Kirby,(Series)[1][name reference needed] also known as Anti-Kirby,(LA)[1] is an enemy exclusively found in Link's Awakening. In spite of their name and they look identical to the titular main character Kirby of Nintendo's own Kirby series, it is not actually such, as these foes are corrupt, dangerous versions of the lovable pink blob.[1]
Characteristics[]
Despite at first appearing harmless and friendly like the actual Kirby, Anti-Kirbies are hostile enemies that are encountered in certain areas of the first floor in Eagle's Tower, the seventh Dungeon. They are described as "Kirby's evil twins" in the Nintendo Player's guide of the game.[2] Its only attack is by periodically attempting to inhale Link into their wide gaping mouths, itself Kirby's signature move to defeat or copy his foes' techniques. If they manage to swallow the young hero, they will briefly hold him for a moment before spitting him back out and causing damage, similar to a Like Like. While Anti-Kirbies are not powerful (unlike the real counterpart), they are among the most resilient enemies in the game, as only a few items are effective against them and the Sword will merely bounce off of the enemy, rendering the blade useless. Anti-Kirbies can only be defeated with two well-placed Bombs, two hits from the Magic Rod, or four hits from the Boomerang. Unusually, the enemies will cause more damage onto Link simply by coming into contact with one than by being swallowed.
Trivia[]
The actual Kirby, in which The Legend of Zelda counterpart is directly based on
- The appearance of Kirby as an enemy in Link's Awakening is among one of several guests featured from other Nintendo franchises in a The Legend of Zelda series title, including Super Mario. It is likely he was included by the developers in order to promote the character, as the Kirby series was relatively new by the game's release in 1993 (his first game, Kirby's Dream Land, on the Game Boy, was released only one year prior).
- The character Kirby was created by Masahiro Sakurai, who himself is also the creator of the Super Smash Bros. franchise.
- The Anti-Kirby in the original version of the game noticeably does not have the dark pink dots seen on its cheeks, unlike the genuine character. In addition, its eyes even in the Switch remake are plain black, making them distinguishable.
- Ironically, the real Kirby had black eyes in his earliest appearances.
- In the Kirby series, when Kirby copies the Sword ability, he gains a floppy green cap (except for Kirby's Adventure on NES) and many attack moves in direct reference to Link, such as the Down Thrust and firing Sword Beams when at full health. According to the booklet that comes with the game Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition released on the Wii, this was done as a way to "return the favor" for Kirby's guest appearance in Link's Awakening. Plus, his rival, Meta Knight, is also a sword fighter like Link.
- In the Super Smash Bros. series, when he copies any version of Link, he gains his floppy green hat and uses the Bow and Arrow, although in the original Nintendo 64 game Kirby uses the Boomerang, instead. The Sword ability itself was also used as his Final Smash in SSB4 and Ultimate, known as the Ultra Sword.
- Much like the real Kirby, due to the hardware limitations of the Game Boy, Anti-Kirbies first appeared as black and white, but on Link's Awakening DX on the Game Boy Color, they are pink.
- The Anti-Kirby in Link's Awakening is one of the few enemies in the Zelda franchise where the Sword are ineffective against.
- The Anti-Kirby's model in the Nintendo Switch version uses a recycled design from the actual character's model used in Kirby Star Allies, as one of its headshapes is a leftover from the original model.[3]
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | カービィ (Kābī) (LA)[4] | Kirby |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Gallery[]
Anti-Kirby attempting to inhale Link from Link's Awakening DX
Link encountering an Anti-Kirby alongside a Goomba in Link's Awakening
An Anti-Kirby in the Switch remake of Link's Awakening, attempting to inhale Link
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 187
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 100
- ↑ "The Kirby model in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is the same model as the one seen in Kirby Star Allies. The only difference is the texture." — @ObscureKirby, Obscure Kirby Media & Facts, Twitter, published February 26, 2022, retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Certain Victory Strategy Guide (1993), Futabasha, pg. 23