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Dark Matter

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Dark Matter

KDL2 Dark Matter Spirit artwork.png

KDL3 Dark Matter artwork.png

Artwork of Dark Matter from Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Kirby's Dream Land 3.
Details
First game Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995)
Latest game Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022, reference)
Other game(s) Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby: Canvas Curse (reference)
Kirby: Squeak Squad (reference)
Kirby Super Star Ultra (reference)
Kirby Mass Attack (Kirby Quest)
Kirby: Triple Deluxe (reference)
Kirby: Planet Robobot (reference)
Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (reference)
Kirby Star Allies (Celebration Picture)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Spirit)
Super Kirby Clash (sticker)
Weakness(es) Rainbow Sword (Kirby's Dream Land 2)
Love-Love Stick (Kirby's Dream Land 3)
Mock Matter (Kirby's Dream Land 3)
Relative(s) Gooey, Dark Matter (cloud), Zero, Miracle Matter, , Dark Matter Clone
Similar to Void Termina, Dark Crafter, Dark Mind, Dark Nebula
Theme music

Clips of Dark Matter's boss battle themes from Kirby's Dream Land 2.

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Dark Matter is one of the primary antagonists of the Kirby series, making major appearances in two games to date, namely Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Kirby's Dream Land 3. He also makes a minor appearance as the final boss of Kirby Quest, a Sub-Game of Kirby Mass Attack. He twice attempts to take over Planet Popstar and turn it into a world of darkness; the second time, he calls upon his master Zero to assist him.

Overview[edit]

Dark Matter has two primary forms. His initial form is a disguise known as Dark Matter Blade, which gives him a somewhat humanoid appearance with spiky hair, armor, and a cape, as well as a visor with a single eye. His other form is that of a shadowy sphere encircled by small orbs, sporting a single eye. In Kirby's Dream Land 2, the orbs are purple, and this form is referred to as Real Dark Matter; in all other appearances, the orbs are orange, and this form is simply called Dark Matter. Given that Real Dark Matter briefly appears with orange orbs when Dark Matter Clone is defeated, Kirby's Dream Land 3 features the same character with orange orbs, and that most other artwork of Dark Matter features orange orbs, it can be assumed that the purple orbs were simply an early design difference.

Little is known about Dark Matter's motives, other than his desire to turn Popstar into a dark world where his kind can thrive. He is capable of possessing other life forms and making them bend to his will, an ability that he frequently takes advantage of to possess Kirby's friends and rivals (notably King Dedede), often forcing them to fight them. While being possessed by Dark Matter, some creatures obtain enhanced and sometimes bizarre abilities. He can also control dark clouds that serve the same purpose on a larger scale, doing so in Kirby's Dream Land 3.

Game appearances[edit]

Dark Matter's video game appearances  
Game Role Notes
Kirby series
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Main antagonist and final boss
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Secondary antagonist and final boss Fought in phase 1 of the final fight.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Reference A painting of him appears in Adeleine's fight.
Kirby: Canvas Curse Reference Appears as a possible painting Paint Roller can draw in Paint Panic.
Kirby: Squeak Squad Reference Appears in a graphic depicting various final bosses.
Kirby Super Star Ultra Reference Appears on a card in the Sub-Game Kirby Card Swipe.
Kirby Mass Attack Final boss Final boss of the Sub-Game Kirby Quest.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Reference Two rare keychains of Dark Matter appear.
Kirby: Planet Robobot Reference A clone of Dark Matter is fought as a boss. Also appears as two rare stickers.
Team Kirby Clash Deluxe Reference A piece of gear and a weapon based on Dark Matter can each be equipped.
Kirby Star Allies Reference Appears in the Celebration Picture "Bad Boss Brothers".
Super Kirby Clash Reference The same equip-able items from Team Kirby Clash Deluxe return, as well as a sticker.
Kirby's Dream Buffet Reference Appears on two Character Treats.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Spirit

Kirby's Dream Land 2[edit]

KDL2 Dark Matter sprite 1.png

Dark Matter (referred to here as !? in the game's bad ending) debuted in Kirby's Dream Land 2. Here, he tried to take over Dream Land by breaking the rainbow bridges between the Rainbow Islands and possessing some of its citizens. He can only be fought in this game if Kirby has collected all Rainbow Drops. Otherwise, defeating King Dedede will end the game and lead to the bad ending.

In this game, he first appears as Dark Matter Blade. Once this form is defeated, he emerges as his true form, Real Dark Matter, and both combatants begin free-falling. Kirby must defeat Real Dark Matter before reaching the ground, or else he will lose a life. After Dark Matter is defeated, Dream Land goes back to normal.

According to a book published by Keibunsha in 1995 titled「最新星のカービィ大百科」 (The Latest Kirby of the Stars Encyclopedia), Dark Matter is lonely, and targeted Dream Land out of jealousy:

プププランドがねらわれるのはナゼ?
ダークマターはとってもさびしいひとなんだ。だからプププランドみたいに、みんなが友達ともだちっていうくにがうらやましいんだね。「友達ともだちになって」ってえないんだ。

Why is Dream Land being targeted?
Dark Matter is a very lonely person. So when he saw Dream Land, a place where everyone is friends, he became jealous. He's unable to say "be my friend."

— The Latest Kirby of the Stars Encyclopedia (Japanese)[1]


This book was not officially published by Nintendo, so it is not necessarily considered canon. However, the January 2019 issue of Nintendo DREAM affirms that, at least in-house, the HAL Laboratory developers considered this to be Dark Matter's backstory.[2]

Kirby's Dream Land 3[edit]

Facing off against Dark Matter in Hyper Zone, in Kirby's Dream Land 3.
KDL3 B DarkMatter.png

After being defeated in Kirby's Dream Land 2, Dark Matter once again tries to take over Dream Land alongside Zero, this time using a dark cloud. The official Japanese guide mentions that Kirby defeated Dark Matter in the previous game, but it is left unclear if this is the exact same character as before (though this is implied to be the case by the Kirby Character Encyclopedia).[3] He can only be fought in this game if Kirby has collected all Heart Stars. After being defeated, the people possessed celebrate together. Otherwise, defeating King Dedede will end the game and lead to the bad ending.

Dark Matter is faced as the first opponent in Hyper Zone. He fights similarly to his second form in Kirby's Dream Land 2, using dark lasers and projectiles consisting of his orange fins to attack. However, his attack patterns are less aggressive and there is no time limit. After being defeated, Zero appears immediately after as the true final boss of the game.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards[edit]

While Dark Matter does not directly appear in this title, instead being replaced by the Dark Matter cloud and a handful of individual specimens of Dark Matter, his Kirby's Dream Land 3 form appears as a painting that Adeleine creates during her boss fight.

Kirby: Canvas Curse[edit]

In Kirby: Canvas Curse, Dark Matter in his real form appears as a painting in Paint Panic. Notably, he is depicted here with a light blue iris, as opposed to orange or dark brown in most appearances since Kirby's Dream Land 3.

Additionally, Dark Matter was originally set to appear as a ball character, along with other bosses from previous games, like Lololo & Lalala, Zero, and Nightmare's Power Orb. However, the idea was scrapped, and he doesn't appear in the final game.[4]

Kirby: Squeak Squad[edit]

In Kirby: Squeak Squad, Dark Matter Blade appears in a Graphic featuring various final bosses. Notably, the artwork used for him is brand new.

Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]

Dark Matter Blade appears in Kirby Super Star Ultra as a card in the Sub-Game Kirby Card Swipe.

Kirby Mass Attack[edit]

Main article: Kirby Quest#Chapter 4

Dark Matter is the Final Boss of Kirby Quest, being fought in Chapter 4, Stage 40.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

Sprite art of Dark Matter Blade from Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Dark Matter from Kirby's Dream Land 3 are present as rare keychains for the player to collect.

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

Dark Matter appears as two stickers using his artwork from Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Kirby's Dream Land 3. A clone made in his likeness also appears, being summoned by Star Dream to test Meta Knight.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe / Super Kirby Clash[edit]

Dark Matter makes a cameo in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe and in Super Kirby Clash, where a set of Dark Matter-themed weapon (Dark Matter Blade) and armor (Dark Matter Gear) for the Sword Hero role is sold in Magolor's Shoppe. The sword is covered with a purple aura, the armor resembles the appearance of the dark swordsman (complete with flowing "hair" and a living single eye), and the shield resembles his true form.

In Super Kirby Clash, Dark Matter Blade also appears as a sticker.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

Dark Matter Blade appears in the Celebration Picture "Bad Boss Brothers" alongside many other final bosses. Additionally, Void Termina's Final Core, Void Soul and Void transform into a Dark Matter-like form for some attacks.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Dark Matter is represented by two Character Treats: the first depicts artwork of Dark Matter Blade from Kirby's Dream Land 2, and the second depicts his true form sprite from Kirby's Dream Land 3.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dark Matter appears as a ★★★★ primary spirit in his Blade form. The spirit's type is attack, and it possesses 3 support slots. It has level 1 stats of 2,159 attack and 1,876 defense, along with 5,398 attack and 4,691 defense when leveled up to level 99. It can be obtained either by battling it in World of Light, battling it in the Spirit Board, or purchasing it from the Shop.

Kirby: Right Back at Ya![edit]

Dark Matter
E0 Dark Matter.png
Dark Matter as he appears in Kirby of the Stars Pilot.
Details
Debut episode Kirby of the Stars Pilot
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While not appearing in the anime itself, Dark Matter makes a brief appearance in the Kirby of the Stars Pilot as one of the enemies which Kirby must battle, taking on his appearance from Kirby's Dream Land 3. He is quickly dispatched using the Ice ability.

Relatives of Dark Matter[edit]

There are many other creatures and objects which are either similar to or directly related to Dark Matter. They are as follows:

Confirmed[edit]

In Japanese, these entities belong to a group called the Dark Matter Clan (ダークマター族).

  • Dark Matter (cloud) - A cloudy mass of darkness that is controlled by Dark Matter, Zero, and 0².
  • Gooey - A friend of Kirby's who is made of Dark Matter.
  • Zero - A huge white sphere that appears after Dark Matter is defeated in Kirby's Dream Land 3, with the ability of summoning smaller Dark Matters.

These entities do not belong to the Dark Matter Clan, but are confirmed to be related to Dark Matter:

Suspected[edit]

  • N-Z - A common enemy first introduced in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Despite their innocuous appearance and behavior, there are implications that suggest that they are part of the Dark Matter family.
  • Miracle Matter - A mysterious 20-sided foe which utilizes many Copy Ability elements in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. While suspected to be part of the Dark Matter family, there has been no official confirmation of this.
  • - Thought to be the successor to Zero, fought in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. The Japanese-exclusive 20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia states that its relationship to Dark Matter and its true intentions are unknown.
  • Dark Mind - A powerful foe who resided in the Dimension Mirror and was able to influence other characters. Much like Dark Matter, he has a humanoid "false" form and a true form with a cycloptic eye.
  • Dark Nebula - A star-shaped being who was confined to a treasure chest, fought in Kirby: Squeak Squad. The Japanese-exclusive 20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia states that Dark Nebula (known in Japanese, Chinese and Korean as Dark Zero) may be related to Dark Matter, but their exact relationship is unknown. This relationship has never been stated in the games or any localized English source.
  • Master Crown - An object of immense power which is stolen by Magolor in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. When worn by Magolor, it causes him to take an appearance very similar to Dark Matter's true form.
  • Dark Crafter - The color-stealing main antagonist of Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, with some similarities to the Dark Matter line.
  • Void Termina - A giant monster with various aspects of the Dark Matter family, summoned by Hyness in Kirby Star Allies. The Japanese, Chinese and Korean versions state that Void is made up of dark matter, as well as heart, soul, and dream matter.

Music[edit]

Main article: Dark Matter Blade (theme)
Main article: Real Dark Matter (theme)
Main article: VS. Dark Matter

Dark Matter has various boss battle themes for his different forms.

Trivia[edit]

  • In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, the final boss, Dark Matter, shares similar qualities with Dark Matter from the Kirby series, such as having the same name in English, French, Spanish and Japanese, being a main antagonist, and having the ability to control the minds of other characters.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ダークマター
Dāku Matā
Dark Matter
Traditional Chinese 闇物質
àn wù zhì
Darkness Matter
Simplified Chinese 暗物质
àn wù zhì
Dutch Dark Matter -
French Matière Noire Dark Matter
German Dark Matter -
Italian Dark Matter -
Korean 다크 매터
Dakeu Maeteo
Dark Matter
Portuguese Matéria escura Dark Matter
Spanish Materia oscura
Materia Oscura[5]
Dark Matter


References

  1. The Latest Kirby of the Stars Encyclopedia (Japanese)
  2. 最初に登場したダークマターには、友達が欲しくてちょっと寂しがりやなのでは…という設定も『星のカービィ2』開発当時の社内にあったようですので、今回のフレンズとハートの物語と親和性があるのではとも考えましたが、さすがにダークマターには今はまだ悪役を貫いてほしく (It seems that, when Dark Matter first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land 2, the developers had the idea that he was lonely and wanted to have friends. I thought that this could tie into this game's themes of "friends" and "hearts", but I'd of course prefer for Dark Matter to remain a villain for now.)
    — Nintendo DREAM, January 2019

  3. "前作でカービィに倒されたゼロの手下。今度は親分といっしょにやってくる。 (Zero's servant, who was defeated by Kirby in the previous game. This time, he brought his master.)" –Kirby's Dream Land 3 Official Nintendo Guidebook (Nintendo), pg. 8
  4. 20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia, page 125
  5. Kirby: The Strange Sweets Island