Japanese First Person Pronouns

Japanese first-person pronouns, also known as ichininshoudaimeishi (一人称代名詞) or simply ichininshou (一人称) in Japanese, are a way for people in the real world to express themselves, as well as serving as an easy way to give insight into a fictional character's personality. The characters in Starfy use a wide variety of personal pronouns that relate to their personalities, mannerisms, and are also very hard to translate. As they are all equivalents of "I", it is very hard to translate the nuances of each one. This page serves as an explanation of these pronouns as well as an (incomplete) list of the characters that use them, by order of the game they debuted in.

Gender-Neutral Pronouns

Watashi (私/わたし/ワタシ)

Watashi is one of the most common personal pronouns, and is closest to the English meaning of "I". It has no gendered connotations, but is considered more formal in many contexts. Characters who use watashi don't usually have any particular quirks, but there are exceptions. At least in the Starfy series though, these characters tend to be nicer than most. The characters that use watashi are:

Starfy 1: Mermaid, Ruby, Seahorse Mama, Moon, Lumi the Mirror, Kit Fish, Wozart, Dolfy, Dolchina and Dolshe, Miguana, Lalako, Aqua

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #4 (ice side), Korisu, Numan, Taiblond, Guidonna, Professoar, Bawss, Echigyoya

Starfy 3: Sgt. Hawky, Mamaus

Starfy 4: Mattel, Runosaru, King Owlrun, Prince Coral, Ruskel, Rabiarty, The Gate of Illusion, The Gate of Truth

Starfy 5: Piplion

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Watashi are:
  • Midna from the Legend of Zelda franchise
  • Fassad from the Earthbound/Mother series
  • Zatch Bell from the Zatch Bell! series

Other forms

• Watakushi (私/わたくし/ワタクシ): Watakushi is an even more formal version of Watashi, popularly used by "prim and proper" or bulter characters in Japanese media. The characters that use Watakushi are:

Starfy 1: Pufftop Guards

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #5, Jiiyan

Starfy 4: Dejeel, Anju, The Gate of Friendship

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Watakushi are:
  • Princess Peach from the Mario franchise
  • Susie from the Kirby franchise
  • Nastasia from the Paper Mario series

Exceptions

• In Starfy 1, Hirao and Hirarin use Watashi-tachi (Watashi + we), instead of Boku-tachi, the pronoun that Hirao usually goes by.
• In Starfy 4, when Starly talks to Prince Coral, a crush of hers, she uses Watashi instead of her usual Uchi.

Ware (我/われ/ワレ)

Ware is a very uncommon way to say either "I" or, more commonly, "we" when Wareware (我々) is used. It, like Watashi, is a gender-neutral term, but has somewhat older and grander connotations (simply due to it being archaic). The characters that use Ware are:

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #4 (fire side)

Starfy 3: The Hawky Cadets

Starfy 4: Burudaddo

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Ware are:
  • Demise from the Legend of Zelda franchise
  • Shadoo from the Paper Mario series
  • Gilgamesh from the Fate franchise

Exceptions

• Sgt. Hawky also uses variants of Ware, Waga and Wareware, when talking to his troops. These have the same connotations that Ware does.

Wagahai (吾輩/わがはい/ワガハイ)

Wagahai is very similar to Ware, but with a hint of arrogance thrown in. Think older men who see themselves as somewhat important, but aren't as full of themselves as someone like Moe is. There are only two characters that use Wagahai, and they are Master Croak from Starfy 2, and Arcy from Starfy 4.

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Wagahai are:
  • Bowser from the Mario franchise
  • Morgana from the Persona series
  • Keroro from the Sgt. Frog series

Washi (儂/わし/ワシ)

Washi, while a form of watashi, is more commonly associated with older people, specifically older men. Most characters who use this pronoun commonly have the honorific of Jiisan (爺さん/じいさん) or Jii(爺/じい) such as Old Man Lobber (Robu-jiisan) or Old Man Drasil (Yggdra-jii). There are characters who do not fit this pattern however, such as Papa Star or Ogura. The characters who use washi are:

Starfy 1: Papa Star, Old Man Lobber, Old Man Mechani, Crawdaddy, Jiilacanth, One pair of Konbi, Ogura, Big Barrel Squid (Starfy 1 Only), Gekojii, Blantern, Boctopus

Starfy 2: Old Man Grizzly

Starfy 3: Old Man Drasil, Mistah Manta, Marty

Starfy 4: Warp Jizou, Warp Jizou King, Shakejii, Chiwan, Buruda-sama

Starfy 5: Old Man Vern, Modo, Mashtooth

• Some characters from other series that use Washi are:
  • King Dedede from the Kirby series
  • Professor E. Gadd from the Mario franchise
  • Ezlo from the Legend of Zelda franchise

Exceptions

• Bawss uses Washi before he and the Squirts fight the Makaikas.

Sessha (拙者/せっしゃ/セッシャ)

Sessha is an archaic gender-neutral pronoun that samurai used to use. Literally meaning 'clumsy person', it gives the impression that the speaker is humble, putting themselves beneath the person they are speaking to. Both Ogyon and Ogyan use this pronoun. (It is also possible that everyone in the Kunoichi Clan uses Sessha)

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Sessha are:
  • Bang Shishigami from the Blazblue series
  • White Knight from the Popolocrois series
  • Goemon Ishikawa XIII from the Lupin the Third series.

Usually Masculine Pronouns

Boku (僕/ぼく/ボク)

Boku is a very common personal pronoun heavily associated with younger, or very polite, boys. It also carries somewhat tomboyish, but still cute, connotations when used by girls. Starfy is very often portrayed both in game and in other mediums using this pronoun. The characters who use boku are:

Starfy 1: Starfy, Herman, Slick, The Jellato Sisters (specifically Jellato), Hirao, Ookids, Blanko, Torito, Horun, Jewelly, Doughdough, Moe's Family

Starfy 2: Shelldest, Gaganmo, Gellato, Orisu, Kamone, Pursley, The Tutweets, Puchi Ogura #8, Squirt #1, Squirt #2, Puchi Ogura #9

Starfy 3: Mechani Genius, Mayor Hippo, Braco

Starfy 4: Lovewizumi, Maniankou, Kamekichi, Dorothy, The Gate of Courage

Starfy 5: Bunston, Globerto, Puplion, Mini G, Papes, Herbert, Junior

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Boku are:
  • Nobita Nobi from the Doraemon series
  • Arle Nadja from the Puyo Puyo series
  • Luigi from the Mario franchise

Other forms

• Bokuchin (ぼくちん): Chikurin uses the pronoun "Bokuchin" when he speaks. This carries very young, almost infantile connotations that may mean that they are very young themselves. Puchi Ogura #3 also uses Bokuchin.

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Bokuchin are:
  • Suneo Honekawa from the Doraemon series
  • Gryll from the Kirby series
  • Ed from the Ed, Edd, n Eddy series

Exceptions

• Moe commonly uses boku when he's around Ruby, his siblings, or someone he is scared of. It is meant to contrast his normally pompous behavior with a passive or respectful one. He also tends to speak more formally in these situations.
• While as a group, the Jellato Sisters usually use boku-tachi (boku + we), after they had a fight and split up in Starfy 2, Jellato was the only one to use boku.

Ore (俺/おれ/オレ)

Ore is another very common personal pronoun heavily associated with boys, but with more "wild" or impolite ones. It also carries HEAVY tomboyish connotations when used by girls. Ore is also very notable for being used by delinquents to make them sound tougher. Some characters that use ore are:

Starfy 1: Chutah, Antibuddies, Boerun, The Barrel Squids, Big Barrel Squid (Starfy 2 onwards), Mogel, Brushley, Jojiro, Doppel

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #2, Brotle, Puchi Ogura #7, Squirt #3, Puchi Ogura #10, Mijingou

Starfy 3: Buirun, Enbiraru, Kittana, Makaika

Starfy 4: Choking, Fugush, Zozobi, The Gate of Cowardice,

Starfy 5: Hot Spring Snapper, Squirt #5, Ronk, Bilge Monkeys, Bunneran Soldier (in [[Notes|Note 56),

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Ore are:
  • Gentarou Kisaragi AKA Kamen Rider Fourze from the Kamen Rider franchise
  • Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto series
  • Ash Ketchum from the Pokémon franchise

Other forms

• Ore-sama (俺様/おれさま/オレさま): Ore-sama holds much of the same connotations are ore does, but the "sama" adds a lot (and I mean a LOT) more arrogance and self importance into the mix. Moe very commonly uses ore-sama due to his pride and tends to see himself above others in the earlier installments of the series. This is somewhat conveyed by him calling himself "The Great and Powerful Moe" in the English version of The Legendary Starfy. Some other characters who also use ore-sama are:

Starfy 1: Moe, Fork, Bankiross

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #6

Starfy 3: Wario

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Ore-sama are:
  • Linebeck from the Legend of Zelda franchise
  • Impmon from the Digimon Tamers anime, a part of the larger Digimon franchise
  • Plankton from the Spongebob Squarepants series

• Oira (おいら/オイラ): Oira holds much of the same connotations, but is usually more playful or even sometimes used for "country bumpkin" type characters (though not so much anymore). Some characters that use oira are:

Starfy 1: Konk, Shorosuke, Fluffy

Starfy 2: Kiremoth, Shurikit, Chonmagyo

Starfy 3: Choan

Starfy 4: Armaaji

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Oira are:
  • Skull Kid from the Legend of Zelda franchise
  • Son Goku from the Dragon Ball series
  • Diddy Kong from the Donkey Kong series

• Orecchi (俺っち/おれっち/オレッチ): Orecchi is a variant of Ore that carries the same connotations. It is commonly used in the central region of Shizuoka Prefecture. The only characters that use Orecchi are Ressie from Starfy 2, Mad Pierrot from Starfy 3, and Blutatsu from Starfy 4.

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Orecchi are:
  • Jibanyan, a yo-kai from the Yo-Kai Watch franchise
  • Vice, a demon, and one half of Kamen Rider Revice from the Kamen Rider franchise
  • Tape, the Shifty Sticker from the Paper Mario series.

Exceptions

• After you beat the game, Chutah uses Ore-sama as he talks about how he heard you beat Ogura with a Star Spin and says that he's glad to be your teacher.
• When fighting Boerun again during the post game, he uses Ore-sama instead of Ore.

Usually Feminine Pronouns

Atashi (あたし/アタシ)

Atashi is a more casual form of watashi that carries feminine connotations. It also has connotations of feminine or stereotypical LGBT+ men (something that this series surprisingly plays into). Some characters that use atashi are:

Starfy 1: Lovely, Lovelove, Hirarin

Starfy 2: Tortamama, Savako, Squirt #4

Starfy 3: Old Lady Lantern, Hirara

Starfy 4: Geishachi, The Gate of Conflict

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Atashi are:
  • Sylvando from the Dragon Quest franchise
  • Usagi Tsukino AKA Sailor Moon from the Sailor Moon series
  • Birdo from the Mario franchise

Other forms

• Atai (あたい/アタイ): Atai is a more casual way of saying atashi while still carrying its connotations. On a scale of most to least casual (with feminine pronouns), it's watashi, then atashi, and finally, atai. The characters that use this are:

Starfy 1: Loverin (Starfy 1-2 only),

Starfy 2: Sisturt, Viva

Starfy 4: Amiy Yoshino

Starfy 5: Snips

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Atai are:
  • Kuromi, a character from the anime series My Melody, which itself a part of the larger Sanrio brand
  • Kazooie from the Banjo-Kazooie series
  • Bombette from the Paper Mario series

Uchi (うち/ウチ)

• Uchi is another feminine pronoun, but unlike Atashi and Atai, Uchi is usually used by those who speak with a Kansai accent. While it's normal for all ages in said accent, in standard Japanese, it gives off more of an middle aged woman vibe. The characters who use Uchi are:

Starfy 1: Lovelove and Loverin (Starfy 3 only)

Starfy 3: Starly

• Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Uchi are:
  • Bridget from the Guilty Gear series
  • Lumfrom the Urusei Yatsura series
  • Mei Sudo from the Kamen Rider franchise

Pronouns Only Used by One Character

These are pronouns that, while they may fit into the other categories, are only said by a single character throughout the entire series.

Gender Neutral Pronouns

• Asshi (あっし): Asshi is a shortened, more casual version of Watashi. The only character that uses Asshi is Dragobrows.

• Wasu (わす/ワス): While I'm not exactly sure whether Wasu is a form of Watashi or Washi, either way is is a gender neutral first-person pronoun and an exaggerated representation of Tohoku dialect. It seems to also have some rural connotations. The only character that uses Wasu is Mr. Polar.

• Me (みい/ミー): Yep, just the word "Me". The only character that uses "me" in Japanese is Amaenbi, and that is mostly likely due to their habit of saying "chimi" when they speak.

• Yo (よ/ヨ/余): Yo is the first-person pronoun exclusively used by Evil. It is akin to Ware, but gives off the impression of someone of higher status, and has the historic meaning of someone addressing themselves outside the work of their subordinates.

• Maro (まろ/マロ/麿): Maro is an archaic first-person pronoun widely used by anyone of any status during the Heian period, but its only recorded uses during the Kamakura period were by high ranking officials. The only character that uses Maro is Koimaro, the lord of his hidden retreat, as well as ninjas such as Shurikit and Kittana.

Masculine Pronouns

• Bokutan (ぼくたん/ボクたん): Bokutan seems to have no real differences from the standard Boku. I couldn't really find any information on it, but either way, Plum is the only character that uses it.

• Oidon (おいどん): This is a pronoun exclusively used by Fat Cat which plays both into his Japanese name (Namazudon), as well as his tendency to refer to others by the honorific of "don". In real life, however, it is an archaic pronoun indicative of the Kagoshima dialect.

• Ora (おら/オラ): Much like Oira, Ora is a pronoun that is indicative of rural dialects. The only character that uses Ora is Funazou.

• Boki (ぼき/ボキ): Boki seems to be a corruption of Boku used solely by Akureima. The same connotations apply to Boki as Boku if that is true.

Feminine Pronouns

• Atakushi (あたくし): Essentially just the feminine form of Watakushi, carrying much of the same more professional and proper connotations it does. The only character that says Atakushi is Jellata.

Non-applicable Characters

While it doesn't mean that these characters don't actually use them in other mediums, these characters do not use personal pronouns in-game (or at least, what I've found while writing all this while I'm tired lol). This will also include characters who simply say their name in the 3rd person to refer to themselves. The characters that fit this description are:

Starfy 1: The Whale, Chibikannin, Hirarin, Pao, Kragen, Flychu, Crabolt, Mama Star

Starfy 2: Puchi Ogura #1, Peking Duck Model, Kamone Sign

Starfy 3: Lil' Maus Brothers, Saint Nak, Granny Rocker, Wally, Pengod, Gachatakkoru, Muga

Starfy 4: Saimommy, Kissme (third person)

Starfy 5: Big Squiddy