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KPR Susie artwork This article is about the individual who debuted in Kirby's Dream Land 2. For the species, see Dark Matter (species). For other uses, see Dark Matter (disambiguation).

Dark Matter (referred to as !? in Kirby's Dream Land 2’s bad ending) is a character in the Kirby series, debuting as the main antagonist and final boss of Kirby's Dream Land 2, in which he stole the rainbow bridges connecting the Rainbow Islands, and possessed King Dedede in an attempt to shroud the world in darkness. He also appears as the secondary antagonist and penultimate boss of Kirby's Dream Land 3.

Physical Appearance[]

Dark Matter, after being purged from King Dedede in Dark Castle, appears as a black sphere with a single eye, as well as spiky hair. When the battle commences, he now wears a cloak, a mask, and wields a sword. This form is dubbed Dark Matter Blade in the North American version of Kirby: Planet Robobot’s The True Arena. After being defeated, Dark Matter transforms into Real Dark Matter, which resembles a black sphere adorned with ten purple petal-like appendages, and a single eye in his center. In his appearances in other games, Dark Matter appears in his Real Dark Matter form, but his appendages are orange and spherical, and the amount varies between eight, ten, or twelve of them.

Dark Matter has had cameo appearances across the Kirby series, but he returned in Kirby: Planet Robobot as Dark Matter Clone.

Games[]

Kirby's Dream Land 2[]

Dark Matter first terrorized Planet Popstar in Kirby's Dream Land 2 by stealing the Rainbow Bridges that connect the Rainbow Islands of Dream Land. Taking control of King Dedede, the sinister being hid himself away in Dark Castle, plotting a future of darkness for Dream Land. The only way Kirby can fight Dark Matter is to collect all of the Rainbow Drops and defeat King Dedede, who has fallen into an unnatural sleep. Once this is completed, the Rainbow Drops form the Rainbow Sword. Dark Matter leaves Dedede's body and flies high into the sky, and Kirby uses the Rainbow Sword to pursue him.

DarkMatter revealed

Dark Matter is forced out of Dedede's body by the Rainbow Sword

Dark Matter first confronts Kirby as Dark Matter Blade. He attacks by dashing forward trying to stab Kirby, firing energy beams from his sword, and by launching dark energy orbs. Although Kirby can deal minor damage (a fifth of a health point) to Dark Matter Blade by slicing his body with the Rainbow Sword itself, Kirby can more significantly deplete his health by deflecting the energy orbs back at him. When defeated, Dark Matter Blade transforms into Real Dark Matter, and Kirby must fight him again while slowly sinking toward Popstar. This time he attacks in a pattern, first releasing four of his purple appendages at Kirby twice in a row, then shooting dark beams in a circular motion twice more, then launching himself forward three times, and finally shooting two Dark Lasers from his eye three times. To ultimately defeat Real Dark Matter, Kirby has to repeatedly slash its appendages back at him during his first attack, similar to the Dark Matter Blade battle, and then damage him directly with the Rainbow Sword during the rest of his attacks. If Real Dark Matter is not dispatched quickly enough, Kirby will reenter the atmosphere and begin taking a single point of damage at regular intervals, eventually resulting in a life lost similar to the battle with Nightmare's orb form in Kirby's Adventure and its remake. If Kirby loses a life against Real Dark Matter, but has lives to spare, he will have to fight Dark Matter Blade again.

After his defeat, Dark Matter was obliterated. Kirby's Animal Friends and even an awakened King Dedede celebrated as their benefactor rides his Rainbow Sword through the air. With one last wave of the sword, Kirby restores the islands' rainbows and reverses Dark Matter's plans.

Kirby's Dream Land 3[]

DM

Dark Matter in the opening sequence of Kirby's Dream Land 3.

In Kirby's Dream Land 3, a mysterious giant cloud breaks through the rings of Planet Popstar to get to the surface, and its long reaches possess King Dedede again as well as Whispy Woods, Acro, Pon & Con and Ado far off the land. Dedede is once again bound to an unnatural sleep. Obtaining all the Heart Stars of an area will relieve that level's boss of possession upon defeat. If Kirby collects all the Heart Stars and saves all the boss characters, he will use the Love-Love Stick to reach the black cloud (and may be accompanied by Gooey), where Dark Matter will re-form and attack. Dark Matter retains his appendage attack, which is modified to have the orange orbs home in on Kirby (though they can be destroyed with the Love-Love Stick). Like the previous encounter, Dark Matter can also shoot Dark Lasers out of his eye; he will shoot a bolt of lightning in one direction, then another, then a third, and finally a fourth.

After defeating Dark Matter, he is once again banished and Kirby comes face to face with Zero, the true main antagonist.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards[]

During the battle against Adeleine, a representation of Real Dark Matter appears as one of her paintings. His only attacks involve dropping down orange projectiles when above Kirby, or flying around in an ellipse in an attempt to ram Kirby.

Kirby: Canvas Curse[]

Dark Matter is drawn in Paint Panic in Kirby: Canvas Curse.

Kirby: Squeak Squad[]

Dark Matter Blade makes a cameo along with other final bosses in a graphic, which Kirby can assemble by collecting Graphic Pieces from Treasure Chests.

Kirby Super Star Ultra[]

Dark Matter Blade appears in one of the cards in the Card Swipe sub-game.

Kirby Mass Attack[]

Cannon DAuJLJbVYAER17h This section contains information that does not coincide with the main series canon. (Similar)
KQ Dark Matter 2

Dark Matter in Kirby Mass Attack

Dark Matter appears in Kirby Mass Attack as the final boss of the Kirby Quest mode. He has both his Dark Matter Blade and Real Dark Matter forms. If Kirby picked up Galaxia, it is super effective to both forms, possibly in reference to his original weakness to the Rainbow Sword.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[]

Dark Matter Blade from Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Dark Matter from Kirby's Dream Land 3 are present as rare keychains for the player to unlock.

Kirby: Planet Robobot[]

Cannon DAuJLJbVYAER17h This section contains information that does not coincide with the main series canon. (Similar)
KPR Dark Matter Clone

Dark Matter Clone

A clone of Dark Matter, usually referred to as Dark Matter Clone, appears to do battle against Meta Knight to test him during the Meta Knightmare Returns sub-game. The clone takes the form of Dark Matter Blade; due to Star Dream's inability to analyze the alien life-form correctly, his true form only appears inside Dark Matter's cloak and the last moment of his demise.

He will initially fight similarly to Dark Matter Blade, staying at a side of the arena, and shooting dark energy at the player. Soon, he will move to the background to fire larger energy balls, which can be launched back at him. He will occasionally also dash towards the screen with a dive attack.

Once Dark Matter loses half of his health, his eye will temporarily withdraw to the main body to let out a roar before changing color to red. At this stage, Dark Matter will now utilize moves from his true form; he will first move to a side of the screen while the eye fires Dark Lasers around the arena. Afterwards, he will summon four orange spheres around himself which Kirby can swallow to get the Fire ability, and he will circle the arena briefly before ordering the spheres to attack the player. Dark Matter will then head to the background before performing three multi-slash attacks.

In addition to Dark Matter Clone, Dark Matter Blade from Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Dark Matter from Kirby's Dream Land 3 are present as rare stickers for the player to unlock.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe[]

Dark Matter Suit Shield

Kirby in the Dark Matter Gear using his shield.

The Rarity 8 Weapon and Armor for Sword Hero are the Dark Matter Blade and Dark Matter Gear, both referencing Dark Matter Blade. Its shield is designed around Dark Matter's true form.

Kirby Star Allies[]

Dark Matter Blade appears alongside many other final bosses in the "Bad Boss Brothers" Celebration Picture.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[]

Dark Matter Blade appears as a Dress-Up Mask in Merry Magoland, referred to as Dark Matter Clone. This mask also changes the player character's voice.

In Kirby of the Stars Pilot[]

Dark Matter Pilot

Dark Matter in the pilot.

Dark Matter in his appearance from Kirby's Dream Land 3 appears in the Kirby of the Stars Pilot as one of the enemies created out of the plumes of smoke when the sky went dark. Kirby freezes him with the Ice ability after he inhales Ice Dragon.

In the Super Smash Bros. series[]

Dark Matter Blade appears as a primary, Legend-class attack Spirit, providing three slots for Support Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It sports no effect when applied to a fighter, but also has one of the highest power levels in the game.

His Spirit Battle is a stamina battle against King Dedede in his black and white coloration, before fighting Meta Knight in his navy blue coloration, referencing the battle with Dedede followed by Dark Matter Blade in Kirby's Dream Land 2. 's battle theme plays, and the battle is fought on the Halberd stage's Ω form, while Nightmare frequently appears to obstruct the player's vision, both likely referencing the darkness theme. King Dedede and Meta Knight can also randomly get critical hits, and their weapons have increased strength.

Related Quotes[]

Creating this dark swordsman pushed Star Dream to the limits of its abilities. The cloning process was a success, but only a partial data analysis was possible, and its true form has not yet emerged.
— Vs. Dark Matter Clone • Kirby: Planet Robobot
A blade said to be wielded by a dark swordsman who, lurking in shadow, plots to shroud the world in darkness.
— Weapon Description • Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
Armor that borrows its appearance from the dark swordsman with a single eye. It is said that isn't hair but part of his body.
— Armor Description • Team Kirby Clash Deluxe

Canonicity[]

Dark Matter's appearances in Kirby's Dream Land 2, and Kirby's Dream Land 3 are canon. His appearance in Kirby Mass Attack’s Kirby Quest sub-game is non-canon, as it is not part of the main story. Meta Knight's battle against his clone in Meta Knightmare Returns is also non-canon, however, Star Dream's data analysis of him is ambiguous; it is possible that it just wasn't used to fight anyone, and as Star Dream was defeated, that information that would be used to create the clone would probably disappear with it. Star Dream's data on Dark Matter may indicate there are still traces of the entity left somewhere out there.

His appearance in the pilot is also non-canon, as the pilot is not directly connected to the anime series, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!.

Trivia[]

  • The amount of appendages Dark Matter has is inconsistent with his appearances. His Kirby's Dream Land 2 sprite has ten (only eight are shown in his Kirby's Dream Land 2 artwork due to the side view); his Kirby's Dream Land 3 sprite always has eight (even in side view), as does Ado's artwork, however, the official artwork for his Kirby's Dream Land 3 appearance gives him ten; in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Adeleine's drawing gives him eight; his appearance in Kirby of the Stars Pilot gives him twelve appendages; his appearance in Kirby Mass Attack also has twelve appendages, but in different positions than they were in the pilot; his appearance in Kirby: Planet Robobot has eight appendages; his appearance in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe as the shield when wearing the Dark Matter gear depicts him with eight appendages.
Lonely person

From page 106 of "最新星のカービィ大百科"

  • A Japanese Kirby encyclopedia by the name of 最新星のカービィ大百科 Saishin Hoshi no Kābyi Ōhyakka ("The Latest Kirby of the Stars Large Encyclopedia") states that Dark Matter targeted Planet Popstar because he was lonely, and grew jealous of Dream Land since everyone there is friends with each other. He couldn't say "be my friend."
    • This information has since been repeated in the January 2019 issue of the Nintendo Dream magazine.
  • Dark Matter Blade has a laser attack with the same sound as Laser Ball from Kirby's Adventure.
  • Dark Matter appears capable of altering his form so he is suited to whatever task he must carry out. This is first seen when Kirby first confronts Dark Matter in Kirby's Dream Land 2, where he assumed the form of a masked swordsman, presumably to combat against the overwhelming strength of the Rainbow Sword. In subsequent appearances except Kirby Mass Attack and cameos of the swordsman form, he would only possess others to combat Kirby or fight in his natural state.
  • Dark Mind's second and final forms resemble Dark Matter.
  • For a split second during his transformation (and during his attacks) in Kirby Mass Attack, his orbs are purple like his debut appearance.
  • Concept artwork seems to suggest that Dark Matter was considered as a playable character in Kirby: Canvas Curse.[1]
  • A heavily remixed version of Dark Matter's theme from Kirby's Dream Land 3 is used as one of the tunes during the first phase of Magolor's theme in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.
  • "Reproduction of Darkness," the theme that plays during the battle against Dark Matter Clone in Kirby: Planet Robobot, is a remix of Dark Matter's themes in Kirby's Dream Land 2, starting with Real Dark Matter, followed by Dark Matter Blade's theme.
  • Dark Matter Clone in Kirby: Planet Robobot can turn his sword into something similar to the Rainbow Sword to attack, ironically, as the Rainbow Sword is the original Dark Matter's weakness.
    • According to a HAL Laboratory Miiverse post, this is because Dark Matter can materialize his memories.
    • The cutscene before the battle against Dark Matter Clone is also called "The Dark Rainbow Thief".
  • In Kirby: Planet Robobot, Dark Matter Clone is referred to as Dark Matter Blade in The True Arena's rest area. In Japanese, both his name in battle and in the rest area is 「クローン剣士ダークマター」, meaning "Clone Swordsman Dark Matter."
    • Additionally, in the European English version, his name remains "Dark Matter Clone" both in battle and in the True Arena's rest area.
  • When activating the portal for the Dark Matter Clone, Star Dream reveals the clone is filed as Sword_Master.exe.
  • The official strategy guide for Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards by Prima Games, Adeleine's Dark Matter painting is erroneously called mutant Mumbies.[2]
  • The clone fight in Kirby: Planet Robobot reveals that the Rainbow Sword is not the only weapon capable of reflecting the dark energy balls Dark Matter Blade fires, as Meta Knight's sword, Galaxia can also do so. Additionally, in The True Arena, any of Kirby's attacks, even the basic slide kick and Air Gun, can reflect the dark energy. This may be because the clone was imperfect.
  • Dark Matter is the sixth-strongest Kirby series Spirit usable by the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 10,089 power at max level. He is only beaten by Nightmare Wizard's 12,671, Dyna Blade's 11,203, Marx (True Form)'s 10,886, Dark Daroach's 10,897, and Galacta Knight's 13,345.
    • Dark Matter has the second highest power when fought as a Spirit Battle, only after the Dragoon.

Artwork[]

Concept Artwork[]

Gallery[]

Sprites and Models[]

References[]

  1. Kirby: Canvas Curse concept art
  2. "Next comes the mutant Mumbies. Avoid its rampages and inhale the smaller Mumbies it creates, exhaling them at the larger one" - Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Official Strategy Guide (Prima)
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