What Was Kirby’s Original Name? Unveiling the Pink Puffball’s Past
The adorable, pink puffball we all know and love as Kirby wasn’t always called by that name. Before becoming the star of his own franchise, he was known as Popopo (ポポポ). This name was used during the early stages of development when the first game was planned to be titled Harukaze Popopo or Popopo of the Spring Breeze. Ultimately, HAL Laboratory and Nintendo decided to change his name, which resulted in the first game being released as Twinkle Popopo, before eventually becoming known as Kirby’s Dream Land. The primary reason for this change was to make the character more appealing to Western audiences. The name “Kirby” was ultimately chosen to honor the American attorney John Joseph Kirby Jr., who played a crucial role in Nintendo’s legal history.
The Story Behind the Name Change
The journey from Popopo to Kirby is a fascinating look at how character names and branding can be crucial to a game’s success. The development team at HAL Laboratory, led by Masahiro Sakurai, initially envisioned a simple, placeholder design. Popopo was more of a code name than a true character name. However, as the game began to take shape, it became clear that a more memorable and globally appealing name was needed.
The decision to rename the character to Kirby was a direct tribute to John Joseph Kirby Jr., who successfully defended Nintendo against Universal Studios in a copyright lawsuit concerning the character of Donkey Kong back in 1984. This legal victory was pivotal for Nintendo’s future, and naming their new, up-and-coming character after John Kirby was a fitting way to express gratitude. The name “Kirby” offered a more universally accessible sound than the Japanese-centric Popopo, which might not have resonated as strongly with non-Japanese speaking gamers.
Unveiling Kirby’s Development
The character we know today as Kirby wasn’t initially meant to be pink. Sakurai initially intended Kirby to be pink, though Shigeru Miyamoto (creator of Super Mario) thought the character should be yellow. Kirby appeared white in North American promotional materials and artwork to reflect his in-game appearance at the time. Miyamoto’s color choice was repurposed in some games for secondary players. This highlights the collaborative and evolving nature of game development.
The Importance of Character Naming
The name Popopo, while charming in its own way, likely wouldn’t have translated as effectively outside of Japan. Kirby, on the other hand, is short, punchy, and memorable. The change in name represents a crucial understanding of international markets and the importance of creating characters that can resonate with a global audience. The story of Kirby is more than a simple name change; it is the story of evolution and intentional decisions that lead to the creation of one of gaming’s most iconic characters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kirby
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to deepen your understanding of Kirby and his world:
1. What are Kirby’s Pronouns?
While Kirby’s creator, Sakurai, has said that Kirby is genderless, official materials from HAL Laboratory, including instruction manuals and websites, often use male pronouns (“he” or 彼 in Japanese) when referring to Kirby. The anime also consistently refers to Kirby using male pronouns. In the Japanese site, Kirby is introduced with 僕, a pronoun used almost exclusively for young males.
2. What is Kirby’s Canon Gender?
Though many consider Kirby to be genderless according to statements by his creator, Masahiro Sakurai, the official material by HAL Laboratory leans towards male pronouns. The anime similarly treats Kirby as a male.
3. What is the Name of the Red Kirby?
The Red Kirby is known as Andy. He is one of seven Puffals who were orphaned by The Collector before hatching.
4. What is Green Kirby’s Real Name?
Green Kirby is officially named Kusamochi Kābī in Japan. Masahiro Sakurai himself uses this name on the Japanese official site of Super Smash Bros. Kusamochi is a type of grass rice cake in Japan.
5. What is Blue Kirby’s Name?
Blue Kirby is also known as Doctor Healmore in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe and Super Kirby Clash. He’s primarily seen as the third player or as a palette swap.
6. Why Does Kirby Say “Poyo”?
Kirby primarily communicates using the sound “poyo.” This choice was made intentionally to avoid giving Kirby a fixed impression, allowing players to project their own interpretations onto the character. However, Kirby can occasionally say simple words, often names of people and food, in baby talk.
7. Is Kirby Asexual?
Kirby is considered to be asexual in the context of reproduction. They are known to reproduce by splitting into three at the end of each level, after which all three ‘children’ perform a unique ritual called the Kirby Dance.
8. Who are the LGBTQ+ Characters in Kirby?
Many fans believe that Francisca and Flamberge from Kirby Star Allies share romantic feelings, leading to interpretations of a lesbian or sapphic relationship.
9. Why Does Kirby Kiss?
Kirby’s “kiss” is actually a method of sharing healing power with other characters. He does this in co-op modes by giving a little kiss to a partner after eating an item.
10. Is ChuChu Kirby’s Girlfriend?
Some of the interactions between Kirby and ChuChu (a character from Kirby’s Dream Land 3) suggest a possible romantic interest. ChuChu rides on Kirby’s head, and he often appears content or lovestruck when she’s with him.
11. Was Kirby Originally White?
In the original game, Kirby’s in-game appearance was white due to technical limitations at the time. The promotional artwork for North America also reflected this white appearance, even though Sakurai intended the character to be pink.
12. How Tall is Kirby?
Kirby is approximately eight inches tall.
13. Who is Kirby’s Best Friend?
Bandana Waddle Dee, also known as Bandana Dee, is widely regarded as Kirby’s best friend. He is a Waddle Dee who was once a minion of King Dedede but has since become a close ally of Kirby.
14. Is Kirby Still a Baby?
Kirby is often referred to as being “young”, although never explicitly a baby, according to the current director of the Kirby series. He is often portrayed with child-like characteristics, which contributes to this perception.
15. Is Kirby a God in Kirby Lore?
In terms of the game lore, Kirby is considered one of several reincarnations of a Chaotic Neutral god of destruction. His alignments are said to be dictated by the environment where he is born.
Final Thoughts
The tale of Kirby’s original name, Popopo, is a significant part of the character’s history. It illustrates the strategic thinking behind character development and the impact of adaptation for different markets. From a placeholder name to a tribute to a legal legend, Kirby’s evolution has shaped him into the iconic figure we celebrate today. From his origins as a simple pink puffball to his adventures spanning countless games, Kirby’s legacy is a testament to the power of creative vision and the magic of video game storytelling.