Papi

	This article contains content derived from Japanese	(Edit \| Similar)
	...because it was never localized to English in official sources.

	This article's title is derived from Japanese	(Edit \| Similar)
	...because it was never localized to English in official sources.

	This article contains information that does not coincide with the main series canon.	(Similar)

“	In the world of butterflies, everyone knows of a knight born from the red butterfly and a strong warrior called Morpho Knight. That’s how strong it is!”
	— Papi (translated) • Kirby of the Stars: Meta Knight and the Knight of the Underworld

Papi is a character in the Kirby series. He appears in the Kirby of the Stars: Meta Knight and the Knight of the Underworld novel.

Physical Appearance[]

Papi is a butterfly with light blue wings and a yellow body. His wings are darker along the edges and lighter, almost white, closer to his body. On his forewings are three short blue lines, and there is a small triangular cut in each otherwise rounded wing.

In Kirby of the Stars Novel Series[]

Papi appears exclusively in the Kirby of the Stars: Meta Knight and the Knight of the Underworld novel. Meta Knight wakes up in the underworld and is greeted by the butterfly, who explains where they are. Papi follows Meta Knight as he tries to find a way out of the underworld, providing him with information about the place while also suggesting and asking him to stay.

After Meta Knight sees a red butterfly, Papi hides from it, later explaining the legend of the red butterfly Morpho Knight, which is very well known in the "butterfly world," and considered very eerie. When they come upon a giant black snake, Papi screams, saying it's one of the strongest beings in the underworld, and ends up fainting in fright. When he awakes after Meta Knight defeats the snake, he's impressed with the knights strength.

Later on in their journey, Meta Knight strikes up a conversation, asking about Papi's favorite food. He says "yellow," is his favorite, calling it refreshing and delicious, also stating pink is too sweet for him and purple also has a nice taste. He goes onto clarify he's talking about flowers and their nectar, and is surprised to learn Meta has never had it. While thinking about food, Meta Knight considers eating a gray fruit from one of the trees in the underworld. Papi hesitantly stops him, telling him that if he eats any food in the underworld, he'll never be able to leave. Papi explains that he likely could have left if he hadn't drank the nectar of a flower in underworld. He admits he initially didn't want to tell Meta Knight this because he wanted him to stay in the underworld with him, and apologizes to him.

They come upon the red butterfly once again, and he goes through a portal to the living world. Papi helps to hold open the portal for Meta Knight to get through it just in time, though Papi remains in the Underworld, telling Meta Knight goodbye and asking him to never forget him before the portal closes.

Personality[]

Papi is described as very chatty and carefree, to the point of annoying Meta Knight. He is rather simple minded, being easily impressed by Meta Knight and not knowing people don't typically drink flower nectar. He's very lonely in the underworld, not having anyone else to talk to, so he jumps at the opportunity to make a new friend and talk with them as much as possible. He is easily frightened, fainting in the presence of the large black snake and hiding from the red butterfly when it appears. He considers taking selfish actions to remedy his loneliness, like hesitating to stop Meta Knight from eating. However, he is also selfless, as he actively aides in helping Meta Knight escape, even though it means he will be lonely again.

Related Quotes[]

“	A talking butterfly that lives in the underworld.”
	— Papi's character bio (translated) • Kirby of the Stars: Meta Knight and the Knight of the Underworld