Kirby Star Allies (1977 film)

Kirby Star Allies (Japanese: 星のカービィ Hoshi no Kābī) is a 1977 Japanese film directed by Sonny Chiba. It starred Sonny Chiba himself as the protagonist Kirby.

Plot
Based on a true story, the film takes place in a part of space far away from Planet Popstar. An officiant casts a spell to a large crystal heart, causing countless Jamba Hearts scatter as a result of a mysterious ritual. Many of them fall down to Dream Land, where they turn anyone they touch evil. When one dissolves into Kirby, however, it grants him the ability to throw hearts that befriend anyone they touch. He notices some Waddle Dees carrying a large amount of food to King Dedede's Castle, which has become surrounded by dark clouds. Kirby sets off to investigate this mysterious phenomenon. After defeating Dedede, Kirby and friends celebrate, but the celebration ends when it is revealed that a Jamba Heart is what is causing the trouble Kirby purses it, chasing it through Popstar, and removing another one from Meta Knight. When a giant fortress then lands on the surface of the planet, Kirby and friends investigate.

Cast

 * Sonny Chiba as Kirby
 * Hideo Murota as Bandana Waddle Dee
 * Kojiro Hongo as Gooey
 * Hideyo Amamoto as King Dedede
 * Hiroyuki Sanada as Marx
 * Shigeru Miyamoto as Meta Knight
 * Jerry Ito as Rick
 * Kōji Tsuruta as Kine
 * Keiji Nakazawa as Coo

Spin-offs
Since 1979, the film is well-known for having its spin-offs under the "Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go!" (星の○○○○ スターフレンズでGO!) name, except they're animated unlike the film:
 * 1) Staying Sharp (この剣に誓って) (Blade Knight)
 * 2) Cutting in Style (リターントゥ斬刃) (Sir Kibble)
 * 3) Bombs Away! (空に弾ける花々) (Poppy Bros. Jr.)
 * 4) Rock the World (怒りのヘビーアッパー！) (Rocky)
 * 5) Wild-West Whip (テンガロンハンター) (Wester)
 * 6) Banana Mania (黄色いバナナをもとめては…) (Bonkers)
 * 7) Savage Silence (紫電月影) (Bio Spark)
 * 8) Up-and-Down Dynamo (ギムズプラネットツアー) (Gim)
 * 9) Staff Striker (信じられる友こそが) (Jammerjab)
 * 10) Roaring Fire (燃えろ！ライオンハート) (Burning Leo)
 * 11) Chill Winds (はるかぜそよぐ、そのまえに…) (Chilly)
 * 12) Beam Land (ビームの未知なる可能性について) (Waddle Doo)
 * 13) Powered Up (忘らるる希望の光) (Plugg)
 * 14) Rinse and Repeat (ウルルン！スプリンクル) (Driblee)
 * 15) Psych Out (サイキックエイジス) (NESP)
 * 16) Freedom in the Sky (フリーダムスカイ) (Birdon)
 * 17) Spring Cleaning (世界清浄化宣言) (Broom Hatter)
 * 18) The Contender (遥かなる強者たち) (Knuckle Joe)
 * 19) What's the Bug Idea? (歴戦のインセクトバトラー) (Bugzzy)
 * 20) Unbeatable Beetle (新鋭のインセクトバトラー) (Beetley)
 * 21) A Tangled Web (三つ目スーパースパイダー) (Como)
 * 22) Floaty Dreamer (ふわふわおちて、ひがさして) (Parasol Waddle Dee)
 * 23) A Colorful ♥ (カラフル♥ハートフル) (Vividria)
 * 24) Flavor Attack (突撃！魂の料理人) (Chef Kawasaki)
 * 25) Fight for the Crown (王位の復権) (King Dedede)
 * 26) Scourge of Darkness (その闇、我が剣の糧に) (Meta Knight)
 * 27) The Legend of Dee (レジェンド オブ ワドルディ) (Bandana Waddle Dee)
 * 28) The Animal Trio (陸海空アニマルズ) (Rick, Kine and Coo)
 * 29) Galactic Ambition (銀河に野望を) (Marx)
 * 30) Who...Me? (ココはドコでボクだ〜れ？) (Gooey)

Reception
Since its Japanese release, Kirby Star Allies has received positive reception by critics.