Animal

Kirby: Squeak Squad artwork
Animal
Name (JA)	アニマル (Animaru)
- Meaning	Animal
In Games
Type	Melee
Appearance	A furry brown pelt that resembles a wolf or dog. It has a silver mane and claws at the ends of its paws.
Other Powers	Can dig through dirt, sand and snow, and can also cut ropes, tall grass, and chains
Ability Icon
Regular enemies	Gaw Gaw
Mid-bosses	Spinni's metal claw and Gao Gao

“	Dig and burrow with sharp claws!”
	— Kirby Battle Royale - Kirby's 25th Anniversary Copy Ability Poll

Animal is one of Kirby's Copy Abilities, debuting in Kirby: Squeak Squad.

General Information

Animal is an ability that debuted in Kirby: Squeak Squad, and has only appeared in that game to date. It is very powerful but it comes at a loss of speed. Its main feature is its ability to dig through dirt, some snow, or clouds, unique to the Animal ability itself and Triple Star, an ability which is only obtainable at the end of the game. Many of its moves revolve around this gimmick, and focus being able to dig while still simultaneously taking out foes at the same time. Its attacks are based on primal and animalistic characteristics, such as mauling foes with his sharp, broad claws. The power is scarcely found without dirt around, but by the same token there is hardly any dirt without a Gaw Gaw around. This power does not work underwater.

Moveset

Move	Controls	Description
Claw Swipe	B	A basic slash. It has a very small range but is fairly powerful. If Kirby is next to a diggable material, it will be destroyed, and Kirby will move forward.
Maul	→→ B	Kirby jumps forward. If he collides with an enemy, he will grab the enemy, slash it three times, and jump off. As with all grab attacks, it doesn't affect bosses and mid-bosses (not even when they're defeated), and is an instant KO.
Cling	Go onto a diggable ceiling and press ↑.	Kirby clings to a dirt ceiling.
Cling Dig	↑ + B (while clinging)	Kirby will slash upwards, destroying dirt, and he will move upwards.
Dig	↓ + B (When on top of dirt)	Kirby will slash downwards, destroying dirt, and he will crawl down.
Drill Dig	→/↓+ B (Midair)	Only after getting the Animal Scroll can Kirby use this move. Kirby will spin like a drill and charge through, depending on the direction the player chose. This will plow through dirt. Kirby cannot be hurt while performing this move.

Flavor Texts

Game	Flavor text
	You love dirt! DIG! Sweet dirt! DIG! DIG! DIG! DIG!! Can't dig everywhere...

Related Quotes

“	Animal Kirby's got long, sharp claws, which are good for attacking or digging in soft ground.”
	— Some Copy Abilities • Kirby: Squeak Squad Instruction Booklet

In Other Languages

Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology and notes
	Animal	Officially romanized to Animal.
	Animal
(Traditional)	鼹鼠	Translates to Mole.
	Tier	Translates to Animal.
(General)	Animal	Same as English.
	Animale	Similar to English.
(General)	Salvaje	Translates to Wild.

Trivia

• If Kirby doesn't move for a few seconds while he has this ability, he'll scratch his right "ear" with his foot.
• This is one of the few abilities to change the appearance of Kirby's hands. Others include Ghost, where Kirby's hands become ghost-like, UFO, where his hands disappear entirely, Burning, where his hands catch flame, and ESP, where his hands hold psychic energy.
• Animal, along with Cutter, Circus and Spider, are the only Copy Abilities to include eyes as part of their design.
• In a 1993 interview, Satoru Iwata mentioned that the Animal ability was originally planned to appear in Kirby's Adventure.

Videos

Kirby of the Stars Copy Ability "Animal" Introduction Video

Artwork

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Kirby Star Allies (Celebration Picture)

Gallery

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Sprites

Kirby: Squeak Squad