List of cameos and references to popular culture
This article covers references to other video games, consoles and popular culture in the The Legendary Starfy series.
In the video games
This section covers references to other video games and game consoles in The Legendary Starfy video games.
In Densetsu no Starfy
Densetsu no Starfy features multiple references to other Nintendo consoles and a reference to the Mario series game series.
Treasure Items panel
After defeating Ogura once, the player can obtain Treasures which add to a panel known as the Treasure Items screen. One of these treasures is a yellow Game Boy Color, which is found in Sea of Sky. Another one of these treasures resembles Luigi's cap without the "L" from the Mario series, and is found in Pufftop. It is actually called "Luigi's Cap" in the Nintendo Official Guidebook. (
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Game Boy Advance
In a flashback in Staff Roll 2, Moe's siblings appear and ask for some meat, a teddy bear, and a Game Boy Advance, but Moe could not get them those things because they didn't have any money. Moe thought of finding treasure to get money, so outside of his house he wondered where to obtain it, but couldn't think of anything. Moe was sidetracked after he saw Ruby and followed her instead. Later after Starfy defeated Ogura, Moe was rewarded with Treasure for helping Starfy. Moe then uses the treasure to get the things his siblings wanted. They all dance happily afterwards.
In Densetsu no Starfy 2
The Game Boy Advance appears in Densetsu no Starfy 2.
Game Boy Advance
In Densetsu no Starfy 2, part of a purple Game Boy Advance can be seen on the Moe's House menu, next to a teddy bear.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (Stalock Polmes and Kyotsun-san)
The character Funazou wonders whether Starfy is the detective "Stalock Polmes", which appears to be a play on the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. He also refers to Starfy as "teacher", and Moe as "Kyotsun-san", which is likely a play on Sherlock Holmes' assistant Dr. Watson.
In Densetsu no Starfy 3
Densetsu no Starfy 3 features multiple cameos. In particular, Wario makes a cross-over appearance in Undersea Ruins, where he helps Starfy throughout the stage with his various transformations. After clearing each of the four levels prior to beating the main game, the player is rewarded with Stuff based on Wario.
Funazou continues to refer to Starfy as "Stalock" in this game, and also introduced a new reference to popular culture.
Game Boy Advance
A purple Game Boy Advance appears on the floor in Moe's House. The player must select it to view the minigames menu. Another Game Boy Advance appears in Jojiro's Shop, where a Sand Snark plays it. After the player purchases every item from Jojiro's Shop, he or she can see the Sand Snark playing with the Game Boy Advance anytime by selecting the 'Playing...' (あそんでるよ...) option.
One of the stuff; the Chanchanko, has Starfy or Starly wearing a red chanchanko with what may be an orange Game Boy Advance in the left (from Starfy's view) pocket. If it is a Game Boy Advance, it is flipped 90° clockwise from its intended horizontal orientation. It is possible that the object may not be a Game Boy Advance, but rather a phone, however.
Makai Club
The Makaika Group (a group of five squids rivals with The Squirts) may be a reference to the Makai Club; a Japanese professional wrestling stable which debuted in 2002 and disbanded in 2004. Like the Makaika Group, there were five members of the Makai Club who were all referred to as "Makai", followed by a number.
Nintendo GameCube
A purple Nintendo GameCube appears on the minigames menu. Only two GameCube controllers and a television can be seen, unless the player switches between the minigames.
Wario in Undersea Ruins
- Main article: Wario
Wario (another Nintendo character who serves as a rival to Mario) serves a major role throughout the Stage. This is covered in his main article.
In Densetsu no Starfy 4
Densetsu no Starfy 4 features multiple references to other Nintendo consoles, as well as unused references to other games.
Nintendo DS
In the Opening Demo, when Starly can be seen on top of Moe, Starfy can be seen playing with a Nintendo DS. During the first ending of the game, the Nintendo DS can be seen inside Starfy's room in Pufftop Palace.
Princess and Umbrella Special
One of the Stuff in Densetsu no Starfy 4 is a 'Special' called "Princess and Umbrella". This was one of the winning designs from the Wanted Kisekae contest, designed by Eriko Kawashima. It is available from Stage 8-4 (Old Tower) after completing the main game. The costume depicts Starfy or Starly with Princess Peach's hair, crown and dress, holding the magical parasol Perry from Super Princess Peach.
Nintendo Headquarters Special
One of the Stuff in Densetsu no Starfy 4 is a 'Special' called "Nintendo Headquarters". It is available only as a gift for purchasing every item from Manianko's Shop, except Konpeitou. The Special represents the Nintendo Headquarters based in Kyoto, Japan. Various Nintendo products and the Nintendo logo can be seen.
- Starly (or Starfy for Starly's version of the Special) holding a purple Game Boy Micro pops out of the front of the building and walks right, meeting Starfy/Starfy.
- A silver Nintendo GameCube pops out of the top-left corner of the building, lifted by Starly (or Starfy for Starly's version)
- Starfy (or Starly for Starly's version) lifting a blue sign with the Nintendo logo written in white pops out of the top-right corner of the building. The Nintendo logo can be seen again outside near the left side of the building.
- Starly (or Starfy for Starly's version) lifting the original model of the Nintendo DS pops out of the back of the building. The Nintendo DS shows various dialog boxes and Starfy on the top screen.
- Starfy (or Starly for Starly's version) holding a Famicom pops out of the back of the building and walks left, meeting Starly/Starfy.
Oni no Pants
The Oni Pants clothing item may have been inspired by a Japanese children's song called "おにのパンツ", Oni no Pants.
Unused Assets
- Main article: Densetsu no Starfy 4/Unused content
- Main article: Densetsu no Starfy 4/Unused content/Unused models
Densetsu no Starfy 4 features a number of unused assets that are also unused in the Japanese version of Super Princess Peach. For example, Densetsu no Starfy 4 includes graphics of the seven Koopalings that were unused in Super Princess Peach.
Surprisingly, exclusively to Densetsu no Starfy 4 there are a number of graphics associated with Galaga. The reason for this is unknown, though it may be of note that Yasuhiro Minamimoto; producer of Densetsu no Starfy 2, Densetsu no Starfy 3, Densetsu no Starfy 4, The Legendary Starfy and director of Densetsu no Starfy worked on Namco Museum Battle Collection for the PSP. Namco Museum Battle Collection contains a game called 'Galaga Arrangement'. It also contains the original Galaga and Galaxian.
In The Legendary Starfy
The Legendary Starfy features a few cameos and references.
Nintendo DS
The icon on the Pause Menu for the Abilities menu features Starfy holding a Nintendo DS. The Configure Buttons screen also shows a Nintendo DS, although this is for demonstration purposes and is not necessarily a cameo.
Rock-Paper-Scissors
The Terrible Trio are related to the popular game rock-paper-scissors with Ronk being based on "rock", Papes being based on "paper" and Snips being based on "scissors". Additionally, they have a signature move known as the "Paper-Cut Crusher". It is used in a minigame known as the Paper-Cut Crusher Battle in which The Terrible Trio challenge Starfy and Moe to a game of rock-paper-scissors.
The Three Evils (The Terrible Trio)
The Terrible Trio are comparable to The Three Evils from the Time Bokan series.
In the manga
The Legendary Starfy manga has a few cameos, mostly to Nintendo's game consoles.
In Densetsu no Starfy (Yumiko Sudō)
The Densetsu no Starfy manga illustrated by Yumiko Sudō featured a Game Boy Advance in its first three chapters. It also appeared in Starfy Four Cell Theater; a manga series included in the tankōbon for the Densetsu no Starfy Yumiko Sudō manga in one cartoon "Twice of Anything".
Game Boy Advance
A Game Boy Advance appears in the Human World, where it was owned by Takeo in chapter one of volume one, Going to the Human World Fii! until the jar fell from Pufftop and landed on it, breaking it. Afterwards, Takeo saw a shooting star and wished that the Game Boy Advance would be fixed, however, the 'shooting star' falls into Takeo's face and turns out to be Starfy.
Takeo saved up much of his pocket money to earn the Game Boy Advance. He was going to show it to Rumi-chan (who he has a crush on) until it broke. Takeo commented that he wouldn't give the jar back to Starfy and Old Man Lobber until they compensate for the Game Boy Advance. Takeo believed that Starfy was actually a robot after Starfy joked that he would transform into a games console earlier, though he finds out that he isn't in chapter two, I'm a Prince Fii! after Takeo searched Starfy for a 'switch' but tickled Starfy causing him to fart.
In chapter 3, Not Afraid of Water Fii!, Old Man Lobber says that Starfy was busy repairing something yesterday and Takeo wonders if it is his Game Boy Advance. When Takeo arrives back in the Human World from Starfy's world, he finds out that Starfy has left a letter, apologizing for having broken his Game Boy Advance in chapter one. Starfy left Takeo his Game Boy Advance fixed for him and Takeo starts to cry because he is lonely. Though the Game Boy Advance was fixed the portal started to open again and Boctopus fell through it, breaking his Game Boy Advance again.
In Starfy Four Cell Theater
The Game Boy Advance appears in one cartoon in Starfy Four Cell Theater called "Twice of Anything". In "Twice of Anything", Starfy gets his Game Boy Advance out and talks about Densetsu no Starfy 2 that Starfy says is double the fun. He goes to put it in his Game Boy Advance, although the cartridge appears to be too big.
In Densetsu no Starfy R
Densetsu no Starfy R features references to four games consoles, including the Wii ("Tenkaido Fii"), Nintendo DS ("FS"), Nintendo GameCube ("Gamefyūbe") and Famicom ("Fimicom"). Characters from other manga series also appeared in a bookshop in Akiunabara in chapter five, Holy Place of Otaku, Viva! Akiba!!.
Akihabara (Akiunabara)
Akiunabara is a large city based on the real world Akihabara; an area of Tokyo, Japan that is often shortened to Akiba. Akihabara is considered to be a popular place for Otaku, which the manga plays on in chapter five, Holy Place of Otaku, Viva! Akiba!!.
Famicom (Fimicom)
The Fimicom (Japanese: フィミコン), shortened from Fimily Computer is a fictional games console that only appears in chapter seven of the Densetsu no Starfy R manga — "Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff". It is based on Nintendo's real world Famicom; the Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System that was released in July 1983.
In the events of "Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff", Starfy and Starly fought over who had the best console. At the end of the chapter Moe convinces Starfy and Starly that both the "FS" and "Fii" are good consoles and they don't need to fight, but Moe then comments that the Fimicom is the best system.
Mario Bros. (Orima Brothers)
After commenting that the Fimicom is the best system, Moe plays a game called "Orima Brothers" (Japanese: オリマブラザーズ), resembling Mario Bros. It may be worth noting that Captain Olimar (Japanese: キャプテン・オリマー) is one of the main protagonists of the Pikmin series.
Mr. Marick (Mr. Mafic)
Chapter twelve The Legendary Super Magician is Here!? focuses on Mr. Maric; a possible Starfy persona/character of a Japanese magician in the media known as Mr. Marick (birth name: Akira Matsuo). The Starfy persona/character wears shares sunglasses, similar eyebrows, a mustache and beard reminiscent of him.
Momotarō (Hostarou)
Chapter ten Starfy Fairytale!! is based on a satirical version of the Japanese folktale Momotarō. It makes many references to the legend. For example, a peach floats across the river and inside it is the character "Hostarou" (Japanese: 星太郎); a reference to Momotarō.
Oni and an island based on Onigashima appear in the chapter containing the Dragon Palace Castle. Additionally, a pheasant, monkey and a dog based on the pheasant, monkey and dog who agreed to help Momotarō on his quest appear in the chapter.
Nintendo DS (FS)
In the Densetsu no Starfy R manga, Starfy and Starly own a system like a Nintendo DS called the FS (pronounced 'Fii S'). It is possible that either one or both of them were purchased after the events of chapter five — "Holy Place of Otaku, Viva! Akiba!!", because while in Akiunabara, Moe was thinking about all the things they could find, like Nintendo DSes and catgirl dolls.
In the events of chapter seven — Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff, Starfy was playing on the FS in Pufftop and seemed happy to accomplish something until Starly called his name and told him how to play on the "Tenkaido Fii" with both the remote and the Nunchuk.
Starfy broke the FS in half and made what he calls the "Nunchuk Type FS" (Japanese: ヌンチャク型FS), although later Starfy used the FS in its complete form again. Starfy and Starly tried to fight over who had the best console, until Moe convinced them that both the FS and Fii are good, only to say that he thinks the Fimicom is the best console.
Tetris
In Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff, Starfy and Starly had used the FS to play a game like Tetris.
Nintendo GameCube (Gamefyūbe)
A console resembling the Nintendo GameCube appeared in chapter seven of the Densetsu no Starfy R manga — "Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff", where it was known as the Gamefyūbe (Japanese: ゲームフューブ). After Starfy said that the "FS" is useful because it can be carried around and played anywhere, Starly picked up the Gamefyūbe and said that the Gamefyūbe is able to be carried around too.
Other manga characters
Characters like Mario (named in the manga as "Sawarayukio"), Tom Nook and Grandpa Danger appeared in a bookstore in Akiunabara in the fifth chapter of the Densetsu no Starfy R manga, Holy Place of Otaku, Viva! Akiba!!.
Wii (Tenkaido Fii)
The Wii appeared in chapters five and seven of the Densetsu no Starfy R manga, where it is known as the "Tenkaido Fii" (Japanese: テンカイ堂 Fii).
In the events of chapter five — Holy Place of Otaku, Viva! Akiba!!, Starfy and Moe visited a store in Akiunabara, where Moe found a Fii and started playing a tennis game with it using two remotes. Starfy tried to have a go but said that "it is quite difficult" and began using the remotes to knit a cloth with some thread, so Moe shouted at Starfy and told him that they aren't used for knitting.
In the events of chapter seven — Pufftop Kingdom, Game King Playoff, Starly called over Starfy to show him the Tenkaido Fii after he had accomplished something on an FS. She used it to play boxing where she had to beat up a character resembling Starfy. Starly told Starfy how the player plays with both the remote and Nunchuk. Starfy broke the FS in half and made what he calls the "Nunchuk Type FS" (Japanese: ヌンチャク型FS) only to use the FS in its complete form again later.
Starfy and Starly started fighting over who has the best console, but Moe appeared and stopped the fighting. Wanting to compete to see who is the best at playing the consoles, both Starfy and Starly had a game of Fii Golf. Starly went first, scoring a hole in one. Starfy used his Star Spin while holding the Fii Remote and sent the ball flying out of bounds. Starfy jumped up saying "home run!" and Starly said that the game is not baseball. Starfy and Starly later had a go at a game resembling Tetris and Starfy seemed to be winning, but was using an FS with three screens.
Afterwards, Starfy stopped playing on the FS and started to play on the Fii and Starly starts playing on an FS, which annoyed Starfy. Moe later appeared and convinced them that both the Fii and the FS are good consoles, however, he thinks that the Fimicom is actually the best console.
