Culex: Difference between revisions

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{{:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars bestiary|transcludesection=Culex|image=[[File:Culex Sprite - Super Mario RPG.png]]|align=right}}

'''Culex''' is an optional hidden boss who appears in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. Alongside the [[Crystals]], Culex is an even more powerful boss than the main story's antagonist, [[Smithy]]. His alignment and motives differ drastically between the Japanese and English versions<ref name=Mato>[http://legendsoflocalization.com/culex-is-quite-different-in-japanese-super-mario-rpg/ Culex is Quite Different in Japanese Super Mario RPG - Legends of Localization.] Retrieved February 2, 2016</ref>.

In the Japanese version, Culex claims to be a timeless overlord made of pure evil. As a two-dimensional being, he is perplexed by the three-dimensional forms of Mario's party, so he demands a fight to try and understand them. Upon defeat, he recognizes the party's strength and positive energy, and he and his pocket dimension disappear to parts unknown until the day he finally gains the solidity of the third dimension. In the English version, Culex's dialogue and backstory are completely rewritten: he is said to be a "Dark Knight of [[List of implied locations#Vanda|Vanda]]" sent by the [[List of implied characters#Dark Mage|Dark Mage]]. He has nobler mannerisms, and attempts to leave Mario's company on good terms<ref name=Mato/>.

[[File:CulexSprite.jpg|thumb|left|Culex appears to [[Mario]].]]

Before or during the events of ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', Culex comes to reside in a cross-dimensional region found behind a sealed door in [[Monstro Town]]. According to one of his neighbors, a [[Piranha Plant]], Culex is "always mumbling about Crystal-this and an Evil-that." The Piranha Plant also provides a clue to opening the sealed door, telling [[Mario]] about Culex's obsession with Crystals, and then hypothesizing: "Isn't a “Crystal” some kind of a shiny rock...or something? I know I've seen those somewhere!" This hints at the [[Shiny Stone]]. To retrieve a Shiny Stone, Mario must first buy the [[Fireworks]] from a male [[Mole (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)|mole]] in Moleville for five hundred [[coin]]s, then trade the Fireworks for a Shiny Stone from a young mole girl in the same town. With the Shiny Stone, the door reacts and the seal is removed. Upon entering, Culex greets Mario and explains his story. He then challenges Mario to a battle, which the player can either accept or refuse.

[[File:CulexBattle.png|thumb|right|Mario, [[Princess Peach|Toadstool]], and [[Geno]] face Culex and the [[Crystals]].]]

In battle, Culex is aided by four Crystals – the [[Crystals#Earth Crystal|Earth Crystal]], the [[Crystals#Fire Crystal|Fire Crystal]], the [[Crystals#Water Crystal|Water Crystal]], and the [[Crystals#Wind Crystal|Wind Crystal]]. Each Crystal has command over potent magic attacks aligned with their elemental power. Culex himself is a powerful warrior with 4,096 [[Heart Point|HP]], the second most of any encounter in the game (behind only [[Smithy]]'s second phase). The group as a whole has 12,396 HP, which exceeds both of Smithy's phases combined. All four Crystals can be defeated independently before targeting Culex, but if Culex falls, any remaining Crystals shatter one by one on their next turn.

If Mario's party is victorious against Culex, he will reward Mario with the [[Accessory (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)#Quartz Charm|Quartz Charm]]. Culex then leaves Mario's dimension as Mario is transported back to Monstro Town. The door to Culex also vanishes, leaving a solid rock wall in its place. The Piranha Plant next door thinks "our neighbor moved away."

At [[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]], one of the questions [[Dr. Topper]] can ask when he quizzes Mario is what [[Jinx]], [[Goomba]], and Culex have in common. The correct answer is: "They live in Monstro Town."

==Allusions to ''Final Fantasy''==

Culex stands out in the game for being an allusion to the conventions of the ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series.

Culex has two different sets of game sprites, one for the overworld and a much larger one for battle, resembling the enemy design in the 2D ''Final Fantasy'' titles. ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' enemies (except for [[Valentina]], [[Shelly]], [[Jonathan Jones]] and [[Kamek#Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|Magikoopa]]), on the other hand, have the same sprite for both the overworld and for battles. In the style of early ''Final Fantasy'' games, Culex's battle sprite is rendered as a two-dimensional sprite that does not change when attacking or being attacked, in contrast to the pre-rendered sprites of all other enemies in ''Super Mario RPG'', which have complex animations when attacking, being attacked, and walking in place. In the Japanese version, Culex himself makes extensive note of the discrepancy in art styles.<ref name=Mato/>

The four Crystals used by Culex in battle are also based on the important reoccurring artifacts from the ''Final Fantasy'' series, appearing in many entries in the series with different functions in each. All four Crystals featured in the battle are from the original ''{{wp|Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy}}'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], although they did not gain their unique coloration until much later in the series. This connection is heightened by the Japanese name of the Quartz Charm, which is the Crystal Charm.

Moreover, the three music tracks associated with Culex are covers of three music tracks from the ''Final Fantasy'' series. His battle music is a cover of the boss battle theme from ''{{wp|Final Fantasy IV}}'' (initially ''Final Fantasy II'' in North America), the music that plays when he is defeated is a cover of the victory music present throughout the ''Final Fantasy'' series, and the ending conversation is a cover of the ''Final Fantasy'' "Prelude".

:''For a full list of quotes, see [[List of quotes in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars#Culex|here]]''

 

*"''Greetings. I am Culex, Dark Knight of [[List of implied locations#Vanda|Vanda]]. I've crossed into this dimension to fight for the [[List of implied characters#Dark Mage|Dark Mage]]. But [[Mario World|this world]] is uninhabitable for me and my kind. I must return to my own world. Before I go, though, I would like to challenge your strongest knight. Will you accept my challenge? You will enter combat against me?''"

*"''[[Mario|You]] are wise to hesitate. Without any [[List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|weapon]] or [[armor]], you have no chance.''"

*"''Take [[Accessory (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)#Quartz Charm|this]]. Treasure it as a keepsake of our fight.''"

|Jap=クリスタラー<ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/smrpg_j-e.shtml#bad The Mushroom Kingdom.] Retrieved on 2008-6-11.</ref>

|JapM=Crystaller}}

{{Super Mario RPG}}

[[Category:Optional Bosses]]

[[Category:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Characters]]

[[Category:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Bosses]]