KSSUltimateSculptures: Parasol Waddle Dee

☆ Waddle Dee (ワドルディ) may not be the most powerful or popular Kirby character, friend or foe, but the humble species sure is the most populous demographic on Popstar. Waddle Dees have appeared in every Kirby game, but with all their appearances, they've always stayed the small, cute, adorable little blobs everyone knows and loves. I have taken special care with the character here, re-painting him with the iconic coloration that comes with being a true Helper Character! In Super Star + Ultra, he and his cousin are the only sources for the Parasol Ability, where he is known as "Parasol Waddle Dee"- one of many titles the critter carries as he continually exhibits skill for using various weapons and tools throughout the series. The red-and-white umbrella Waddle Dee wields is actually an enemy character in its own right (known simply as Parasol) and will fly away at its own accord once the Dee has touched down or been KO'd, similar to Floaty the Drifter Karakasa enemies. Only when Dee becomes an ally for good does his parasol forever stay, gaining a small star on the top of its staff. Waddle Dee is most often depicted as similar in shape to Kirby, but has a flesh-colored face (of which includes prominent, slightly-bulging cheeks-- an important design element!) that is different from it's body, which can range anywhere between brownish-red to yellow-orange. Another major difference between Dee and Kirby is that Waddles lack a mouth! However, they are still capable of eating a great deal. Waddle Dee's eyes are unique because they are the only creatures in Dream Land with irises tinted brown. Just like all my sculptures, Waddle Dee is built strong (as he is in the games, for great endurance!), completely stable, and is able to stand free and balanced.

☆☆ Straight from the words of the Kirby 20th Anniversary manual, HAL comments that Waddle Dee's design reflects his "lovable and earnest" personality. I shouldn't have to explain why this cutie is so lovable (though, I'm not sure I really could) but it is interesting to take his earnest nature into consideration. Since day one, Dee has been nothing, if not a diligent worker. Silently patrolling the stages all across Dream Land, the majority of these creatures want nothing more than to do the bidding of their Great King, however feeble their attempts may be. Sure, there are tons of wild Waddle Dees, but it is King Dedede who organizes them to be able to take on any task necessary, supplying them with the tools they need to truly reach their true potential. Bandanna Waddle Dee, who first appeared in Megaton Punch, and whose role has steadily increased over the years, becoming a playable character in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, is the epitome of loyalty, enthusiastically attempting whatever Dedede commands, even sticking by him after loosing everything to the Pink Puff for the second time. It is possible (IMO, anyway) that this Waddle Dee is the same one seen with the King in KDL3's opening, as well as the one that traveled with the Crystal Shards crew, ultimately encouraging Dedede to come along.

☆☆☆ Parasol Waddle Dee is a very special case- there is no other character in Dream Land who inherently does not offer an ability, yet whose power is a direct result of the tool in which they currently possess. This intriguing aspect makes me wonder, just how closely related Kirby and the Waddle Dees may actually be. Kirby acquires his Abilities by inhaling and copying the essence of his foes, but Waddle Dee has no mouth, and therefore can never learn in this most efficient way. It would seem, that the only way Waddle Dee can learn skills (potentially gaining the effects of Copy Abilities, himself) is just like the struggle of the common man-- everyone must practice hard, learn the tools of the trade, and use that knowledge and skill to elevate your lowly position in life. Again, I like the Kirby Anime's take on the Waddle Dees being a metaphor for the struggle of Chinese laborers, which is actually very fitting for their tireless/timeless nature. In addition to parasol use, Waddle Dees are also talented in wielding spears as weapons (and to prove Waddle Dees learn, just look at Bandanna Dee's progression from KSSU to RtDL-- he mastered- nay, pioneered- Spear Ability in so short a time!) in addition to riding Nruffs and piloting various craft/vehicles. Finally, one last bit of interesting info is that Waddle Dee was originally going to be a playable character in Kirby 64 (instead of just providing a lift every now and then) like King Dedede. Waddle Dee's signature trait would have been to pick up other enemy characters and use their actions and attributes to attack and move about the stages, similar to how they use items in the more recent games. This "over-the-head" trick was later adopted by Kirby in the game's final product. You were so close Waddle Dee~!

☆Dedede-Daimyo-Koikoi☆
Waddle Dee © HAL Labs & Nintendo.