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Characters / EarthBound: Allies

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    King 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/King_Clay_5447.png
Awoooof! (I'm outta here!)

Ness's faithful pet dog. He's an optional (but ultimately pointless) Guest-Star Party Member early on in the game; while he does substantial damage and thus isn't a bad choice for the very start of the game, he chickens out and runs back home before Buzz Buzz appears.

As far as the series goes, he is the spiritual successor of Mick and the predecessor of Boney.


  • Arbitrary Headcount Limit: If he'd been permanent, he would've extended it to 5.
  • Big Friendly Dog: One of the Japanese "Don't Care" names for King is "Bernard", possibly referring to the Saint Bernard breed, and in the novel adaptation, he is stated to be an English Sheep Dog. Whichever it is, (and it could even be both, as he is called a mutt in the game), he's definitely a big dog.
  • Crutch Character: He's there to offer you an extra little bit of survivability in the beginning should you think you need it, since enemies can't target him while he can dish out some punishment to compliment Ness's attacks. His accuracy is a bit poor, though, and he can waste turns barking.
  • Demoted to Extra: After Picky is found, he straight-up says that he won't be joining Ness on any adventures, and he remains content at home.
  • Dub Name Change: His initial "Don't Care" name in the Japanese version is Chibi rather than King.
  • Heroes Love Dogs: His owner is Ness, a young psychic boy who's one of EarthBound's four main protagonists and one of the Chosen Four.
  • Informed Species: The novel adaptation identifies him as an Old English Sheep Dog, but he doesn't really look like one. It's possible that his fur is just kept short.
  • Lovable Coward: By his own admission.
    "I'm not going out again. I don't care if everyone thinks I'm a stubborn mutt."
  • Muggle: Being an average dog, he has no psychic abilities to bring to the table.
  • Old Dog: King was a pup when Ness was a newborn, which would make him a whopping thirteen/fourteen years old during the events of the game. No wonder he prefers to sleep around the house all day!
  • Optional Party Member: You don't have to have him tag along on the search for Picky.
  • Team Pet: He is the only animal who joins your party, several years before Boney. Too bad he chickens out on the action.

    Tracy 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/claycy.png
Is that you, Ness? Big Bro!
Ness's younger sister. Similar to Ninten's sister Minnie in the previous game, she is gladly willing to help her big brother on his journey by storing any unneeded items during her part-time job at Escargo Express.
  • Adorably Precocious Child: To the point where she ends up getting a job despite not even Ness being old enough to get a job, realistically.
  • Cool Big Sis: Despite being Ness' younger sister, she has the personality of a Cool Big Sis. She looks out for Ness, making sure he's alright, and handling any items his party might have.
  • Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: The responsible sibling to her foolish older brother Ness.
  • Good Parents: Tracy's mother had quite a good influence on her, as she grew up to be a nice kid and is very willing to help Ness on his adventures by delivering/storing items.
  • Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Has blonde hair like her mother. She aids her older brother Ness by handling his party's items.
  • Hypocritical Heartwarming:
    "Goody! My brother is back! You've got a lot of catching up to do with your schoolwork, *Hyork*! If you have any problems with your assignments, I'll help you. Don't get freaked out. Did Escargo Express, my old company, help you? I've saved some money, so we'll do the lunch thing sometime. You also got a new girlfriend? Your adventure must have been pretty good! Do you need help with anything other than your schoolwork? Okay, you relax now."

    Ness's Parents 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ness_mother_clay.png
Note there is no clay model for your father.

Ness's and Tracy's Mother and Father. Your mother appears in person while your father is away on a business trip.


  • Adaptational Curves: Ness’ Mom in the game is flat chested, Ness’ Mom in the novel on the other hand is described having an incredibly ample chest that she has trouble keeping in her nightgown.
  • Arbitrarily Large Bank Account: Dad apparently borrowed Eleventy Zillion dollars from the Minches, and it's through these funds that Ness can finance his journey to save the world; it's how the game justifies Money Spiders.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Ness' Mother has her moments.
  • Good Parents: Mother is very supportive in Ness's adventures and always willing to cook him some steak. Father gives Ness money whenever Ness calls him after defeating enemies.
  • Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Mom's a doting figure who dearly loves her son and wishes him the best in his travels; Tracy also inherited it.
  • Housewife: Your Mother, as shown in the picture with a frying pan and spatula. Calling her on the phone has her comment on how she's spending her time around the house, and visiting her in-person will have her prepare a delicious meal for Ness before sending him to bed.
  • Save Point: Your Father acts as this when you call him, asking if you want to save your game.
  • Trauma Inn: Visiting Ness's mother has her insisting on feeding you and getting you a good night's sleep, which, true to the Trauma Inn standard, heals the party to full.
  • The Voice: Your Father never appears in person as he's away on business. The credits even represented him as a telephone.
  • When You Coming Home, Dad?: Father is away on a business trip throughout your adventure. Although at the end of the game, he said he'll be home for Ness's Birthday.
    Picky Minch 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/picky_minch_clay.png
Geez, I wonder who's the REAL big brother...
Porky's younger, albeit far more mature brother. His (false) disappearance sets off a huge turn of events leading to the game's main plot.
  • Demoted to Extra: He loses all plot relevance after his rescue in the intro; Porky becomes the obvious focus of the Minch family, and even Aloysius and Lardna continue to appear as time goes on, while Picky just remains at the home neighboring Ness's family.
  • Sibling Yin-Yang: With Porky, who's fat, immature, and obnoxious. Picky on the other hand is much nicer than his brother.
  • Strong Family Resemblance: He and Porky both have blinding bangs, but that's it.
  • White Sheep: The only member of his family who isn't an obnoxious jerk (even then, it's hinted that his Abusive Parents influenced Porky into acting the way he is).

    Mr. Saturn 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/200px-MrSaturn_5330.png
Dakota!

A race of cute, innocent creatures that live in the secluded Saturn Valley. Actually highly intelligent in spite of their goofy personalities, they help Dr. Andonuts create the time machine necessary to reach Giygas.


  • Big Ol' Eyebrows: They all have thick black eyebrows that are much larger than their eyes.
  • Blackbead Eyes: Like everyone else in the series, but exaggerated: they're much smaller than their eyebrows.
  • Cephalothorax: A variation without arms.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Their very eccentric text font and speech mannerisms are hilarious to read and defuse anything that might make you take them seriously.
  • Cute Critters Act Childlike: Subverted; they may be adorable, innocent, and extremely playful, but they also possess unfathomable technical knowledge.
  • Gag Nose: They possess a round, large nose that's almost as large as their body.
  • Genius Ditz: The entire species. They speak and act childishly, but they're actually pretty intelligent and are capable of building a working time machine.
  • Innocent Aliens: Assuming they are aliens, anyway.
  • Lost in Translation: Mr. Saturn in Japanese is Dousei-san — which means both "Mr. Saturn" and "Mr. Samename."
  • Painting the Medium: Mr. Saturns weird very font have, boing!
  • Planet of Steves: Every Mr. Saturn is named Mr. Saturn.
  • Ridiculously Cute Critter: All Mr. Saturns are absolutely adorable and eccentric creatures; they're usually what people think of when the EarthBound/MOTHER series is brought up.
  • Series Mascot: Even though the Mr. Saturns only appeared in EarthBound and Mother 3, they stand out for the whole series as the mascot more than any other character (possibly save for certain recurring enemies such as Starman, Atomic Power Robot, or Mr. Batty).
  • Verbal Tic: Their speech is littered with "zoom"s, "boing"s, and "ding"s.
  • Waddling Head: Their main "body" consists of their head, their face, and a pair of feet.
  • Wingdinglish: Mr. Saturn's speech is displayed in loopy, childish font to emphasize their odd speech patterns, zoom. Word of God is that their unique text font was inspired by the writings of Shigesato Itoi's (then) young daughter.

    Buzz Buzz 
A small, insect-sized visitor from the future, who has traveled back in time to warn Ness of Giygas's pending invasion.
  • Adaptational Expansion: Hints to his extraterrestrial nature are only implied in the game, but the novelization outright confirms that he is an alien. Specifically, he is the sole survivor of a race of bee-like creatures whose homeworld was previously destroyed by Giygas just prior to the events of the story.
  • Adaptational Jerkass: Slightly. In the novel, he is prepared to straight up murder Porky when he learns that the kid has Giygas growing inside of him, but his willingness is largely out of a duty to the universe and the fact that he witnessed his entire planet get destroyed by Giygas.
  • Almost Dead Guy: Upon getting squished by Lardna, Buzz Buzz remains alive just long enough to inform Ness about the "Your Sanctuary" zones.
  • Call-Back: His tombstone can be found in Magicant.
  • Crutch Character: You don't even have to participate in the fight with Starman Junior, and Buzz Buzz will curb stomp him anyway. He may not be around for long, but he sure puts on a show.
  • Glass Cannon: Powerful attacks and psychic shields. Killed in a single swat.
  • Hero of Another Story: According to Starman Junior, Buzz Buzz is a hero in the future who is known for foiling Giygas' plans.
  • I Am Not Weasel: Based off of the game's dialogue, Buzz Buzz true form may not actually be insect-like, but rather he had to transform into it in order to travel back in time. In the game's climax, Ness and his friends have transfer their minds and spirits into robots in order to travel into the past, so Buzz Buzz may have had to do something similar.
    "A bee I am... not."
    • His artwork that appears on an obscure "choose your own adventure" book depicts him as a rhinoceros beetle.
  • I'm Dying, Please Take My MacGuffin: Right before he dies, he gives Ness the Sound Stone.
  • Shell-Shocked Veteran: His novelization counterpart is this, as he just barely escaped the destruction of his home planet before he arrived on Earth.
  • A Taste of Power: Without him, you probably wouldn't have a chance against Starman Junior. Too bad he gets squished only a few minutes later.
  • Undignified Death: No thanks to Lardna.
  • We Hardly Knew Ye: Killed only a few minutes into the game, after putting the plot in motion.
  • Worf Had the Flu: Apparently traveling back in time caused Buzz Buzz to become much weaker.
  • Would Hurt a Child: In the novelization, he is perfectly willing to pill Porky in order to ensure Giygas is destroyed, as he has parasitically latched onto Porky. In his defense, Buzz Buzz had just lost his entire homeworld to Giygas.

    Runaway Five (Tonzura Brothers) 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/runawayfive_0.jpg
We—that's right—we are the Runaway Five!

A famous jazz band that the party befriends in Twoson after helping them out of their debts.


  • Big Damn Heroes: They burst into the room to save Ness and Jeff in the Monotoli Building.
  • Cool Shades: All members wear sunglasses.
  • Cut the Juice: How they defeat the Clumsy Robot.
  • Expy: Themed after The Blues Brothers. The English version reduced this by recolouring their black suits into brighter colours and renaming their group. The suit recolours resulted in the leading duo to somewhat resemble Mario and Luigi.
  • Free-Handed Performer: The band's two frontmen focus solely on vocal duties, taking after The Blues Brothers.
  • Sharp-Dressed Man: All members are famous jazz musicians, so the suits are a given.
  • Work Off the Debt: They're not too great with contract negotiations. The party has to bail them out twice. Though they do repay the favor by giving them rides in their tour bus. They also bail Ness and Jeff out of a harrowing boss fight.

    Mr. Everdred 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mr_everdred_clay.png
You cannot refuse my generosity. Just accept it.

A shady trickster and boss of Burglin Park. Often feared by visiting townsfolk, he's a really nice guy on the inside at heart.


  • Briefcase Full of Money: He gives Ness twenty thousand dollars after Paula is rescued.
  • Cheshire Cat Grin: In his official clay model.
  • Dub Name Change: Tonchiki-san in the Japanese version, meaning "Mr. Dumbskull" or "Mr. Dimwit" essentially.
  • Man Bites Man: One of his moves in his boss battle is a biting attack.
  • "Not So Different" Remark: From Ness.
    "Ness! Maybe you don't wanna hear this, but you remind me of myself when I was young. I cannot do anything more for you... Good luck, Ness!"
  • Punny Name: "Ever-dred".
  • Skippable Boss: He'll challenge you if you approach him in Burglin Park but if you don't go near him before you rescue Paula, you don't have to fight him.
  • What Happened to the Mouse?: His last appearance is him lying on the ground on Fourside, where he tells Ness and Jeff about Monotoli's possession of the Mani Mani Statue and how he was cheated and wounded. After providing hints about how to get to Moonside, he staggers out and is never seen again for the rest of the game.
    • A hotel servant reading the Fourside Post tells about the lonely demise of a long-haired man with beard, sunglasses and an aloha shirt, implying that he died.

    Dr. Andonuts 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Dr__Andoclay_3794.png
Would you like a donut?

A brilliant scientist from Winters. He is Jeff's father, and helps the party on numerous occasions with his inventions; from the flying Sky Runner to the time machine necessary to reach Giygas.


  • Absent-Minded Professor: To the point where he apparently forgot he had a child.
  • Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Blabs that Jeff still wets the bed (or rather, did) within his third sentence upon meeting his son's friends for the first time.
    "Jeff wets his bed sometimes. But other than that, he's a good boy."
  • And Your Little Dog, Too!: Is targeted for kidnapping by Giygas's forces and stuffed into a people jar in the Stonehenge base.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Upon seeing his son for the first time in ten years, he asks him whether he would like a doughnut. If Jeff answers in the affirmative, Dr. Andonuts wistfully comments that he'd like one, too.
  • Edible Theme Naming: Is named after the An-Doughnut, a Japanese confection similar to a Berliner or Boston Creme Doughnut aside from having a filling of Red Bean Paste instead of custard or jelly.

    Tony 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony_80.png
Jeff's best friend and roommate at his boarding school. He frets over Jeff during his best friend's long and dangerous adventure and worries about him; even going so far as to try to get to know the mysterious person guiding them.

    Apple Kid 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/115px-Apple_Klayd_4727.png
Orange Kid is much better.

An aspiring inventor that Ness inadvertently starts funding. His odd (and oddly-specific) inventions come in handy throughout the game. He proves himself capable by helping Dr. Andonuts and the Mr. Saturns create the time machine necessary to reach Giygas.


  • Big Fun: Double-subverted. He's a chubby kid who suffers from poor social skills and an equally poor reputation in his hometown... at least until Ness comes along. If Ness chooses to fund him, they become friends, with Apple Kid becoming more productive and helping the Chosen Four with his inventions.
  • Color Motif: Red, which colors his house and most of his clothes.
  • Fat Bastard: Played with and averted nicely. He's perceived as one by the people of Twoson owing to his bulk, lack of self-hygiene, and poor social skills... but he proves himself to be anything but and is critical to Ness's success.
  • Fat Slob: A very chubby kid who's noted to have poor hygiene.
  • Foil: To Orange Kid. Orange Kid is socially popular and charismatic, whereas Apple Kid is a lazy, introverted slob. However, Apple Kid has the brains and talent that Orange Kid lacks.
  • Gadgeteer Genius: Apple Kid's inventions are odd, but they get the job done. His special "erasers" can erase iron statues, making him a necessity for Ness and party to progress, and his zombie paper is very effective in dealing with zombies.
  • Leitmotif: "Apple Kid's Theme", an incredibly laidback piece that oozes laziness, which plays when his house is entered. Oddly enough, Orange Kid shares it.
  • Never Accepted in His Hometown: Widely disliked in his hometown of Twoson in favor of his more charming and less talented rival, Orange Kid.
  • No Social Skills: Just one of a few reasons he's not liked around Twoson. He also has the "Overcoming Shyness" book in his possession.
  • Phlebotinum Bomb: Specializes in making extremely specific machines that only erase, for example, pencils. Or erasers.
  • Red Is Heroic: Wears red, apple-themed clothes. Also helps Ness and his friends with his inventions if Ness chooses to fund him. He even builds a time machine so the Chosen Four can go to the past and fight Giygas.
  • Slobs Versus Snobs: Shares this dynamic with Orange Kid, who's the popular and charismatic snob, versus Apple Kid's lonely, introverted, and unhygienic slob.
  • Smarter Than You Look: He's a fat, lazy kid with poor hygiene and lack of social skills, but his inventions are really useful. Without him, Ness and party wouldn't be able to defeat Giygas.

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