View source for 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 a list of the characters that use them, by order of the game they debuted in. (This does not cover characters unique to any of the [[Manga|manga]], or charcters who don't have relevance to the main story of the games, such as the 2-4P stars playable in the [[Minigame|multiplayer minigames]].)
=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]], [[Gaidonna|Guidonna]], [[Korundoru-sensei|Professoar]], [[Bawss]], [[Echigyoya]]

Starfy 3: [[Sir Hokwi|Sgt. Hawky]], [[Mamanezu|Mamaus]], [[Hirara]]

Starfy 4: [[Mattel]], [[Runosaru]], [[King Owlrun]], [[Prince Coral]], [[Ruskel]], [[Rabiati|Rabiarty]], [[Mayoinomon|The Gate of Illusion]], [[Shinjitsunomon|The Gate of Truth]]

Starfy 5: [[Piplion]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Watashi are:
**[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Midna?so=search Midna] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda Legend of Zelda] franchise
**[https://wikibound.info/wiki/Fassad Fassad] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_(video_game_series) Earthbound/Mother series]
**[https://zatchbell.fandom.com/wiki/Gash_Bell_and_Kiyomaro_Takamine#Zatch_Bell Zatch Bell] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zatch_Bell! 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 Guard|Pufftop Guards]]

Starfy 2: [[Puchi Ogura #5]], [[Jiiyan]]

Starfy 4: [[Dejeel]], [[Anju]], [[Yuujounomon|The Gate of Friendship]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Watakushi are:
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Princess_Peach Princess Peach] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise) Mario] franchise
**[https://wikirby.com/wiki/Susie Susie] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_(series) Kirby] franchise
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Nastasia Nastasia] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Mario 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: [[Hokwi Group|The Hawky Cadets]]

Starfy 4: [[Burudaddo]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Ware are:
**[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Demise Demise] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda Legend of Zelda] franchise
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Shadoo Shadoo] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Mario Paper Mario] series
**[https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Gilgamesh Gilgamesh] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type-Moon#Fate_series 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 [[Gekyojii|Master Croak]] from Starfy 2, and [[Arcy]] from Starfy 4.

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Wagahai are:
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Bowser Bowser] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise) Mario] franchise
**[https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Morgana?so=search Morgana] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(series) Persona] series
**[https://keroro.fandom.com/wiki/Keroro Keroro] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Frog 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]], [[Kanninpapa|Crawdaddy]], [[Jiilacanth]], One pair of [[Konbi]], [[Ogura]], [[Ootaruika|Big Barrel Squid]] (Starfy 1 Only), [[Gekojii]], [[Blantern]], [[Boctopus]]

Starfy 2: [[Kumajii|Old Man Grizzly]]

Starfy 3: [[Yggdra-jii|Old Man Drasil]], [[Mantahan|Mistah Manta]], [[Kyorozou|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:
**[https://wikirby.com/wiki/King_Dedede King Dedede] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_(series) Kirby] series
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Professor_Elvin_Gadd Professor E. Gadd] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise) Mario] franchise
**[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Ezlo Ezlo] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda 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 [[The Kunoichi Clan|Kunoichi Clan]] uses Sessha)

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Sessha are:
**[https://blazblue.wiki/wiki/Bang_Shishigami Bang Shishigami] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlazBlue Blazblue] series
**[https://return-to-popolocrois.fandom.com/wiki/White_Knight White Knight] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epics_(company)#Popolocrois Popolocrois] series
**[https://lupin.fandom.com/wiki/Goemon_Ishikawa_XIII Goemon Ishikawa XIII] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupin_the_Third 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]], [[Ukizzu|Ookids]], [[Blanko]], [[Torito]], [[Horun]], [[Jueri|Jewelly]], [[Doughdough]], [[Moe's Family]]

Starfy 2: [[Kamekkochounan|Shelldest]], [[Gaganmo]], [[The Jellato Sisters|Gellato]], [[Orisu]], [[Kamone]], [[Mitsugasago|Pursley]], [[Kodorun|The Tutweets]], [[Puchi Ogura #8]], [[Squirt #1]], [[Squirt #2]], [[Puchi Ogura #9]]

Starfy 3: [[Mekani Genius|Mechani Genius]], [[Kabasonchou|Mayor Hippo]], [[Burako|Braco]], [[Gabun]]

Starfy 4: [[Lovewizumi]], [[Maniankou]], [[Kamekichi]], [[Doroshi|Dorothy]], [[Yuukinomon|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:
**[https://doraemon.fandom.com/wiki/Nobita_Nobi Nobita Nobi] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon Doraemon] series
**[https://puyonexus.com/wiki/Arle_Nadja Arle Nadja] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puyo_Puyo Puyo Puyo] series
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Luigi Luigi] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise) 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:
**[https://doraemon.fandom.com/wiki/Suneo_Honekawa?so=search Suneo Honekawa] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon Doraemon] series 
**[https://wikirby.com/wiki/Gryll Gryll] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_(series) Kirby] series
**[https://ed.fandom.com/wiki/Ed?so=search Ed] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed,_Edd_n_Eddy 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.
*Wozart uses Boku instead of Watashi in Starfy 3.

==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. The characters that use ore are:

Starfy 1: [[Chuta|Chutah]], [[Antibuddies]], [[Boerun]], [[Taruika|The Barrel Squids]], [[Ootaruika|Big Barrel Squid]] (Starfy 2 onwards), [[Mogel]], [[Brushley]], [[Jojiro]], [[Doppel]]

Starfy 2: [[Puchi Ogura #2]], [[Kamekkojinan|Brotle]], [[Puchi Ogura #7]], [[Squirt #3]], [[Puchi Ogura #10]], [[Mijingou]]

Starfy 3: [[Buirun]], [[Enbiraru]], [[Kittana]], [[Makaika]]

Starfy 4: [[Choking]], [[Fugush]], [[Zozobi]], [[Okubyounomon|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:
**[https://kamenrider.fandom.com/wiki/Gentaro_Kisaragi Gentarou Kisaragi] AKA Kamen Rider Fourze from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider Kamen Rider] franchise
**[https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki?so=search Naruto Uzumaki] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto Naruto] series
**[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ash_Ketchum Ash Ketchum] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon 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]]. The characters who use ore-sama are:

Starfy 1: [[Moe]], [[Fork]], [[Bankirosu|Bankiross]]

Starfy 2: [[Puchi Ogura #6]]

Starfy 3: [[Wario]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Ore-sama are:
**[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Linebeck Linebeck] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda Legend of Zelda] franchise
**[https://wikimon.net/Impmon_(Tamers) Impmon] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digimon_Tamers Digimon Tamers] anime, a part of the larger [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digimon Digimon] franchise
**[https://spongebob.fandom.com/wiki/Sheldon_J._Plankton Plankton] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpongeBob_SquarePants 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:
**[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Skull_Kid Skull Kid] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda Legend of Zelda] franchise
**[https://dragonballworld.fandom.com/wiki/Son_Goku Son Goku] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball Dragon Ball] series
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Diddy_Kong Diddy Kong] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong 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 [[Resshi|Ressie]] from Starfy 2, [[Mad Piero|Mad Pierrot]] from Starfy 3, and [[Buryutatsu|Blutatsu]] from Starfy 4.

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Orecchi are:
**[https://yokaiwatch.fandom.com/wiki/Jibanyan Jibanyan], a yo-kai from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-kai_Watch Yo-Kai Watch] franchise
**[https://kamenrider.fandom.com/wiki/Vice Vice], a demon, and one half of Kamen Rider Revice from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider Kamen Rider] franchise
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Tape_(boss) Tape, the Shifty Sticker] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Mario 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.
*In Starfy 3, Lovely uses Ore when telling Moe to get a move on and catch Torito, who she thought heated up the hot springs to try and eat Kanninpapa and his son.

=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: [[Kameru|Tortamama]], [[Savako]], [[Squirt #4]]

Starfy 3: [[Kanterabaa|Old Lady Lantern]]

Starfy 4: [[Geishachi]], [[Arasoinomon|The Gate of Conflict]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Atashi are:
**[https://dragon-quest.org/wiki/Sylvando Sylvando] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Quest Dragon Quest] franchise
**[https://sailormoon.fandom.com/wiki/Usagi_Tsukino_/_Sailor_Moon_(manga) Usagi Tsukino] AKA Sailor Moon from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailor_Moon Sailor Moon] series
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Birdo Birdo] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise) 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: [[Kamekkoimouto|Sisturt]], [[Viva]]

Starfy 4: [[Amiiyoshino|Amiy Yoshino]]

Starfy 5: [[Snips]]

*Some characters outside of the Starfy series that also use Atai are:
**[https://sanriowiki.com/wiki/Kuromi Kuromi], a character from the anime series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onegai_My_Melody My Melody], which itself a part of the larger [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sanrio_characters Sanrio] brand
**[https://banjokazooiewiki.com/wiki/Kazooie Kazooie] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo-Kazooie Banjo-Kazooie] series
**[https://www.mariowiki.com/Bombette Bombette] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Mario 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:
**[https://guiltygear.fandom.com/wiki/Bridget Bridget] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilty_Gear Guilty Gear] series
**[https://uruseiyatsura.fandom.com/wiki/Lum?so=search Lum]from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urusei_Yatsura Urusei Yatsura] series
**[https://kamenrider.fandom.com/wiki/Mei_Sudo Mei Sudo] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider 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 [[Mayudorago|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 [[Shiro|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 "chi'''mi'''" 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 Village of Koimaro|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 (Namazu''don''), 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 [[The Jellato Sisters|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]], [[Pao]], [[Kragen]], [[Flychu]], [[Crabolt]], [[Mama Star]]

Starfy 2: [[Puchi Ogura #1]], [[Pekin Duck Model|Peking Duck Model]], [[Haribote Kamone|Kamone Sign]], [[Yurikarugo]]

Starfy 3: [[Konezu|Lil' Maus Brothers]], [[Saint Nak]], [[Rockin' Baa|Granny Rocker]], [[Seiuchi-kun|Wally]], [[Pengod]], [[Gachatakkoru]], [[Muga]]

Starfy 4: [[Saimamy|Saimommy]], [[Kissme]] (third person)

Starfy 5: [[Big Squiddy]], [[King Ping]]