref name="profilejp"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2016 |platform=[[Nintendo 3DS]] |language=English |quote=Music can have a comforting effect, but that depends on who's singing. Luckily, Kirby only has enough energy to sing three songs.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English |quote=Ahhh. Kirby's doing a bit of fishin’ at the ol’ fishin’ pond. He looks super, super relaxed… Maybe too relaxed. Hey! Pay attention, Kirby! There's exciting stuff swimming in that pond, including the legendary “Bling Blipper” of Waddle Dee Town!}}</ref><ref name="Kirby64">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2000 |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |language=English}}</ref> Kirby 63 the shards (1999)
Kirby is cheerful and innocent. He eagerly assists those in need of help and readily attempts to befriend others upon first meeting them, a [[Naivety|naïvety]] that may leave Kirby to be taken by surprise or betrayed.<ref name="KirbySuSt">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby Super Star]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=1996 |platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name="KRtDL">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2011 |platform=[[Wii]] |language=English}}</ref> He is often depicted with a voracious appetite. The games (first stated in the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land 2'' (1995)) describes his favorite food as Maxim [[Tomato]]es, a healing item in the franchise that restores all health in most games. Some games such as ''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]'' (2006) and ''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'' (2022) have shown Kirby to have a strong fondness of [[Strawberry|strawberries]] and strawberry [[shortcake]].<ref name="KirbySqSq">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2006 |platform=[[Nintendo DS]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name="KirbyDB">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English}}</ref> In the anime, his favorite food is instead stated to be [[watermelon]]s. His other hobbies include singing, fishing, napping, and drawing. Kirby is said to dislike [[caterpillar]]s, and eating them will damage him in several titles, suggesting a mild form of [[entomophobia]].<ref name="20th"/><ref name="profilejp"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2016 |platform=[[Nintendo 3DS]] |language=English |quote=Music can have a comforting effect, but that depends on who's singing. Luckily, Kirby only has enough energy to sing three songs.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English |quote=Ahhh. Kirby's doing a bit of fishin’ at the ol’ fishin’ pond. He looks super, super relaxed… Maybe too relaxed. Hey! Pay attention, Kirby! There's exciting stuff swimming in that pond, including the legendary “Bling Blipper” of Waddle Dee Town!}}</ref><ref name="Kirby64">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2000 |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |language=English}}</ref>


===Abilities===
===Abilities===
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* In ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' (2022), Kirby gains a new ability: his extremely elastic skin allows him to inhale large objects and take on their shape; this ability is referred to as "Mouthful Mode". During this state, Kirby is able to control whatever he inhaled as if he was the object himself; for example, when Kirby inhales a [[car]], he is able to make it drive around, or in the case of a [[Electric light|light bulb]], make it turn on and off at will.<ref name="KatFL">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English}}</ref> In addition, Kirby's copy abilities are able to be upgraded to be made more powerful. For example, once fully upgraded, Kirby's fire ability becomes Dragon Fire, which allowed him to shoot further and glide briefly in mid-air.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirby™ and the Forgotten Land for the Nintendo Switch™ system – How to play |url=https://kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904004852/https://kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' (2022), Kirby gains a new ability: his extremely elastic skin allows him to inhale large objects and take on their shape; this ability is referred to as "Mouthful Mode". During this state, Kirby is able to control whatever he inhaled as if he was the object himself; for example, when Kirby inhales a [[car]], he is able to make it drive around, or in the case of a [[Electric light|light bulb]], make it turn on and off at will.<ref name="KatFL">{{cite video game |title=[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]] |developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2022 |platform=[[Nintendo Switch]] |language=English}}</ref> In addition, Kirby's copy abilities are able to be upgraded to be made more powerful. For example, once fully upgraded, Kirby's fire ability becomes Dragon Fire, which allowed him to shoot further and glide briefly in mid-air.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirby™ and the Forgotten Land for the Nintendo Switch™ system – How to play |url=https://kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904004852/https://kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


In the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, Kirby's Copy works distinctly different from how it does in the ''Kirby'' series with a unique arsenal of Copy Abilities. Without an ability, Kirby can use attacks from different abilities (ex. Cutter's Final Cutter, Hammer's Hammer Flip, Stone's Stone Change). Kirby obtains an ability by inhaling another member of the roster, acquiring an ability themed around the character and possessing some of the fighter's move set. Unlike enemies in the ''Kirby'' game, fighters swallowed by Kirby do not disappear, instead reappearing outside Kirby. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (2008), Kirby's Final Smash is his Cook ability from ''Kirby Super Star'' (1996)/''Kirby Super Star Ultra'' (2008), which cooks opponents, items and more.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6179547/super-smash-bros-3ds-wii-u-final-smash|title=Super Smash Bros 3DS final smashes, compared to Brawl|last=Riendeau|first=Danielle|date=2014-09-16|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=2016-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630060229/http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6179547/super-smash-bros-3ds-wii-u-final-smash|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' (2014) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018), Kirby's Final Smash is an Ultra Sword attack from ''Return to Dream Land'' (2011).<ref name=":0" /> Kirby 63 the shards has 6 abilities How? Well idk
In the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, Kirby's Copy works distinctly different from how it does in the ''Kirby'' series with a unique arsenal of Copy Abilities. Without an ability, Kirby can use attacks from different abilities (ex. Cutter's Final Cutter, Hammer's Hammer Flip, Stone's Stone Change). Kirby obtains an ability by inhaling another member of the roster, acquiring an ability themed around the character and possessing some of the fighter's move set. Unlike enemies in the ''Kirby'' game, fighters swallowed by Kirby do not disappear, instead reappearing outside Kirby. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (2008), Kirby's Final Smash is his Cook ability from ''Kirby Super Star'' (1996)/''Kirby Super Star Ultra'' (2008), which cooks opponents, items and more.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6179547/super-smash-bros-3ds-wii-u-final-smash|title=Super Smash Bros 3DS final smashes, compared to Brawl|last=Riendeau|first=Danielle|date=2014-09-16|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-21|archive-date=2016-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630060229/http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6179547/super-smash-bros-3ds-wii-u-final-smash|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' (2014) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018), Kirby's Final Smash is an Ultra Sword attack from ''Return to Dream Land'' (2011).<ref name=":0" />


===Gender===
===Gender===
While the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land'' (1992) refers to Kirby as a "little boy", the Japanese ''Kirby'' encyclopedia ''Hoshi no Kābī Pupupu Taizen: 20th Anniversary'' (星のカービィプププ大全 : 20th Anniversary) lists Kirby's gender as "unknown".<ref name="20th"/> Kirby's creator, Masahiro Sakurai, wrote Kirby's profile which also lists the character's gender as "unknown"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn117.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 117 | access-date = 30 May 2021 | script-quote = ja:名前．カービィ/性別．不明/好きな言葉．明日は明日の風が吹く/やりたくても出来ないこと．腕立て伏せ、コサックダンス、ジャンケン/これって桜井さんが考えたの？……あぁ、そのプロフィールは過去に自分が考えました。どうしても必要に迫られて・・・。 | trans-quote = '''Question''': Name: Kirby / Gender: Unknown / Favourite phrase: Tomorrow's wind blows tomorrow / Things he wants to do but can't: Push-ups, Cossack dancing, rock-paper-scissors / Was this Mr. Sakurai's idea? '''Sakurai''': Oh, I came up with that profile in the past. I just had to do it… | archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171124125121/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn117.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and once jokingly stated that Kirby may actually be female, in reference to a question about [[Samus Aran]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn084.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 84 | access-date = 15 January 2020 | script-quote = ja:ピカチュウもメスかも？カービィもメスかも？その真相は闇の中。 | trans-quote = Maybe Pikachu is female, too? Maybe Kirby is female, too? The truth is shrouded in darkness. | archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171124125121/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn084.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Likewise, Kirby's voice actress, [[Makiko Ohmoto]], stated that Kirby's gender is unknown<ref>{{cite tweet | user = Makiko_Ohmoto | last = Ohmoto | first = Makiko | author-link = Makiko Ohmoto | number = 1214819520918872065 | date = 8 January 2020 | language = ja | script-title = ja:カービィの性別は不明です。 | trans-title = Kirby's gender is unknown. | archive-date = 10 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200110081913/https://twitter.com/Makiko_Ohmoto/status/1214819520918872065 | url-status = live }}</ref> and explained that she performs the character just as "Kirby" without caring about the character's gender, rather than as a man or a woman.<ref>{{cite tweet | user = Makiko_Ohmoto | last = Ohmoto | first = Makiko | author-link = Makiko Ohmoto | number = 1580203877076332545 | date = 12 October 2022 | language = ja | script-title = ja:や、私も本当に性別は意識してないです。戦っている時でも、お昼寝モードでも「カービィ」として演じてます。男か女かより、特にゲームは青年だと思ってやってます☺️ | trans-title = No, I also don't really care about his gender. Whether he is fighting or in nap mode, I perform him just as "Kirby". Rather than as a man or a woman, I do the work regarding him just as a youngster, especially in the games. }}</ref> if Kirby inhale a star=invcible
While the English manual for ''Kirby's Dream Land'' (1992) refers to Kirby as a "little boy", the Japanese ''Kirby'' encyclopedia ''Hoshi no Kābī Pupupu Taizen: 20th Anniversary'' (星のカービィプププ大全 : 20th Anniversary) lists Kirby's gender as "unknown".<ref name="20th"/> Kirby's creator, Masahiro Sakurai, wrote Kirby's profile which also lists the character's gender as "unknown"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn117.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 117 | access-date = 30 May 2021 | script-quote = ja:名前．カービィ/性別．不明/好きな言葉．明日は明日の風が吹く/やりたくても出来ないこと．腕立て伏せ、コサックダンス、ジャンケン/これって桜井さんが考えたの？……あぁ、そのプロフィールは過去に自分が考えました。どうしても必要に迫られて・・・。 | trans-quote = '''Question''': Name: Kirby / Gender: Unknown / Favourite phrase: Tomorrow's wind blows tomorrow / Things he wants to do but can't: Push-ups, Cossack dancing, rock-paper-scissors / Was this Mr. Sakurai's idea? '''Sakurai''': Oh, I came up with that profile in the past. I just had to do it… | archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171124125121/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn117.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and once jokingly stated that Kirby may actually be female, in reference to a question about [[Samus Aran]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn084.html | script-title = ja:アンケート集計拳!! | last = Sakurai | first = Masahiro | author-link = Masahiro Sakurai | date = 4 February 2000 | language = ja | publisher = Nintendo Co., Ltd. | page = 84 | access-date = 15 January 2020 | script-quote = ja:ピカチュウもメスかも？カービィもメスかも？その真相は闇の中。 | trans-quote = Maybe Pikachu is female, too? Maybe Kirby is female, too? The truth is shrouded in darkness. | archive-date = 24 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171124125121/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn084.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Likewise, Kirby's voice actress, [[Makiko Ohmoto]], stated that Kirby's gender is unknown<ref>{{cite tweet | user = Makiko_Ohmoto | last = Ohmoto | first = Makiko | author-link = Makiko Ohmoto | number = 1214819520918872065 | date = 8 January 2020 | language = ja | script-title = ja:カービィの性別は不明です。 | trans-title = Kirby's gender is unknown. | archive-date = 10 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200110081913/https://twitter.com/Makiko_Ohmoto/status/1214819520918872065 | url-status = live }}</ref> and explained that she performs the character just as "Kirby" without caring about the character's gender, rather than as a man or a woman.<ref>{{cite tweet | user = Makiko_Ohmoto | last = Ohmoto | first = Makiko | author-link = Makiko Ohmoto | number = 1580203877076332545 | date = 12 October 2022 | language = ja | script-title = ja:や、私も本当に性別は意識してないです。戦っている時でも、お昼寝モードでも「カービィ」として演じてます。男か女かより、特にゲームは青年だと思ってやってます☺️ | trans-title = No, I also don't really care about his gender. Whether he is fighting or in nap mode, I perform him just as "Kirby". Rather than as a man or a woman, I do the work regarding him just as a youngster, especially in the games. }}</ref>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
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Kirby's main media form are games, as he is the star and protagonist of the Nintendo and HAL Laboratory owned series named after him. Most ''Kirby'' games are [[platform game]]s in which Kirby fights enemies, solves puzzles, and challenges bosses. Each game typically adds a new twist or change to Kirby's abilities that the levels of the game emphasize, such as combining power ups in ''Kirby 64'' or Super Abilities in ''Return to Dream Land''. Most games involve Kirby saving a world or even universe from a dark, evil force of some kind. Typical ''Kirby'' games have a powerful being, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare, controlling or corrupting a secondary villain.
Kirby's main media form are games, as he is the star and protagonist of the Nintendo and HAL Laboratory owned series named after him. Most ''Kirby'' games are [[platform game]]s in which Kirby fights enemies, solves puzzles, and challenges bosses. Each game typically adds a new twist or change to Kirby's abilities that the levels of the game emphasize, such as combining power ups in ''Kirby 64'' or Super Abilities in ''Return to Dream Land''. Most games involve Kirby saving a world or even universe from a dark, evil force of some kind. Typical ''Kirby'' games have a powerful being, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare, controlling or corrupting a secondary villain.


The series has 38 games currently, with the first being ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' in 1992 and the latest being ''[[Kirby's dream land 4 ]]'' in 2027. Although most are platform games, some spin-offs have included pinball, fighting, racing, and puzzle games.
The series has 37 games currently, with the first being ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' in 1992 and the latest being ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'' in 2023. Although most are platform games, some spin-offs have included pinball, fighting, racing, and puzzle games.


===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
Kirby appears in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series of games as a playable character, which is also created by Masahiro Sakurai. He is the sole ''Kirby'' series representative in ''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' (2001), and has been one of three (the others being Meta Knight and King Dedede) as of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (2008). He reprises his role as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' (2014) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018), the latter of which features him playing a starring role in the "World of Light" story mode in which he survives Galeem's massacre of all of the other fighters. Super smash Bros for NES
Kirby appears in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series of games as a playable character, which is also created by Masahiro Sakurai. He is the sole ''Kirby'' series representative in ''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' (2001), and has been one of three (the others being Meta Knight and King Dedede) as of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (2008). He reprises his role as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' (2014) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018), the latter of which features him playing a starring role in the "World of Light" story mode in which he survives Galeem's massacre of all of the other fighters.


===Anime===
===Anime===

Revision as of 17:18, 11 August 2023

Kirby
Kirby character
File:SSU Kirby artwork.png
Kirby from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
First gameKirby's Dream Land (1992)
Created byMasahiro Sakurai
Designed byMasahiro Sakurai
Voiced byMakiko Ohmoto (1999–pres.)
Others:
In-universe information
SpeciesKirby[1]
GenderMale (in localizations)
Unknown (in Japan)[2]
see below
HomeDream Land, Planet Popstar

Kirby (Japanese: カービィ, Hepburn: Kābī, Japanese pronunciation: [kaːbiː]) is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Kirby series of video games owned by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory.[3] He first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land (1992), a platform game for the Game Boy. Since then, Kirby has appeared in over 50 games, ranging from action platformers to puzzle, racing, and even pinball, and has been featured as a playable character in every installment of the Super Smash Bros. series (1999–present). He has also starred in his own anime and manga series. Since 1999, he has been voiced by Makiko Ohmoto.[4]

Kirby is well known for his ability to inhale objects and creatures to gain their powers, as well as his ability to float by expanding his body. He uses these abilities to rescue various lands, including his homeworld of Planet Popstar, from evil forces and antagonists, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare. On these adventures, he often crosses paths with his rivals, King Dedede and Meta Knight, though Meta Knight can be seen as a hero, depending on the game. Kirby has been described as one of the most legendary video game characters of all time by PC World.[5] In virtually all his appearances, Kirby is depicted as cheerful, innocent and food-loving; however, he becomes fearless, striking, and clever in the face of danger.

Concept and creation

Kirby was created by Masahiro Sakurai as the player character of the 1992 game Kirby's Dream Land (1992). The character's design was intended to serve as placeholder graphics for the game's original protagonist in early development and thus was given a simplistic ball-like appearance. Sakurai switched to the placeholder design for the final character design when he believed that it served the character better.[6] The character was known as Popopo (ポポポ) during development until the name "Kirby" was chosen from a list of potential names. Shigeru Miyamoto stated that "Kirby" was chosen in honor of American lawyer John Kirby, who defended Nintendo in the Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. case in 1984 and that the harsh-sounding name contrasted amusingly with the character's cute appearance.[7][8]

Kirby appears white in Kirby's Dream Land (1992) due to the grayscale palette of the Game Boy system. Sakurai intended the character to be pink, though Miyamoto had originally thought the character to be yellow. Kirby does appear white in the game's North American promotional materials and artwork to reflect the character's in-game appearance.[6] Miyamoto's color choice was repurposed for the second player character, Keeby, in Kirby's Dream Course (1994), and since Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000) has been the default color for a second player Kirby in the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. series.

In North America, Kirby consistently appears in artwork with a more striking, bolder expression than in Japan, where his expression is more relaxed.[9] Shinya Kumazaki, the general director of the franchise, has said that the more battle-ready appearance is intended to appeal to a wider audience in North America, based on feedback and market research from Nintendo of America.[10]

Characteristics

Kirby can gain the properties of enemies or objects he eats. For example; by inhaling a sword wielding foe, Kirby becomes a skilled swordsman: Sword Kirby.

Physical appearance

Kirby has a pink, spherical, body with small stubby arms and large red feet (not shoes).[11] His eyes are a distinctive oval shape and are white (eye shine) at the top, black in the center and dark blue on the bottom (all black in early games) with rosy cheek-blushes near his eyes. His body is soft and flexible, allowing him to stretch or flatten and adopt different shapes, open his mouth very wide to inhale foes, or inflate himself with air and fly. He is 20 cm (about 8 in) tall.[2][12][13] Originally in Kirby's Dream Course (1994) and recurring in several games starting with Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000), differently-colored Kirbys appear as other players in multi-player games. In the case of Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (2004), they are the result of Kirby being divided into four by Dark Meta Knight.[14]

Personality

Kirby hails from the distant Planet Popstar, where he lives in a dome-shaped house in the country of Dream Land.[12] He has a positive attitude, and frequently helps to save Dream Land through the use of his unique powers. His age is never directly stated,[2][15] although he is referred to as a "little boy" in the English manual for Kirby's Dream Land (1992), described as a baby with a projected 200 years until adulthood in the anime, and was referred to as being a "jolly fellow" in Kirby Super Star.[16]

Kirby is cheerful and innocent. He eagerly assists those in need of help and readily attempts to befriend others upon first meeting them, a naïvety that may leave Kirby to be taken by surprise or betrayed.[17][18] He is often depicted with a voracious appetite. The games (first stated in the English manual for Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995)) describes his favorite food as Maxim Tomatoes, a healing item in the franchise that restores all health in most games. Some games such as Kirby: Squeak Squad (2006) and Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022) have shown Kirby to have a strong fondness of strawberries and strawberry shortcake.[19][20] In the anime, his favorite food is instead stated to be watermelons. His other hobbies include singing, fishing, napping, and drawing. Kirby is said to dislike caterpillars, and eating them will damage him in several titles, suggesting a mild form of entomophobia.[2][12][21][22][23]

Abilities

Kirby's main ability, Inhale, consists of inhaling enemies and objects, then either swallowing them or spitting them out with incredible force. Both his mouth and body expand to allow him to inhale things much larger than himself. However, there is a limit to what he can inhale; excessively large or heavy foes like bosses can resist Kirby's inhale. Against these opponents Kirby must find smaller characters to use as ammunition or intercept his opponent's attacks and send them back at them. Kirby's Adventure (1993) introduced the Copy ability, allowing Kirby to mimic the abilities of his foes by swallowing them.[24] Kirby Super Star (1996) greatly expanded on the concept of Copy Abilities. Originally, Kirby only obtained one move from a Copy Ability which replaced his Inhale; Kirby Super Star introduced multiple techniques for each ability, with distinct button inputs inspired by fighting games. Additionally, while copying an ability would only change Kirby's color in Kirby's Adventure, Kirby Super Star gave each Copy Ability its own costume, such as a fiery crown for Fire Kirby or a floppy green cap that resembles Link's for Sword Kirby. Near the end of games, Kirby may access a "Last Battle Ability",[25] wherein Kirby utilizes a special (often magical) weapon to defeat the final boss (ex. the Star Rod in Kirby's Adventure (1993), Ribbon's Crystal in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000), Landia in Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011)).

In Kirby Super Star (1996), Kirby can sacrifice his current Copy Ability to create a 'Helper', an allied version of the enemy Kirby typically gets that ability from.[26] The new Helper could be controlled by the game or a second player. This feature has not yet been included in later Kirby games, although it was included in Kirby Super Star's remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008) and was intended to return in the cancelled GameCube Kirby game which would have had Kirby able to make up to four helpers at once. Kirby Star Allies (2018) has a similar mechanic where after being struck by a pink heart that fell from the sky, Kirby becomes able to create small pink hearts known as Friend Hearts which allow him to make friends with an enemy. This also causes the befriended enemy to change colors, presumably to aid the player in distinguishing enemies from friends. The maximum amount of friends Kirby can make is three at a time. To make another friend, Kirby will have to choose to "un-friend" one of his allies, which will make it disappear in replacement for the new ally.

Following the introduction of Copy in Kirby's Adventure (1993), the Kirby games have introduced over sixty Copy Abilities (the largest roster of which was in Star Allies, at 28). The series has regularly included new game mechanics unique to titles that alter, differ from, or outright replace Kirby's ability to copy enemies.

  • In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000), the "Power Combo" allows Kirby to hold two Copy Abilities at once, mixing identical ones for a stronger version or combining different ones for a whole new ability (ex. Spark and Cutter abilities combine to create a double-sided lightsaber.)
  • In both Kirby: Canvas Curse (2005) and Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (2015), Kirby is a continuously rolling ball that can be directed on strokes of paint/ropes of clay drawn with the stylus of the Nintendo DS/Wii U respectively.[27][28]
  • In Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010), Kirby is turned into an outline of yarn, leaving his hollow body unable to inhale. Instead Kirby is able to use a "yarn-whip" to unravel enemies or transform into simple objects, requiring "Metamortex Patches" to become more complex "Metamortex Transformations".[29] Similar transformations with clay are also seen in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse.[28] In the rerelease Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn (2019), Kirby may use Ravel Abilities: power ups that recreate Copy Abilities using craft materials.[30]
  • In Kirby Mass Attack (2011), Kirby is cursed into being unable to inhale or copy enemies and can exist as up to ten small, weaker versions of himself. Directed or thrown using the Nintendo DS' stylus, the Kirbys defeat enemies by ganging up and pummeling them.[31]
  • In Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011), Kirby can use much more powerful, albeit temporary, versions of Copy Abilities by inhaling and swallowing special kinds of enemies surrounded with a multicolored aura; these abilities are known as Super Abilities. One example is the Grand Hammer, which grants Kirby the usage of a much larger version of the hammer granted by the normal Hammer ability which can produce shockwaves.[18]
  • In Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016), Kirby steals "Robobot Armor": a mech suit from an invading robot army. The Robobot Armor works in conjunction with Kirby's Copy ability, (ex. wielding buzzsaws when ridden by Cutter Kirby), as well as providing tools to surpass unique obstacles.[32]
  • In Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022), Kirby gains a new ability: his extremely elastic skin allows him to inhale large objects and take on their shape; this ability is referred to as "Mouthful Mode". During this state, Kirby is able to control whatever he inhaled as if he was the object himself; for example, when Kirby inhales a car, he is able to make it drive around, or in the case of a light bulb, make it turn on and off at will.[33] In addition, Kirby's copy abilities are able to be upgraded to be made more powerful. For example, once fully upgraded, Kirby's fire ability becomes Dragon Fire, which allowed him to shoot further and glide briefly in mid-air.[34]

In the Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby's Copy works distinctly different from how it does in the Kirby series with a unique arsenal of Copy Abilities. Without an ability, Kirby can use attacks from different abilities (ex. Cutter's Final Cutter, Hammer's Hammer Flip, Stone's Stone Change). Kirby obtains an ability by inhaling another member of the roster, acquiring an ability themed around the character and possessing some of the fighter's move set. Unlike enemies in the Kirby game, fighters swallowed by Kirby do not disappear, instead reappearing outside Kirby. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008), Kirby's Final Smash is his Cook ability from Kirby Super Star (1996)/Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008), which cooks opponents, items and more.[35] In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), Kirby's Final Smash is an Ultra Sword attack from Return to Dream Land (2011).[35]

Gender

While the English manual for Kirby's Dream Land (1992) refers to Kirby as a "little boy", the Japanese Kirby encyclopedia Hoshi no Kābī Pupupu Taizen: 20th Anniversary (星のカービィプププ大全 : 20th Anniversary) lists Kirby's gender as "unknown".[2] Kirby's creator, Masahiro Sakurai, wrote Kirby's profile which also lists the character's gender as "unknown"[36] and once jokingly stated that Kirby may actually be female, in reference to a question about Samus Aran.[37] Likewise, Kirby's voice actress, Makiko Ohmoto, stated that Kirby's gender is unknown[38] and explained that she performs the character just as "Kirby" without caring about the character's gender, rather than as a man or a woman.[39]

Appearances

Main series

Main article: Kirby (series)

Kirby's main media form are games, as he is the star and protagonist of the Nintendo and HAL Laboratory owned series named after him. Most Kirby games are platform games in which Kirby fights enemies, solves puzzles, and challenges bosses. Each game typically adds a new twist or change to Kirby's abilities that the levels of the game emphasize, such as combining power ups in Kirby 64 or Super Abilities in Return to Dream Land. Most games involve Kirby saving a world or even universe from a dark, evil force of some kind. Typical Kirby games have a powerful being, such as Dark Matter or Nightmare, controlling or corrupting a secondary villain.

The series has 37 games currently, with the first being Kirby's Dream Land in 1992 and the latest being Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe in 2023. Although most are platform games, some spin-offs have included pinball, fighting, racing, and puzzle games.

Super Smash Bros. series

Kirby appears in the Super Smash Bros. series of games as a playable character, which is also created by Masahiro Sakurai. He is the sole Kirby series representative in Super Smash Bros. (1999) and Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001), and has been one of three (the others being Meta Knight and King Dedede) as of Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008). He reprises his role as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), the latter of which features him playing a starring role in the "World of Light" story mode in which he survives Galeem's massacre of all of the other fighters.

Anime

Main article: Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Kirby appears in his own anime titled Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, (Japanese: 星のカービィ Hoshi no Kābī) in Japan. The series was licensed in North America by 4Kids Entertainment and the Canadian company Nelvana, and produced by Warpstar Inc., a company formed between a joint investment between Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. It aired on 4Kids TV, via Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting (since 2001 which has done 100 episodes).

The anime series is set in its own universe independent of the games and offers its own take on the setting and characters, however, Kirby's creator, Masahiro Sakurai, was greatly involved in its creation, so it did not stray far from his vision of how Kirby should be.[40] The anime contains darker themes not yet introduced in the games (such as war and death) while still maintaining the cheerful and surreal themes the games are known for.

In the anime Kirby's origin and backstory are explored much more deeply than in the games. Kirby is a legendary Star Warrior, who according to legend is fated to save Pop Star from destruction, but he was awoken from his slumber 200 years too early by mistake and as such has many baby or childlike qualities. Because of his age, he is still getting the hang of his powers and depends even more on the help of his friends to pull through tough situations. It is also implied that Kirby was originally a creation of the ancient evil entity called Nightmare but refused to follow his evil orders and was discarded into the depths of space.

Though Sakurai instructed that Kirby not speak in full sentences (citing the Peanuts character Snoopy) he did allow him to use a small vocabulary including a catch phrase "Poyo" and the names of various attacks and characters.

Prior to this Kirby was also in a short educational video that was released exclusively in Japan in 1994, designed to teach Kanji to young children. The feature was not animated, but contained illustrations and was bundled with a similar video featuring Mario and Wario.

Manga and comics

Kirby also stars in several manga adaptations, which have been drawn by over 20 manga artists. The longest running series, Kirby of the Stars: The Story of Dedede Who Lives in Pupupu, was serialized in CoroCoro Comic from 1994 to 2006, which has been compiled into 25 tankōbon volumes, with over 10 million copies being printed. It continued serialization in CoroCoro Aniki in 2017.[41][42] Viz Media originally planned to release the manga in English in September 2010, but it was pushed back and eventually cancelled.[43][44] The series was later published as a "best-of" collection, which also features new chapters from its continued serialization, and was published in English as Kirby Manga Mania by Viz Media.[45]

The German Club Nintendo magazine (2002-2015) often featured comics starring various Nintendo characters, including Kirby. In his comics, Kirby is reimagined as a detective and King Dedede as his sidekick. These comics were promotions for Kirby games that were released in Germany at the time including Kirby's Dream Course (1994), Kirby's Avalanche (1995), and Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995).[46]

Reception

Since he first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land (1992), Kirby has received a positive reception from critics. Nintendo Power listed Kirby as their 19th favourite hero, commenting that he does not get the respect that he deserves.[47] Kirby ranked second on GameDaily's Top 10 Super Smash Bros. characters list.[48] They also included him in their "Pretty in Pink Video Game Characters" article.[49] GamesRadar listed Kirby as one of the most lovable blobs, calling him one of the cutest things to appear in a Nintendo game, yet also describing the way he defeats his enemies as "horrific."[50] He ranked sixth on IGN's top 10 veteran Super Smash Bros. characters, described as the "pinkest badass ever made".[51]

UGO Networks listed Kirby on their list of "The Cutest Video Game Characters", stating "it's easy to get on board with someone who will eat anything."[52] In 2009, GameSpot chose him as one of the characters to compete in their poll for the title of "All Time Greatest Game Hero".[53] The 2011 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition lists Kirby as the 18th most popular video game character.[54] In 2012, GamesRadar ranked him as the 40th "most memorable, influential, and badass" protagonist in games, saying "[i]f you don't think a pink blob can be tough, then you clearly haven't seen Kirby in action".[55] Jeremy Parish of Polygon ranked 73 fighters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "from garbage to glorious", listing Kirby third and stated that "he's probably the single most consistent character in the Nintendo mascot lineup... And his “copy power” makes him unpredictably fun to play as in Smash."[56] Gavin Jasper of Den of Geek ranked Kirby as first of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters, stating that "Kirby is the glue holding Smash together."[57]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zablotny, Marc (September 10, 2012). "11 amazing Kirby facts and secrets". Official Nintendo Magazine. Future plc. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hoshi no Kābī Pupupu Taizen: 20th Anniversary 星のカービィプププ大全 : 20th Anniversary (in Japanese). Shogakukan. August 2012. p. 15. ISBN 978-4-09-106511-7. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. ^ "The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site". The Official Home of Kirby™ - Official Game Site. Archived from the original on 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. ^ "Kirby Voices". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
    Additional credits sources:
    • HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Nintendo. Scene: Ending credits, 0:52 in, Voice.
    • HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Melee. Nintendo. Scene: Ending credits, 0:25 in, Voice.
  5. ^ Filice, Albert (3 March 2011). "25 Legendary Video Game Characters". PC World. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b Zablotny, Marc (September 10, 2012). "11 amazing Kirby facts and secrets". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  7. ^ Zablotny, Marc (September 20, 2012). "How did your favourite Nintendo characters get their names?". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ^ Turi, Tim (June 17, 2011). "Miyamoto Talks Wii U, Zelda, And Nintendo's Past". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  9. ^ M. Thomas, Lucas (2012-01-18). "Box Art Battles: The Kirby Series". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  10. ^ Phillips, Tom (2014-04-29). "Why so serious? Nintendo explains angry Western Kirby". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  11. ^ Sakurai, Masahiro (February 2002). 速報スマブラ拳!! : アンケート集計拳!! (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. p. 34. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2022. ちなみに、カービィの足はクツではありません。
  12. ^ a b c "Kirby's profile" (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
  13. ^ HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Nintendo. Scene: Kirby's in-game biography. The 8-inch high Kirby hails from a distant, peaceful star. Like his simplistic appearance, he is an easily-understood character. True to his instincts, Kirby eats when he gets hungry and sleeps as soon as he grows tired. Nevertheless, Kirby remains a formidable opponent. In addition to his distinct flying and swallowing skills, he also has the ability to copy enemy attacks for ever-changing action.
  14. ^ "Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Story" (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 2006-11-23. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
  15. ^ Sakurai, Masahiro (4 February 2000). アンケート集計拳!! (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. p. 120. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2021. 年齢はあえて決めていませーん。
  16. ^ HAL Laboratory (1996). Kirby Super Star (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo. This is Kirby, our hero! He's a jolly fellow!
  17. ^ HAL Laboratory (1996). Kirby Super Star (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo.
  18. ^ a b HAL Laboratory (2011). Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Wii). Nintendo.
  19. ^ HAL Laboratory (2006). Kirby: Squeak Squad (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  20. ^ HAL Laboratory (2022). Kirby's Dream Buffet (Nintendo Switch). Nintendo.
  21. ^ HAL Laboratory (2016). Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo 3DS). Nintendo. Music can have a comforting effect, but that depends on who's singing. Luckily, Kirby only has enough energy to sing three songs.
  22. ^ HAL Laboratory (2022). Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Nintendo Switch). Nintendo. Ahhh. Kirby's doing a bit of fishin' at the ol' fishin' pond. He looks super, super relaxed… Maybe too relaxed. Hey! Pay attention, Kirby! There's exciting stuff swimming in that pond, including the legendary "Bling Blipper" of Waddle Dee Town!
  23. ^ HAL Laboratory (2000). Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (Nintendo 64). Nintendo.
  24. ^ HAL Laboratory (1993). Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo Entertainment System). Nintendo.
  25. ^ 最終決戦能力 (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Kirby Super Star manual" (PDF). Nintendo of America. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  27. ^ HAL Laboratory (2005). Kirby: Canvas Curse (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  28. ^ a b HAL Laboratory (2015). Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Wii U). Nintendo.
  29. ^ HAL Laboratory (2010). Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii). Nintendo.
  30. ^ HAL Laboratory (2019). Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn (Nintendo 3DS). Nintendo.
  31. ^ HAL Laboratory (2011). Kirby Mass Attack (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  32. ^ HAL Laboratory (2016). Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo 3DS). Nintendo.
  33. ^ HAL Laboratory (2022). Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Nintendo Switch). Nintendo.
  34. ^ "Kirby™ and the Forgotten Land for the Nintendo Switch™ system – How to play". kirbyandtheforgottenland.nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  35. ^ a b Riendeau, Danielle (2014-09-16). "Super Smash Bros 3DS final smashes, compared to Brawl". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  36. ^ Sakurai, Masahiro (4 February 2000). アンケート集計拳!! (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. p. 117. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2021. 名前．カービィ/性別．不明/好きな言葉．明日は明日の風が吹く/やりたくても出来ないこと．腕立て伏せ、コサックダンス、ジャンケン/これって桜井さんが考えたの？……あぁ、そのプロフィールは過去に自分が考えました。どうしても必要に迫られて・・・。 [Question: Name: Kirby / Gender: Unknown / Favourite phrase: Tomorrow's wind blows tomorrow / Things he wants to do but can't: Push-ups, Cossack dancing, rock-paper-scissors / Was this Mr. Sakurai's idea? Sakurai: Oh, I came up with that profile in the past. I just had to do it…]
  37. ^ Sakurai, Masahiro (4 February 2000). アンケート集計拳!! (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. p. 84. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2020. ピカチュウもメスかも？カービィもメスかも？その真相は闇の中。 [Maybe Pikachu is female, too? Maybe Kirby is female, too? The truth is shrouded in darkness.]
  38. ^ Ohmoto, Makiko [@Makiko_Ohmoto] (8 January 2020). カービィの性別は不明です。 [Kirby's gender is unknown.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 10 January 2020 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Ohmoto, Makiko [@Makiko_Ohmoto] (12 October 2022). や、私も本当に性別は意識してないです。戦っている時でも、お昼寝モードでも「カービィ」として演じてます。男か女かより、特にゲームは青年だと思ってやってます☺️ [No, I also don't really care about his gender. Whether he is fighting or in nap mode, I perform him just as "Kirby". Rather than as a man or a woman, I do the work regarding him just as a youngster, especially in the games.] (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Kirby article" (in Japanese). Famitsu Magazine. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
  41. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu. "CoroCoro Comic's "Kirby" Manga Series Reaches Milestone of 10 Million Copies". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  42. ^ "Kirby Manga's Original Artist Returns With New Installment". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
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