Mumbies is a reoccurring floating bandage-wrapped sphericalenemy in theKirby series, which made its first appearance inKirby's Dream Land. It is a somewhat uncommon enemy, and is notable for its relatively highdurability, along with itsimmunity toKirby'sinhale (in some games, their bandages will ruffle a bit whenKirby uses his inhale technique). Mumbies are characterized by their nearly perfectly round physique and are almost completely wrapped in white or off-yellow bandages, leaving a slit in the front for their single eye, which is either red or yellow depending on the game.
Mumbies typically hold completely still when Kirby is facing in their direction, but will pursue him slowly when he looks away. This makes Mumbies similar toBoo from theSuper Mario games in behavior. Although Mumbies is tough, it can still be defeated using anyCopy Ability or item attack,Star Bullet, or even by a fewAir Bullets if no better options are available.
Mumbies first appears inKirby's Dream Land and is mainly seen in theCastle Lololo region, often appearing alongside other ghost-like foes likeBooler. It does not exhibit much of its later characteristic behavior in this game, instead appearing suddenly and moving more quickly along with the other flying enemies, and also being just as weak as them.
InExtra Game, Mumbies is replaced by the somewhat more aggressiveSkuller.
Mumbies (known here asMummy Ball[1]) appears inKirby's Pinball Land in the lower-most board ofWispy-Woods Land. Bumping into it confers 360 points. Once bumped into eight times, it is defeated, granting a multiplier to the bonus score and revealing theWarp Star which can take Kirby back to the level hub.
InKirby's Dream Land 2, Mumbies are a late-game enemy, not seen untilCloudy Park. In this title, they are capable of moving through walls and blocks in pursuit of Kirby.
Mumbies appears as a common enemy inKirby's Block Ball, and must be hit three times to defeat, with each hit worth 600 points. Mumbies drops aFlip item when defeated.
Mumbies appears once more inKirby's Dream Land 3, and are not encountered untilCloudy Park. They behave largely the same as they did inKirby's Dream Land 2. In this game specifically, Gooey, ChuChu or Rick are capable of inhaling Mumbies, where swallowing it grants no ability.
InKirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Mumbies are seen primarily inRock Star, with their bandaged appearance suiting the desert scenery. Here is where they began to exhibit their characteristic shyness, and where they lost the ability to move through walls. Mumbies also appears on the 78thEnemy Info Card.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land /Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]
Mumbies inKirby's Return to Dream Land
An 11 year gap lies between Mumbies' last appearance and its return inKirby's Return to Dream Land. Here is where it gained its modern look and characteristics, which can be seen as a joining of its previous depictions. Mumbies in this game and onward can exhibits varied behavior, either stopping when Kirby looks at it, pursuing him regardless of his facing, or holding still at all times. It appears in theremake as well.
TheDegout enemy debuting inKirby's Return to Dream Land can be seen as a tougher robotic version of Mumbies, as both behave in the same generalized way and have a similar physique.
Mumbies makes an appearance as a common enemy inKirby's Blowout Blast, being worth 100 points when defeated. Like in its other appearances, it cannot be inhaled, so it must be dispatched using Star Bullets.
The Mumbies are vicious monsters sent throughout the universe to hunt down and exterminate Star Warriors! When the containers that hold them are discovered, they are automatically unsealed, and they begin looking for Star Warriors to destroy!
Mumbies appears as amonster in theKirby: Right Back at Ya! episodeMumbies Madness. It is discovered in an archaic-looking urn byProfessor Curio, who appears to be influenced by the monster into an uncharacteristic hostility. After freeing Mumbies, however, Curio returns to his normal self, and attempts to seal the creature away when he realizes he was tricked byKing Dedede using a forged book about the creature. Due to a misunderstanding and his own apprehension, however, Curio is interrupted in his effort to contain the monster byTiff andTuff, and Mumbies is free to antagonizeKirby on two separate nights.
Meta Knight explains that Mumbies are creatures which are specifically made to hunt down and destroyStar Warriors. Since it locked on Kirby, Mumbies will not cease its attacks on him until he is destroyed, halted only by sunlight, which its its biggest weakness and what stopped it from killing Kirby on the first night. During its second attack, Kirby tries and fails toinhale the monster, being forced to spit it back out, and is only given a means to fight back when King Dedede foolishly tosses a bomb at Kirby which he inhales for theBombCopy Ability. Despite this new ability, Kirby is once again overpowered by Mumbies, but Kirby manages to turn things around when he uses theWarp Star to carry him and Mumbies high into space, where the monster is unable to evade the rays from the Sun and is reduced to dust.
Mumbies is depicted very differently to its appearance in the games, only sharing its basic appearance. In the anime, Mumbies has many different powers, and is defined primarily by its huge mouth with sharp teeth; a trait it lacks in the games. It attacks by biting and dragging its target around with its mouth, and when this fails, it uses black laser blasts from its eye to blow up its target, making it similar toDark Matter. Mumbies also possesses a hypnotic gaze, which it uses to both influence Professor Curio and lull Kirby into fatigue during its fight with him. Unlike in the games, Mumbies can be inhaled, but its abilities cannot be absorbed, and Kirby is forced to spit it back out again. Its only weakness is to sunlight - giving itvampiric qualities - and this is how it is ultimately defeated.
Mumbies first appears inKirby's Dream Land and is mainly seen in theCastle Lololo region, often appearing alongside other ghost-like foes likeBooler. It does not exhibit much of its later characteristic behavior in this game, instead appearing suddenly and moving more quickly along with the other flying enemies, and also being just as weak as them.
InKirby's Dream Land 2, Mumbies are a late-game enemy, not seen untilCloudy Park. In this title, they are capable of moving through walls and blocks in pursuit of Kirby.
Mumbies appears as a common enemy inKirby's Block Ball, and must be hit three times to defeat, with each hit worth 600 points. Mumbies drops aFlip item when defeated.
Mumbies appears once more inKirby's Dream Land 3, and are not encountered untilCloudy Park. They behave largely the same as they did inKirby's Dream Land 2. In this game specifically, Gooey, ChuChu or Rick are capable of inhaling Mumbies, where swallowing it grants no ability.
InKirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Mumbies are seen primarily inRock Star, with their bandaged appearance suiting the desert scenery. Here is where they began to exhibit their characteristic shyness, and where they lost the ability to move through walls. Mumbies also appears on the 78thEnemy Info Card.
A ring ofBoolers and Mumbies inKirby's Dream Land
Model of Mumbies fromKirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Screenshot of Mumbies inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Sketch of Mumbies along withMaw,I³, andGhost Knight from thebad ending credits inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Illustration of Mumbies along withMaw,I³, andGhost Knight from the true ending credits inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Model of Mumbies fromKirby's Return to Dream Land
Screenshot of Mumbies inKirby: Triple Deluxe
Screenshot of Mumbies inKirby: Planet Robobot
Screenshot of Mumbies inKirby and the Forgotten Land
Screenshot of Mumbies while dormant inKirby and the Forgotten Land
Figure of Mumbies fromKirby and the Forgotten Land
Screenshot of Mumbies fromKirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Halloween 2017 illustration from theKirby JP Twitter featuring Mumbies
Ghost Story Day illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter featuring Mumbies
Halloween 2020 illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter featuring Mumbies
Dedede Directory about Mumbies
Mumbies being summoned byProfessor Curio
Mumbies being forced to halt its near-victory over Kirby by the morning light
Mumbies using its hypnotic gaze on Kirby
Mumbies attempting to blast Kirby with its black laser beam
Mumbies being exposed to the light and held there by Kirby
