Taranza

Taranza Artwork of Taranza from Kirby Star Allies. Details First appearance Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014) Latest appearance Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023, reference) Other appearance(s) Team Kirby Clash Deluxe Kirby Star Allies (Dream Friend) Super Kirby Clash Cameo appearances Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe Kirby: Planet Robobot Kirby Battle Royale Kirby's Dream Buffet Similar Dark Taranza Sectonia's original form Como Voice actor(s) Hirokazu Ando

Theme music "Taranza, the Master of Puppetry" Clip of Taranza's theme from Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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Taranza is a young, clumsy wizard with arachnid-like characteristics who serves as a prominent character in a few games in the Kirby series. He first appeared in Kirby: Triple Deluxe when, on orders from Queen Sectonia, he kidnapped King Dedede in order to prevent him from foiling their plans to conquer Floralia. In the end, however, he realized he had captured the wrong target, as Kirby would pursue him all the way to the queen's chambers and defeat them in combat. Taranza would later be betrayed by his queen, and eventually come to Kirby and King Dedede's aid in dispatching her after she had merged with the Dreamstalk. From then on, he would be an ally to Kirby and King Dedede.

Since Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Taranza has made various appearances in subsequent games. In Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, he serves as one of the principal villains, and is battled directly for the first time in the series (he also serves as a more minor plot element in Super Kirby Clash). This is where he gained the moniker of The Puppeteer Magician. Taranza would become playable for the first time as a Dream Friend in Kirby Star Allies, though he does not serve a specific role in the game's story. He has also made minor appearances in Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, Kirby: Planet Robobot, and Kirby Battle Royale.

Physical appearance[edit]

Taranza is a floating creature who greatly resembles a spider, and bears similar anatomy to Magolor. His body is divided into a head and a torso, which simultaneously resembles a spider's cephalothorax and abdomen. He has brown skin, and on his head he has eight eyes (one pair on his face, one pair on his forehead, and two pairs on the back of his head), a mouth with two visible fangs, silver hair, and orange horns that resemble pincers. Over his torso, he wears a red scarf with a green web-patterned cape. He has three pairs of disembodied, gloved hands. At the bottom of his torso, he has a stubby "tail", which resembles a spinneret. In Team Kirby Clash Deluxe and Super Kirby Clash, Taranza dresses in a dark color scheme; in the former game, this is due to the Black Mirror which was corrupting him.

The name Taranza is partially based on the name of the large spider family known as the tarantula. This is a possible misnomer however, as tarantulas are generally more passive than other spiders, as well as much hairier.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

Taranza infiltrates Castle Dedede in the opening cutscene for Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

In the opening scene of Kirby: Triple Deluxe's Story Mode, Taranza is seen kidnapping King Dedede, mistaking him for the "Hero of Dream Land", and flies up the Dreamstalk with him. Afterwards, Taranza is seen in every stage containing a boss battle in the first five levels, fleeing from Kirby and making bosses fight against the pink hero. Taranza's acts include:

• Using magic to grow a flower into Flowery Woods at the end of Fine Fields;
• Using magic to make Paintra come to life out of her painting at the end of Lollipop Land;
• Using magic to bring Kracko from the clouds at the end of Old Odyssey;
• Using magic to awaken Coily Rattler from its statue form at the end of Wild World;
• Deceiving Pyribbit into believing Kirby has disturbed his rest at the end of Endless Explosions.

At the end of Royal Road, Taranza appears again and uses his magic to turn King Dedede into Masked Dedede and mind controls him to fight Kirby as the "Master of Puppetry". After Kirby bests Dedede, Taranza realizes his mistake in kidnapping Dedede rather than Kirby and calls for help from Queen Sectonia, who swats him away for his failures. At this point, Taranza decides to aid Kirby and King Dedede, gaining redemption in the process by tossing Kirby a Miracle Fruit to activate his Hypernova ability at a crucial point during the final battle with Flowered Sectonia. Afterwards, in the ending cutscene, Taranza rescues Dedede from his fall, and it is revealed that Taranza was ordered by Sectonia to kidnap the hero of Dream Land in order to prevent them from stopping her, but he mistakenly kidnapped King Dedede rather than Kirby. After the credits roll, Taranza waves at the player alongside Kirby, King Dedede and the People of the Sky.

In some of the bosses' Special Pages and in Miiverse posts, it is revealed that Taranza and Sectonia were once good friends. In one occasion, he stole the Dimension Mirror from the Mirror World to give it as a gift to Sectonia, but neither of them knew of the mirror's power which caused her to become more self-obsessed and power-hungry than before. She was also said to even alter her original form, which was shown in future games to be very similar to Taranza's appearance. In Soul of Sectonia's first phase's Special Page, it is revealed that Taranza attempted to say some final words and an offering for her, but he could not reach her.

Original sprite work of Taranza also appears as a rare Keychain. Moreover, in Stage 3 of Wild World, a painting of Taranza can be seen in the background during the fight with King Phanta.

Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe[edit]

In Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, Dedede can unlock the Taranza Mask after completing every secret level in the game. A hand-puppet version of Taranza also appears on title screen as part of various different interactions, and he appears in some of the trophies as well.

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

In Kirby: Planet Robobot, two stickers depicting Taranza appear: a portrait and a doodle. Additionally, a portrait of Taranza appears as a camouflage of Archer Kirby in the game.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe[edit]

Taranza returns in the spinoff title Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, serving the role of the main antagonist and driving the various monsters to attack the Dream Kingdom. His ultimate triumph is in subduing and bending Landia the Guardian Angel to his will, who continues to fight even after he is defeated. It is later revealed that Taranza was being influenced by a powerful evil object known as the Black Mirror, and to return Taranza to a friendly demeanor, Team Kirby must destroy this mirror, dealing with everything it summons in the process.

Unlike in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Taranza is fought directly as a boss in this title, serving as the fourth Ordeal boss. He floats around the battlefield, tossing magic energy at Team Kirby from the foreground and background. He is also capable of ensnaring the Kirbys in a magic net, rendering them useless for a time. His ability to float about and teleport makes him a difficult target for Team Kirby, but like other floating enemies, he is vulnerable to the Beam Mage's Time Beam spell.

Defeating Taranza unlocks the last series of encounters in all of the lands unlocked up to that point, eventually leading to the fight with Landia EX. After Landia EX is defeated, two invaders from Another Dimension strike the Dream Kingdom, namely Parallel Susie and Parallel Landia. After the two parallel invaders are defeated, the Black Mirror brings forth Taranza's evil counterpart, Dark Taranza. Team Kirby must fight Dark Taranza and his master in the true final battles.

After Team Kirby win the true final battles and eventually bring peace back to the Dream Kingdom, the friendly Taranza will stay in the town and sit on Magolor's Shoppe, looking at a flower in his hand in memory of his queen.

In this game, Taranza's model was updated from Triple Deluxe. Most notably, his mouth is now part of his model rather than a texture, meaning he can freely open and close it. His hair is similarly fully-modeled, and his scarf is longer, details which carry over to his future appearances. His color scheme is also altered to be primarily red and purple, though he returns to his original palette once he has been subdued.

Magolor's Shoppe also sells a set of Doctor Healmore armor modeled after Taranza.

Attacks[edit]

The following are all of Taranza's attacks in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe. Note that attack names are conjectural:

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  Portion of the battle with Taranza, where he has used his web to ensnare two Kirbys

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  Throwing a giant bouncing energy ball at Team Kirby

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  Throwing large diamond-shaped projectiles at the Kirbys

Kirby Battle Royale[edit]

In Kirby Battle Royale, Taranza appears as a spectator in the Party Room stage for Coin Clash.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

In Kirby Star Allies, Taranza makes his playable debut as a Dream Friend in Version 4.0.0 of the game.

Taranza borrows much of his moveset from the Spider ability—including the Friend Bounce—but his webs are distinctly pink in color. In addition, he has many unique magic moves: Some are taken from his attacks in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (e.g. Taranza Web Hold, Taranza Burst, Taranza Ball), and he can summon the illusion of Queen Sectonia dropping lightning bolts which can imbue his allies with the Zap element. Despite being based on an arachnid, his description refers to him as an insect.

Taranza hovers via flying rather than Infinity Jump, similar to NESP, Vividria, Marx, Adeleine & Ribbon, Magolor, Francisca and Zan Partizanne.

Moveset[edit]

The following table lists all of Taranza's moves in Kirby Star Allies:

Cameos[edit]

• One of the Stone ability transformations in the base game has the statue of Taranza and the presumable original form of Queen Sectonia.
• A Stone transformation of Taranza and the Dreamstalk was added in Version 4.0.0.
• A stone plate of Taranza and Queen Sectonia's official artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe was added in the Grott Moon stage in Version 4.0.0.
• Taranza appears in two Celebration Pictures: "A Miracle Sent to the Skies" and "Rockabilly and Blues".

Super Kirby Clash[edit]

Taranza's in-game appearance from Super Kirby Clash.

Taranza returns in Super Kirby Clash, his attack style and appearance carried over from his fights in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe. He serves as the fifth Ordeal of the game, though this time, he does not have quite as large a role in the story. Team Kirby battles him in the Empyrean, confusing him for Parallel Nightmare at first. Once Taranza is beaten, he appears in the Port Village and sits atop Magolor's Shoppe. Taranza is fought two more times in Party Quest encounters. This time, Dark Taranza does not appear alongside Taranza.

Taranza also appears as one of the game's stickers, which uses his artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Kirby can take on Taranza's likeness using a costume and color which resemble him. Taranza also appears on a Character Treat, which uses his artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Taranza makes a cameo appearance in Merry Magoland as a statue upon completing 70 missions in Merry Magoland. A Dress-Up Mask featuring his likeness also appears in the game, which replaces the wearer's voice with Taranza's. It is unlocked upon completing card #09 in the Stamp Rally.

Profiles[edit]

Flavor text[edit]

Image	Game	Flavor text
	Team Kirby Clash Deluxe	The Magician reveals himself! Break his web of spells and restore peace!
	Kirby Star Allies	As a Dream Friend: This clumsy smarty-pants stumbled his way here from the heights of Kirby: Triple Deluxe. He's a lonely insect on a journey in search of a queen, and he's one of your new Dream Friends! Guest Star Taranza: "No doubt. A miracle will happen for sure!" Hoping for a true miracle, the boy with silver hair from Kirby: Triple Deluxe is making a bid for the altar. Deep in his heart, he already knows the outcome. But if he could just reach that bright light…
	Super Kirby Clash	Taranza (Tough) The magician reveals himself! Break his web of spells and restore peace! Taranza (Tougher) This teleporting trickster will try to confuse Team Kirby with its[sic] magic, but stay focused and you'll beat him! Taranza (Super) The decisive battle between the final form of the puppeteer magician and the heroes of Team Kirby!

Kirby: Triple Deluxe electronic manual[edit]

• "Appeared out of nowhere and kidnapped King Dedede. Very little is known about him or his motives for kidnapping the king."

In the Kirby novel series[edit]

Taranza Artwork of Taranza from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue! Details First appearance Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue! Last appearance Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands! Role Supporting character Other appearance(s) his video game counterpart

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In the Kirby novel series, Taranza is a reoccurring who lives in Floralia. He was a servant of the evil Queen Sectonia until Kirby defeated her and still greatly misses her. Because of his desire to see her again, he causes trouble to Kirby and his friends, even if he has well meaning intentions. He has the power to trap characters by his strings and make them act as his puppets.

Taranza's appearances in the Kirby novel series
Volume	Image	Role	Role details	Notes
Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!		Supporting character	In this novel, before the events of the story, Taranza meets Magolor, who falsely claims to be an acquaintance of Queen Sectonia. Magolor asks to hand over the Dimension Mirror, but Taranza refuses, and Magolor tries to steal it by force. As a fight begins between them, Taranza calls for help and the mirror respond to his desires, sealing Taranza away in the labyrinth of the Mirror World to protect him from Magolor. Later in the story, Magolor, Kirby and his friends hear Taranza's voice from the other side of a black door. When Magolor calls his name, it is revealed that the supposed friend of Magolor is Taranza. They barge in and find Taranza gazing at the Dimension Mirror, ignoring all their calls. Taranza calls Queen Sectonia and hallucinates visions of her from inside the mirror, who fulfils his wish to reunite with her. As Kirby and Meta Knight try to destroy the mirror, he turns around, protecting the mirror he thinks is Queen Sectonia. He shoots strings at Meta Knight, making him his puppet to fight Kirby. Noticing Magolor trying to steal the mirror, Taranza is distracted and the puppet spell breaks. To stop Taranza from chasing after him, Magolor tells him that he only protects the Dimension Mirror from Kirby and his friends, and they join forces. After Taranza is defeated by the Kirby Tank, they tell him to take back the mirror from Magolor. Taranza fights Magolor, gaining the upper hand, until the mirror grunts Magolor's wish. Taranza saves King Dedede from Magolor by carrying him with his strings. He snaps out of the hallucination and reveals that Magolor was not his friend and was only trying to steal the mirror. He stumbles upon Mirra, which they use to find a Copy Ability. After they defeat Magolor, Taranza wraps him by his strings and tells them about everything that happened. When Taranza tries to pick up the mirror again, Meta Knight stops him, telling him all he saw is an illusion and that Sectonia is truly gone. Taranza tells him that he heard her laughing and calling him from inside the mirror. Meta Knight responds that he cannot go back to the past. As Taranza wants to leave, he hears her voice again from inside the mirror, but this time, he turns back. They part ways, leaving Kirby to wonder if the voice was real after all.
Kirby Clash Team Unite!		Supporting character	In this novel, Taranza shows up before the events of the story unfold. He is set on finding the Black Mirror in hopes of seeing Queen Sectonia again. Throughout the novel, Taranza causes chaos in the Dream Kingdom and it's up to Team Kirby to put an end to it. After many battles the team decides that the only one that can be pulling the strings is the master of puppetry himself. Team Kirby would go to find Taranza at the Empyrean, accompanied by Landia. Landia battles Team Kirby and ends up being defeated by the four right before Taranza reveals himself. Team Kirby tries to talk it out with him but Taranza goes on the attack. Team Kirby ends up defeating Taranza but Landia, now recovered, saves Taranza. Taranza continues to have more monsters terrorize the Dream Kingdom which leads to Team Kirby thinking he faked his defeat. Team Kirby decides to go back to the Empyrean in which they see the Black Mirror. From it, a corrupted version of Taranza spawns: Dark Taranza. After his defeat, Dark Taranza summons King D-Mind, who bats his summoner into the distance before attacking Team Kirby. King D-Mind is defeated by Team Kirby and gets sucked into the Black Mirror. Team Kirby thinks about Taranza's wish to see Queen Sectonia again and they decide to destroy the Black Mirror, freeing Taranza. Taranza reconciles with Team Kirby and decides to sit on top of the shoppe wagon.
Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!		Supporting character	In this novel, Taranza appears in before the events of the story. He notices Pirika when she admires a castle in the sky. When he tells her that nobody lives in castle anymore, Pirika tells him that she knows and came to this place because she admires Queen Sectonia. Hearing that, Taranza decides to explain to her about the queen and reveal his identity as her servant. When she tells him that she wants to be as great as her, he tells her to move on. Pirika doesn't listen and leaves. In the end of the story, one of the Dreamstalk fruits that Pirika has thrown at Gooey is carried by the wind to Floralia, where Taranza finds it. He is reminded of Pirika and wishes that her fate won't be like Queen Sectonia's fate. He plants the Dreamstalk seed and waters it, hopeful to see it grow strong and to see Queen Sectonia again.

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  Taranza is entranced by the Dimension Mirror from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!.

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  Taranza does not want Kirby and Meta Knight to destroy the Dimension Mirror from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!.

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  Taranza chases after Magolor from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!.

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  Taranza cheering Kirby to beat Magolor from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!.

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  Taranza hearing Sectonia's voice from Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!.

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  Taranza revealing himself from Kirby Clash Team Unite!.

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  Landia flying off with Taranza in tow from Kirby Clash Team Unite!.

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  Magolor annoyed that Taranza is sitting on top of the Shoppe wagon from Kirby Clash Team Unite!.

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  Pirika meets Taranza near the abandoned castle from Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!.

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  Taranza waters the Dreamstalk fruit from Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!.

Trivia[edit]

• In an official Twitter post, Taranza is given the nickname インテリ坊ちゃん刈り ("Bowlcut Intellectual") by Zan Partizanne.
• Super Taranza Burst from Kirby Star Allies (96 damage) is one of the most powerful single attacks in the Kirby series, even stronger than Hammer Flip (80 in many cases, and 88 in King Dedede's case).
  • Super Taranza Burst's power is three times as much as Taranza Burst.
  • Sometimes if the attack button is released too early but the charge complete sound effect still plays, Taranza Burst will be used instead of Super Taranza Burst.
  • This attack is only surpassed by the Hammer Flip with Friend Abilities: 100 for Hammer Kirby and Bonkers and 110 for King Dedede.
• Unused data of the Net Work and Skyward Web attacks from the Spider ability can be found in Taranza's moveset files, possibly due to straight copying.
• Taranza's voice was first heard in Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe and was provided by the game's composer, Hirokazu Ando. According to Shinya Kumazaki on Miiverse, his voice was digitally altered and designed with "the image of an androgynous young spider".^[1]

Gallery[edit]

Main article: Taranza/gallery

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  Artwork of Taranza from Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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  Taranza keychain from Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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  Taranza sticker from Kirby: Planet Robobot

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  Taranza Doodle sticker from Kirby: Planet Robobot

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  Icon from Kirby Star Allies

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  In-game art from Super Kirby Clash

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  Dress-Up Mask from Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

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  Taranza plushie, manufactured by San-ei

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  Magnet of Taranza made for Kirby's 30th Anniversary, from the "PITATTO" merchandise line

Quotes[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Video gallery[edit]

References