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Yin-Yarn

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Yin-Yarn
Artwork ofYin-Yarn fromKirby's Epic Yarn
Details
First gameKirby's Epic Yarn (2010)
Latest gameKirby's Dream Buffet (2022, reference)
Other game(s)Kirby: Triple Deluxe (keychain)
Kirby Star Allies (cameo inCelebration Picture)
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Weakness(es)Tankbot
Theme music

Clip of the Yin-Yarn boss battle theme fromKirby's Epic Yarn.

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This article is about the character. For the boss stage, seeYin-Yarn (boss stage).
Nyahahahahaaa! Soon, Dream Land will be wrapped around my knitting needles!
— Yin-Yarn inKirby's Epic Yarn andKirby's Extra Epic Yarn

Yin-Yarn, also known asYin-Yarn the Sorcerer, is the main antagonist ofKirby's Epic Yarn andKirby's Extra Epic Yarn, whose antics involving tearing theMagic Yarn away fromPatch Land promptKirby andPrince Fluff to embark on their quest to defeat him and save Patch Land from being left in pieces. His English name is derived from yarn andYin-Yang.

Yin-Yarn is a highly skilled weaver of living yarn creatures, and uses the power of the Magic Yarn to take overDream Land and create powerful yarnguardians. He can also use the power of theMagic Sock to transform denizens of Dream Land into yarn and possess them using the Magic Yarn. His motives for doing all this are unclear (even to himself), but he is eventually defeated regardless by Kirby and Fluff in Dream Land and sent back to Patch Land.

In the original Japanese version, Yin-Yarn has a speech quirk in which he ends all his sentences with アミーボ or アモーレ, the two parts of his Japanese name, alternating between the two in that order as he talks.

Physical appearance[edit]

This sorcerer uses his knitting needles to weave his evil all across Dream Land!
— Patch Plaza description

Like all natives of Patch Land, Yin-Yarn appears to be made entirely of fabric and yarn. He wears a green sombrero, purple sunglasses and an orange poncho with intertwining green and red stripes. He has a black mustache and an orange button for a nose. His true bodies are the two large wooden knitting needles he carries at all times, who bear a passing resemblance to maracas. The two unnamed needles are visually distinct from one another: the left needle has two horns, purple eyes and a scowl, while the right one has one horn, yellow eyes, and a neutral expression.

Mega Yin-Yarn[edit]

Mega Yin-Yarn.
Yin-Yarn used the power of the Metamato to transform into a mighty robot tank!
— American EnglishPatch Plaza description of Mega Yin-Yarn
Yin-Yarn the Sorcerer magically transformed into a mighty robot tank!
— British EnglishPatch Plaza description of Mega Yin-Yarn

Yin-Yarn's second battle form continues the tradition of circular Kirby bosses, transforming him into a giant robotic version of himself known asMega Yin-Yarn, which is slightly larger than theTankbot. He retains the green sombrero, but his body is now similar to Kirby's: a head attached to yarn-thin arms and spiked wheels for feet. His facial features are broadened, including his sunglasses, his nose, his mustache, and the near-present smile that could otherwise be mistaken for the top of his poncho. His knitting needles have also enlarged.

The American English description for Mega Yin-Yarn states that Yin-Yarn used theMetamato's power to transform into his final form. However, going from the cutscene itself, it would appear that Yin-Yarn actually used theMagic Yarn to do that. It is actually the result of a mistranslation, as the original Japanese texts say that Yin-Yarn attempted to use the Metamato to take over the world instead.

Game appearances[edit]

Yin-Yarn's video game appearances  
GameRoleNotes
Kirby's Epic YarnMain antagonist and final boss
Kirby: Triple DeluxeReferenceAppears as a collectiblekeychain.
Kirby Star AlliesReferenceAppears in the "Bad Boss Brothers"Celebration Picture.
Kirby's Extra Epic YarnMain antagonist and final bossAs this is a port ofKirby's Epic Yarn, his role does not change.
Kirby's Dream BuffetReferenceAppears as aCharacter Treat.

Kirby's Epic Yarn /Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn[edit]

Yin-Yarn has torn Patch Land apart.

Yin-Yarn is the primary antagonist and final boss ofKirby's Epic Yarn and its port:Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn. He separates his home world ofPatch Land into seven pieces by stealing the eight pieces ofMagic Yarn and one of theMagic Socks. Using these artifacts, Yin-Yarn travels toDream Land, where he slowly begins turning its citizens and landscape into yarn and fabric.

Seemingly unaware of the rumors concerning Yin-Yarn,Kirby spots an odd-lookingMaxim Tomato on top of a bush and starts to inhale it. Yin-Yarn appears from behind the bush, making an unsuccessful attempt to stop Kirby from eating the tomato on his hat. Angered by the loss of his magicMetamato, Yin-Yarn banishes Kirby to Patch Land, where Kirby is left to help retrieve the Magic Yarn withPrince Fluff.

In Kirby's absence, Yin-Yarn continues to take control of Dream Land by sending a brainwashedKing Dedede andMeta Knight to Patch Land in an attempt to stop Kirby. With Dedede and Meta Knight gone, there is no one to stand in the way of Yin-Yarn taking complete control over Dream Land–even if he doesn't have an idea what he'll do with it once he has total power.

After Kirby and Prince Fluff collect seven pieces of Magic Yarn and stitch Patch Land back together, they are informed by Meta Knight that Yin-Yarn has taken full control of Dream Land, turning it entirely into yarn. While Kirby is unsure what to do, Prince Fluff reveals the second Magic Sock, which is now active again thanks to Patch Land being repaired. The two of them venture to Dream Land to stop Yin-Yarn, take back the eighth piece of Magic Yarn, and return Dream Land back to normal.

Main article:Yin-Yarn (boss stage)

During the final battle with him, it is revealed that "Yin-Yarn" is actually a pair of sentient knitting needle brothers, something that is explicitly mentioned in the Japanese version.[1] The two of them are eventually defeated by Kirby and Prince Fluff. With the artifacts retrieved by their rightful owner, Dream Land reverts to its usual state. Prince Fluff returns to Patch Land, but entrusts Yin-Yarn's Magic Sock to Kirby, allowing the duo to visit each other whenever they like.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

An original dot sprite of Yin-Yarn appears as aKeychain inKirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

Yin-Yarn appears in theCelebration Picture: "Bad Boss Brothers" inKirby Star Allies.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

InKirby's Dream Buffet, Yin-Yarn appears on aCharacter Treat, using his artwork fromKirby's Epic Yarn.

In theKirby novel series[edit]

Yin-Yarn
Artwork ofYin-Yarn fromKirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land!
Details
First appearanceKirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land!
RoleMain antagonist
Other appearance(s)his video game counterpart
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He tore Patch Land apart, scheming to conquer it.
— Unofficial translation of Yin-Yarn's description fromKirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land!

In theKirby novel series, Yin-Yarn appears as a guest character and the main antagonist ofKirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land!. As that volume is an adaptation ofKirby's Extra Epic Yarn, his role is largely the same to that of that game.

Yin-Yarn is at first hinted in the prologue, whenChef Kawasaki remembers when he was ambushed by someone who turned his body into yarn. He eventually shows up to Kirby, and after he eats his Metamato, Yin-Yarn becomes furious and sends him to Patch Land. After this, Yin-Yarn first attacksKing Dedede in his castle and captures him, and eventually also capturesMeta Knight. In the meantime, he also starts turning all of Dream Land into yarn, until he is eventually done.

AfterKirby and Prince Fluff fix up Patch Land, they go to save Dream Land as well. There, they finally meet Yin-Yarn, and Kirby beats him easily. That is when it's finally revealed that Yin-Yarn's true identity is the needles, as they create Mega Yin-Yarn. Kirby and Fluff also manage to beat this form, and the needles finally admit defeat. Kirby grabs the two and throws them far away, telling them to never go back to Dream Land. With Yin-Yarn's defeat, Dream Land goes back to normal.

Throughout the volume, various enemies appear and are said to be Yin-Yarn's minions. As he was shown to be able to knit Yarn Waddle Dees and even Fangora, it's implied that these minions were also created by him.

Yin-Yarn has the same speech quirk in Japanese as he has in the games, of alternating ending sentences with the two parts of his Japanese name, アミーボ and アモーレ. In particular, this quirk continues even after the needles are shown to be sentient: the needles alternate talking, and each ends their sentences with one of the words, which seems to heavily imply that, in truth, each needle ends their sentences with one of the words.

  • Yin-Yarn first appears.
    Yin-Yarn first appears.
  • Yin-Yarn ambushing and capturing King Dedede.
    Yin-Yarn ambushing and capturing King Dedede.
  • Yin-Yarn ambushing Meta Knight.
    Yin-Yarn ambushing Meta Knight.
  • Yin-Yarn's true identity is revealed.
    Yin-Yarn's true identity is revealed.

Trivia[edit]

  • Both versions of Yin-Yarn's battle background music are renditions ofthe regular boss theme fromKirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Unlike the other classic covers in this game, neither of these versions are acoustic; instead, they sound similar to how music is typically rendered in otherKirby games. This was done on purpose by composerJun Ishikawa, as he wanted to surprise players in the final battle.[2]
  • Yin-Yarn's plot is very similar to that ofDrawcia fromKirby: Canvas Curse. Both invade Dream Land, changing its landscape so that it resembles the landscape of their home worlds, and place a curse on Kirby that deprives him of his conventional means of attack.
  • The first part of Yin-Yarn's Japanese name (アミーボ・アモーレ) is the same asamiibo despite their different name origins.

Gallery[edit]

  • Model of Yin-Yarn's left Knitting Needle from Kirby's Epic Yarn
    Model of Yin-Yarn's left Knitting Needle fromKirby's Epic Yarn
  • Model of Yin-Yarn's right Knitting Needle from Kirby's Epic Yarn
    Model of Yin-Yarn's right Knitting Needle fromKirby's Epic Yarn
  • Keychain from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
    Keychain fromKirby: Triple Deluxe
  • Yin-Yarn cameos in the "Bad Boss Brothers" Celebration Picture in Kirby Star Allies
    Yin-Yarn cameos in the "Bad Boss Brothers" Celebration Picture inKirby Star Allies
  • Character Treat from Kirby's Dream Buffet
    Character Treat fromKirby's Dream Buffet
  • Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter commemorating the release of Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, featuring Yin-Yarn
    Illustration from theKirby JP Twitter commemorating the release ofKirby's Extra Epic Yarn, featuring Yin-Yarn

Video Walkthrough[edit]

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Flawless fight with Yin-Yarn.

Quotes[edit]

Quotes from Yin-Yarn inKirby's Epic Yarn /Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn  
  • "My name is--Hey! What are you doing?! Stop that!"
  • "No! That's my magic Metamato!"
  • "Nyahahahahaaa!"
  • "Soon, Dream Land will be wrapped around my knitting needles!"
  • "Nyahahaa!"
  • "Only one more step and Dream Land will be mine!"
  • "What an honor to have a king serving me!"
  • "Hehheheheh!"
  • "Dream Land will be mine!"
  • "...Not sure what I'll do with it, but I'll figure something out."
  • "Nyahahahahaa!"
  • "Mind if I sock it to ya?"
  • "Nyahahaaaaa!"

Names in other languages[edit]

Yin-Yarn[edit]

LanguageNameMeaning
Japaneseアミーボ・アモーレ
Amībo Amōre
From「ぼう」(Amibō, Knitting Needles) combined with "amore" ("love" in Italian)
Traditional Chinese棒針狂人
Bàngzhēn Kuángrén
Knitting Needles Madman
Simplified Chinese棒针狂人
Bàngzhēn Kuángrén
DutchYin-Yarn-
FrenchMaillalenversBased on "maille à l'envers" (lit. "purl stitch")
GermanGrimmgarnGrim Yarn
ItalianMalandranaA mixture between "malandrino" (crooked) and "palandrana" (overcoat)
Korean털실술사
Teolsilsulsa
Portmanteau of "털실" (teolsil, yarn) and "마술사" (masulsa, magician)
PortugueseTricolãCombination of "tricô" (knitting) and "lã" (wool)
SpanishZur-ZirCorrupted form of "zurcir" (to sew up)


Mega Yin-Yarn[edit]

LanguageNameMeaning
Japaneseアミーボ・ロボ
Amībo Robo
Yin-Yarn Robot
FrenchMéga MaillalenversMega Yin-Yarn
GermanMegagrimmgarnMega Yin-Yarn
ItalianMalandroneA pun mixing Yin-Yarn's Italian name "Malandrana" with the word "drone" (as in robot)
Korean메가 털실술사
Mega Teolsilsulsa
Mega Yin-Yarn
SpanishMega Zur-ZirMega Yin-Yarn

References

  1. "A pair of knitting needle brothers,
    who love to sing and dance. They tried to
    take over the world with the power of the Metamato."
    - translated quote from Yin-Yarn's JapanesePatch Plaza description
    (original Japanese:"うたとおどりが だいすきな あみぼうの
    きょうだい メタモルトマトのちからで
    せかいを せいふくしようとしていた"
    ).
  2. Iwata Asks: Kirby's Epic Yarn
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No.Japanese nameEnglish name
1ほしのカービィ あぶないグルメしき!?のまきKirby and the Dangerous Gourmet Mansion?!
2ほしのカービィ くらやみもりおおさわぎ!のまきKirby and the Big Panic in Gloomy Woods!
3ほしのカービィ大盗賊だいとうぞくドロッチェだんあらわる!のまきKirby Meets the Squeak Squad!
4ほしのカービィ メタナイトとあやつりひめKirby: Meta Knight and the Puppet Princess
5ほしのカービィ プププランドでだいレース!のまきKirby: Big Race in Pupupu Land!
6ほしのカービィ大迷宮 だいめいきゅうのトモダチをすくえ!のまきKirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
7ほしのカービィ ロボボプラネットの大冒険だいぼうけんKirby and the Great Planet Robobot Adventure!
8ほしのカービィ メタナイトと銀河ぎんが最強さいきょう戦士せんしKirby: Meta Knight and the Galaxy's Greatest Warrior
9ほしのカービィ結成けっせい! カービィハンターズZゼットまきKirby Clash Team Unite!
10ほしのカービィ決戦けっせん! バトルデラックス!!Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!!
11ほしのカービィ スターアライズ フレンズ大冒険だいぼうけんへんKirby Star Allies: The Great Friend Adventure!
12ほしのカービィ スターアライズ宇宙うちゅうだいピンチ!?へんKirby Star Allies: The Universe is in Trouble?!
13ほしのカービィ毛糸けいと世界せかい大事件だいじけんKirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land!
14ほしのカービィにじしまじますくえ!のまきKirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!
15ほしのカービィ スーパーカービィハンターズだい激闘げきとう!のまきKirby: Super Team Kirby's Big Battle!
16ほしのカービィ夢幻むげん歯車はぐるまさがせ!Kirby and the Search for the Dreamy Gears!
17ほしのカービィ メタナイトと黄泉よみ騎士きしKirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi
18ほしのカービィ カービィカフェはおおさわぎ!?のまきKirby: Uproar at the Kirby Café?!
19ほしのカービィ カービィファイターズ宿命しゅくめいのライバルたち!!Kirby Fighters: The Destined Rivals!!
20ほしのカービィ デデデ大王だいおう脱走だっそう大作戦だいさくせんKirby: King Dedede's Great Escape Mission!
21ほしのカービィ ナゾと事件じけんのプププトレイン!?のまきKirby: The Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train?!
22ほしのカービィ スターライト・シアターへようこそ!のまきKirby: Welcome to the Starlight Theater!
23ほしのカービィ ディスカバリー新世界しんせかいはしせ!へんKirby and the Forgotten Land: Start Running to the New World!
24ほしのカービィ ディスカバリー絶島ぜつしまゆめをうちくだけ!へんKirby and the Forgotten Land: Break Out of the Dreams of the Isolated Isles!
25ほしのカービィ まんぷく、まんまる、グルメフェス!Kirby: Full Stomach, Perfect Circle, Dream Buffet!
26ほしのカービィ刹那せつな見斬みきりであくて!Kirby: Sever Evil with a Slash in a Flash!
27ほしのカービィ おいでよ、わいわいマホロアランド!Kirby: Come On Over to Merry Magoland!
28ほしのカービィ ミュージックフェスでおおはしゃぎ!Kirby: Having a Blast at the Music Festival!
29ほしのカービィ プププ温泉おんせんはいいだな♪のまきKirby: The Dream Onsen is a Good Hot Spring♪
30ほしのカービィ メタナイトと魔石ませき怪物かいぶつKirby: Meta Knight and the Monster of the Magic Stone
31ほしのカービィ雪山ゆきやまよる事件じけんでいっぱい!のまきKirby: Snowy Mountain Nights are Eventful!
32ほしのカービィ早撃はやう勝負しょうぶ大決闘だいけっとうKirby: Great Duel at a Quick Draw Contest!
33ほしのカービィ ワドルディのおるすばん大決戦だいけっせん!!Kirby: Waddle Dee's Great House-Sitting Decisive Battle!!
34ほしのカービィ地底世界ちていせかい大冒険だいぼうけん!のまきKirby: Great Adventure in the Underground World!
35ほしのカービィ ディスカバリー流星りゅうせいのスターリーワールドへんKirby and the Forgotten Land: Meteoric Star-Crossed World
Specialほしのカービィあまけるふね虚言きょげん魔術師まじゅつしKirby: Lor Starcutter and a Magician of Falsehood
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