Phan Phan
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“ | Third one's the charm! Get him, Phan Phan! | ” | — King Dedede talking to Phan Phan in Revenge of the King, Kirby Super Star Ultra |
Phan Phan is a Mid-Boss that debuted in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, where it replaces Rolling Turtle from the original Kirby's Adventure, and has since appeared in various other games of the Kirby series. It was last seen as an enemy in Kirby Super Star Ultra, where it appeared in Revenge of the King and The True Arena. Depending on the game, it yields either the Throw or the Suplex Copy Ability when Kirby inhales and swallows it after defeating it.
Phan Phan's appearance is similar to that of an elephant, except that it is bipedal and has a spherical body. It has large, black eyes, and three strands of hair, similar to the two strands of hair on Waddle Doo. Phan Phan often attacks by rolling at Kirby, lifting and throwing him with its trunk, and stomping on him. It also throws apples at Kirby, which can be inhaled and spat out at Phan Phan to deal damage.
The name "Phan Phan" is derived from the word "elephant".
Game appearances[edit]
Phan Phan's video game appearances | ||
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Game | Role | Notes |
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land | Mid-Boss | |
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror | Mid-Boss | |
Kirby Super Star Ultra | Mid-Boss | |
Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Reference | Appears as a keychain. |
Kirby's Dream Buffet | Reference | Appears on a Character Treat. |
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land[edit]

Phan Phan debuted in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and replaces Rolling Turtle (the original Throw-yielding mid-boss). It gives 1500 points when defeated. Its difficulty level varies by color, with its default gray variation being the easiest, its blue variation being quicker, and its hidden green variation being very aggressive. It appears in the following stages: (Star Bullet=10 damage)
- Grape Garden - Stage 4: 40 HP (default color)
- Orange Ocean - Stage 1: 30 HP (floor covered with water) (default color)
- Rainbow Resort - Stage 2: 40 HP (Tower of Mid-Bosses) (blue)
- Rainbow Resort - Stage 2: 40 HP (Tower of Mid-Bosses Secret Pathway) (green)
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror[edit]
In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Phan Phan acts the same as its appearance in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. It always has 30 HP (Star Bullet=10 damage) but now it has four types of resistance:
- -1 damage from fire-type attacks
- -1 damage from ice-type attacks
- -1 damage from electric-type attacks
- -2 damage from slash-type attacks
Locations[edit]
Phan Phan can be found in the following rooms:
- Mustard Mountain - Room 17
- Carrot Castle - Room 10
- Peppermint Palace - Goal 2
- Candy Constellation - Chest 2
Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]

In Kirby Super Star Ultra, Phan Phan appears in Revenge of the King and The True Arena and yields the Suplex ability instead. It now has 200 HP (Star Bullet=52 damage) and gives 5000 points when defeated.
Phan Phan also appears on a card in Kirby Card Swipe.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]
Phan Phan appears as a Keychain in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]
In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Phan Phan appears on a Character Treat, depicted using its sprite from Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.
In Kirby: Right Back at Ya![edit]
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Phan Phan appears as a monster in the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! episode Cowardly Creature. In this episode, Phan Phan escapes by unknown means from Night Mare Enterprises' "Young Monsters of the Future" training school and ends up in Dream Land, where it causes havoc in Cappy Town while wearing a clown mask and nose. King Dedede bats this mask away while fighting it, causing the giant elephant to become timid and run away, and later prompting Kirby to step in and defend the helpless monster from King Dedede's assault. Kirby and Phan Phan later become friends, but the monster Whippy is sent to subdue Phan Phan and turn it hostile again. After a lengthy battle, Kirby gathers the courage to face his former friend and uses the Throw Copy Ability to grab and dispose of Whippy, returning Phan Phan to its normal self again. From there, Phan Phan becomes a permanent resident of Dream Land and is later seen in the finale residing in Whispy Woods Forest.
Phan Phan is largely the same in appearance as it is in the games, though it is much larger and is reluctant to fight unless dominated by another force. It enjoys apples and becomes friends with Kirby, unlike the game version who is consistently hostile towards him.
Trivia[edit]
- A flaming elephant enemy called Heat Phanphan appears in Kirby Air Ride, but it's unknown if the two of them are related.
Gallery[edit]
Artwork of Phan Phan from Kirby Super Star Ultra
Card from Kirby Card Swipe in Kirby Super Star Ultra
Pixel Phan Phan Character Treat from Kirby's Dream Buffet
Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter featuring Phan Phan
Two Phan Phans appear on the "Marx Circus" Travel Sticker from the "Kirby Pupupu Train" 2018 events
Names in other languages[edit]
Language | Name | Meaning |
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Japanese | ファンファン Fan Fan |
Phan Phan |
Chinese | 象象[1] Xiàng xiàng |
Elephant |
Dutch | Phan Phan | - |
French | Phan Phan | - |
German | Phan Phan | - |
Italian | Phan Phan | - |
Korean | 펀펀 Peonpeon |
Phan Phan |
Portuguese | Fanfan | Fanfan |
Spanish | Phan Phan | - |
References
- ↑ Kirby's Dream Buffet Character Treat
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