Power Ploy

Power Ploy A weakened Kirby uses the last of his strength to resist getting eaten by Red Viper. Details First aired May 3, 2003 November 13, 2004 Episode # 80 Episode # (US) 80 Copy Ability (Abilities) featured Stone Monster(s) featured Red Viper Character(s) featured Kirby, Tiff, Tuff, King Dedede, Escargoon

Episode order ← Goin' Bonkers A Trashy Tale →

Power Ploy is the 80th episode of the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! series. In this episode, King Dedede orders an energy drink named Pump-Up D from Night Mare Enterprises which nearly everyone in Dream Land gets hooked on. Kirby in particular gets an extra dosage and ends up running wild with the Stone Copy Ability before finally burning out in the woods. To try and calm everyone down again, Escargoon orders the anti-drink Power-Down E and discretely replaces the Pump-Up D vending machines with the new drink, causing everyone to become exhausted. Tiff and Tuff inadvertently give Kirby some Power-Down E thinking it to be the other drink, which makes him even weaker just as the monster Red Viper is sent to destroy him. After being unable to fight back against the monster, Tuff and Chef Kawasaki think fast and give Kirby the last remaining Pump-Up D used in Kawasaki's cooking to restore Kirby to strength, allowing him to defeat Red Viper by tossing it into the Sun.

This episode marks the final appearance of the Stone Copy Ability in the anime series.

Characters

The following characters appear in this episode:

Cast of "Power Ploy"
Character	Selected quote
Primary characters
Kirby	"Poyo pooyooo!"
Tiff	"Glu-gly-cero-poly-carbo-phosphate... This health drink is totally unhealthy!"
Tuff	"Don't we know that guy?"
King Dedede	"I need me a drink a' Wise-Up D."
Escargoon	"I won't drink that gunk! His Highness made that mistake! Now he's a monarch who's manic!"
Secondary characters
Buttercup	"That Pump-Up D drink was supposed to give them energy!"
Cappy fathers	*mumbles* "Go away..."
Cappy villagers	"Doctor... Isn't there anything you can do? I feel awful all over!"
Captain Waddle Doo	(no dialogue)
Chef Kawasaki	"Yeah! I have tons of energy! Ha-haha! I feel like Super Kawasaki! Up and away!"
Chief Bookem	"I can't figure you out! If you were as go-gettin' about work as you were about crime, you'd be rich!"
Doctor Yabui	"There's no cure...unless you drink this Pump-Up D!"
Doron	"Huh?"
Gangu	"It's Pump-Up D! This stuff's more powerful than rocket fuel!"
Hana	"How are you feeling, sweetie?"
Kabu	"Warp Star!"
Lady Like	"If it turns me like him...no thanks, you!"
Mabel	(no dialogue)
Mayor Len Blustergas	"I'm fine!"
Melman	"How in the world am I supposed to deliver the mail...when I have so much trouble deliverin' myself!"
N.M.E. Sales Guy	"Upwardly mobile types like us can easily get worn down! That's why we came up with a new energy-booster drink to keep you going like gangbusters round the clock! It's called Pump-Up D!"
Professor Curio	"Hmm... Very interesting. There is nothing natural here! It's all chemicals!"
Samo	"I'll try it, but I'm not expecting any miracles!"
Sir Ebrum	"Oh no!"
Waddle Dees	(no dialogue)

Locations

• Dream Land
  • Cappy Town
    • Doctor Yabui's clinic
    • Kawasaki's
    • Professor Curio's collection
  • Castle Dedede

Plot synopsis

Chef Kawasaki brims with energy after drinking Pump-Up D.

The episode begins in Castle Dedede as King Dedede recounts the many times that Kirby has bested the monsters sent by Night Mare Enterprises to the N.M.E. Sales Guy and demands he send him tougher monsters going forward. The Sales Guy tries to give them the standard line about filing complaints, but King Dedede and Escargoon will hear none of it. The Sales Guy starts to lose his nerve and turns to have an energy drink, which makes Dedede curious about it. The N.M.E. Sales Guy then explains that the drink is a special formula that N.M.E. came up with called "Pump-Up D", and King Dedede decides to buy some of his own. Through the Monster Delivery System comes a giant bottle of Pump-Up D with a tap on the side. King Dedede and Escargoon check to see what the stuff is made with before drinking it, but do not find any ingredients listed on the bottle. They decide to test it out on the Cappies first to see if it's safe.

Down in Cappy Town, a vending machine is set up which dispenses Power-Up D. Chef Kawasaki tries a bottle, and it immediately powers him up - causing him to momentarily appear very muscular - and he runs off full of energy. Soon, other Cappies try the drink at Gangu's request, and proceed to run off as well. Doctor Yabui also ends up prescribing it to his sick patients to make them feel better. Seeing all this, King Dedede is convinced of its benefits and drinks a cup for himself. He then gains a ton of energy, and drags Escargoon along as he runs through the country, takes a swim through the ocean, and then bikes along the roads, eventually leaving Escargoon in the dirt. Later on, Tiff, Tuff, and Kirby get a hold of one of the drinks, and Tiff decides to take it to Professor Curio to help her analyze the contents, and concludes that the drink is packed with chemicals; the most notable of which being a fictional chemical called "Quick-sine", which Curio describes as "very dangerous".

Tiff and Tuff find Kirby exhausted in the woods after his Pump-Up D wears off.

Meanwhile, back in town, everyone is getting hooked on the Pump-Up D and Chef Kawasaki decides to use it as an ingredient in his cooking. After Samo runs off from the energy he receives from just one taste, Kawasaki invites Kirby in to finish the remainder, and he does so. Kirby then rockets out of the roof of the restaurant and starts wildly running around. He then inhales some nearby busts of King Dedede and gains the Stone Copy Ability. Kirby then assumes his Stone form and starts going on a rampage through town, busting through houses and then running deep into the woods as Tiff and Tuff chase after him. Meanwhile, back at the castle, King Dedede is still pumped up, and is fighting his Waddle Dees in a boxing ring. Fed up with King Dedede's reckless energy, Escargoon dials up Night Mare Enterprises and complains about the situation. The N.M.E. Sales Guy then tells Escargoon about the "anti-drink" - known as "Power-Down E" - and sends Escargoon a giant bottle of it through the delivery system. Escargoon then orders the Waddle Dees to replace the Pump-Up D vending machine in Cappy Town with a Power-Down E machine instead. In the forest, Tiff and Tiff manage to find Kirby, who has completely burned out his energy and has fallen asleep.

Red Viper is tossed into the Sun.

Later that night, King Dedede - still brimming with energy - starts to party, proclaiming that sleep is for wimps, and that everyone in Dream Land is now required to drink Pump-Up D. Before he can keep moving for long, however, King Dedede's energy wears off, and he slumps over to the throne room to get a refill. Escargoon hands him some Power-Down E without telling him and King Dedede drinks it, shortly thereafter being completely conked out by the drink. The Cappies try to get a refill as well, and all drink the Power-Down E. The next morning, Tiff and Tuff return to town carting a still-sleeping Kirby, and notice that there is no activity on the street. They soon find everyone passed out along the roadway, and try to get some information out of Hana and Buttercup who are tending to their exhausted husbands. Back at the castle, King Dedede is laying on the floor of the throne room, when the monster delivery system activates itself and sends the monster Red Viper in to Dream Land. The N.M.E. Sales Guy then tells King Dedede that Kirby used up all his energy yesterday, and that he intends to use Red Viper to destroy Kirby while he is weak.

Back in town, Tiff decides to use a bottle of Power-Down E on Kirby to revive him, erroneously thinking it to be Pump-Up D. Naturally after drinking it, Kirby becomes even weaker, and the Red Viper shows up at precisely that moment to attack. Red Viper knocks Tiff and Tuff away and proceeds to beat up Kirby by dribbling him like a ball. Tiff calls the Warp Star to help Kirby and the star picks the unconscious puffball up, but Kirby ends up sliding right back off of it. Escargoon then shows up in the Royal Racecar to gloat that Tiff and Tuff accidentally gave Kirby Power-Down E. Thinking fast, Tuff reminds Chef Kawasaki that he bought a lot of Pump-Up D, and Kawasaki heads off to get Kirby some of his Stamina Stew. He arrives just as Kirby is using the last of his strength to prevent himself getting eaten by Red Viper and tosses the dish at Kirby, who promptly eats it. Kirby then powers up and knocks Red Viper away. After using Red Viper to crush the Royal Racecar, Kirby flies on his Warp Star to carry Red Viper off into space and toss the monster into the Sun to destroy it after it feebly tries to fight back. The episode ends as Kirby returns triumphant and the Cappies cheer his success.

Differences between versions

Japanese-exclusive scene where Samo's bar is packed with partying Cappies.

• In the Japanese version, the Pump-Up D and Power-Down E have letters on their logos in addition to the arrows.
• In the Japanese version, when the Waddle Dees are replacing the Pump-Up D with Power-Down E, an arrangement of the Candy Mountain theme plays.
• In the Japanese version, when King Dedede is throwing his night-time rave, an arrangement of King Dedede's Theme plays.
• In the Japanese version, there is an extra scene where the Cappies are partying in Samo's bar during King Dedede's night-time rave.
  • Additionally, there is a scene in the bar after the Cappies drink the Power-Down E. Samo comments on the fact that the name changed before passing out.
• In the Japanese version, the scene where Tiff gives Kirby the Power-Down E by mistake is longer, and features more dialogue.

Dialogue differences

• In the Japanese version, King Dedede initially demands to the N.M.E. Sales Guy that he wants a high grade monster at a bargain, rather than trying to lodge a complaint against his company. Additionally, when talking about the Pump-Up D, the two and Escargoon banter about the idea that energy drinks are for people who live in cities.
• In the Japanese version, when Doron runs off after drinking Pump-Up D, cries of "Thief!" from the Cappies can be heard shortly afterward.
• In the Japanese version, Melman complains about how he does not want to grow any older. When he is offered the Pump-Up D, he comments that at least now he can die in peace. After drinking it, when he hits on Hana and Buttercup, they accuse him of being a pervert.
• In the Japanese version, when Doctor Yabui offers his sickly patient some Pump-Up D, he says that he is doing it as a test.
• In the Japanese version, Professor Curio describes the dangerous chemical extracted from the Pump-Up D as "Cocagine". The name is likely based off of Cocaine due to its similar name and effects.
• In the Japanese version, Chef Kawasaki describes his dishes as "Power-Up D Curry", rather than "Stamina Stew". It is also explained that he charged Samo double the usual rate for the dish.
• In the Japanese version, King Dedede's ranting during his night-time rave is different. In particular, he states that Dream Land will become an "evil superpower" with the help of Pump-Up D.
• In the Japanese version, when Tiff tries to speak to Spikehead and Iro's fathers, they do not tell her to go away, but try to tell her "good morning".

Trivia

• It is never explained why the Pump-Up D does not appear to have the same effect on the N.M.E. Sales Guy as it does on others who drink it.
• This episode marks the first time that Kirby gained a Copy Ability without intending to use it against an enemy or to help a friend.
• The naming of Pump-Up D matches Dedede's name, while Power-Down E matches Escargoon's.
• Notably, although Chef Kawasaki had several plates of Stamina Stew prepared already, he still felt the need to make a new one to feed Kirby during his struggle with Red Viper.

Gallery

• 

  The N.M.E. Sales Guy promotes his company's energy drink: Pump-Up D.

• 

  King Dedede and Escargoon ponder whether to try some Pump-Up D themselves.

• 

  Chef Kawasaki and Gangu discover the Pump-Up D vending machine in Cappy Town.

• 

  Melman hits on Buttercup and Hana after being rejuvenated by Pump-Up D.

• 

  Doctor Yabui administers some Pump-Up D to his sickly patient.

• 

  King Dedede powers up after drinking an extra strong dose of the drink.

• 

  King Dedede goes on a triathlon swim with Escargoon in tow.

• 

  Tiff and Tuff examine the new drink.

• 

  Professor Curio discovers a dangerous compound in the Pump-Up D after a chemical analysis.

• 

  The Cappies grow wild after drinking Pump-Up D.

• 

  Chef Kawasaki adds a liberal amount of Pump-Up D to his cooking.

• 

  Kirby rockets through the roof of Kawasaki's after trying the "Stamina Stew".

• 

  Stone Kirby runs through the woods while riding the energy from the Pump-Up D.

• 

  King Dedede boxes his Waddle Dees, still brimming with energy.

• 

  The N.M.E. Sales Guy offers the anti-drink - Power-Down E - to Escargoon.

• 

  The Waddle Dees replace the Pump-Up D machine with one for Power-Down E.

• 

  King Dedede starts broadcasting a marathon dance session overnight.

• 

  King Dedede abruptly loses his energy during his broadcast.

• 

  King Dedede takes the Power-Down E from Escargoon, not knowing what it is.

• 

  The Cappies are wiped out after inadvertently drinking Power-Down E.

• 

  Red Viper emerges from the Night Mare Enterprises Teleporter to take advantage of Kirby while he is weak.

• 

  Tiff and Tuff accidentally make Kirby even weaker by giving him Power-Down E.

• 

  Red Viper catches Kirby and proceeds to pummel him.

• 

  Kirby fails to stay on his Warp Star.

• 

  Kirby beefs up after eating Kawasaki's Stamina Stew.

• 

  Kirby turns the tables on Red Viper and starts pummeling it back.

• 

  The final shot of the episode

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	強壮! ドリンク狂想曲 Kyōsō! Dorinku Kyōsōkyoku	Robust! Drink Madness
Brazilian Portuguese	A Poção de Energia	The Energy Potion