Nago

Nago is an Animal Friend in the Kirby series, debuting in Kirby's Dream Land 3.

Physical Appearance

Nago appears to be a round, pudgy Japanese Bobtail cat with brown ears and tail, four whiskers and orange spots on his head and back. He has small arms and legs. His arms and legs are sometimes absent from in-game sprites, official artwork, and Ado's drawings. Nago's eyes are almost always closed, being open only when Kirby chooses another Animal Friend over him and when he is attacking with the Needle ability.

Games

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Nago rolls Kirby around like a ball. All of his abilities consist of using Kirby as a projectile weapon. Unlike Rick the hamster, Nago can triple jump in midair. Shiro is Nago's love interest in this game.

Copy Ability	Description	Image
Burning	Nago launches a pillar of fire out of Kirby. It stays relatively close to the ground for the entirety of the attack.
Needle	Nago spins his partner who shoots a blitz of spikes quickly, launching at slightly varied angles.
Spark	Nago rubs his partner, building up a static charge, they can then move around freely and sparks will shoot out and damage enemies.
Cutter	Nago swings his partner upwards and fires a large purple shock wave that damages aerial enemies.
Ice	Nago aims Kirby downward as they jet out a burst of cold breath and launch through the air.
Parasol	Nago and his partner use the Parasol like a pogo stick. This will block projectiles from below and smash through enemies. The duo are invincible while using this move.
Stone	Nago slams a Rock Kirby into the ground, pulverizing anything in the duo's path.
Cleaning	Kirby turns into a cloth which Nago pushes along the ground. This move is similar to Wheel.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Nago appears as a primary, Novice-class grab spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. His spirit sports no effect when applied to a fighter.

Etymology

Nago's name is likely derived from the word にゃあご (nyaago), an alternative way of saying にゃあ (nyaa), a Japanese onomatopoeic word for "meow".

Trivia

Nago was planned to be in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, but he was left out for an unknown reason.
- However, a similar character appears in the anime. He is Kawasaki's friend, Chef Nagoya, whose name also uses the word Nago in it.
In the Japanese manga, Nago is easily put off and is enemies with Pitch.
In Kirby Star Allies on the title, file select, and menu screens, Nago can sometimes be seen chasing Daroach. This is a reference to the classic "cat and mouse" formula.
The official strategy guide for Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards incorrectly calls Nago a mouse.
Nago, despite being male, is a calico cat, which are almost always female due to the gene that makes them calico being stored in the leg on the extra X chromosome that they have.