Yomi
Yomi[Japanese title], or Yomi-no-kuni, is an underworld that appears in Kirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi. It is based on the eponymous underworld from Japanese mythology. Yomi is mentioned in Morpho Knight and Morpho Knight EX's Special Pages in the Japanese version of Kirby Star Allies, but it is never visited or depicted, so its portrayal is entirely original to the novels. The souls of those who have passed away or are on the brink of death arrive at Yomi. Meta Knight and Papi's side of the story takes place here.
Characteristics
Yomi is not a paradise or a place of suffering, but instead acts more as a purgatory where restless souls spend the eternity of their afterlife. There is no proper entrance or exit to Yomi. Meta Knight arrives there after he is deceived by Beryl and thrown into the Magnus Hellhole, which contains poisonous gas and is so deep that it is near bottomless. Another way to enter or exit is through the dark portals created by Morpho Knight soon after someone in the world of the living lets out a final death scream of agony.
Yomi has a perpetually dim and gray sky, with no sun or clouds, and no differences between day and night. Instead, the flow of time is determined by the common faded flowers growing on trees, as they open in the daytime and close at night. The flora of Yomi includes the aforementioned flower trees, as well as regular flowers and fruit trees scattered across a road. However, none of these possess a scent or taste of their own. As in the actual myth of Yomi, tasting a fruit or a flower from Yomi prevents one from ever returning to the world of the living. The most notable landmark of Yomi is a small fountain of unknown origin located behind some trees.
Residents
After three days pass, a soul caught between life and death becomes a permanent resident of Yomi. Newcomers to the underworld typically lose their energy and are unwilling to communicate; they either spend the rest of eternity sleeping or become monsters. However, the more strong-willed are able to recover and return to their body, or, in rare cases such as Meta Knight's, have the body return to the soul.
Among the permanent residents of Yomi are hostile monsters such as Ghost Bats or the powerful Giant Snake (both of which are named by another inhabitant, the atypically colorful butterfly Papi). Residents of the underworld do not grow hungry, tired, or sick, and cannot die again since they are mere souls. However, injuries are permanent and result in degradation, such as shrinking and losing certain mobility. One inhabitant stands out: Morpho Knight, typically seen at night in butterfly form, is bright red and can freely travel to the world of the living and back. The nocturnal lifestyle of the monsters and Morpho Knight makes traveling at night dangerous.
For unknown reasons, Meta Knight obtains a sword replacing his Galaxia, which was taken from him by Beryl, when he arrives in Yomi. This sword has no substance and is less apt for battle.
Gallery
Flower trees in bloom
The red butterfly can be seen at night
A heated battle with the Giant Snake
The portal back to the realm of the living
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 黄泉 Yomi 黄泉の国 Yomi no kuni |
Yomi (kanji literally translates to "yellow springs") Land of Yomi |
