Count Bleck: Difference between revisions

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{{Catch Card #1
{{character infobox
|image = [[Image:Normal bleck2.jpg|200px]]
|image=[[File:CountBleck2 SPM.png|200px]]<br>Artwork from ''Super Paper Mario''
|hp = 150
|full_name=Lord Blumiere
|atk = 8
|first_appearance=''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|def = 0
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' ([[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] cameo) ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]])
|card type = Rare
|tattle = This top-hatted villain is bent on ending the world! Fun fact: he was once known as Count Blumiere.
|tippi = That's Count Bleck... This dark figure wants to destroy the universe. He was  once Blumiere, a man that I loved... Max HP is 150, Attack is 8. He will use all the powers the Chaos Heart grants him. But you can beat him if you give it your all... And beat him you must... For the sake of all worlds... And to save the Blumiere I loved...
|before = [[Bonechill|187]]
|# = 188
|after = [[Nastasia|189]]
}}
}}
{{quote|Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... The man known as Blumiere died long ago. Now there is only Bleck! The [[Dark Prognosticus]]'s choice to fulfill the prophecy. Nothing more!|Count Bleck|Super Paper Mario}}
'''Count Bleck''', also known by his real name, '''Lord Blumiere''', is an evil count and the central antagonist of ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''. During the game, he summons the [[Chaos Heart]] by arranging a forced marriage between [[Princess Peach]] and [[Bowser]] for the main purpose of opening [[The Void]], which has the power to destroy all dimensions. He also leads a troop of minions, with its primary members being [[Nastasia]], [[O'Chunks]], [[Mimi]], [[Mr. L]], and [[Dimentio]].


{{quote|Bleh heh heh heh heh. Bleck!|Count Bleck|Super Paper Mario}}
His name, "Bleck", is normally used as onomatopoeia for disgust, but can also be interpreted as a corruption of "Black", referring to darkness (his Japanese name is a play on the French word for "black", ''noir''.) His real name is likely a portmanteau of ''blue'', referring to his color, and ''lumière'', the French term for light and a reference to his status as a member of the [[Tribe of Darkness]].


'''Count Bleck''' (real name '''Lord Blumiere''') is the main antagonist in the game ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''. Count Bleck is responsible for bringing forth the [[Chaos Heart]] by forcedly marrying [[Princess Peach]] to [[Bowser]], which he uses to open [[The Void]] in order to engulf the universe. He leads a troop of minions to help move along his plans, including [[Nastasia]], [[O'Chunks]], [[Mimi]], and [[Dimentio]].
==History==
===Background===
Prior to the events of the game, Count Bleck went by the name Blumiere and was a member of the [[Tribe of Darkness]], a group that broke off from the [[Tribe of Ancients]] after stealing the [[Dark Prognosticus]] in a misguided attempt to prevent its powers from being abused. One day, Blumiere was found injured at the base of a cliff by a human girl known as Timpani and was nursed back to health by her. Despite [[Blumiere's father|his father's]] warnings to stay away from humans, Blumiere became captured by her kindness, and he frequently snuck out of his castle to meet with her, and they eventually fell in love.  


== Count Bleck's Plot ==
He later learned that his father threatened Timpani. Blumiere learned that they could not be in love here, so he proposed to her. Though before they could be married, his father abducted and banished Timpani from their dimension, wiped her memory, and cursed her to wander through worlds until the day she died. Upon learning of Timpani's disappearance, Blumiere traveled through dimensions to search for her, unaware that she had been found barely alive by [[Merlon]], and was turned into a [[Pixl]] known as [[Tippi]] in order to save her. It is implied by one of [[Carson]]'s stories that he met [[Nastasia]] at some point during his search.


It is slowly revealed in vague flashbacks that Count Bleck (when he was only known as Blumiere) originally had a [[human]] girlfriend, [[Lady Timpani]], whom he cherished and loved. Before the two lovers' plans for marriage were able to work, Timpani vanished, leaving Blumiere gravely heartbroken. Soon afterward, [[Blumiere's Father|his father]] revealed that he had teleported Timpani out of their dimension, explaining that [[Tribe of Darkness|their kind]] could never mix with humans. Inconsolable, Blumiere turned to the pages of the [[Dark Prognosticus]]. He sought to destroy the world as it was meaningless to him without Timpani.
Blumiere eventually returned home after thinking that Timpani was gone forever. He believed that life and existence are meaningless without her, so he stole the Dark Prognosticus and used its power to destroy his dimension, and he decided to do the same to every world. Blumiere took the alias of Count Bleck, and along with his new assistant Nastasia, he moved to a new castle in a world of darkness and is eventually joined by [[Mimi]], [[O'Chunks]], and [[Dimentio]]. He also intends to create a new perfect world once the original is destroyed, but Dimentio claimed that he never actually intended to keep his promise.


When Count Bleck learned about Tippi and her similar descriptions to Lady Timpani, he suddenly felt regretful for opening The Void, for he realized that he had found her. But still, Count Bleck couldn't close The Void for he was still in control of the Chaos Heart, which he believed would be destroyed only if its owner perished.
===''Super Paper Mario''===
[[File:Wedding4.png|thumb|left|Count Bleck forcing Princess Peach to marry Bowser to create the Chaos Heart]]
Count Bleck eventually decides to target the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. He learned from the prophecy that the wedding of a princess and a monster will call forth the [[Chaos Heart]]. Due to this, he abducts [[Princess Peach]], [[Bowser]], [[Luigi]], and the entire [[Bowser's Minions|Koopa Troop]], and forcibly weds the former two, forming the Chaos Heart. Count Bleck then uses the Chaos Heart to rip open [[the Void]]. Due to a disturbance during the wedding ceremony, Luigi, Bowser, the Koopa Troop, and Peach are scattered across the castle. To confront this problem, Bleck sends Nastasia to brainwash members of the Koopa Troop into joining him. He also sends his other minions to various dimensions in an attempt to prevent [[Mario]]'s from collecting the [[Pure Heart]]s.


When Mario and Tippi confronted Count Bleck, the count attempted to destroy them using his magic. However, the power of the Chaos Heart was negated using the power of the Pure Hearts, allowing him to be defeated and left weak, frail, and hopeless. Wanting to die because of his evil deeds for opening The Void and putting his love in serious danger, he asked Mario and Tippi to finish him off. But Tippi forgave him for she still loved him, and couldn't do it. It was here that Dimentio took control of the Chaos Heart, imprisoned Tippi, Count Bleck, and Nastasia in [[Dimension D]] and tried to destroy the universe (in hopes of creating a new universe for him to rule) himself as [[Super Dimentio]]. Tippi and Count Bleck reestablished their love, and with the help of O'Chunks and Mimi, the Pure Hearts were restored and Dimentio was defeated. In order to banish the Chaos Heart and close The Void, Count Bleck and Tippi demonstrated the true love they possessed and married.
[[File:SPM Dark Prognosticus Man in Green.png|thumb|The foretold events about [[Mr. L]]]]
After his minions are defeated and Mario reunites with Peach and Bowser, Count Bleck stops treating Mario as a "mere annoyance". Bleck turns to the Dark Prognosticus and learns that a "man in green" is the main factor of determining whether the prophecy of destruction will pass. He orders Nastasia to brainwash Luigi into [[Mr. L]] and attempts to stop Mario with him. However, Mr. L is defeated like his other minions. Bleck becomes angered after his attempts to stop Mario failed, and he confronts them in person in [[Sammer's Kingdom]]. He argues with Tippi over his motives and the value of all worlds, and begins to suspect that Tippi may be Timpani.  


[[Image:SPMending.png|thumb|left|What is thought to be the silhouette of the actual Blumiere to the left of Timpani.]]
[[File:SPM Dimentio Thief.png|thumb|left|Dimentio stealing the Chaos Heart from Count Bleck]]
After Mario and his team obtained the final Pure Heart from [[the Overthere]], Bleck orders his minions to try and defeat them when they arrive at his castle. Dimentio later reveals to Bleck that Tippi mentioned the name "Blumiere", which confirms she is Timpani. Nastasia begins to urge Bleck to call off the void, but due to him being too far along in his plans to stop the Chaos Heart's destruction, he ignores her urges. However, Bleck secretly hopes that Mario and his team will be capable of defeating him and saving all worlds, feeling that he has come too far to back down.


What exactly happened to Lord Blumiere and Lady Timpani afterwards is a mystery, although it is said that they are both alive and happy somewhere unknown. Indeed, the very final scene of ''Super Paper Mario'' (appearing even [[Wikipedia:Post-credits scene|after the staff credits]]) depicts two figures standing on a green hill in the midst of a bright meadow; it is heavily implied that these two figures (who appear to be a man and a woman) are Lord Blumiere and Lady Timpani living out their lives in the unknown place. In a manner similar to how Tippi became [[human]] when she reverted back to Lady Timpani, the Lord Blumiere form of Count Bleck seen in this picture also appears to be slightly different; Blumiere looked almost identical to Count Bleck except that he was taller and his hat was noticeably larger.
When Mario and Tippi reached the inner sanctum of [[Castle Bleck]], Bleck and Tippi once again argue before he sends Nastasia away and engages Mario in a battle. Bleck is initially immune to all attacks due to the Chaos Heart, but Bowser, Peach, and Luigi grant the Pure Hearts the power to negate the barrier. After Bleck is defeated, he insists that Mario [[Game Over|end his game]] before the Void destroys all worlds, against Tippi's wishes.


Though before Mario and his allies ended his game, Dimentio appears and attacks the count, but the blow is taken by Nastasia, who is seemingly {{wp|Mortal wound|mortally wounded}}. Dimentio then takes control of the Chaos Heart, and plans to use it to create a new world in his own image once the old worlds are gone. He banishes Bleck, Tippi, and Nastasia to [[Dimension D]], intending to deal with them later, and merges with Mr. L and the Chaos Heart to form a giant body called [[Super Dimentio]]. At Dimension D, Count Bleck is reunited with O'Chunks and Mimi, whose love for Bleck manages to restore the Pure Hearts to weaken Super Dimentio and allows Mario and his allies to defeat him. Before his death, Dimentio manages to leave behind a "shadow" of his power, which will ensure all worlds will end as revenge for his death. As he is aware of the urgency of the situation, Count Bleck returns everyone to the chapel where the Chaos Heart was born, and he and Tippi exchange vows and wed each other. The true love between them supercharges the Pure Hearts, uniting them into the [[Purity Heart]] that destroys the Chaos Heart and reverses the prophecy of destruction.


== Personality ==
[[File:SPMendinghigh.PNG|thumb|The ending of ''Super Paper Mario'', depicting Blumiere and Timpani in human form standing in a meadow]]
Bleck claims that using his and Tippi's love to stop the Void would cause both of them to "cease to exist", but both Merlon and Nastasia believe that he is living happily together with Timpani. Because Bleck is now gone, his minions decide to create the perfect world that he promised them. In a post-credits scene, the count's silhouette is standing near that of a woman in a meadow, which is implied to be Timpani (the latter having regained her human form), implying they survived.


The loss of Timpani made Bleck vengeful towards the world. Bleck wants to destroy the universe because he thinks that life is meaningless without Timpani. So, technically, it was his love towards Timpani what made Bleck evil. Despite this, Bleck has still one redeeming quality: his love for Timpani.  
===''Super Mario-kun''===
[[File:Super Mario Kun Volume 37 Count Bleck.png|thumb|left|Count Bleck's appearance in ''Super Mario-kun'']]
Count Bleck appears in volume 37 and volume 38 of ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'', during the story arc based on ''Super Paper Mario''. His role in ''Super Mario-kun'' mirrors his role in the game.


Even when seeking to plunge all that is to destruction, Bleck is not sadistic by nature. He is shown to be very upbeat and forgiving, never punishing his henchmen for their failures with any physical torture or insults. The form of punishment is writing papers or singing songs in which Bleck does not even issue; Nastasia issues these forms of punishments.
===''Dr. Mario-kun''===
Count Bleck appears in Episode 57, Episode 58, and Episode 59 of the ''[[Dr. Mario-kun]]'' manga. In the final story arc of the manga, Count Bleck creates the Dimensional Virus, which messes with alternate realities.
Bleck also seems to be very likable, as all his henchmen have a strong bond with him. The exception of these bonds is Dimentio, who is the only truly evil minion and is far more evil than the Count himself. In the end, it was Timpani who made him realize the error of his ways and they both saved the universe together.
{{br}}


Count Bleck speaks about himself in the third person. He also has a tendency to narrate his own dialogue (for example, "Bleck, says Count Bleck!").
==General information==
===Personality and traits===
[[File:CountBleck.png|thumb|left|100px|Count Bleck's sprite in ''Super Paper Mario'']]
{{quote|BLECK! Your princess has been taken...by Count Bleck! By me...Count Bleck! The chosen executor of the Dark Prognosticus...is Count Bleck! The fine fellow prophesied to come to this dimension...is also Count Bleck!|Count Bleck|Super Paper Mario}}


==Powers and Abilities==
Count Bleck is motivated in his destruction of worlds primarily by a sense of life and existence in general as cruel and meaningless in the wake of the loss of Timpani. He also holds a belief that it is impossible to avoid one's fate, with his own being outlined in the Dark Prognosticus as its executor and the destroyer of all worlds. As he is introduced, Count Bleck takes the persona of a remorseless villain who takes joy in destruction. However, as the story progresses, the context and motivations behind his actions are further explored, as are some of his more sympathetic traits.


In addition to being able to use the Dark Prognosticus, Count Bleck has many other magical powers granted by the Chaos Heart that aid him in and out of combat. His most obvious and freqently used power is his ability to freely float without any hinderence to gravity. This power is particularly important due to his lack of visible legs. He also often shows his ability to teleport at will by "flipping", along with the Dark Prognosticus which always teleports at his side. Also, he can use the Chaos Heart's power to shield him from any harm.
Prior to becoming Count Bleck, Blumiere was described as a kind person, cherishing life and the universe itself. He was likely influenced by the xenophobic attitudes of the Tribe of Darkness, initially disgusted at being saved from death by a human and failing to understand why Timpani would do so, but grew beyond this mindset as he spent more time with Timpani. In time, he fell in love with her, so deeply that he ceased to care about the expectations on him as a member of the Tribe of Darkness or the taboo on relationships outside of the tribe. He became eager to run away with Timpani to a place where their love would not be forbidden and they could marry, for which Timpani chided him as stubborn and foolish, though she agreed to do so.


In combat, Count Bleck uses his cane to conjure globs of dark energy and hurl them at Mario and other foes. He can also summon a huge vortex of dark energy that sucks up his enemies, however, this skill is simply thwarted by running away from it. Bleck can temporarily slow the flow of time as well, throwing his enemies off. Finally, he can coat himself in a small barrier of red energy and simply ram into his opponent, damaging them.
When Blumiere's father cursed Timpani to wander dimensions until death, Blumiere searched through many worlds to find her. When he could not find her, he returned home and sought the Dark Prognosticus. Upon opening and reading the book, Blumiere undergoes a stark change in identity and personality, proclaiming himself Count Bleck, committing himself to the completion of its prophecies, and destroying the Tribe of Darkness. Unable to see meaning in a life and a world in which Timpani no longer existed, and guided by the word of the Dark Prognosticus, Count Bleck set out to destroy all worlds, renouncing his value of love and resigning himself to his role in the prophecy of destruction.


Count Bleck is also shown to be quite clever and intelligent. He also is very charismatic, as his followers are loyal to the end, and his capable of easily persuading others to join his cause (and having both of his female minions develop a crush on him, a very slight one in Mimi's case.). However, it's much more effective for him to rely on Nastatia's mind controlling powers to gather more minions.
Although he insists that Blumiere was dead and only Bleck remained, Count Bleck demonstrates much of the same warmth and kindness he once possessed, even as he is poised to end all worlds. Chiefly, he shows a deep respect and care for his minions, and they show the same for him. His minions happily accept their missions to stop Mario and his allies, and in the prologue, Mimi states that being with the Count is her idea of a perfect world. Count Bleck replies that he will make his minions' dreams come true. Though this appears to be false, and his intention had in fact been to leave all worlds in ruin, his minions believe after his disappearance that he truly did wish in his heart for a better world. He also allows his minions to leave his side at any time, even with his blessing, as shown with Nastasia in the post-Chapter 3 intermission.  


== Trivia ==
Carson's stories show that his minions serve him wholly of their own volition. Nastasia and O' Chunks in particular serve him because he had saved their lives in the past. Notably, in the Japanese script, O' Chunks is described as having forced Count Bleck to make him one of his minions,<ref>{{cite|url=https://youtu.be/EqtiX1ll6q8?t=123|title=Super Paper Mario: All Carson's Stories (Retranslated)|author=SomeUselessTranslations|date=March 7, 2023|accessdate=August 11, 2024|timestamp=2:03}}</ref> with the English version instead claiming that Count Bleck manipulated him into joining. Despite claiming to view life as worthless, Count Bleck retains a compassion for those who are suffering that leads him to save the lives of others with no clear expectation of benefit or reward. He never appears truly upset with his minions when they fail him, and leaves what disciplining they do face to Nastasia, whose punishments are essentially harmless. He is horrified when Nastasia takes a blast from Dimentio meant for him, and is moved when his minions' show of love for him aids in restoring the Pure Hearts.


* Count Bleck's name appears to be a pun on "black" and "blech," the latter being an interjection of disgust. However, the "bleck" part of his name may actually be an alternate spelling of "blech," as may be indicated by the fact that previous [[Paper Mario (disambiguation)|''Paper Mario'' game]] ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' used the word "bleck" in place of "blech," as well as the fact that Count Bleck himself seems to use "bleck" in such a manner. (However, it should be noted that the original ''[[Paper Mario]]'' used the traditional "blech," and even Bleck himself has been known to use this traditional spelling in his Blumiere form.) Even still, though, "black" may have had some sort of influence on his name, as his Japanese name ('''Count Noir''') actually uses it indirectly (as "noir" is French for "black"). It is finally worthy of note that "bleck" can also mean "violate" or "blacken," uses fitting for the count's sinister personality.
Count Bleck consistently refers to himself in third person, except when alone and after being defeated. This habit may be meant to evoke the narration of a story, much like how he follows the guidance of the Dark Prognosticus (though it is unlikely he is quoting it directly).
* The texture used for the shadowy inside of his cape is the exact same texture used for the background in [[Outer Space]]. Also, this could be a reference to the boss Nightmare from the ''[[Kirby]]'' series.
*According to [[The InterNed]], the music that plays during the dialogue from Lord Blumiere's past are titled "Memory 1," "Memory 2," "Memory 3," and "Memory 4," the music that plays during Count Bleck and his lackeys' appearance between chapters is titled "Count Bleck's Plan," and the music during the opening wedding cinematic is titled "The Wedding Begins." The music for the final fight with Count Bleck is titled "Closing Battle."
*Count Bleck's face is similar to that of the [[Black Chest Demons]] from the previous Paper Mario game. He also vaguely resembles Haunter from the Pokemon franchise.


{{Boss}}
===Appearance===
{{Mario Villains}}
Count Bleck wears a white top hat and coat, and is usually shrouded in a cape with a gradient of white at its top fading to blue at the bottom. The inside of the cape is dark blue and starry, and when he opens his cape during the cutscene in Bowser's Castle, a unique design is shown. This design is from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', and depicts the pattern used atop the pedestal in the room with [[The Thousand-Year Door]] when Mario presents a [[Crystal Star]]. He also wears a large red brooch, white gloves, and wields a brown scepter topped with a blue jewel. On his left eye is a monocle, and his eyes and mouth are both red and glowing. However, both his eyes and mouth become light blue when he is defeated, and remains like that until the [[Pure Heart]]s are restored.
{{RPG Villains}}


[[Category: Paper Mario Series Characters]]
===Powers and abilities===
[[Category: Super Paper Mario Characters]]
[[File:SPM Bleck Battle.png|thumb|Left|Mario fighting Count Bleck]]
[[Category: Characters]]
In addition to being able to use the Dark Prognosticus, Count Bleck has many other magical powers granted by the Chaos Heart that can aid him. He can freely float without any hindrance to gravity, which is particularly important due to his lack of visible legs. He has the ability to teleport at will by "flipping", along with the Dark Prognosticus which always teleports at his side. He can also use the Chaos Heart's power to shield him from any harm.
[[Category: Bosses]]
 
[[Category: Enemies]]
In combat, Count Bleck uses his scepter to conjure globs of dark magic and hurls them at his foes. These globs cannot be blocked by anything, including Peach's parasol and [[Barry]]. The only way to avoid them is to use [[Slim (Pixl)|Slim]], who causes the player to become invisible and intangible. He can also summon a huge vortex of dark energy that sucks up his enemies. Count Bleck can temporarily slow the flow of time as well, similar to the [[Slow]] status effect. Finally, he can speed himself up similar to the effect gained when using a [[Speed Flower]] and ram into his opponent, which damages them. His shadow blast attack does 3 damage, his Void attack does 8 damage and the player takes 2 damage when walking into the Count. Although he is incapable of flipping in 3D, his globs are in 3D and can still damage Mario even if he is in the third dimension.
[[Category: RPG Bosses]]
 
[[Category: Magicians]]
Beyond his magical talents, Count Bleck demonstrates a high intelligence, a compelling physical and conversational presence and a quality of character that can earn loyalty from his followers and friends. Bleck is charismatic and can sway individuals into his service, as seen with Bowser at the beginning of the game, while his assistant Nastasia's mind control powers can help him cover all other cases.
[[Category: Married]]
 
[[Category: Count Bleck's Army]]
==Profiles and statistics==
[[Category: Undead]]
===''Super Paper Mario''===
{{:Super Paper Mario bestiary|transcludesection=Count Bleck|align=horizontal}}
===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''===
{{SSBB sticker
|name=Count Bleck
|image=[[File:Count_Bleck_Sticker.png]]
|game=''Super Paper Mario''
|effect=[Flame] - Resistance +5
}}
 
===''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''===
{{SSB4 trophy
|name=Count Bleck
|image=[[File:Count Bleck Trophy - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.png|100px]]
|category=Series Related
|appears_in='''Wii''' ''Super Paper Mario'' (04/2007)
|trophy_box=13: Paper Mario
|unlock=Random
|desc=Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser so many times, it seemed like a good idea to mix things up—instead she gets kidnapped by this guy, Count Bleck! He then obtains the Chaos Heart by forcing Peach and Bowser to marry. All of this was predicted by the Dark Prognosticus, which Count Bleck carries with him.
|desc2=It's always nice to have a fresh face on the Peach-kidnapping scene, and that's where Count Bleck comes in. In order to obtain the Chaos Heart, he actually tries to marry Peach to Bowser! Apparently, the path to dimensional destruction is all foretold in the Dark Prognosticus – he's just following the instructions.
}}
 
==Quotes==
{{main|List of Super Paper Mario quotes by character (A–J)#Count Bleck}}
*"''BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!''"
*"''[[Princess Peach|Your princess]] has been taken... by Count Bleck!''"
*"''By me... Count Bleck! The chosen executer of the Dark Prognosticus... is Count Bleck! The fine fellow prophesied to come to this dimension... is also Count Bleck!''"
*"''Of all things, you defend the heart?! Nothing could be more worthless...''"
*"''Aside from Timpani, no treasure mattered in the least to me...''"
*"''But you are far too late to stop the Dark Prognosticus, and me... Count Bleck! All worlds will soon end. Come into grips for that now, for you cannot stop it. I suggest you make yourselves comfortable and enjoy this one, final spectacle!''"
*"''Count Bleck is the deleter of worlds! My fate is written in the Dark Prognosticus!''"
*"''ALL NOW ENDS!''"
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
SPM Count Bleck Catch Card.png|[[Catch Card]]
Bleck's TTYD pedestal.gif|Count Bleck's pedestal
Bleck SPM art.jpg|Artwork of Count Bleck with his cape open
Count Bleck Cape Open sprite.png|Sprite of Count Bleck with his cape open
BlumiereTimpaniSMK.jpg|Lady Timpani and Lord Blumiere's silhouettes from ''[[Super Mario-kun]]''
</gallery>
 
==Names in other languages==
===Count Bleck===
{{foreign names
|Jap=ノワール{{hover|伯爵|はくしゃく}}
|JapR=Nowāru-Hakushaku
|JapM=Count Noir ("noir" is French for "black")
|SpaA=Conde Bleck
|SpaAM=Count Bleck
|SpaE=Conde Cenizo
|SpaEM="Conde" (count) + "cenizo" (ashen). "Cenizo" can also mean "jinx" or "killjoy"
|Fre=Comte Niark
|FreM="Comte" (count) + "niark" (onomatopoeia of an evil laughter)
|Ger=Graf Knickwitz
|GerM="Graf" (count) + "knick" (kink) + "-witz" (a German name ending and also meaning "joke")
|Ita=Conte Cenere
|ItaM="Conte" (count) + "cenere" (ashen)
|Rus=Граф Блэк
|RusR=Graf Blek
|RusM="Граф" (count) + "Блэк" (a transcription of "Bleck")
|Kor=느와르 백작
|KorR=Neuwareu Baekjak
|KorM=From the Japanese name
}}
 
===Lord Blumiere===
{{foreign names
|Jap=ルミエール
|JapR=Rumiēru
|JapM=From "lumière" (a French word meaning "light"); may also be a pun on「スペール」(''Supēru'', [[Shaman]]) like other Ancient-descended characters
|Spa=Lord Blumière
|SpaM=French modification of "blanco" (means white) with his Japanese name, Lumière.
|Ger=Fürst Blumiere
|GerM="Fürst" means "prince" or "ruler"
|Ita=Lord Blumiere
|Ita2=Conte Blumiere
|Ita2N=Capture Card only
|Ita2M=Count Blumiere
|Fre=Seigneur Nikolaï
|FreM=Lord Nikolaï
|Rus=Лорд Бльюмьер
|RusR=Lord Bl'yum'er
|RusM="Бльюмьер" is a transcription of "Blumiere" and "лорд" means "lord"
|Kor=르미에르
|KorR=Reumiereu
|KorM=From French word "lumière" (which is, if read in Korean, pronounced as 뤼미에르, ''Rwimiereu''), meaning "light"
}}
 
==References==
<references/>
{{SPM}}
[[Category:Magicians]]
[[Category:Married characters]]
[[Category:Royalty]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario bosses]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario trading cards]]
[[Category:Super Mario-kun characters]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl stickers]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophies]]
[[de:Graf Knickwitz]]
[[it:Conte Cenere]]

Latest revision as of 16:09, November 6, 2024

Count Bleck
Concept artwork of Count Bleck with his cape remaining closed, from Super Paper Mario
Artwork from Super Paper Mario
Full name Lord Blumiere
First appearance Super Paper Mario (2007)
Latest appearance Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (trophy cameo) (2014)
“Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... The man known as Blumiere died long ago. Now there is only Bleck! The Dark Prognosticus's choice to fulfill the prophecy. Nothing more!”
Count Bleck, Super Paper Mario

Count Bleck, also known by his real name, Lord Blumiere, is an evil count and the central antagonist of Super Paper Mario. During the game, he summons the Chaos Heart by arranging a forced marriage between Princess Peach and Bowser for the main purpose of opening The Void, which has the power to destroy all dimensions. He also leads a troop of minions, with its primary members being Nastasia, O'Chunks, Mimi, Mr. L, and Dimentio.

His name, "Bleck", is normally used as onomatopoeia for disgust, but can also be interpreted as a corruption of "Black", referring to darkness (his Japanese name is a play on the French word for "black", noir.) His real name is likely a portmanteau of blue, referring to his color, and lumière, the French term for light and a reference to his status as a member of the Tribe of Darkness.

History[edit]

Background[edit]

Prior to the events of the game, Count Bleck went by the name Blumiere and was a member of the Tribe of Darkness, a group that broke off from the Tribe of Ancients after stealing the Dark Prognosticus in a misguided attempt to prevent its powers from being abused. One day, Blumiere was found injured at the base of a cliff by a human girl known as Timpani and was nursed back to health by her. Despite his father's warnings to stay away from humans, Blumiere became captured by her kindness, and he frequently snuck out of his castle to meet with her, and they eventually fell in love.

He later learned that his father threatened Timpani. Blumiere learned that they could not be in love here, so he proposed to her. Though before they could be married, his father abducted and banished Timpani from their dimension, wiped her memory, and cursed her to wander through worlds until the day she died. Upon learning of Timpani's disappearance, Blumiere traveled through dimensions to search for her, unaware that she had been found barely alive by Merlon, and was turned into a Pixl known as Tippi in order to save her. It is implied by one of Carson's stories that he met Nastasia at some point during his search.

Blumiere eventually returned home after thinking that Timpani was gone forever. He believed that life and existence are meaningless without her, so he stole the Dark Prognosticus and used its power to destroy his dimension, and he decided to do the same to every world. Blumiere took the alias of Count Bleck, and along with his new assistant Nastasia, he moved to a new castle in a world of darkness and is eventually joined by Mimi, O'Chunks, and Dimentio. He also intends to create a new perfect world once the original is destroyed, but Dimentio claimed that he never actually intended to keep his promise.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Count Bleck forcing Princess Peach to marry Bowser to create the Chaos Heart

Count Bleck eventually decides to target the Mushroom Kingdom. He learned from the prophecy that the wedding of a princess and a monster will call forth the Chaos Heart. Due to this, he abducts Princess Peach, Bowser, Luigi, and the entire Koopa Troop, and forcibly weds the former two, forming the Chaos Heart. Count Bleck then uses the Chaos Heart to rip open the Void. Due to a disturbance during the wedding ceremony, Luigi, Bowser, the Koopa Troop, and Peach are scattered across the castle. To confront this problem, Bleck sends Nastasia to brainwash members of the Koopa Troop into joining him. He also sends his other minions to various dimensions in an attempt to prevent Mario's from collecting the Pure Hearts.

Something in the Dark Prognosticus about Luigi taking on Mr. L; his alter-ego.
The foretold events about Mr. L

After his minions are defeated and Mario reunites with Peach and Bowser, Count Bleck stops treating Mario as a "mere annoyance". Bleck turns to the Dark Prognosticus and learns that a "man in green" is the main factor of determining whether the prophecy of destruction will pass. He orders Nastasia to brainwash Luigi into Mr. L and attempts to stop Mario with him. However, Mr. L is defeated like his other minions. Bleck becomes angered after his attempts to stop Mario failed, and he confronts them in person in Sammer's Kingdom. He argues with Tippi over his motives and the value of all worlds, and begins to suspect that Tippi may be Timpani.

Dimentio stealing the Chaos Heart from Count Bleck

After Mario and his team obtained the final Pure Heart from the Overthere, Bleck orders his minions to try and defeat them when they arrive at his castle. Dimentio later reveals to Bleck that Tippi mentioned the name "Blumiere", which confirms she is Timpani. Nastasia begins to urge Bleck to call off the void, but due to him being too far along in his plans to stop the Chaos Heart's destruction, he ignores her urges. However, Bleck secretly hopes that Mario and his team will be capable of defeating him and saving all worlds, feeling that he has come too far to back down.

When Mario and Tippi reached the inner sanctum of Castle Bleck, Bleck and Tippi once again argue before he sends Nastasia away and engages Mario in a battle. Bleck is initially immune to all attacks due to the Chaos Heart, but Bowser, Peach, and Luigi grant the Pure Hearts the power to negate the barrier. After Bleck is defeated, he insists that Mario end his game before the Void destroys all worlds, against Tippi's wishes.

Though before Mario and his allies ended his game, Dimentio appears and attacks the count, but the blow is taken by Nastasia, who is seemingly mortally wounded. Dimentio then takes control of the Chaos Heart, and plans to use it to create a new world in his own image once the old worlds are gone. He banishes Bleck, Tippi, and Nastasia to Dimension D, intending to deal with them later, and merges with Mr. L and the Chaos Heart to form a giant body called Super Dimentio. At Dimension D, Count Bleck is reunited with O'Chunks and Mimi, whose love for Bleck manages to restore the Pure Hearts to weaken Super Dimentio and allows Mario and his allies to defeat him. Before his death, Dimentio manages to leave behind a "shadow" of his power, which will ensure all worlds will end as revenge for his death. As he is aware of the urgency of the situation, Count Bleck returns everyone to the chapel where the Chaos Heart was born, and he and Tippi exchange vows and wed each other. The true love between them supercharges the Pure Hearts, uniting them into the Purity Heart that destroys the Chaos Heart and reverses the prophecy of destruction.

The ending of Super Paper Mario, depicting Blumiere and Timpani in human form standing in a meadow

Bleck claims that using his and Tippi's love to stop the Void would cause both of them to "cease to exist", but both Merlon and Nastasia believe that he is living happily together with Timpani. Because Bleck is now gone, his minions decide to create the perfect world that he promised them. In a post-credits scene, the count's silhouette is standing near that of a woman in a meadow, which is implied to be Timpani (the latter having regained her human form), implying they survived.

Super Mario-kun[edit]

Count Bleck's appearance in the Super Paper Mario arc from volume 37 of the Super Mario-kun
Count Bleck's appearance in Super Mario-kun

Count Bleck appears in volume 37 and volume 38 of Super Mario-kun, during the story arc based on Super Paper Mario. His role in Super Mario-kun mirrors his role in the game.

Dr. Mario-kun[edit]

Count Bleck appears in Episode 57, Episode 58, and Episode 59 of the Dr. Mario-kun manga. In the final story arc of the manga, Count Bleck creates the Dimensional Virus, which messes with alternate realities.

General information[edit]

Personality and traits[edit]

Sprite of Count Bleck found in Super Paper Mario.
Count Bleck's sprite in Super Paper Mario
“BLECK! Your princess has been taken...by Count Bleck! By me...Count Bleck! The chosen executor of the Dark Prognosticus...is Count Bleck! The fine fellow prophesied to come to this dimension...is also Count Bleck!”
Count Bleck, Super Paper Mario

Count Bleck is motivated in his destruction of worlds primarily by a sense of life and existence in general as cruel and meaningless in the wake of the loss of Timpani. He also holds a belief that it is impossible to avoid one's fate, with his own being outlined in the Dark Prognosticus as its executor and the destroyer of all worlds. As he is introduced, Count Bleck takes the persona of a remorseless villain who takes joy in destruction. However, as the story progresses, the context and motivations behind his actions are further explored, as are some of his more sympathetic traits.

Prior to becoming Count Bleck, Blumiere was described as a kind person, cherishing life and the universe itself. He was likely influenced by the xenophobic attitudes of the Tribe of Darkness, initially disgusted at being saved from death by a human and failing to understand why Timpani would do so, but grew beyond this mindset as he spent more time with Timpani. In time, he fell in love with her, so deeply that he ceased to care about the expectations on him as a member of the Tribe of Darkness or the taboo on relationships outside of the tribe. He became eager to run away with Timpani to a place where their love would not be forbidden and they could marry, for which Timpani chided him as stubborn and foolish, though she agreed to do so.

When Blumiere's father cursed Timpani to wander dimensions until death, Blumiere searched through many worlds to find her. When he could not find her, he returned home and sought the Dark Prognosticus. Upon opening and reading the book, Blumiere undergoes a stark change in identity and personality, proclaiming himself Count Bleck, committing himself to the completion of its prophecies, and destroying the Tribe of Darkness. Unable to see meaning in a life and a world in which Timpani no longer existed, and guided by the word of the Dark Prognosticus, Count Bleck set out to destroy all worlds, renouncing his value of love and resigning himself to his role in the prophecy of destruction.

Although he insists that Blumiere was dead and only Bleck remained, Count Bleck demonstrates much of the same warmth and kindness he once possessed, even as he is poised to end all worlds. Chiefly, he shows a deep respect and care for his minions, and they show the same for him. His minions happily accept their missions to stop Mario and his allies, and in the prologue, Mimi states that being with the Count is her idea of a perfect world. Count Bleck replies that he will make his minions' dreams come true. Though this appears to be false, and his intention had in fact been to leave all worlds in ruin, his minions believe after his disappearance that he truly did wish in his heart for a better world. He also allows his minions to leave his side at any time, even with his blessing, as shown with Nastasia in the post-Chapter 3 intermission.

Carson's stories show that his minions serve him wholly of their own volition. Nastasia and O' Chunks in particular serve him because he had saved their lives in the past. Notably, in the Japanese script, O' Chunks is described as having forced Count Bleck to make him one of his minions,[1] with the English version instead claiming that Count Bleck manipulated him into joining. Despite claiming to view life as worthless, Count Bleck retains a compassion for those who are suffering that leads him to save the lives of others with no clear expectation of benefit or reward. He never appears truly upset with his minions when they fail him, and leaves what disciplining they do face to Nastasia, whose punishments are essentially harmless. He is horrified when Nastasia takes a blast from Dimentio meant for him, and is moved when his minions' show of love for him aids in restoring the Pure Hearts.

Count Bleck consistently refers to himself in third person, except when alone and after being defeated. This habit may be meant to evoke the narration of a story, much like how he follows the guidance of the Dark Prognosticus (though it is unlikely he is quoting it directly).

Appearance[edit]

Count Bleck wears a white top hat and coat, and is usually shrouded in a cape with a gradient of white at its top fading to blue at the bottom. The inside of the cape is dark blue and starry, and when he opens his cape during the cutscene in Bowser's Castle, a unique design is shown. This design is from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and depicts the pattern used atop the pedestal in the room with The Thousand-Year Door when Mario presents a Crystal Star. He also wears a large red brooch, white gloves, and wields a brown scepter topped with a blue jewel. On his left eye is a monocle, and his eyes and mouth are both red and glowing. However, both his eyes and mouth become light blue when he is defeated, and remains like that until the Pure Hearts are restored.

Powers and abilities[edit]

Count Bleck fighting Mario.
Mario fighting Count Bleck

In addition to being able to use the Dark Prognosticus, Count Bleck has many other magical powers granted by the Chaos Heart that can aid him. He can freely float without any hindrance to gravity, which is particularly important due to his lack of visible legs. He has the ability to teleport at will by "flipping", along with the Dark Prognosticus which always teleports at his side. He can also use the Chaos Heart's power to shield him from any harm.

In combat, Count Bleck uses his scepter to conjure globs of dark magic and hurls them at his foes. These globs cannot be blocked by anything, including Peach's parasol and Barry. The only way to avoid them is to use Slim, who causes the player to become invisible and intangible. He can also summon a huge vortex of dark energy that sucks up his enemies. Count Bleck can temporarily slow the flow of time as well, similar to the Slow status effect. Finally, he can speed himself up similar to the effect gained when using a Speed Flower and ram into his opponent, which damages them. His shadow blast attack does 3 damage, his Void attack does 8 damage and the player takes 2 damage when walking into the Count. Although he is incapable of flipping in 3D, his globs are in 3D and can still damage Mario even if he is in the third dimension.

Beyond his magical talents, Count Bleck demonstrates a high intelligence, a compelling physical and conversational presence and a quality of character that can earn loyalty from his followers and friends. Bleck is charismatic and can sway individuals into his service, as seen with Bowser at the beginning of the game, while his assistant Nastasia's mind control powers can help him cover all other cases.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Super Paper Mario enemy
Count Bleck
Count Bleck Max HP 150 Role Boss Location(s) Castle Bleck Inner Sanctum (8-4)
Attack 8 Card type Rare
Defense 0 Items Card location(s) Card Shop; Map 48
Score 8000
Card description This top-hatted villain is bent on ending the world! Fun fact: he was once known as Count Blumiere.
  List of Catch Cards  
  187      188      189  
Tattle That's Count Bleck... This dark figure wants to destroy the universe. He was once Blumiere, a man that I loved... Max HP is 150, Attack is 8. He will use all the powers the Chaos Heart grants him. But you can beat him if you give it your all... And beat him you must... For the sake of all worlds... And to save the Blumiere I loved...

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Sticker
Count Bleck
Count Bleck Sticker
Artwork from: Super Paper Mario
Effects in The Subspace Emissary: [Flame] - Resistance +5
Usable by: Anyone

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

Trophy
Count Bleck
Count Bleck trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Category: Series Related
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Appears in:
Wii Super Paper Mario (04/2007)
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Trophy Box: 13: Paper Mario
How to unlock:
Random
Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser so many times, it seemed like a good idea to mix things up—instead she gets kidnapped by this guy, Count Bleck! He then obtains the Chaos Heart by forcing Peach and Bowser to marry. All of this was predicted by the Dark Prognosticus, which Count Bleck carries with him. (American English)
It's always nice to have a fresh face on the Peach-kidnapping scene, and that's where Count Bleck comes in. In order to obtain the Chaos Heart, he actually tries to marry Peach to Bowser! Apparently, the path to dimensional destruction is all foretold in the Dark Prognosticus – he's just following the instructions. (British English)

Quotes[edit]

Main article: List of Super Paper Mario quotes by character (A–J) § Count Bleck
  • "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!"
  • "Your princess has been taken... by Count Bleck!"
  • "By me... Count Bleck! The chosen executer of the Dark Prognosticus... is Count Bleck! The fine fellow prophesied to come to this dimension... is also Count Bleck!"
  • "Of all things, you defend the heart?! Nothing could be more worthless..."
  • "Aside from Timpani, no treasure mattered in the least to me..."
  • "But you are far too late to stop the Dark Prognosticus, and me... Count Bleck! All worlds will soon end. Come into grips for that now, for you cannot stop it. I suggest you make yourselves comfortable and enjoy this one, final spectacle!"
  • "Count Bleck is the deleter of worlds! My fate is written in the Dark Prognosticus!"
  • "ALL NOW ENDS!"

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Count Bleck[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ノワール伯爵[?]
Nowāru-Hakushaku
Count Noir ("noir" is French for "black")
French Comte Niark[?] "Comte" (count) + "niark" (onomatopoeia of an evil laughter)
German Graf Knickwitz[?] "Graf" (count) + "knick" (kink) + "-witz" (a German name ending and also meaning "joke")
Italian Conte Cenere[?] "Conte" (count) + "cenere" (ashen)
Korean 느와르 백작[?]
Neuwareu Baekjak
From the Japanese name
Russian Граф Блэк[?]
Graf Blek
"Граф" (count) + "Блэк" (a transcription of "Bleck")
Spanish (NOA) Conde Bleck[?] Count Bleck
Spanish (NOE) Conde Cenizo[?] "Conde" (count) + "cenizo" (ashen). "Cenizo" can also mean "jinx" or "killjoy"

Lord Blumiere[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ルミエール[?]
Rumiēru
From "lumière" (a French word meaning "light"); may also be a pun on「スペール」(Supēru, Shaman) like other Ancient-descended characters
French Seigneur Nikolaï[?] Lord Nikolaï
German Fürst Blumiere[?] "Fürst" means "prince" or "ruler"
Italian Lord Blumiere[?] -
Conte Blumiere[?] Count Blumiere Capture Card only
Korean 르미에르[?]
Reumiereu
From French word "lumière" (which is, if read in Korean, pronounced as 뤼미에르, Rwimiereu), meaning "light"
Russian Лорд Бльюмьер[?]
Lord Bl'yum'er
"Бльюмьер" is a transcription of "Blumiere" and "лорд" means "lord"
Spanish Lord Blumière[?] French modification of "blanco" (means white) with his Japanese name, Lumière.

References[edit]

  1. ^ SomeUselessTranslations (March 7, 2023). Super Paper Mario: All Carson's Stories (Retranslated) (2:03). Retrieved August 11, 2024.