"Running Through the New World" is a stage theme fromKirby and the Forgotten Land and itsNintendo Switch 2 Edition. This theme is the secondary theme from this game (after "Welcome to the New World!"), and its leitmotifs appear in many other themes as well, most notably the variousWorld Map themes. It was composed byYuuta Ogasawara.

Notably, "Running Through the New World" was the first theme fromKirby and the Forgotten Land that was revealed, as it was used in the reveal trailer showcased during the September 23rd, 2021Nintendo Direct. Incidentally, its arrangement "Meteor Shower's Arrival" was the first theme revealed from the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game, used in the April 2, 2025 Nintendo Direct.

Composition[edit]

"Running Through the New World" is a rather upbeat, and exciting song. It begins with a piano in C major, and then proceeds with the main melody played by a flute and seconded by strings. It then modulates to D major, reprising its sections with a more rich instrumentation (an orchestra containing wood and brass instruments, along with strings), and finally returns to C major before looping. The melody primarily ascends in chords and descends down a scale. One of its phrases is a musical quotation of "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

The variants of this theme follow the same general pattern, though with a slightly different and simplified melody. Each version uses a different set of instruments and supporting effects. The most notable variant in this regard is "Beginner Treasures" (used for earlyTreasure Road stages) which is an almost entirely electronic and fast-paced version of the song. Another notable variant is "Pitch-Black Horror" and "Pitch-Black Valley", which play in dark areas in later stages, and has an unsettling minor-key progression with more unique aspects to the melody.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby and the Forgotten Land[edit]

InKirby and the Forgotten Land, the main version of "Running Through the New World" mainly plays in the first level:Natural Plains. It plays inPoint of Arrival (once entering the city portion),Downtown Grassland,Rocky Rollin' Road and the very beginning ofA Trip to Alivel Mall.

Being one of the main themes of the game, "Running Through the New World" has many full arrangements:

• "Natural Plains" - A calm arrangement that plays on themap inNatural Plains.
• "Wild Results" - An arrangement that plays on the results screen at the end of a stage.
• "Beginner Treasures" - An electric remix that plays in theTreasure Road stages in Natural Plains andEverbay Coast.
• "Everbay Coast" - An arrangement of "Natural Plains" that plays on the Everybay Coast map. It has a hint of "Abandoned Beach" at the end.
• "Wondaria Remains" - Another arrangement of "Natural Plains" that plays on theWondaria Remains map and ends with a hint of "The Wondaria Dream Parade".
• "Pitch-Black Horror" - A spooky arrangement that plays in the dark areas ofInvasion at the House of Horrors andForgo Park.
• "A Quick Nap" - A short jingle based on "Running Through the New World" that plays whenKirby takes a nap in hishouse. It also features the1-Up jingle at the end.
• "Interview" - An arrangement that plays on the results screen for the Meta Knight Cup and The Ultimate Cup in theColosseum. It also contains hints of "Welcome to the New World!" throughout.
• "Winter Horns" - Yet another arrangement of "Natural Plains" that plays on the map forWinter Horns and ends with a hint of "Metro on Ice".
• "Dazzling Treasures" - A remix that plays in the Treasure Road stages in Wondaria Remains and Winter Horns.
• "Pitch-Black Valley" - An arrangement of "Pitch-Black Horror" that plays in the dark areas ofMoonlight Canyon andForgo Wasteland.

The motif also shows up in many more tracks:

• "Lunch Rush! A Wave of Waddles" - A fast arrangement of "Care for a Refreshment?" that quickly switches over to the melody of "Running Through the New World".
• "Welcome Back, Kirby" - An arrangement of "Green Greens" that features the melody of the first section of "Running Through the New World" in the background.
• "The Battle of Blizzard Bridge" - The stage theme forThe Battle of Blizzard Bridge that has an opening section loosely based on "Running Through the New World".
• "Originull Wasteland" - The map theme forOriginull Wasteland that contains a small section of "Running Through the New World" at the end based on its "Moonlight Canyon" iteration.
• "Moonlight Canyon" - The stage theme forMoonlight Canyon that contains a small section similar to the one heard in "Originull Wasteland" at the end.
• "Redgar Forbidden Lands" - The map theme forRedgar Forbidden Lands that opens with a combination of "Running Through the New World" and "Welcome to the New World!".
• "Enter the Fiery Forbidden Lands" - The stage theme forEnter the Fiery Forbidden Lands, which is a minor arrangement of "Running Through the New World" and "Welcome to the New World!".
• "The Beast Pack's Final Stand" - The stage theme forThe Beast Pack's Final Stand which contains a couple hints of "Running Through the New World".
• "Champion's Waiting Room" - The rest area music forThe Ultimate Cup which subtly includes parts of "Running Through the New World".
• "The Ultimate Fight" - The battle music for The Ultimate Cup which contains some short section segments based on "Running Through the New World".
• "VS. Psychic Power Given Form" - The battle music for inIsolated Isles: Forgo Dreams that has a short segment of "Running Through the New World" near the end of the track.
• "Scattered Souls across Isolated Isles" - The stage theme forForgo Zone that contains two small sections based on "Running Through the New World".
• "Kirby, the Beasts, and the King" - The theme for the ending cutscene of Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams, which ends with a segment of "Running Through the New World".
• "Hero Interview" - An arrangement of "Running Through the New World" and "Welcome to the New World!" which plays on the results screen for The Ultimate Cup Z in theColosseum.
• "A Thriving, Peaceful Town" - An arrangement of "Waddle Dee Town" that includes hints of other themes throughout, including "Running Through the New World".
• "From Those Who Departed for Space" - A medley of "A Trip to Alivel Mall", "Running Through the New World", and "Welcome to the New World!", used as the theme for the credits seen inWaddle Dee Cinema.

Many of the game's jingles are also based on "Running Through the New World". Additionally, at the start ofPoint of Arrival, some birds can be heard chirping the first measure of the theme.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

InKirby's Dream Buffet, "Running Through the New World" can be unlocked when the player reachesGourmet Rank 29, available for use inraces and theFree Rolling mode. In this game, this theme is known as"Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Memorial Song 1".

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]

InKirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, "Scattered Souls across Isolated Isles" returns inMagolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler, and still features part of the "Running Through the New World" leitmotif.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World[edit]

In addition to all the original appearances,Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World features an arrangement of "Running Through the New World" titled"Meteor Shower's Arrival", which plays in theeponymous Starry Stage, as well as at the start ofLost in Alivel Mall. This arrangement has a notable tonal duality between the primary G minor and B-flat major with melodic tendencies. A C major quotation of the original "Running Through the New World" and elements of "TWINKLING STAR SHOWERS" can be heard in the latter half. This version was arranged byHirokazu Ando, and can be found as track 101 atWaddle Live! Corner Stage. The arrangement's intro only plays in the Meteor Shower's Arrival Starry Stage and the "Jewelstorm" cutscene associated with it, with the intro portion getting skipped for Lost in Alivel Mall.

Moreover, a new variant of "Wild Results" with the aforementioned motif and softer, more "sparkly" instrumentation plays at the results screen of Starry Stages and as track 104 at Waddle Live! Corner Stage. This theme is titled"Sparkling Results" and was arranged byMegumi Ohara.

Finally, a portion of "Running Through the New World" can be heard in "Crystal Beast Pack Volcano Battle", here set in C minor. This track, arranged by Hirokazu Ando, plays in the Starry StageCrystal Beast Pack Volcano Battle and as track 122.

Other appearances[edit]

Starting withKirby's Dream Buffet, "Running Through the New World" represents its game of origin in thePast Adventures menu.

The theme with a shortened intro is re-used as the theme for when 50-11 players remain in a round ofTetris 99 during theKirby and the Forgotten Land Maximus Cup. "Wild Results" is used as the results theme upon finishing in 2nd or lower.

The theme was performed live at theKirby 30th Anniversary Music Festival, as part of "Green Greens ~ Running Through the New World".

"Running Through the New World" is featured in an officially licensed collection ofKirby sheet music published byYamaha Corporation.^[1] Notably, it is the only theme featured in the product to have two arrangements: a piano solo and a piano duet (orfour hands).

Finally, a piano-focused version of "Running Through the New World" is included onThe Sound of Kirby Café - Jazz Style - andThe Sound of Kirby Café - Jazz Style Selection - alongside "The Adventure Begins" as a part of the medley はじまりのジャズタイム (Beginning Jazz Time), which was arranged byMegumi Ohara.

• https://wikirby.com/wiki/File:TSoKCJS_Beginning_Jazz_Time_Running_Through_the_New_World.mp3
  "Running Through the New World" in "Beginning Jazz Time" fromThe Sound of Kirby Café - Jazz Style - byMegumi Ohara.

Trivia[edit]

• "Running Through the New World" isKei Ninomiya's favorite theme fromKirby and the Forgotten Land.^[2]

Names in other languages[edit]

Running Through the New World

Click "Expand" on the right to see other names.

References

• Music in Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Music in Kirby's Dream Buffet
• Music in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
• Music in Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
• Music in Kirby Café

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