Inhale

Inhale is Kirby's signature technique. It involves Kirby sucking objects into his mouth like a vacuum, which stretches to fit large objects. Kirby can then swallow the object or enemy that is in his mouth to eat it, or spit it out as a star to attack. In most games, stars will sink in water (though in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Kirby: Squeak Squad, and Kirby's Return to Dream Land they will travel straight through water without sinking).

Many enemy characters have special powers that Kirby is able to copy once he's eaten them known as copy abilities.

Inhaling has no effect on excessively large or heavy objects, such as a boss.

The main difference between the games and the anime is that Kirby's regular inhale in the anime is equivalent to Kirby's super inhale in the games. Kirby's super inhale was absent from the anime. Also in the anime, before he inhales he holds his breath, screws up his face, does an "on the spot" run up, charges at the enemy, starts inhaling and steps backwards.

If Kirby inhales for extended periods of time in the show, he becomes exhausted, resulting in panting and moaning. This also happens in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Kirby: Squeak Squad.

Inhale is a great defense as well as an attack, although it's impossible for Kirby to use while in yarn form in Kirby's Epic Yarn as the air inhaled goes right through his body.

Kirby cannot usually inhale underwater without the help of Kine, although he can in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. He can also move while inhaling in that game.

Other Users

 * Other members of Kirby's species have been shown to use this move as well.
 * King Dedede has seemingly mastered this move as well, though he can't gain copy abilities.
 * Rick the Hamster can both inhale and copy powers just like Kirby in Kirby's Dream Land 2, but in Kirby's Dream Land 3 he grabs objects and shoves them into his mouth.
 * Gooey does not have Kirby's special inhaling powers, but uses his tongue in the same way that Kirby inhales.
 * Whispy Woods also can inhale and tries to do so to Kirby and the other playable characters in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition.

Gallery
See Inhale/Gallery.