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Moonja is an enemy in the Kirby series, debuting in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. It yields the Ninja ability when inhaled.

Physical Appearance[]

Moonja is a stout purple ninja with a silver headband, peach skin, and purple eyes. It also has white feet that each have two toes.

Games[]

Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[]

Moonja is usually hidden and will reveal itself when Kirby approaches their hiding spot. The enemy then hops around briefly before throwing a single shuriken. This shuriken travels in a straight line, and can be destroyed with a Copy Ability. Moonja will then vanish in a puff of smoke. It reappears shortly after and repeats the process. Some Moonjas found in the game will permanently cling to a wall, hurling a steady stream of shurikens. If one of these enemies is knocked off the wall it is clinging to, it will begin to use its normal hopping and throwing strategy. A Moonja that is knocked off a wall will never disappear. Moonjas make their first appearance in White Wafers.

In Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, Moonja appears in the New Challenge Stages mode, specifically in the Smash Combat Chamber.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby: Planet Robobot[]

Moonja looks and acts exactly as it does in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, with the addition of one new technique: when Moonja disappears, it can reappear on a different plane from the one it was standing on originally. It cannot do this in Kirby: Planet Robobot.

Etymology[]

Moonja's name is a portmanteau of the words moon, referring to nighttime and its association with ninja; and ninja, referring to the enemy's appearance and abilities.

It's Japanese name, ツキカゲ (Tsukikage), comes from the Japanese word for moonlight, つきかげ/月影 (tsukikage). Furthermore, かげ/影 (kage), meaning "shadow," is used often in ninja names.

Related Quotes[]

Making his debut in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, the Moonja enemy looks about as ninja as you can get. If you copy its ability, Kirby can become a master of the ninja arts! With a variety of useful skills like Knife Throw and Blossom Storm, you might want to remain a ninja forever!
— Ninja Kirby Trophy description • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Trivia[]

  • A Moonja in Stage 2 of Nutty Noon—found in the first room of the level—is the only Moonja in Kirby's Return to Dream Land programmed not to vanish after appearing; if Kirby does not defeat it, it will continue to jump around and throw shurikens.

Gallery[]

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