| “ | On the day of judgment, this fluttery fiend will fly into action. Brought into existence by "the greatest warrior in the galaxy" and reborn as a knight of doom through years of adversity—now begins an epic battle with a pure being twisted by a dark past. | „ |
| ~ Morpho Knight's description in Kirby Star Allies. |
Morpho Knight is a supporting antagonist in the Kirby franchise.
Introduced as a seemingly innocuous butterfly seen fluttering in the background of Planet Popstar, upon absorbing Galacta Knight's power and later Soul Forgo's power (causing the two to be disintegrated in process), they take the form of a warrior similar to Meta Knight before attacking any nearby opponents, apparently foretelling the "Day of Judgement".
Description
Appearance
Morpho Knight, in their adult stage as a butterfly, exhibits vibrant yellow and orange markings on their wings. When in their primary form, they bears a strong resemblance to characters such as Meta Knight and Galacta Knight, and it could be inferred that they also shares similarities with Kirby when their mask is removed. This spherical creature possesses a dark black skin, piercing white eyes that emit a glowing light, and a lack of a mouth. Additionally, they adorn yellow shoes and gloves. Their armor is predominantly red with intricate black designs and white shoulder pads adorned with a captivating red swirl on each. The mask they wear boasts distinctive antennae-like horns. Displayed on their back are dazzling red butterfly wings, radiating a sparkling allure. Morpho Knight wields a sword that bears resemblance to Galaxia, but with an exquisite color scheme of red and gold, embellished with a captivating butterfly pattern on its handle. Furthermore, blue spots are present on both sides of the sword's tip. Notably, the handle features what seems to be a gemstone, with a thin black line traversing it, providing an appearance akin to that of a snake's eye.
The physical attributes of Morpho Knight EX have not changed from its original form, however, there have been adjustments made to its color scheme. The predominantly black body is complemented by a vibrant red blade, striking red eyes and wings, as well as touches of purple highlighting on its mask and shoes. Notably, the blade now features an eye that bears a resemblance to the distinctive marks indicating Void Termina's vulnerabilities.
When Morpho Knight first appeared in Kirby Star Allies, they didn't have any arms. However, in their latest appearance in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, it has been given arms similar to Meta Knight and Galacta Knight.
Description
In the English versions of Kirby Star Allies, the descriptions of Morpho Knight and Morpho Knight EX on the pause screen are intentionally vague, leaving much of their descriptions and true nature shrouded in mystery. However, the Japanese versions of these descriptions offer more insight into the enigmatic character of Morpho Knight. According to these versions, the butterfly that precedes the birth of Morpho Knight is referred to as a "butterfly of paradise." This ethereal creature is said to appear after something perishes, symbolizing the arrival of judgement day. It possesses the ability to determine the fate of departed souls, making it a being of immense power and authority. Moreover, the Japanese descriptions suggest that this butterfly can traverse different dimensions and visit other worlds. The Gotcha Figurine description even hints at the existence of multiple butterflies of judgement, with the butterfly encountered in Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams being referred to as "one of the butterflies." Fascinatingly, Morpho Knight itself is believed to come into existence when a butterfly of judgement absorbs a particularly potent soul.
Within Japanese mythology, butterflies hold a significant role as they are frequently intertwined with notions of death and spirits. It is widely believed that these graceful creatures act as guides, leading the spirits of the departed towards the realm beyond, resembling the role of a psychopomp. Intriguingly, the inclusion of Morpho Knight, a butterfly-like entity, in this context further strengthens its affiliation with the concept of death.
Biography
Kirby: Star Allies
Morpho Knight makes a dramatic entrance as the ultimate boss in Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go! This awe-inspiring battle follows the appearance of Galacta Knight, the esteemed warrior who emerges from a dimensional rift caused by the enigmatic Hyness. As Galacta Knight brings forth the echoes of his numerous battles and experiences, a mystical butterfly descends from another realm and resonates with the accumulated energy and emotions of the valiant warrior. To the astonishment of the heroes embarking on this journey, the butterfly absorbs Galacta Knight's formidable power, seemingly causing him to vanish into thin air. In this transformative process, the butterfly is reborn as a fearsome "knight of the underworld," wielding an incredible strength and dark energy.
Later on, in the challenging game modes known as Soul Melter and Soul Melter EX, Morpho Knight makes a grand return in "The Ultimate Choice". Once again, this formidable foe stands as the second-to-last boss before the ultimate battle against Void Termina. In these modes, Morpho Knight has undergone a remarkable transformation, harnessing their newfound abilities and unleashing an amplified version of the power it inherited from Galacta Knight. This evolution has allowed Morpho Knight to truly make this power their own, creating an even more intense and thrilling encounter for players.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Morpho Knight returns (and canonically debuts) as the final boss of the "Forgo Dreams" world. As the transformation takes place, the butterfly undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, emerging as Morpho Knight, an entity of unrivaled power and grace. With newfound strength and determination, Leongar prepares to face Kirby, not as an enemy, but as an ally in their shared mission to protect the realm from the forces of darkness. However, their elation is short-lived as Leongar's mind suddenly succumbs to the sinister influence of Soul Elfilis, an evil force that seeks to control and corrupt him. The once benevolent and gentle Leongar is now a vessel for darkness, his every action dictated by Soul Elfilis malevolence. Filled with hope and anticipation, Kirby and Elfilin perform the ancient ritual that brings together all the pieces of Leongar's soul. As the fragments merge, a radiant glow surrounds the once lifeless body, signifying the return of Leongar's essence. The atmosphere is filled with sheer joy and jubilation as they witness the miracle of his revival. Finally, after a grueling confrontation, Kirby's unwavering perseverance pays off. With one final powerful strike, Kirby manages to expel Soul Elfilis from Leongar's body. Soul Elfilis, now separated from its host, stands before Kirby, prepared to continue the fight. Just as the battle is about to resume, a miraculous event unfolds. Out of nowhere, a delicate butterfly gracefully flutters into the scene, landing gently on the face of Soul Elfilis. In an instant, the butterfly begins to absorb the dark essence, engulfing Soul Elfilis's malevolent soul within its own being. After embarking on a long and arduous journey across the mystical Isolated Isles in search of the scattered fragments of Leongar's soul, Kirby and his loyal companion Elfilin finally arrive at the awe-inspiring Forgo Land. This is the sacred place where Leongar's lifeless body has been preserved, awaiting the moment when his soul can be reunited with it. Thus, the epic tale of Kirby's quest to save Leongar and restore peace to the Isolated Isles takes an unexpected turn, as the butterfly's intervention alters the course of destiny, forever changing the fates of our courageous heroes. Realizing the grave danger they face, Kirby bravely confronts the possessed beast, engaging in a fierce battle to free Leongar from the clutches of Soul Forgo. With every ounce of strength and determination, Kirby strikes blow after blow, desperately hoping to break the hold that the malevolent force has on his dear friend.
In essence, Morpho Knight's adaptability and cunning tactics create an intense and thrilling battle experience. Its mastery over teleportation, swordplay, and energy beam projection, combined with the disorienting effects of its sound wave attack, make it a formidable foe that demands the utmost skill and resilience from Kirby. However, Morpho Knight's tactics do not end there. It employs a cunning strategy by occasionally teleporting away from Kirby, only to reappear in close proximity for a surprise attack. This unexpected maneuver tests the reflexes and agility of Kirby, forcing him to be on constant guard and carefully anticipate Morpho Knight's movements. In the realm of Star Allies, Morpho Knight emerges as a formidable opponent with a repertoire of moves that have been adapted to suit the 3D environment. This enigmatic entity possesses the ability to teleport swiftly, swiftly traversing the battlefield with its ethereal movements. Its sword becomes an extension of its formidable power, delivering swift and precise slashes that strike fear into the hearts of its adversaries. Additionally, Morpho Knight wields the power to emit crescent beams, unleashing a barrage of energy that can overwhelm even the most skilled opponents. Moreover, Morpho Knight possesses a unique ability known as the sound wave attack. In the absence of the friend system, this attack takes on a new twist. When struck by the sound wave, the harmonious melodies of the surroundings become distorted, creating an unsettling and disorienting effect. As if that wasn't challenging enough, the screen tilts sideways, further disrupting the player's equilibrium and making it increasingly difficult to evade Morpho Knight's relentless assault.
One of the exciting new techniques that Morpho, the powerful opponent, has added to its repertoire is the ability to instantaneously transport itself to a corner of the arena. Once there, it envelops its blade in scorching flames, and with a mighty swing, releases a blazing wall of fire that gradually expands and engulfs the entire battleground. This fiery barrier poses an insurmountable obstacle, with only a small section of lesser flames providing a potential escape route. Another modification to Morpho's repertoire is the alteration of its ghostly face attack. Previously, it would summon a sole face resembling that of Soul Elfilis, which relentlessly pursued Kirby for a certain duration while Morpho executed its other offensive maneuvers. However, in its current form, Morpho has become even more formidable. As its health diminishes, it now summons not just one, but two of these haunting visages to intensify the challenge. In summary, Morpho has evolved its combat tactics by incorporating a teleportation and fire-infused blade technique, enhancing its ghost face attack, and acquiring the capability to summon a multitude of Ground Twisters. These additions to its arsenal make Morpho an even more daunting adversary, demanding Kirby's utmost skill and resilience to emerge victorious in the intense battles that lie ahead. Furthermore, Morpho has acquired the ability to summon a group of Ground Twisters, which it can manipulate into various formations. These swirling vortices of earth and debris pose a significant threat to Kirby, requiring him to adapt and strategize accordingly to overcome this new obstacle.
When Morpho Knight's health drops to 50%, it enters its second phase. In this phase, the swords it wields increase in size. The attack it performs is similar to the one seen in Star Allies, but with a notable difference. Instead of attacking directly, Morpho Knight teleports to a corner of the arena and strikes its swords parallel to the sides, causing flaming trails to form upon impact. These trails then converge towards each other, creating a barrier that Kirby must jump over to avoid getting hit. Simply staying in the middle won't work, as the flames expand vertically when they collide. Kirby must make a lateral jump to evade the attack. Following this, Morpho Knight unleashes multiple sound waves, attempting to predict Kirby's movements and catch him off guard. To conclude this phase, Morpho Knight charges up and releases a massive sound wave that covers a larger area and lasts for a longer duration.
Following this event, Morpho will engage in combat as per usual, albeit with certain adjustments that enhance its attacks. For instance, its flame wall attack may now be executed twice consecutively, its ground twisters now exhibit more intricate patterns, and its teleportation maneuvers have become increasingly unpredictable.
After being defeated, Morpho Knight disappears in a burst of radiant light, and Soul Forgo harnesses its energy, transforming into Chaos Elfilis. With newfound power, Chaos Elfilis swiftly teleports to an unknown destination.
Quotes
Flavor Text
| “ | Come judgement day, this fluttery fiend will fly into action. Will it land in a dream world, or a nightmare? It has mastered its new abilities, now all will witness its true power! | „ |
| ~ The flavor text for Morpho Knight EX. |
| “ | A sword that resembles a butterfly of paradise. Legend says it strikes in a bright flash. | „ |
| ~ The description for the Morpho Doomblade. |
| “ | Defensive gear inspired by "the knight of doom." This helmet appeared in response to the screams of the most powerful warrior in the galaxy. | „ |
| ~ The description for the Morpho Doomhelm. |
| “ | The fluttering fiend that casts judgement upon final battles is drawn to the isolated isles of Forgo Dreams. There, it feasts upon the most powerful soul it finds and takes the fearsome form of a scarlet-clad knight... Let the most challenging battle of this new world begin! | „ |
| ~ The description for Morpho Knight's figurine in Kirby and the Forgotten Land |
| “ | Before the final battle, a fluttering fiend appears to cast its judgement. This dangerous weapon grants that form to any who wield it. For Kirby, handling this power is... a breeze. | „ |
| ~ The description for the Morpho Knight Sword upgrade. |
Gallery
Trivia
- Morpho Knight reuses concept art of a design that was intended to be an original character introduced in the canceled Kirby game for the GameCube. It was originally believed to be Meta Knight's original design as it was featured in his section in the Japanese 20th Anniversary booklet, but director Shinya Kumazaki confirmed this was not the case.
- Morpho Knight's name may have been taken from the Butterfly species known as "Morpho."
- According to the Chaos Elfilis' figurine in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Morpho Knight is an ethereal butterfly native to the Phantom Realm, indicating that he may have traveled from the Forgotten Land to fight Kirby.
- Morpho Knight's battle music changes if any of the Dream Friends are played, the music is replaced with a remixed theme of the final boss theme from their debut game.
- The only exceptions to this rule are Daroach, playing Dark Daroach's theme instead of Dark Nebula's, and The Three Mage-Sisters, playing their theme from "Heroes in Another Dimension" instead of Void Termina's.
- Prior to version 4.0.0, playing as Bandanna Waddle Dee, Meta Knight, or King Dedede played Morpho Knight's regular theme. The music is now replaced with a remix of Lord Nightmare's theme.
External links
- Morpho Knight on the Kirby Wiki
