Editing Fourth wall

[[File:Fine Fields Stage 1 KTD wave.png|frame|An example of [[Kirby]] breaking the '''fourth wall''' in ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'' by waving at the player.]]
The term '''fourth wall''' is used to describe the separation of the audience from a performance. It is originally derived from stage play, where an imaginary fourth wall is said to separate the audience from the characters being portrayed, though it need not be a literal wall. This wall is meant to exist in the context of the story, which means that if actors look beyond the wall at the audience, whether intentionally or not, they are said to be 'breaking the fourth wall', thus breaking the illusion of a self-contained story. This can be pushed further by having actors directly address or interact with the audience, which is usually done for comedic effect or satire. Another means of breaking the fourth wall includes having the actors acknowledge their status as fictional characters, interacting with a narrator, or tampering with stage elements not meant to be interacted with such as backgrounds, cameras, or in the case of video games, the user interface. Breaking the fourth wall is particularly common in children's media, often as a method to engage the children with the characters in question. 

==Examples in the ''Kirby'' series==
The [[Kirby (series)|''Kirby'' series]] breaks the fourth wall on many occasions, though it is important to distinguish the difference between interactions in menus and instruction manuals and those in actual gameplay. The former cases are understood to take place outside of the context of the proper story, and as such are not part of the game's [[continuity]]. (For example, a menu screen that tells the player to "Press Start" is not considered breaking the fourth wall.) This article will only focus on examples of the fourth wall being broken in gameplay or in-game cutscenes.

===General===
[[File:KDL Bye-bye.png|thumb|left|Kirby saying farewell to the player at the end of ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]''.]]
[[File:KSA story mode ending scene 07.jpg|thumb|200px|Kirby and his friends waving at the player at the end of the ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' story mode.]]
One common way that video games in general will break the fourth wall is to treat the display screen as a physical barrier within the game, or at least as a camera. The ''Kirby'' series does this on several occasions by flinging its characters into the "screen" for a more dramatic defeat. In such cases, the screen is often assumed to be a glass window.

In many games in the series, [[Kirby]] will wave at or otherwise acknowledge the player during certain moments. The first example of this is the ending of ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'', where Kirby hoists up a sign in the very last cutscene saying 'bye-bye'. This tradition carries on through many games in the series, with the ending of ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' having Kirby and any of his present [[Helper|friends]] waving at the player as they fly away.

In several games, particularly later ones, symbolic objects such as [[Door]]s and goal doors are directly interacted with as objects in the environment. This is particularly prevalent in ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'' and ''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]''. Enemies such as [[Mirra]]s and [[Nidoo]]s can even take on the appearance of these symbolic objects, blurring the line between gameplay and story functionality.

Another aspect that blurs the boundaries of the fourth wall is in-game dialogue from the characters. Generally, the characters will speak whichever language the system is set to, whether that is English, Japanese, or any number of languages each game has been translated into. This is not necessarily meant to indicate that the characters are speaking these languages in-universe, but that the dialogue is merely being translated such that the player can understand it. This is especially true of games that feature [[Fictional languages in the Kirby series|constructed languages]], such as ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' or ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]''.
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===''Kirby's Dream Land''===
{{VideoEmbed|KDL pause animation.mp4|240|216|gif=y|thumbcaption=Kirby dancing in a paused [[Green Greens]].}}
While the game is [[pause]]d, Kirby will [[Kirby Dance|start dancing in place]] if left alone for long enough. This example is particularly notable as nothing is meant to move during a pause session.

In addition, as mentioned above, Kirby will use a sign to say farewell to the player in the ending of the game.
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===''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards''===
[[File:K64 PossessedQueen.png|thumb|200px|The [[queen]] giving the player a menacing glare in the [[bad ending]].]]
At the end of the [[bad ending]] cutscene in ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]'', the [[queen]] turns to face the camera with an ominous expression on her face, as a way to indicate that the player isn't quite finished with the game.
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===''Kirby Air Ride''===
[[File:KAR Kirby waving.png|thumb|200px|Kirby motioning for the player to make an input in ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]''.]]
While Kirby is riding an [[Air Ride Machine]], he will acknowledge the player in a number of different ways. When left to coast forward for an extended period of time, Kirby will look back and motion for the player to make an input. When performing a smooth landing after a glide, Kirby will turn and pose ecstatically.
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===''Kirby: Canvas Curse''===
In the intro cutscene, the opening [[Narrator|narration]] specifically states that the [[Magical Paintbrush]] is transported to the player's hands (as another way to describe the [[Nintendo DS]] stylus).<ref>"''Kirby touches the rainbow brush and... It transports to you on a ray of light!''" <small>- Narration from the opening cutscene of ''[[Kirby: Canvas Curse]]''</small></ref>

===''Kirby Mass Attack''===
In [[Heavy Lobster]]'s boss battle in the [[Kirby Brawlball]] sub-game, if the [[Kirby Ball|Kirby ball]] touches any of the paint blobs that Heavy Lobster releases, the blob will splatter part of the screen with purple paint, obstructing the player's vision. The location of the paint splats depends on where the paint blob was hit.

===''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' / ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe''===
During the battle with [[Grand Doomer]], it will start conjuring enemies to attack Kirby in the final phase. One of these enemies can be a [[Waddle Dee]], and if it is conjured and allowed to fall to the floor, it will wave briefly toward the player before proceeding to walk around as usual.

In ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'', enemies are launched into the "camera" when hit by [[Super Ability]] attacks.
<gallery>
KRtDLD_using_Ultra_Sword_screenshot.png|Waddle Dee crashes into the screen after being hit by Kirby's [[Ultra Sword]] in ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]''
KRtDLD_Fourth_Wall_Waddle_Dee.jpg|Waddle Dee greets the player amidst all the chaos during the battle against [[Grand Doomer|Grand Doomer EX]] in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe''
</gallery>

===''Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition''===
[[Magolor]] directly addresses the player at the beginning of the [[New Challenge Stages]], explaining the game's backstory and following up on ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''. He refers to the player as a separate entity from Kirby, but does not otherwise break the established continuity of the games.

===''Kirby: Triple Deluxe''===
In this title, it is possible for Kirby to be knocked into and splat against the fourth wall directly whenever hit by a large object moving in toward the player. 

At the start of [[Fine Fields - Stage 1]], Kirby casually breaks the fourth wall by waving to the player.

Some bosses are able to interact with the screen in a way that it hinders the player's view, with [[Paintra]] (covering the screen with paint) and [[Pyribbit]] (burning the screen to cover it with ash) being the most prominent examples.

In some stages, Kirby or other characters interact with Goal Doors as objects needed for Kirby to advance in his adventure.

On two separate occasions, when Kirby uses the [[Hypernova]] ability to defeat [[Flowery Woods]] and [[Flowered Sectonia]], their [[Health]] bars are ripped from the user interface and fly into Kirby's mouth.
<gallery>
KTD Kirby Splat.png|Screenshot from ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'' where Kirby splats against "the Nintendo 3DS screen"
KTD Paintra paint screen.png|[[Paintra]]'s paint stripes block the player's view
KTD_Pyribbit_DX_battle_2.png|[[Pyribbit|Pyribbit DX]] burns the screen, covering it in ash
KTD_Royal_Road_Stage_5_6.png|[[Hypernova]] Kirby tastes a delicious health bar
KTD People of the Sky bringing the Goal Door in.png|An example of doors being treated as continuity-breaking separate objects, when the [[People of the Sky]] bring in the Goal Door for Kirby to use in ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe''
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===''Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe''===
[[File:DDDD Magolor Blindfold.png|thumb|200px|Magolor holding up a blindfold banner in ''Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe'' to obscure the player's view of the stage.]]
Breaking the fourth wall is actually used as a hazard in this game; in a few stages, there are obstacles called "blindfold banners", which temporarily cover part of the screen. As they would have no impact on [[King Dedede]] within the setting of the game, they exist purely to hinder the player. They primarily appear in level four, "[[Bouncing Boss Battle (Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe)|Bouncing Boss Battle]]", and the secret version of level 2, "[[Must Dash (Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe)|Must Dash]]", carried by [[Bronto Burt]]s. In the "[[C-R-O-W-N-E-D (Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe)|C-R-O-W-N-E-D]]: Reprise" stage, Magolor appears with a blindfold banner in one segment, directly facing the player and laughing if King Dedede falls into a pit or at the very end of the blindfold banner section.
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===''Kirby: Planet Robobot''===
This game continues the gimmick from ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' where Kirby can be knocked into the screen by certain obstacles. When he is piloting the [[Robobot Armor]], he will leave a temporary crack in the screen when he hits. It's possible to make [[Halberd Mode|the Halberd]] slam into the screen and crack it during [[Star Dream]]'s third phase, if it gets caught in both the "Install Hole" and "Fatal Error" attacks.

In the intro of its boss fight in [[Patched Plains - Stage 5]], [[Clanky Woods]] turns to face the viewer, roaring at them.

In [[Overload Ocean - Stage 4]], when one of the giant ice cream cones falls over, bits of it "stick" to the screen.

As in ''Triple Deluxe'', in some instances Kirby interacts with Goal Doors as important objects needed for him.

In [[President Haltmann]]'s boss battle, he can also cover the screen in Haltmann money, hindering the player's view.

In its normal form, [[Star Dream]]'s eye is curved inward, giving the impression of staring at the player.

During the Staff Credits for [[Story Mode]] and [[Meta Knightmare Returns]], Kirby in the Robobot Armor or [[Meta Knight]] can interact with the credits text by punching them into the screen (for the former) or slashing them in two or into the screen (for the latter).

<gallery>
KPR Robobot crack screenshot.png|Robobot Armor literally breaks the fourth wall
ClankyTurn.gif|GIF of Clanky Woods turning to face and roar at the viewer (click to animate)
KPR Overload Ocean Stage 2 5.png|[[Wheel Mode]] Kirby uses a laser to sculpt the Goal [[Door]] out of the rock.
KPR President Haltmann EX battle 2.png|Money obscures the screen
KPR MKR Star Dream cutscene.jpg|Star Dream's eye appears to follow "the player"
KPR Ending game screenshot.png|Kirby attacks the credits
</gallery>

===''Team Kirby Clash Deluxe'' & ''Super Kirby Clash''===
{{multiple image
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|width1=213
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|image1=SKC Colossal Spear Waddle Dee Easter Egg.jpg
|caption1=[[Colossal Spear Waddle Dee]] waving at the player during battle at the Seaside.
|image2=TKCD Colossal Waddle Dee Easter Egg.png
|caption2=[[Colossal Waddle Dee]] waving at the player during battle in the Grasslands while having low HP.
}}
On rare occasions when fighting [[Colossal Waddle Dee]] in ''[[Team Kirby Clash Deluxe]]'' or [[Colossal Spear Waddle Dee]] in ''[[Super Kirby Clash]]'', they may stop and wave at the player, completely dropping their angry expression while doing so.
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===''Kirby's Blowout Blast''===
[[File:KBBl Kirby looking at credits.png|thumb|200px|Kirby watching the credits scroll in ''Kirby's Blowout Blast''.]]
During the ''[[Kirby's Blowout Blast]]'' [[staff credits]], Kirby can sometimes be seen watching a piece of the credits text scroll by.
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===''Kirby Star Allies''===
The [[Artist]] [[Copy Ability|ability]]'s "Painbrush" move in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' covers the entire screen in paint splats of assorted colors.

The [[Crash Rush]] [[Friend Ability]] sends Kirby's allies splatting against the screen at the end of it.

<gallery>
KSA Crash Rush splat screenshot.png|Kirby's friends are knocked into the fourth wall by the Crash Rush during a battle with [[Whispy Woods]].
</gallery>

===''Kirby and the Forgotten Land''===
[[File:KatFL Northeast Frost Street fourth wall break.jpg|thumb|200px|Kirby and Elfilin wave at the player as they enter Northeast Frost Street.]]

When riding on certain Warp Stars in [[Downtown Grassland]], [[Welcome to Wondaria]] and [[Northeast Frost Street]], Kirby, and Elfilin or Bandana Waddle Dee if present, will wave at the player.

When [[An Unexpected Beast King]] is completed for the first time, King Dedede attempts to sneak up on Kirby and then capture [[Elfilin]] during the stage results screen. As nothing is meant to move during the stage results screen, this can be seen as a fourth wall break.

During [[The Dream Discoveries Tour]], the "automatic language detection" dialogue at the beginning can be interpreted as a mild fourth wall break, as the audio file being played during this cutscene is determined by the system's language settings.

Like with [[Star Dream]], [[Chaos Elfilis]]'s eyes are curved inward (concave), making them seem to follow the player instead of Kirby. This can be easily seen close-up on their own [[Figure]].

===''Kirby's Dream Buffet''===
[[File:KDB ScreenKO.jpg|thumb|200px|A player being launched into the screen in ''Kirby's Dream Buffet''.]]
In the [[Battle Royale (Kirby's Dream Buffet)|Battle Royale]] stages of ''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'', Kirbys are launched into the screen when K.O.'d using [[Invincible Candy]], similar to how it works in the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' games.

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:SSBU screen KO.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Kirby]] is Screen KO'd by [[mariowiki:Piranha Plant|Piranha Plant]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.]]
{{SmashWiki|Screen KO}}
Starting with ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', the games in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] allow fighters who are launched beyond the top blast zone to occasionally splat briefly against the screen in a process called a [[smashwiki:Screen KO|Screen KO]]. The exact mechanics of this process differ between each game.

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[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]