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Taranza

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Taranza
KSA Taranza Artwork.png
Artwork of Taranza from Kirby Star Allies.
Details
First appearance Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014)
Latest appearance Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023, reference)
Other appearance(s) Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
Kirby Star Allies
(Dream Friend)
Super Kirby Clash
Cameo appearances Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby Battle Royale
Kirby's Dream Buffet
Similar Dark Taranza
Sectonia's original form
Voice actor(s) Hirokazu Ando
Theme music

Clip of Taranza's theme from Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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To think that you've made it this far. Aren't you a persistent little thing?
— Taranza in Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Taranza is a young, clumsy wizard with arachnid-like characteristics who serves as a prominent character in a few games in the Kirby series. He first appeared in Kirby: Triple Deluxe when, on orders from Queen Sectonia, he kidnapped King Dedede in order to prevent him from foiling their plans to conquer Floralia. In the end, however, he realized he had captured the wrong target, as Kirby would pursue him all the way to the queen's chambers and defeat them in combat. Taranza would later be betrayed by his queen, and eventually come to Kirby and King Dedede's aid in dispatching her after she had merged with the Dreamstalk. From then on, he would be an ally to Kirby and King Dedede.

Since Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Taranza has made various appearances in subsequent games. In Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, he serves as one of the principal villains, and is battled directly for the first time in the series (he also serves as a more minor plot element in Super Kirby Clash). This is where he gained the moniker of The Puppeteer Magician. Taranza would become playable for the first time as a Dream Friend in Kirby Star Allies, though he does not serve a specific role in the game's story. He has also made minor appearances in Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, Kirby: Planet Robobot, and Kirby Battle Royale.

Physical appearance[edit]

Taranza is a floating creature who greatly resembles a spider, and bears similar anatomy to Magolor. His body is divided into a head and a torso, which simultaneously resembles a spider's cephalothorax and abdomen. He has brown skin, and on his head he has eight eyes (one pair on his face, one pair on his forehead, and two pairs on the back of his head), a mouth with two visible fangs, silver hair, and orange horns that resemble pincers. Over his torso, he wears a red scarf with a green web-patterned cape. He has three pairs of disembodied, gloved hands. At the bottom of his torso, he has a stubby "tail", which resembles a spinneret. In Team Kirby Clash Deluxe and Super Kirby Clash, Taranza dresses in a dark color scheme; in the former game, this is due to the Black Mirror which was corrupting him.

The name Taranza is partially based on the name of the large spider family known as the tarantula. This is a possible misnomer however, as tarantulas are generally more passive than other spiders, as well as much hairier.

Game appearances[edit]

Taranza's video game appearances  
Game Role Notes
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Antagonist
Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe Cameo Appears on the title screen, as part of trophies, and as an unlockable mask.
Kirby: Planet Robobot Cameo Two stickers of Taranza appear in this title. One of Archer's possible camouflages is a portrait of him.
Team Kirby Clash Deluxe Main antagonist Also represented by equipment for Doctor Healmore.
Kirby Battle Royale Cameo Appears as a spectator in Coin Clash.
Kirby Star Allies Playable character Appears as a Dream Friend, added in Version 4.0.0.
Super Kirby Clash Boss Also appears as a sticker and is represented by equipment for Doctor Healmore.
Kirby's Dream Buffet Reference Represented by a costume and color for Kirby. Also appears as a Character Treat.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Reference Appears as a golden statue in Merry Magoland as a reward for completing 70 Missions, and his likeness appears in the form of a Dress-Up Mask.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

Taranza infiltrates Castle Dedede in the opening cutscene for Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

In the opening scene of Kirby: Triple Deluxe's Story Mode, Taranza is seen kidnapping King Dedede, mistaking him for the "Hero of Dream Land", and flies up the Dreamstalk with him. Afterwards, Taranza is seen in every stage containing a boss battle in the first five levels, fleeing from Kirby and making bosses fight against the pink hero. Taranza's acts include:

At the end of Royal Road, Taranza appears again and uses his magic to turn King Dedede into Masked Dedede and mind controls him to fight Kirby as the "Master of Puppetry". After Kirby bests Dedede, Taranza realizes his mistake in kidnapping Dedede rather than Kirby and calls for help from Queen Sectonia, who swats him away for his failures. At this point, Taranza decides to aid Kirby and King Dedede, gaining redemption in the process by tossing Kirby a Miracle Fruit to activate his Hypernova ability at a crucial point during the final battle with Flowered Sectonia. Afterwards, in the ending cutscene, Taranza rescues Dedede from his fall, and it is revealed that Taranza was ordered by Sectonia to kidnap the hero of Dream Land in order to prevent them from stopping her, but he mistakenly kidnapped King Dedede rather than Kirby. After the credits roll, Taranza waves at the player alongside Kirby, King Dedede and the People of the Sky.

Original sprite work of Taranza also appears as a rare Keychain.

Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe[edit]

In Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, Dedede can unlock the Taranza Mask after completing every secret level in the game. A hand-puppet version of Taranza also appears on title screen as part of various different interactions, and he appears in some of the trophies as well.

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

In Kirby: Planet Robobot, two stickers depicting Taranza appear: a portrait and a doodle. Additionally, a portrait of Taranza appears as a camouflage of Archer Kirby in the game.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe[edit]

Taranza returns in the spinoff title Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, serving the role of the main antagonist and driving the various monsters to attack the Dream Kingdom. His ultimate triumph is in subduing and bending Landia the Guardian Angel to his will, who continues to fight even after he is defeated. It is later revealed that Taranza was being influenced by a powerful evil object known as the Black Mirror, and to return Taranza to a friendly demeanor, Team Kirby must destroy this mirror, dealing with everything it summons in the process.

Unlike in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Taranza is fought directly as a boss in this title, serving as the fourth Ordeal boss. He floats around the battlefield, tossing magic energy at Team Kirby from the foreground and background. He is also capable of ensnaring the Kirbys in a magic net, rendering them useless for a time. His ability to float about and teleport makes him a difficult target for Team Kirby, but like other floating enemies, he is vulnerable to the Beam Mage's Time Beam spell.

Defeating Taranza unlocks the last series of encounters in all of the lands unlocked up to that point, eventually leading to the fight with Landia EX. After Landia EX is defeated, two invaders from Another Dimension strike the Dream Kingdom, namely Parallel Susie and Parallel Landia. After the two parallel invaders are defeated, the Black Mirror brings forth Taranza's evil counterpart, Dark Taranza. Team Kirby must fight Dark Taranza and his master in the true final battles.

After Team Kirby win the true final battles and eventually bring peace back to the Dream Kingdom, the friendly Taranza will stay in the town and sit on Magolor's Shoppe, looking at a flower in his hand in memory of his queen.

In this game, Taranza's model was updated from Triple Deluxe. Most notably, his mouth is now part of his model rather than a texture, meaning he can freely open and close it. His hair is similarly fully-modeled, and his scarf is longer, details which carry over to his future appearances. His color scheme is also altered to be primarily red and purple, though he returns to his original palette once he has been subdued.

Magolor's Shoppe also sells a Doctor Healmore hat modeled after Taranza.

Attacks[edit]

The following are all of Taranza's attacks in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe. Note that attack names are conjectural:

Taranza's attacks in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe & Super Kirby Clash  
Attack Description Notes
Taranza Ball Taranza charges and releases a series of dark energy orbs which spread out somewhat after firing.
Taranza Web Hold Taranza flies into the background, then readies his aim toward a random Kirby target. He then casts a large magic net at that Kirby. If caught, the Kirby will need to mash to escape or rely on other Kirbys to destroy the webbing. If successful, Taranza will fall to the ground and become dazed for a moment.
Super Taranza Burst Taranza flies into the middle of the stage and charges energy, then releases a very large burst around himself.
Super Taranza Ball Taranza flies into the background, then conjures and tosses a giant energy orb into the arena, which he does either to the left or right. The orb bounces across the stage for a while before dissipating.
Crystal Volley Taranza flies into the background, then conjures and tosses a series of large purple gems into the arena. These gems resemble the crystal platforms found in Royal Road from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Taranza Burst Taranza charges energy, then releases a large burst around himself.
Taranza Ball Ring Taranza conjures eight orbs which surround him. He then sends them outward one-by-one.
Magic Field Taranza conjures an orb of energy around himself, then flies forward.

Kirby Battle Royale[edit]

In Kirby Battle Royale, Taranza appears as a spectator in the Party Room stage for Coin Clash.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

In Kirby Star Allies, Taranza makes his playable debut as a Dream Friend in Version 4.0.0 of the game.

Taranza borrows much of his moveset from the Spider ability—including the Friend Bounce—but his webs are distinctly pink in color. In addition, he has many unique magic moves: Some are taken from his attacks in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (e.g. Taranza Web Hold, Taranza Burst, Taranza Ball), and he can summon the illusion of Queen Sectonia dropping lightning bolts which can imbue his allies with the Zap element. Despite being based on an arachnid, his description refers to him as an insect.

Taranza hovers via flying rather than Infinity Jump, similar to NESP, Vividria, Marx, Adeleine & Ribbon, Magolor, Francisca and Zan Partizanne.

Moveset[edit]

The following table lists all of Taranza's moves in Kirby Star Allies:

Taranza's Dream Friend Moveset in Kirby Star Allies  
when facing right
Skill Button Execution Description Damage
(Star Bullet=52)
Magic String Shot
Press and release B
Taranza shoots a string that can turn common enemies into cocoon pods.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's String Shot.
16→4 (2nd hit onward)
Taranza Web Hold
Press and hold B, move the Control Stick
Taranza creates a web ball that can capture common enemies. 32 (hold)
24 (release)
Pop Off
Release B while holding an enemy in your web
Taranza pops off the enemies captured by Taranza Web Hold. 60 (launched enemy)
Darling Dreamstalk
↑ + B
Taranza summons a replica of the Dreamstalk.
  • There can be only one Dreamstalk on the field. Using this repeatedly will make the previous Dreamstalk vanish.
32
Taranza Burst
↓ + B, then release
Taranza creates a magic burst around himself.
  • Taranza can move while charging.
32
Super Taranza Burst
Press and hold ↓ + B, and then release
Taranza creates a bigger and stronger magic burst around himself.
  • Taranza can move while charging.
96
Taranza Ball
Press ↑ + B and release midair
Taranza tosses a magic ball than bounces off walls and platforms.
  • Taranza can move while charging.
1 (charging)
16 (ball)
Super Taranza Ball
Press and hold ↑ + B midair, then release
Taranza tosses a bigger and stronger magic ball than bounces off walls and platforms.
  • Taranza can move while charging.
1 (charging)
32 (ball)
Web Sling
Dash + B
Taranza dashes and shoots a web that can turn common enemies into cocoon pods.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
  • The web can be used for Friend Bounce.
  • Taranza is invincible during Web Sling.
8 (string)
18 (web)→9 (2nd hit onward)
Web Scatter
Dash + B in midair
Taranza shoots three small webs that can turn common enemies into cocoon pods.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
  • The webs can be used for Friend Bounce.
8 (string)
18 (web)→9 (2nd hit onward)
Queen's Phantom
↓, and then ↑ + B
Taranza summons the illusion of Queen Sectonia dropping lightning bolts.
  • This provides the Zap element.
16
Pod Kick
When touching pod
Taranza kicks the cocoon pods made by his attacks.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
48 (kicked pod)
36 (idle pod)
Pod Snatch
B when near a pod
Taranza snatches a cocoon pod to prepare for Pod Slam or Pod Slamabam.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
16 (if the pod is touched)
Pod Slam
Pod Snatch + B or →
Taranza slams the snatched pod once.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
48
Pod Slamabam
Pod Snatch + ↑, ←, or ↓
Taranza slams the snatched pod repeatedly.
  • This is similar to the Spider ability's same attack.
48
Magic Guard
L/R
Taranza guards with a magic shield, which releases spikes if touched by any enemy.
  • As a special form of guard, Taranza takes no chip damage.
  • Unlike the Spider ability's Pod Guard, Taranza cannot use Magic Guard in midair, but can dodge freely.
16 (no damage to bosses or mid-bosses)

Cameos[edit]

Super Kirby Clash[edit]

Taranza's in-game appearance from Super Kirby Clash.

Taranza returns in Super Kirby Clash, his attack style and appearance carried over from his fights in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe. He serves as the fifth Ordeal of the game, though this time, he does not have quite as large a role in the story. Team Kirby battles him in the Empyrean, confusing him for Parallel Nightmare at first. Once Taranza is beaten, he appears in the Port Village and sits atop Magolor's Shoppe. Taranza is fought two more times in Party Quest encounters. This time, Dark Taranza does not appear alongside Taranza.

Taranza also appears as one of the game's stickers, which uses his artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Kirby can take on Taranza's likeness using a costume and color which resemble him. Taranza also appears on a Character Treat, which uses his artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Taranza makes a cameo appearance in Merry Magoland as a statue upon completing 70 missions in Merry Magoland. A Dress-Up Mask featuring his likeness also appears in the game, which replaces the wearer's voice with Taranza's. It is unlocked upon completing card #09 in the Stamp Rally.

Profiles[edit]

Flavor text[edit]

Image Game Flavor text
TKCD logo.png Team Kirby Clash Deluxe The Magician reveals himself! Break his web of spells and restore peace!
KSA Boxart NA.jpg Kirby Star Allies As a Dream Friend:

This clumsy smarty-pants stumbled his way here from the heights of Kirby: Triple Deluxe. He's a lonely insect on a journey in search of a queen, and he's one of your new Dream Friends!

Guest Star Taranza:
"No doubt. A miracle will happen for sure!"
Hoping for a true miracle, the boy with silver hair from Kirby: Triple Deluxe is making a bid for the altar. Deep in his heart, he already knows the outcome. But if he could just reach that bright light…

SKC logo.png Super Kirby Clash Taranza (Tough)

The magician reveals himself! Break his web of spells and restore peace!

Taranza (Tougher)
This teleporting trickster will try to confuse Team Kirby with its[sic] magic, but stay focused and you'll beat him!

Taranza (Super)
The decisive battle between the final form of the puppeteer magician and the heroes of Team Kirby!

Kirby: Triple Deluxe electronic manual[edit]

  • "Appeared out of nowhere and kidnapped King Dedede. Very little is known about him or his motives for kidnapping the king."

In the Kirby novel series[edit]

This section is incomplete. You can help WiKirby by expanding it.
Missing coverage for all other appearances.
Taranza
Novel Taranza Artwork.png
Artwork of Taranza from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
Details
First appearance Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
Last appearance Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!
Role Supporting character
Other appearance(s) his video game counterpart
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He can control his opponents by using his strings.
— Unofficial translation of Taranza's description from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
Taranza's appearances in the Kirby novel series  
Volume Image Role Role details Notes
Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue! V6 Taranza Illustration.png Supporting character
Kirby Clash Team Unite! V9 Taranza Illustration.png Supporting character In this novel, Taranza shows up before the events of the story unfold. He is set on finding the Black Mirror in hopes of seeing Queen Sectonia again. Throughout the novel, Taranza causes chaos in the Dream Kingdom and it's up to Team Kirby to put an end to it. After many battles the team decides that the only one that can be pulling the strings is the master of puppetry himself. Team Kirby would go to find Taranza at the Empyrean, accompanied by Landia. Landia battles Team Kirby and ends up being defeated by the four right before Taranza reveals himself. Team Kirby tries to talk it out with him but Taranza goes on the attack. Team Kirby ends up defeating Taranza but Landia, now recovered, saves Taranza. Taranza continues to have more monsters terrorize the Dream Kingdom which leads to Team Kirby thinking he faked his defeat. Team Kirby decides to go back to the Empyrean in which they see the Black Mirror. From it, a corrupted version of Taranza spawns: Dark Taranza. After his defeat, Dark Taranza summons King D-Mind, who bats his summoner into the distance before attacking Team Kirby. King D-Mind is defeated by Team Kirby and gets sucked into the Black Mirror. Team Kirby thinks about Taranza's wish to see Queen Sectonia again and they decide to destroy the Black Mirror, freeing Taranza. Taranza reconciles with Team Kirby and decides to sit on top of the shoppe wagon.
Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands! V14 Illustration 27.png Supporting character In this novel, Taranza appears in before the events of the story. He notices Pirika when she admires a castle in the sky. When he tells her that nobody lives in castle anymore, Pirika tells him that she knows and came to this place because she admires Queen Sectonia. Hearing that, Taranza decides to explain to her about the queen and reveal his identity as her servant. When she tells him that she wants to be as great as her, he tells her to move on. Pirika doesn't listen and leaves. In the end of the story, one of the Dreamstalk fruits that Pirika has thrown at Gooey is carried by the wind to Floralia, where Taranza finds it. He is reminded of Pirika and wishes that her fate won't be like Queen Sectonia's fate. He plants the Dreamstalk seed and waters it, hopeful to see it grow strong and to see Queen Sectonia again.

Trivia[edit]

  • In an official Twitter post, Taranza is given the nickname インテリ坊ちゃん刈り ("Bowlcut Intellectual") by Zan Partizanne.
  • Super Taranza Burst from Kirby Star Allies (96 damage) is one of the most powerful single attacks in the Kirby series, even stronger than Hammer Flip (80 in many cases, and 88 in King Dedede's case).
    • Super Taranza Burst's power is three times as much as Taranza Burst.
    • Sometimes if the attack button is released too early but the charge complete sound effect still plays, Taranza Burst will be used instead of Super Taranza Burst.
    • This attack is only surpassed by the Hammer Flip with Friend Abilities: 100 for Hammer Kirby and Bonkers and 110 for King Dedede.
  • Unused data of the Net Work and Skyward Web attacks from the Spider ability can be found in Taranza's moveset files, possibly due to straight copying.
  • Taranza's voice was first heard in Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe and was provided by the game's composer, Hirokazu Ando. According to Shinya Kumazaki on Miiverse, his voice was digitally altered and designed with "the image of an androgynous young spider".[1]

Gallery[edit]

Main article: Taranza/gallery

Quotes[edit]

Quotes from Taranza in Kirby: Triple Deluxe  
  • "To think that you've made it this far. Aren't you a persistent little thing?"
  • "But even you will kneel before us."
  • "I, Taranza, cannot allow you to interfere with Queen Sectonia's plans."
  • "Let me guess: you're here to save the hero of the lower world."
  • "The people of this land thought they were clever."
  • "They thought they could use the Dreamstalk to save their world."
  • "But I saw right through their plan."
  • "Well, since you're already here..."
  • "I'll give you your precious hero back."
  • "But he may be a little more...hostile than you remember him!"
  • "Wh-what is the meaning of this?!"
  • "I did just as Her Majesty commanded."
  • "The lower world should fall to its knees before me!"
  • "Could... Could you be the true hero of the lower world?"
  • "Curses! If that's true..."
  • "Majesty! Your Majesty Sectonia!"
  • "Oh, glorious Sectonia! Please come to my resc--"
  • "Glaaaugh!"
  • "Wh-why...?"

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese タランザ
Taranza
Derived from "tarantula" and possibly "-anza" (Spanish noun-forming suffix equivalent to "-ance")
Chinese 塔狼蛛
tǎ láng zhū
From「塔」(tǎ-) and「狼蛛」(lángzhū, tarantula)
Dutch Taranza -
French Taranza -
German Taranza -
Italian Taranza -
Korean 타란자
Taranja
Taranza
Brazilian Portuguese Tarângela Combination of "tarântula" (tarantula) and possibly the name "Ângela"
Russian Таранза
Taranza
-
Spanish Taraña Pun on "Tarantula" and "araña" (spider)


Video gallery[edit]

Taranza's Dream Friend trailer for Kirby Star Allies

References