| Dark Meta Knight | ||
|---|---|---|
 Kirby Star Allies artwork | ||
| Quote | “...” | |
| Gender | Male | |
| First appearance | Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (2004) | |
| Latest appearance | Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023; reference) | |
Dark Meta Knight is Meta Knight's sinister Mirror World counterpart and dark shadow, debuting as the secondary antagonist of Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.
Personality[]
In contrast to Meta Knight's loyal, calm and determined personality, Dark Meta Knight is brooding, mute and extremely aggressive to any opponents on his way, although little is known about what Dark Meta Knight's motives are. Additionally, he seems to be sloppy when it comes to art.
Physical Appearance[]
Being a duplicate, Dark Meta Knight bears great similarities to his original counterpart, with some slight, though noticeable, differences. While Meta Knight's design is somewhat vibrant, Dark Meta Knight is more mute and darker. He has a dark gray body, crimson sabatons, pale, silver/dark gray armour, and pale orange eyes. His mask has a thinner visor, and large slash mark left by Meta Knight during their duel, with additional scratches on both his mask and armour. He has a torn cape and his wings are tattered at the edges. For Dark Meta Knight's weapon, he wields a silver version of Galaxia with six prongs and a blue gem. Lastly, he has his personal icon on his right pauldron, whilst Meta Knight's icon is on the left.
In canon[]
In Dark Meta Knight's debut, he was responsible for splitting Kirby into four, sealing his prime counterpart inside the Mirror World and breaking the Dimension Mirror. Kirby then encountered Dark Meta Knight twice — once in the guise of Meta Knight (named ??? in-battle), and another time before fighting Dark Mind. To no avail, Dark Meta Knight was destroyed. He then appears as the final boss of Kirby: Triple Deluxe's extra mode Dededetour. He can be fought by Kirby in The True Arena.
Dark Meta Knight reappeared again in the second update of Kirby Star Allies, but instead of fighting Kirby, he became a Dream Friend instead. The Japanese version of the game implies he was attracted to the mysterious power of Jamba Hearts.
In fanon[]
Kirby: Returning Legends (rework)[]
Dark Meta Knight first debuts in Chapter 5, where he appears as a perfect reflection of Meta Knight. He tried to attack Meta Knight when the latter noticed something feels off about the new mirror, only for him to walk away as Tiff called him, causing the attack to miss. As Meta Knight kept checking the mirror, he notices that his reflection gets more and more distorted, and soon broke the mirror which actually gave an advantage for the reflection to attack via shards. Kirby inhaled all the shards and the mirror in a nick of time, but not before the reflection making his first words, saying that he is Immortal as long there is reflection within one's heart.
Kirby: Right Back at Ya![]
Dark Meta Knight is an enemy in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. He is the mirror counterpart of Meta Knight, who was created when he once encountered the mirror counterpart of Nightmare, Dark Mind. Just after Dark Mind's retreat, he copied Meta Knight's form, and soon he created Dark Meta Knight.
Nightmare already knew Dark Mind, and he was very concerned of this new creation, he might overpower him and take over the universe himself.
Kirby Super Star Switch[]
In Kirby Super Star Switch, Dark Meta Knight appears as a boss in the mode, Revenge of the Jester. Dark Meta Knight can also be fought in The Aegis Arena, as the penultimate boss.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe 2[]
In Kirby: Triple Deluxe 2, Dark Meta Knight appears as a boss. Unlike the first Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Dark Meta Knight is a true boss in the game's story mode. He is the second boss of Mirror World, after Shadow Dedede. After Kirby, Meta Knight and Bandana Waddle Dee defeated Masked Dedede. King Dedede returned to his normal self. But Queen Sectonia flew beyond Mirror World to continue her plan. So the four heroes followed her. They then met Shadow Kirby, he told the four that Dark Meta Knight was invading Mirror World. So the four went through Mirror World to fight Shadow Dedede and then Dark Meta Knight. After the five defeated Dark Meta Knight, Shadow Kirby agreed to help the four heroes fight Queen Sectonia. So they all set of to confront Queen Sectonia.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe 3[]
In Kirby: Triple Deluxe 3, Dark Meta Knight is the main antagonist. He tries to take over the Mirror World. However, just like in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, he was not the true villain. It was Dark Mind, who was corrupting the citizens of the Mirror World. Once the true 100% ending is achieved, Dark Meta Knight, alongside all the citizens of the Mirror World are freed from the influence of Dark Mind and Dark Void, as they all thank Kirby. At this point, Kirby can talk to Dark Meta Knight at the area where he was originally fought.
Kirby Fighters 2 Deluxe[]
In Kirby Fighters 2 Deluxe, Dark Meta Knight appears as a boss after Shadow Kirby's final battle and before Shadow Dedede's battle. After being defeated, he will be unlocked as a Buddy.
Kirby Super Star EX[]
Dark Meta Knight appears as the final boss of the sub-game, Meta Knightmare DX. He was corrupted by the screams of sorrow and anger Parallel Nightmare gave out upon his defeat, and reverted to his vile ways. However, it is also implied that he was influenced to have his plans set in motion by Parallel Nightmare's defeat, which is confirmed in Signature, establishing him as corrupted by Parallel Nightmare to be a lie of his.
He also appears in The Aegis Arena, as a member of the Last Five, fought directly before Nightmare Wrath.
Kirby Star Allies 5[]
In Kirby Star Allies 5, Dark Meta Knight is corrupted by a Jamba Heart and is fought as a boss in Mirror World. After his boss fight, he is unlocked as a Dream Friend. In Heroes in Another Dimension Returns, Dark Meta Knight is captured by the Dark Mage-Sisters along with Shadow Kirby and Shadow Dedede. Then the dark mages mechanize Dark Meta Knight turning him into Dark Mecha Knight. They then get Dark Mecha Knight to fight Kirby but Dark Mecha Knight loses and Dark Meta Knight is freed again.
Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Star Allies[]
In Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Star Allies, Dark Meta Knight is a creation of Dark Mind. When Dark Mind invaded the Mirror World, he used the Dimension Mirror to create two powerful beings, Dark Meta Knight and Shadow Kirby. Dark Meta Knight has a face off with Meta Knight but Meta Knight loses and is thrown into the Dimension Mirror. Then Dark Meta Knight breaks the Dimension Mirror. Dark Meta Knight also attempts to kill Kirby but ends up making three more equally powerful beings as Kirby, called Yellow, Red and Green Kirby.
Kirby: Taranza’s Revenge[]
In Kirby: Taranza’s Revenge, Dark Meta Knight appears as a Dream Friend. But, at the end of The Aegis Arena, he feels grief for what he caused in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
In the retold version, he appears as the final boss of the Dark Meta Knight Cup in the Colosseum. Upon defeat, he is unlocked as a Dream Friend.
Kirby: Dimensional Crisis[]
In Kirby: Dimensional Crisis, Dark Meta Knight has a major role. When encountering Dark Taranza, Dark Taranza mentions how many people Dark Meta Knight has killed and says that Dark Meta Knight is the cause of all of this since he corrupted Sectonia. Dark Meta Knight immediately has flashbacks of him about to kill innocent people while they beg for mercy. He feels so guilty that he starts crying (silently) and can't even move. The other Star Allies get angry at Dark Taranza because they know that Dark Meta Knight was corrupted by Dark Mind and it wasn't his fault.
Just before the fifth phase, Dark Taranza absorbs all the energy from the black hole and charges a huge blast at Kirby. Kirby can't dodge it but Dark Meta Knight pushes Kirby out of the way. Dark Meta Knight gets hit by it and becomes severely injured that he can't stand up, and his whole body has literally been fried due to the heat. The Star Allies get angry and fight Dark Taranza in his final phase. After they defeat Dark Taranza, they go to Dark Meta Knight.
Dark Meta Knight says faintly that he doesn't have much time left. Shadow Kirby and Shadow Dedede beg Dark Meta Knight to fight it, as they especially don't want Dark Meta Knight to leave. But Dark Meta Knight says that it will be okay and that he'll always be with them. Kirby then hugs Dark Meta Knight and thanks him for saving him. Dark Meta Knight faintly smiles and says "You're... welcome, kid." Dark Meta Knight then encourages the heroes to keep on fighting for what's right and don't be sad no matter what. All the Star Allies then give Dark Meta Knight one big hug together. Dark Meta Knight then says his final words faintly "Goodbye... my friends... and thank you..." Dark Meta Knight then stops breathing and dies.
The Star Allies then start to cry but Meta Knight tells them that we should do what Dark Meta Knight told them to do and keep being happy. The Star Allies agree and cheer for their victory.
Kirby: Last Goodbye[]
In Kirby: Last Goodbye, Dark Meta Knight is the main antagonist of Revenge of the Dark Knight. He starts spreading darkness into the world in the Dimension Mirror. Kirby teams up with Taranza and Sectonia to stop Dark Meta Knight. Dark Meta Knight can also be fought in The Arena as the final boss after Shadow Dedede.
Signature implies that in NZ9002's fanon verse, Dark Meta Knight was secretly aware of Lacuna's alterations of the timeline, and may have been working alongside Lacuna.
Kirby: Super Star Warrior[]
Dark Meta Knight appears as a minor antagonist in the sequel to the Kirby anime. He appears in Episode 51, the first episode following the movie. He is introduced as a mercenary tasked with eliminating King Dedede. Meta Knight also reveals he comes from the Mirror Dimension, and encountered the old Star Warrior during the war. The end of the episode reveals he was hired by Marx.
Dark Meta Knight returns in Episode 95, Revenge of the Dark Knight! Staraxia Is Born?!. He is not hired by Marx here, instead simply wanting to get revenge on Kirby for humiliating him earlier in the series. He is shattered into mirror shards by Staraxia, making it unclear if he is still alive.
Kirby: Hero[]
Dark Meta Knight is revealed as the overarching antagonist of the Hypernova saga at the end of the A Deluxe Dededetour movie, which he is also the main antagonist of.
Kirby: The Traitorous Conquerer[]
Dark Meta Knight appears several times, protecting Waddle Dee Town in Meta Knight’s place while he helps Kirby track down Taranza and Dark Hyness. Dark Meta Knight’s most prominent role in the series however, is in the movie, Colosseum Clash!!, where he appears as one of the Five Champions of the Colosseum, being the second of the five.
Kirby and Mega Man: The Return of Dr. Wily[]
Dark Meta Knight appears in the post-credits scene of the game, where he is shown with Signature. He is implied to be the shadowed being from earlier in the game who stole Signature from Shadow Marx and Wily. This sets up Dark Meta Knight's role as the overarching main antagonist of the next three games in NZ9002's fanon verse, known as the Dark Meta Knight trilogy.
Kirby: Signature[]
Dark Meta Knight appears as the main antagonist of the game. It is revealed here that he wishes to harness a massive amount of power to summon Galacta Knight.
Kirby: Darkened Skies[]
Kirby: Mechanical Madness[]
Dark Meta Knight is fought as the regular final boss of the game. This is also the final game where he is a main antagonist, as he fully redeems himself after the final battle against Shin Metal Kirby.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe 2 (retold)[]
In the retold version of Kirby: Triple Deluxe 2, Dark Meta Knight is an ally, instead of an antagonist in original version of Triple Deluxe 2.
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Deluxe[]
Dark Meta Knight reprises his role as a secondary antagonist and the culprit behind Kirby having split into four clones of himself.
Kirby and the Malevolent Miracle[]
Dark Meta Knight appears as a playable character. This marks the debut of his Super V. State, which, despite debuting in a game not canon to its fanonverse, IS canon to NZ9002's in general.
Kirby Star Allies (anime)[]
Dark Meta Knight serves as a major character in the Kirby Star Allies anime adaption. He is the strong silent type among the Dream Friends and can assist the others with his abilities similar to Meta Knight. With the power of the Super Star Pendant and the Super Star Pen in Season 1, the Dessert Tact in Season 2, and the Emotion Tones and the Emotion Mirage in Season 3, he transforms into. He is voiced by Hiroaki Hirata in Season 1 and Kōhei Amasaki from Season 2 onwards in the Japanese version, and by Eric Vale in the English version. His Japanese voice actor starting from Season 2 voices him in a similar manner as with Yashamaru Kurama from Samurai Shodown 2019.
Kirby Fighters Clash 3[]
Dark Meta Knight is the main playable character in the fight against Mecha Mirror Elfilin. Here, he activates his Super V. State and battles Mecha Mirror Elfilin while defeating him in order to free Mirror Elfilin from Parallel Susie's brainwashing. Dark Meta Knight's Super V. State allows him to use the element of wind with his attacks.
In the fight against Dark Taranza, Dark Meta Knight is paralysed with the trauma the whole fight due to Dark Taranza reminding him that it's his fault that Sectonia got corrupted.
See also[]
Trivia[]
Official[]
- In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Meta Knight has an alternate costume that makes him resemble Dark Meta Knight.
Fanon[]
- In Kirby: Returning Legends, Dark Meta Knight's eyes aren't shown until he engaged a fight.
- In Goatres's and EpicGreenKirby's fanon verses, Dark Meta Knight sees the The Dark Mage Sisters as "unforgivable", mainly because of what they've caused Kirby Star Allies 5, while he thinks Dark Hyness deserves a chance for redemption.
- This is not the case in NZ9002's Universe, where he instead views the three as a trio of petty children upset their father figure has died. Even after (or perhaps because of) their redemption in Kirby: Nightmare of Legend, Dark Meta Knight regards the trio as "childish fools."
- After his own redemption in Mechanical Madness, Dark Meta Knight now regards the Dark Mage Sisters as "fellow atoners", understanding that they were ultimately dealt a bad hand with fate.
- As shown in Kirby: Taranza’s Revenge, he feels lots of grief for being the reason Sectonia was corrupted because he was possessed by Dark Mind, as he apologized for that sometime after the events of KSA5. This was the reason for Taranza’s plan to destroy everything.
- This is also not the case in NZ9002's fanon verse for the franchise. There, Dark Meta Knight was fully in control of his actions of corrupting Sectonia, and he has no regrets. It is also implied that he hasn't truly reformed, simply just allying himself with the Star Allies for his own survival, curiosity about the powers the villains have, and to make sure his own plans need as few alterations as possible. This is confirmed in Signature, which also shows that the heroes were not fully trusting of him.
- After his redemption in Mechanical Madness, however, Dark Meta Knight does show a lot of grief and regret for causing Sectonia's corruption. While Sectonia and Taranza have forgiven him, the regret still lingers.
Gallery[]
Official[]
Fanon[]
