Does Frisk Exist in Deltarune? Exploring the Connections and Differences
The short answer is: No, Frisk, as a distinct character from Undertale, does not exist in Deltarune. While there are striking visual similarities and thematic parallels, the games are explicitly set in separate universes, as confirmed by Toby Fox himself. Therefore, the protagonist we control in Deltarune, Kris, is their own character, with their own history, motivations, and role in the game’s narrative. The frequent confusion arises from the visual design of Kris, their position as a human in a monster world, and their shared adoption into the Dreemurr family, which mirrors some of Frisk’s experiences. However, it’s crucial to separate these elements and understand that Deltarune is not a direct sequel or prequel to Undertale. Instead, it’s presented as a separate story with distinct rules and characters.
Visual Similarities and Misconceptions
The Design of Kris
The most obvious point of confusion is Kris’s design. They share a similar yellowish skin tone and a general appearance with Frisk, immediately prompting comparisons. Additionally, Kris’s in-game sprite during battles in the Dark World often features a blue color scheme, similar to some of Frisk’s items or visual cues. These visual cues lead many fans to speculate that Kris is, in some way, a parallel of Frisk, or even a “Deltarune version” of them. However, these are simply design choices that might evoke familiarity, not a direct indication of shared identity or origin.
The “Human Child in a Monster World” Trope
Both Frisk and Kris are human characters who find themselves in a world primarily populated by monsters. This shared trope further blurs the lines in the eyes of some players. Both are also, at some point, adopted by the Dreemurr family. In Undertale, Frisk is taken in by Toriel, and in Deltarune, Kris lives with Toriel as their adoptive mother and also has a relationship with their older brother Asriel, who is away at university. These are thematic resonances rather than direct connections, intentionally drawing attention to how character archetypes and situations can be explored through different lenses in distinct narratives.
Player Control and Narrative Roles
In both games, the player assumes control of the main character: Frisk in Undertale and Kris in Deltarune. This shared mechanic also contributes to the assumption that they might be connected. However, in Undertale, the player’s relationship with Frisk is ambiguous, whereas in Deltarune, Kris’s agency is more contested, with several narrative elements suggesting they have desires and motivations beyond the player’s control. This deliberate difference further solidifies the distinction between the two characters.
Why Frisk’s Presence in Deltarune is Unlikely
Toby Fox’s Statements
Toby Fox, the creator of both games, has explicitly stated that Deltarune is separate from Undertale. He has used phrases like, “different characters with different lives” to emphasize this distinction. These statements, while not always as direct as fans might like, are a strong indication that we should not expect Frisk to appear as the same character from Undertale within Deltarune. He has been clear that Kris is their own character, not a parallel or incarnation of Frisk.
Narrative and Thematic Differences
Deltarune’s narrative explores different themes and concepts compared to Undertale. While Undertale focuses heavily on player choice and its impact on the story, Deltarune introduces the concept of fixed destinies and predetermined paths, which contrasts with the agency emphasized in Undertale. These thematic divergences make the notion of Frisk’s presence in Deltarune less plausible as the narratives clearly pull in different directions. The existence of the Snowgrave Route further reinforces the idea that Deltarune is a separate narrative experience.
Focusing on New Characters and Themes
Deltarune is a new story with its own cast of characters and narratives. Focusing on established characters from Undertale, such as Frisk, would detract from Deltarune’s original narrative and design. It is designed to stand alone and offer new and different experiences. The deliberate choice not to include Frisk highlights this objective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does Kris look so much like Frisk?
Kris’s design likely draws inspiration from Frisk to evoke familiarity and play with fan expectations. This visual similarity is a stylistic choice that does not indicate a shared identity or origin. It emphasizes archetypes, and the game intentionally blurs the lines to prompt thought and discussion among players.
2. Is Kris a gender-neutral version of Frisk?
Kris is exclusively referred to using “they/them” pronouns, and their name is gender-neutral, indicating that Kris is a non-binary character. This is a deliberate choice to offer a more inclusive protagonist, and it doesn’t mean that Kris is simply a version of Frisk.
3. Are Chara and Frisk related?
According to supplementary information, Chara and Frisk are implied to be twin sisters who spent some time together as children. This isn’t directly explored in Undertale or Deltarune, but provides additional background information to better understand Chara.
4. Will Chara appear in Deltarune?
While theories exist, Chara has yet to make an explicit appearance in Deltarune. Their presence is possible given the game’s narrative complexity, but nothing has been confirmed and players should be cautious not to take theories as truth.
5. Does Sans from Undertale appear in Deltarune?
Yes, Sans appears as a character in Deltarune, found outside his shop which is a remodeled version of Grillby’s from Undertale. However, his role and purpose are different within the story of Deltarune, emphasizing that he is a character that has been moved from one world to another, rather than a direct version of the same character.
6. What happened to Frisk after Undertale?
After Undertale, Frisk can choose to stay with Toriel or go elsewhere. The ending depends on the player’s decisions, and ultimately leaves their life after the ending ambiguous. The game does not give further information.
7. Does Deltarune have a Genocide Route?
Yes, Deltarune Chapter 2 has a Genocide Route, also known as the Weird or Snowgrave route. This is triggered by specific actions related to Noelle and offers a different narrative experience than a more conventional route.
8. Why is Papyrus not in Deltarune?
While Papyrus’ name is never said in Deltarune, there is no solid evidence to confirm his absence entirely. Sans does mention that his brother needs a friend, but does not mention Papyrus by name.
9. Why does Kris remove their soul?
Kris’s act of removing their soul is an act to perpetuate the cycle of inevitable violence that exists between humans and monsters. It could be seen as an act of breaking free from the player’s control, or an acknowledgement of the forced nature of the game’s narrative.
10. Will Asriel be in Deltarune?
Asriel is mentioned in Deltarune as Kris’s older brother, who is away at university. He does not appear directly in the first two chapters, but it is heavily implied that he will appear later in the story.
11. How old is Frisk in Undertale?
Frisk’s age is not explicitly stated but is likely between 9 and 13 years old. This age is determined by visual cues from the game and contextual references.
12. Why are Frisk’s eyes always closed?
Frisk’s closed eyes are typically depicted as a result of squinting due to their myopia, which gives them their trademark look, though they do open them wider in specific instances.
13. Why is Frisk’s skin yellow?
The yellow skin tone is meant to be ambiguous, allowing for a universal character design that doesn’t define a specific race. This is similar to the use of yellow in many emoticons.
14. Does killing matter in Deltarune?
While you can fight enemies in Deltarune, they typically flee or surrender instead of being killed. This means that player actions do not carry the same weight in Deltarune as in Undertale, but it can alter the game’s ending.
15. How many endings does Deltarune have?
Officially, Deltarune is said to have one ending by its creator, Toby Fox. However, some believe that there may be multiple endings yet to be discovered or that the term “ending” is used loosely and that there are multiple narrative routes. The game’s narrative is still developing.
In conclusion, while there are several similarities between Frisk and Kris, they are ultimately separate characters existing in distinct universes. Understanding this distinction is crucial for appreciating the unique narratives and themes explored in both Undertale and Deltarune.