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'''Culex''' is a fictional character from the ''Final Fantasy'' universe, although he did not appear in any of the ''Final Fantasy'' games.
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:Culex Sprite - Super Mario RPG.png]] <br> Sprite from ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|Super Mario RPG]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]])
}}
{{quote|I am matter... I am antimatter... I can see your past... I can see your future... I consume time... And I will consume you!|Culex|Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars}}
'''Culex''' is an optional hidden boss who appears in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. Culex is a being from the alternate world of [[List of implied locations#Last Illusion|"Last Illusion,"]] who desires to do battle with warriors from [[Mario|Mario's]] [[Mario World|world]]. He appears to be a type of demon, having dark purple skin, red twisted horns and wings, a red mark along his torso, a jagged tail, and several crystals surrounding his waist. He also emanates what appears to be dark energy.
 
Culex serves as the game's {{wp|Boss (video games)#Superboss|superboss}}: alongside the Crystals, he is an even more powerful boss than the main story's antagonist, [[Smithy]], as he has 4,096 [[Heart Point|HP]], the second most of any encounter in the game (behind only Smithy's second phase). Culex, combined with the Crystals, has 12,396 HP, which exceeds both of Smithy's phases combined.
 
Culex's appearance contains many allusions to the ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series; the creators of ''Final Fantasy'', [[Square Enix|Square]], also created ''Super Mario RPG''. He is depicted in the hand-drawn pixel art style of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] ''Final Fantasy'' games, contrasting with the pre-rendered 3D models of the rest of the game. His overworld sprite is significantly smaller than how he appears in battle, which is another characteristic taken from ''Final Fantasy''. The songs that play during his encounter and battle are arrangements of music from the ''Final Fantasy'' series.
 
In the [[Nintendo Switch]] remake, ''[[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|Super Mario RPG]]'', Culex initially retains his original two-dimensional 16-bit appearance, offering a stark contrast to the game's revamped and updated 3D graphics. Additionally, he retains the music from the SNES version of the game even if the new soundtrack is set to play. However, a post-game rematch gives him a full model, named '''Culex 3D''', along with the Crystals; this rematch also features rearranged music.
 
==History==
[[File:Culex confrontation SMRPG.png|thumb|left|Culex appears to [[Mario]].]]
Culex resides 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 sealed door that leads to Culex requires a [[Shiny Stone]], also mentioned by the Piranha Plant. When Mario enters the region, Culex greets him and explains his story. He then challenges the party to a battle, which the player can either accept or refuse.
 
[[File:CulexBattle.png|thumb|Mario, [[Princess Peach|Toadstool]], and [[Geno]] face Culex and the Crystals.]]
In battle, Culex is aided by four Crystals – the [[Earth Crystal]], the [[Fire Crystal]], the [[Water Crystal]], and the [[Wind Crystal]]. These Crystals have magical attacks that correspond with their elemental power. 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 wins, Culex rewards Mario with the [[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.
 
In the Nintendo Switch remake, he can be fought again after beating Smithy. The fight itself becomes accessible once the [[Extra-Shiny Stone]] is collected after beating [[Johnny]]'s post-game rematch. Because of the Star Road being repaired by Mario and his party, they consequentially granted the various wishes of powerful people. This ultimately included Culex, who wished to gain the power of the third dimension. He then drew them back to his realm to fight them in this new form. In this form, he uses either [[Meteor (move)|Meteor]] or [[Final Claw]] every five turns, the former deals damage equal to maximum HP minus 1 to all active party members and the latter deals 9999 damage to one party member. He also attacks twice each turn after all the Crystals are defeated. Similarly to [[Bowyer]]'s battle, the {{button|switch|A}}, {{button|switch|Y}}, or {{button|switch|X}} buttons can be disabled for several turns, rendering the party unable to use the commands from those buttons. Finally, if the player attempts to defeat Culex while leaving any Crystals alive, the remaining Crystals sacrifice themselves to bring him back with full health.<ref>{{cite|author=bloodbro2010|date=December 2, 2023|url=old.reddit.com/r/MarioRPG/comments/188ugoz/culex_revives_full_health_if_you_let_a_crystal/|title=Culex revives full health if you let a crystal survive|publisher=Reddit (r/MarioRPG)|accessdate=December 2, 2023}}</ref>
 
After Mario's party wins, he is reduced back to his 2D sprite due to the forces of malevolence fading and is forced to retreat to regain his 3D form, although not before keeping count of the amount of turns it took to defeat him in battle. He will also provide the player with a Crystal Shard. After defeating Smithy once this battle is won, Culex appears in the credits scene with [[Monstermama]] and the other characters, briefly appearing in his 2D form behind the background.
 
One question that [[Dr. Topper]] can ask in Western languages is what [[Jinx]], [[Goomhilde]], and Culex have in common. The correct answer is: "They live in Monstro Town." In Eastern languages, this question is instead what [[Blooper]], [[Leuko]], and [[Cheep Cheep]] have in common, with the correct answer being "They live in the sea."
{{br}}
 
==Profiles and statistics==
===''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''===
{{:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars bestiary|transcludesection=Culex|image=[[File:Culex Sprite - Super Mario RPG.png]]|align=horizontal}}
 
===''Super Mario RPG'' (Nintendo Switch)===
====Culex====
{{:Monster List|transcludesection=Culex}}
 
====Culex 3D====
{{:Monster List|transcludesection=Culex 2}}
{|class="wikitable"
!Colspan=2|Other stats for Culex 3D<ref>{{cite|url=sites.google.com/site/supermariorpgspeedruns/switch/misc-stats-and-data|title=Super Mario RPG Speedruns - Misc. stats and data|publisher=Google Sites|accessdate=January 2, 2024}}</ref>
|-
!FP
|999
|-
!Attack
|255
|-
!Defense
|135
|-
!Magic Attack
|110
|-
!Magic Defense
|100
|-
!Speed
|50
|-
!Evade
|0%?
|-
!Spells
|Meteor, Meteor Blast, Shredder, Dark Star, Flame Stone
|-
!Special Moves
|Final Claw
|-
!Element Resistances
|None
|-
!Other Resistances
|Lamb's Lure/Sheep Attack, Geno Whirl, Pure Water, Yoshi Cookie
|-
!Coins
|0
|}
{{Multilang profile
|type=Thought in other languages
|Jap={{ruby|思|おも}}い{{ruby|知|し}}るがよい！エンドコンテンツの{{ruby|力|ちから}}を！！
|JapM=Know this! The power of end content!!
}}
 
==Regional differences==
Culex's alignment and motives differ drastically between the Japanese and English versions.<ref>{{cite|url=legendsoflocalization.com/culex-is-quite-different-in-japanese-super-mario-rpg/|title=Culex is Quite Different in Japanese Super Mario RPG|publisher=Legends of Localization|accessdate=February 2, 2016|archive=web.archive.org/web/20160401035355/https://legendsoflocalization.com/culex-is-quite-different-in-japanese-super-mario-rpg/}}</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 until the day he finally gains the solidity of the third dimension.
 
In the English version, Culex is said to be the "Dark Knight of Vanda" sent by the [[List of implied characters#Dark Mage|Dark Mage]], but his plans came to a halt after discovering that Mario's world is uninhabitable to him and his kind. He remains in a secure location in the hopes that the world's "strongest knight" will seek him for a challenge before he departs. He has nobler mannerisms, and attempts to leave Mario's company on good terms.
 
The remake changes Culex's depiction to be consistent in all languages. It is primarily based on the original Japanese version, in particular his perplexion for the three-dimensional forms for Mario's party that acted as his motivation for fighting them, and his nature as an evil being rather than a noble one. In Western languages, his Dark Knight of Vanda title and ties to the Dark Mage are retained.
 
==Allusions to ''Final Fantasy''==
Culex himself is an allusion to the ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series, as ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' is developed by [[Square Enix|Square]], who are the creators of the ''Final Fantasy'' series. Culex has two different sets of game sprites, one for the overworld and a much larger one for battle, with the former being from a more top-down perspective instead of isometric like other enemies. His overworld sprite resembles enemy designs in the 2D ''Final Fantasy'' titles, and these sprites do not have as complex animations and frames, reminiscent of early ''Final Fantasy'' games. This is particularly pronounced in the Nintendo Switch remake, which reuses Culex's sprite from the SNES version instead of updating him to match the new art style. Moreover, the three music tracks associated with Culex are rearrangements of three music tracks from the ''Final Fantasy'' series: his battle music is a rearrangement of "{{fandom|finalfantasy|Battle 2 (Final Fantasy IV)|Battle 2}}", the boss battle theme from ''{{wp|Final Fantasy IV}}''; the music that plays when he is defeated is a rearrangement of "{{fandom|finalfantasy|Victory Fanfare}}", the victory music present throughout the ''Final Fantasy'' series, and the ending conversation is an arrangement of the ''Final Fantasy'' "{{fandom|finalfantasy|Prelude (theme)|Prelude}}". In the Japanese version, Culex mentions「{{ruby|次元|じげん}}のはざま」(''jigen no hazama'', dimensional rift), which is the same as {{fandom|finalfantasy|Interdimensional Rift (Final Fantasy V)|a location}} in ''{{wp|Final Fantasy V}}''. Culex's English name appears to have a similar origin as {{fandom|finalfantasy|Golbez}} from ''{{wp|Final Fantasy IV}}'', who is named after the Golubaeser fly, as "Culex" is a genus of mosquito. His English Dark Knight of Vanda title may also be a reference to {{fandom|finalfantasy|Cecil Harvey|Cecil}} from the same game, introduced as a {{fandom|final fantasy|Dark Knight (job)|Dark Knight}} of {{fandom|final fantasy|Baron (Final Fantasy IV)|Baron}}. In the Nintendo Switch remake, his in-game description in the Monster List claims that he hails from the world of "[[List of implied locations#Last Illusion|Last Illusion]]", a play on the name "''Final Fantasy''", and that said world is based on "a story about crystals", a common narrative device in the earlier ''Final Fantasy'' titles. In addition, his defeat animation in the remake has him disintegrating in both his standard and 3D Culex fights, referencing a common defeat animation for final bosses in the ''Final Fantasy'' games.
 
==Quotes==
===''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''===
:''For a full list of quotes, see [[list of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars quotes#Culex|here]]''.
*"''Greetings. I am Culex, Dark Knight of 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 weapon or armor, you have no chance.''"
*"''En garde!''"
*"''I am matter... I am antimatter... I can see your past... I can see your future... I consume time... And I will consume you!''"
*"''A little off, eh?''"
*"''Perhaps in another time, [[Fourth wall|another game]], we may have been mortal enemies... Let us part as comrades in arms.''"
*"''Take [[Quartz Charm|this]]. Treasure it as a keepsake of our fight.''"
*"''Farewell, champion knight!''"
 
===''Super Mario RPG'' (Nintendo Switch)===
;Post-game wishes on Star Hill
*"''I, the Dark Knight of Vanda, await the one destined to challenge me.''" (before having been defeated)
*"''I have returned, having attained even greater power. I await the one destined to challenge me once again.''" (after having been defeated)
*"''I await the destined one's return...''" (after having been defeated as Culex 3D)
 
====Culex 3D====
*"''Denizens of the three-dimensional world... Our paths cross once more.''"
*"''You have used your great strength to grant the wishes of powerful people.''"
*"''The force of your strength resonated with my wishes, enabling me to attain greater evil power and return to this plane.''"
*"''You shall see this power firsthand!''"
*"''Heh heh... Feast your eyes!''"
*"''This new form is worthy of your three-dimensional world!''"
*"''I return to this world remade.''"
*"''I am matter and antimatter. I am past, present, and future. I will consume all of time and space!''"
*"''My evil power is in harmony with this three-dimensional world. And now, it will crush you!''"
*"''You shall bear witness to the power of post-game content!''" ([[Thought Peek|thought]])
*"''Unbelievable. You defeated me at my strongest, in my three-dimensional splendor.''"
*"''The forces of malevolence have faded. I have lost my depths, diminished once more to the form of a flat plane.''"
*"''I will withdraw to that land to regain my three-dimensional power and then await your return.''"
*"''It took you [#] turns to defeat me this time.''"
**"''The gap between your power and mine has proven greater than I thought. I must admit it. There are none more powerful than you!''" (24 turns or fewer)
**"''We are nearly evenly matched.''" (25-40 turns)
**"''That is quite a long time.''" (41 turns or greater)
*"''I await the destined one's return...''"
*"''So, you denizens of the three-dimensional world come before me once again. I will fight you as often as you wish. Let the mightiest prevail!''" (Rematch)
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
SMRPG Culex Concept Artwork.jpg|Concept artwork
SMRPG NS Culex Battle.jpg|Culex in the [[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|Nintendo Switch remake]]
SMRPG Culex 3D screenshot.jpg|Culex 3D
SMRPG NS Monstro Town extra epilogue.jpg|Post-game epilogue scene
</gallery>
 
==Names in other languages==
===Culex===
{{foreign names
|Jap=クリスタラー
|JapR=Kurisutarā
|JapM=Derived from "crystal" and the agentive suffix "-er"; possibly also evoking a mix of "crystal" (a symbol of the ''Final Fantasy'' franchise) and "star" (a symbol of the ''Super Mario'' franchise)
|Chi=水晶塔拉
|ChiR=Shuǐjīngtǎlā
|ChiM=From「水晶」(''shuǐjīng'', "crystal") and transliteration of the Japanese name
|Dut=Culex
|Fre=Cristax
|FreM=From ''cristal'' ("crystal") and the slang suffix ''-ax''
|Ger=Crystallux
|GerM=From "crystal" and possibly ''lux'' (Latin for "light")
|Ita=Krystax
|ItaM=Crippling of the word "crystal"
|Kor=크리스터러
|KorR=Keuriseuteoreo
|KorM=Crystaler; transliteration of the Japanese name
|Spa=Culex
}}
 
===Dark Knight of Vanda===
{{foreign names
|Jap=この{{ruby|世|よ}}の{{ruby|悪|あく}}の{{ruby|全|すべ}}てをすべる{{ruby|者|もの}}
|JapR=kono yo no aku no subete o suberu mono
|JapM=controller of all evil in the world
|ChiS=我统御这世上的一切邪恶
|ChiSR=Wǒ tǒng yù zhè shìshàng de yīqiè xié'è
|ChiSM=I control all the evil in the world
|ChiT=乃統御世間萬物之惡的存在
|ChiTR=nǎi tǒngyù shìjiān wànwù zhī è de cúnzài
|ChiTM=controller of all evils in the world
|Dut=Zwarte Ridder van Vanda
|DutM=Black Knight of Vanda
|FreE=chevalier obscur de Vanda
|FreEM=dark knight of Vanda
|FreA=chevalier noir de Vanda
|FreAM=black knight of Vanda
|Ger=Dunkelritter von Vanda
|GerM=Dark-knight of Vanda
|Ita=Cavaliere Oscuro di Vanda
|ItaM=Dark Knight of Vanda
|Kor=이 세상의 모든 악을 다스리는 자
|KorR=i sesang-ui modeun ag-eul daseurineun ja
|KorM=controller of all evil in the world
|Spa=caballero oscuro de Vanda
|SpaM=dark knight of Vanda
}}
 
===Culex 3D===
{{foreign names
|Jap=クリスタラー ({{ruby|立体|りったい}})
|JapR=Kurisutarā (Rittai)
|JapM=Culex (three-dimensional)
|ChiS=水晶塔拉 (立体)
|ChiSR=Shuǐjīngtǎlā (Lìtǐ)
|ChiSM=Culex (three-dimensional)
|ChiT=水晶塔拉 (立體)
|ChiTR=Shuǐjīngtǎlā (Lìtǐ)
|ChiTM=Culex (three-dimensional)
|Dut=Culex (3D)
|Fre=Cristax 3D
|FreM=Culex 3D
|Ger=Crystallux 3D
|GerM=Culex 3D
|Ita=Krystax 3D
|ItaM=Culex 3D
|Kor=크리스터러 (입체)
|KorR=Keuriseuteoreo (Ipche)
|KorM=Culex (three-dimensional)
|Spa=Culex 3D
}}
 
==References==
<references/>
{{SMRPG}}
[[Category:Demons]]
[[Category:Third-party Super Mario characters]]
[[Category:Optional bosses]]
[[Category:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars bosses]]
[[de:Culex]]
[[it:Culex]]

Latest revision as of 22:44, December 24, 2024

Culex
Sprite of Culex, a secret boss from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Sprite from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
First appearance Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
Latest appearance Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch) (2023)
“I am matter... I am antimatter... I can see your past... I can see your future... I consume time... And I will consume you!”
—Culex, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Culex is an optional hidden boss who appears in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Culex is a being from the alternate world of "Last Illusion," who desires to do battle with warriors from Mario's world. He appears to be a type of demon, having dark purple skin, red twisted horns and wings, a red mark along his torso, a jagged tail, and several crystals surrounding his waist. He also emanates what appears to be dark energy.

Culex serves as the game's superboss: alongside the Crystals, he is an even more powerful boss than the main story's antagonist, Smithy, as he has 4,096 HP, the second most of any encounter in the game (behind only Smithy's second phase). Culex, combined with the Crystals, has 12,396 HP, which exceeds both of Smithy's phases combined.

Culex's appearance contains many allusions to the Final Fantasy series; the creators of Final Fantasy, Square, also created Super Mario RPG. He is depicted in the hand-drawn pixel art style of the SNES Final Fantasy games, contrasting with the pre-rendered 3D models of the rest of the game. His overworld sprite is significantly smaller than how he appears in battle, which is another characteristic taken from Final Fantasy. The songs that play during his encounter and battle are arrangements of music from the Final Fantasy series.

In the Nintendo Switch remake, Super Mario RPG, Culex initially retains his original two-dimensional 16-bit appearance, offering a stark contrast to the game's revamped and updated 3D graphics. Additionally, he retains the music from the SNES version of the game even if the new soundtrack is set to play. However, a post-game rematch gives him a full model, named Culex 3D, along with the Crystals; this rematch also features rearranged music.

History[edit]

Mario's confrontation with Culex in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Culex appears to Mario.

Culex resides 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 sealed door that leads to Culex requires a Shiny Stone, also mentioned by the Piranha Plant. When Mario enters the region, Culex greets him and explains his story. He then challenges the party to a battle, which the player can either accept or refuse.

Mario, Toadstool, and Geno face Culex and the Crystals.

In battle, Culex is aided by four Crystals – the Earth Crystal, the Fire Crystal, the Water Crystal, and the Wind Crystal. These Crystals have magical attacks that correspond with their elemental power. 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 wins, Culex rewards Mario with the 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.

In the Nintendo Switch remake, he can be fought again after beating Smithy. The fight itself becomes accessible once the Extra-Shiny Stone is collected after beating Johnny's post-game rematch. Because of the Star Road being repaired by Mario and his party, they consequentially granted the various wishes of powerful people. This ultimately included Culex, who wished to gain the power of the third dimension. He then drew them back to his realm to fight them in this new form. In this form, he uses either Meteor or Final Claw every five turns, the former deals damage equal to maximum HP minus 1 to all active party members and the latter deals 9999 damage to one party member. He also attacks twice each turn after all the Crystals are defeated. Similarly to Bowyer's battle, the A Button, Y Button, or X Button buttons can be disabled for several turns, rendering the party unable to use the commands from those buttons. Finally, if the player attempts to defeat Culex while leaving any Crystals alive, the remaining Crystals sacrifice themselves to bring him back with full health.[1]

After Mario's party wins, he is reduced back to his 2D sprite due to the forces of malevolence fading and is forced to retreat to regain his 3D form, although not before keeping count of the amount of turns it took to defeat him in battle. He will also provide the player with a Crystal Shard. After defeating Smithy once this battle is won, Culex appears in the credits scene with Monstermama and the other characters, briefly appearing in his 2D form behind the background.

One question that Dr. Topper can ask in Western languages is what Jinx, Goomhilde, and Culex have in common. The correct answer is: "They live in Monstro Town." In Eastern languages, this question is instead what Blooper, Leuko, and Cheep Cheep have in common, with the correct answer being "They live in the sea."

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars enemy
Culex
Sprite of Culex, a secret boss from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. HP 4096 FP 200 Speed 50
Location(s) Monstro Town Attack 250 Magic attack 100
Role Boss Defense 100 Magic defense 80
Bonus Flower None Yoshi Cookie None Morph rate 0%
Evade 0% Magic evade 0% Spells Shredder, Flame Stone, Dark Star, Meteor Blast
Weak None Strong Fear, Poison, Sleep, Mute, Critical Sp. attacks None
Coins 0 Exp. points 600 Items None
Psychopath "A little off, eh?"

Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)[edit]

Culex[edit]

Super Mario RPG enemy
Culex
Sprite of Culex, a secret boss from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. HP 4096 Weak Elements N/A Drops N/A
Exp. 732 Weak Statuses N/A Rare Drops N/A
Found in Monstro Town
Monster List profile He crossed dimensions in order to come here from the world of "Last Illusion," a story about crystals. Too bad he's still so two-dimensional.
Thought Peek "I feel...a bit out of place."
Animations

Culex 3D[edit]

Super Mario RPG enemy
Culex 3D
Culex 3D in Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch) HP 9999 Weak Elements N/A Drops N/A
Exp. 732 Weak Statuses N/A Rare Drops N/A
Found in Monstro Town
Monster List profile You beat the toughest fight in the game! Thanks for playing all the way to the very end!

-The Development Staff
Thought Peek "You shall bear witness to the power of post-game content!"
Animations
Other stats for Culex 3D[2]
FP 999
Attack 255
Defense 135
Magic Attack 110
Magic Defense 100
Speed 50
Evade 0%?
Spells Meteor, Meteor Blast, Shredder, Dark Star, Flame Stone
Special Moves Final Claw
Element Resistances None
Other Resistances Lamb's Lure/Sheep Attack, Geno Whirl, Pure Water, Yoshi Cookie
Coins 0
  • Thought in other languages:
    • Japanese:
      思おもい知しるがよい！エンドコンテンツの力ちからを！！
      (Translation: Know this! The power of end content!!)

Regional differences[edit]

Culex's alignment and motives differ drastically between the Japanese and English versions.[3]

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 until the day he finally gains the solidity of the third dimension.

In the English version, Culex is said to be the "Dark Knight of Vanda" sent by the Dark Mage, but his plans came to a halt after discovering that Mario's world is uninhabitable to him and his kind. He remains in a secure location in the hopes that the world's "strongest knight" will seek him for a challenge before he departs. He has nobler mannerisms, and attempts to leave Mario's company on good terms.

The remake changes Culex's depiction to be consistent in all languages. It is primarily based on the original Japanese version, in particular his perplexion for the three-dimensional forms for Mario's party that acted as his motivation for fighting them, and his nature as an evil being rather than a noble one. In Western languages, his Dark Knight of Vanda title and ties to the Dark Mage are retained.

Allusions to Final Fantasy[edit]

Culex himself is an allusion to the Final Fantasy series, as Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is developed by Square, who are the creators of the Final Fantasy series. Culex has two different sets of game sprites, one for the overworld and a much larger one for battle, with the former being from a more top-down perspective instead of isometric like other enemies. His overworld sprite resembles enemy designs in the 2D Final Fantasy titles, and these sprites do not have as complex animations and frames, reminiscent of early Final Fantasy games. This is particularly pronounced in the Nintendo Switch remake, which reuses Culex's sprite from the SNES version instead of updating him to match the new art style. Moreover, the three music tracks associated with Culex are rearrangements of three music tracks from the Final Fantasy series: his battle music is a rearrangement of "Battle 2", the boss battle theme from Final Fantasy IV; the music that plays when he is defeated is a rearrangement of "Victory Fanfare", the victory music present throughout the Final Fantasy series, and the ending conversation is an arrangement of the Final Fantasy "Prelude". In the Japanese version, Culex mentions「次元じげんのはざま」(jigen no hazama, dimensional rift), which is the same as a location in Final Fantasy V. Culex's English name appears to have a similar origin as Golbez from Final Fantasy IV, who is named after the Golubaeser fly, as "Culex" is a genus of mosquito. His English Dark Knight of Vanda title may also be a reference to Cecil from the same game, introduced as a Dark Knight of Baron. In the Nintendo Switch remake, his in-game description in the Monster List claims that he hails from the world of "Last Illusion", a play on the name "Final Fantasy", and that said world is based on "a story about crystals", a common narrative device in the earlier Final Fantasy titles. In addition, his defeat animation in the remake has him disintegrating in both his standard and 3D Culex fights, referencing a common defeat animation for final bosses in the Final Fantasy games.

Quotes[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]

For a full list of quotes, see here.
  • "Greetings. I am Culex, Dark Knight of Vanda. I've crossed into this dimension to fight for the Dark Mage. But 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?"
  • "You are wise to hesitate. Without any weapon or armor, you have no chance."
  • "En garde!"
  • "I am matter... I am antimatter... I can see your past... I can see your future... I consume time... And I will consume you!"
  • "A little off, eh?"
  • "Perhaps in another time, another game, we may have been mortal enemies... Let us part as comrades in arms."
  • "Take this. Treasure it as a keepsake of our fight."
  • "Farewell, champion knight!"

Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)[edit]

Post-game wishes on Star Hill
  • "I, the Dark Knight of Vanda, await the one destined to challenge me." (before having been defeated)
  • "I have returned, having attained even greater power. I await the one destined to challenge me once again." (after having been defeated)
  • "I await the destined one's return..." (after having been defeated as Culex 3D)

Culex 3D[edit]

  • "Denizens of the three-dimensional world... Our paths cross once more."
  • "You have used your great strength to grant the wishes of powerful people."
  • "The force of your strength resonated with my wishes, enabling me to attain greater evil power and return to this plane."
  • "You shall see this power firsthand!"
  • "Heh heh... Feast your eyes!"
  • "This new form is worthy of your three-dimensional world!"
  • "I return to this world remade."
  • "I am matter and antimatter. I am past, present, and future. I will consume all of time and space!"
  • "My evil power is in harmony with this three-dimensional world. And now, it will crush you!"
  • "You shall bear witness to the power of post-game content!" (thought)
  • "Unbelievable. You defeated me at my strongest, in my three-dimensional splendor."
  • "The forces of malevolence have faded. I have lost my depths, diminished once more to the form of a flat plane."
  • "I will withdraw to that land to regain my three-dimensional power and then await your return."
  • "It took you [#] turns to defeat me this time."
    • "The gap between your power and mine has proven greater than I thought. I must admit it. There are none more powerful than you!" (24 turns or fewer)
    • "We are nearly evenly matched." (25-40 turns)
    • "That is quite a long time." (41 turns or greater)
  • "I await the destined one's return..."
  • "So, you denizens of the three-dimensional world come before me once again. I will fight you as often as you wish. Let the mightiest prevail!" (Rematch)

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Culex[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クリスタラー[?]
Kurisutarā 		Derived from "crystal" and the agentive suffix "-er"; possibly also evoking a mix of "crystal" (a symbol of the Final Fantasy franchise) and "star" (a symbol of the Super Mario franchise)
Chinese 水晶塔拉[?]
Shuǐjīngtǎlā 		From「水晶」(shuǐjīng, "crystal") and transliteration of the Japanese name
Dutch Culex[?] -
French Cristax[?] From cristal ("crystal") and the slang suffix -ax
German Crystallux[?] From "crystal" and possibly lux (Latin for "light")
Italian Krystax[?] Crippling of the word "crystal"
Korean 크리스터러[?]
Keuriseuteoreo 		Crystaler; transliteration of the Japanese name
Spanish Culex[?] -

Dark Knight of Vanda[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese この世よの悪あくの全すべてをすべる者もの[?]
kono yo no aku no subete o suberu mono 		controller of all evil in the world
Chinese (simplified) 我统御这世上的一切邪恶[?]
Wǒ tǒng yù zhè shìshàng de yīqiè xié'è 		I control all the evil in the world
Chinese (traditional) 乃統御世間萬物之惡的存在[?]
nǎi tǒngyù shìjiān wànwù zhī è de cúnzài 		controller of all evils in the world
Dutch Zwarte Ridder van Vanda[?] Black Knight of Vanda
French (NOA) chevalier noir de Vanda[?] black knight of Vanda
French (NOE) chevalier obscur de Vanda[?] dark knight of Vanda
German Dunkelritter von Vanda[?] Dark-knight of Vanda
Italian Cavaliere Oscuro di Vanda[?] Dark Knight of Vanda
Korean 이 세상의 모든 악을 다스리는 자[?]
i sesang-ui modeun ag-eul daseurineun ja 		controller of all evil in the world
Spanish caballero oscuro de Vanda[?] dark knight of Vanda

Culex 3D[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クリスタラー (立体りったい)[?]
Kurisutarā (Rittai) 		Culex (three-dimensional)
Chinese (simplified) 水晶塔拉 (立体)[?]
Shuǐjīngtǎlā (Lìtǐ) 		Culex (three-dimensional)
Chinese (traditional) 水晶塔拉 (立體)[?]
Shuǐjīngtǎlā (Lìtǐ) 		Culex (three-dimensional)
Dutch Culex (3D)[?] -
French Cristax 3D[?] Culex 3D
German Crystallux 3D[?] Culex 3D
Italian Krystax 3D[?] Culex 3D
Korean 크리스터러 (입체)[?]
Keuriseuteoreo (Ipche) 		Culex (three-dimensional)
Spanish Culex 3D[?] -

References[edit]

  1. ^ bloodbro2010 (December 2, 2023). Culex revives full health if you let a crystal survive. Reddit (r/MarioRPG). Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Super Mario RPG Speedruns - Misc. stats and data. Google Sites. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Culex is Quite Different in Japanese Super Mario RPG. Legends of Localization. Retrieved February 2, 2016. (Archived April 1, 2016, 03:53:55 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
[Edit]
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES) / Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)
Characters Protagonists Mario • Mallow • Geno • Bowser • Princess Peach
Supporting Apprentice (Torte) • Baby Fat • Boo, Goo, Bones, and Kipp • Boshi • Chancellor • Chef Torte • Cinder Toad • Dr. Topper • Dyna and Mite • Elder • Frog Sage • Frogfucius' Student • Game Boy Toad • Gardener • Garro • Gaz • Goomhilde • Granny • King Nimbus • Link • Ma Mole and Pa Mole • Moleville Toad • Monstermama • Mushroom Boy • Queen Nimbus • Raini • Raz • Rose Town innkeeper • Royal bus driver • Samus • Sergeant Flutter • Three Musty Fears • Toadofsky • Triplets • Vault Guard
Enemies Bosses Axem Rangers (Axem Red · Axem Black · Axem Green · Axem Yellow · Axem Pink) • Bad Adder • Belome • Birdo • Boomer • Booster • Bowser • Bowyer • Cake • Claymorton • Clerk • Cloaker • Count Down • Croco • Culex • Czar Dragon • Director • Dodo • Domino • Exor • Factory Chief • Gassox • Grate Guy • Gunyolk • Hammer Bros. • Jinx • Johnny • King Calamari • Knife Guy • Mad Adder • Manager • Megasmilax • Punchinello • Shelly • Smithy • Speardovich • The Blade • Valentina • Wizakoopa • Zombone
Boss helpers Bahamutt • Bandana Blue • Bob-omb • Bodyguard • Bowser Clone • Chaindelier • Earth Crystal • Eggbert • Fire Crystal • Geno Clone • Helio • Jinx Clone • King Bomb • Mad Mallet • Mallow Clone • Mario Clone • Mezzo Bomb • Microbomb • Peach Clone • Pounder • Poundette • Ring-a-Dings • Shyper • Smelter • Smilax • Snifster • Speardovich (Duplicate) • Torte • Water Crystal • Wind Crystal
Lesser enemies Aero • Alley Rat • Amanita • Ameboid • Apprentice • Arachne • Armored Ant • Artichoker • Bahamutt • Bandana Red • Beezo • Big Blaster • Big Thwomp • Big Troopa • Birdy • Blaster • Blooper • Blooper Baby • Blooper Nanny • Bluebird • Bob-omb • Boo • Buzzer • Carroboscis • Chain Chomp • Chained Kong • Cheep Cheep • Chewy • Chomp Chomp • Chompweed • Chow • Cluster • Comeon • Crook • Crusty • Dollox • Doppel • Drill Bit • Dry Bones • Enigma • Enigmax • Fink Flower • Forkie • Frogog • Geckit • Gecko • Glum Reaper • Goomba • Grand Troopa • Greaper • Guerrilla • High Boo • Hippopo • Hobgoblin • Huhwhat • Jabit • Jagger • Jawful • Jester • Jinnie • K-9 • Kriffid • Lakitu • Lava Babble • Lava Blubble • Lava Bubble • Leuko • Machine Made • Mad Mallet • Magmite • Magmus • Malakoopa • Mastadoom • Mini Goomba • Mr. Kipper • Muckle • Ninja • Octolot • Octovader • Orb User • Orbison • Para-bomb • Paratroopa • Pinwheel • Piranha Plant • Pleaseno • Pounder • Poundette • Pro Goomba • Pulsar • Puppox • Rat Funk • Reacher • Ribbite • Rob-omb • Sackit • Shadow • Shaman • Shogun • Shy Guy • Shymore • Shy Ranger • Sling Shy • Snapdragon • Snifit • Snifster • Spikester • Spikey • Spinthra • Springer • Star Cruster • Starslap • Stinger • Stompillar • Straw Head • Stumpet • Terra Cotta • Terrapin • Thropher • Thwomp • Urspike • Vomer • Whuhoh • Wiggler • Zeostar
Locations Bandit's Way • Barrel Volcano • Bean Valley • Beanstalk • Belome Temple • Booster Hill • Booster Pass • Booster Tower • Bowser's Keep • Factory • Forest Maze • Grate Guy's Casino • Kero Sewers • Land's End • Mario's Pad • Marrymore • Midas River • Mole Mines • Moleville • Monstro Town • Mushroom Castle • Mushroom Kingdom • Mushroom Way • Nimbus Castle • Nimbus Land • Peach's Room • Pipe Vault • Rose Town • Rose Way • Sea • Seaside Town • Sky Bridge • Star Hill • Sunken Ship • Swap Shop • Tadpole Pond • The Trial Course • Vista Hill • Weapon World • Yo'ster Isle
Items General Beetle • Bonus Flower • Bracer • Carbo Cookie • Cleansing Juice • Coin • Croaka Cola • Earlier Times • Energizer • Finless Cola • Fire Bomb • Flower • Flower Box • Flower Jar • Flower Tab • Fright Bomb • Frog Coin • Frogleg Cola • Goodie Bag • Honey Syrup • Ice Bomb • Lamb's Lure • Lucky Jewel • Maple Syrup • Max Mushroom • Mid Mushroom • Moldy Mush • Mushroom • Mystery Egg • Party Bracer • Party Cleanse • Party Energizer • Peach's ??? • Pick Me Up • Poison Mushroom • Pure Water • Red Essence • Rock Candy • Rotten Mush • Royal Syrup • See Ya • Sheep Attack • Sleepy Bomb • Star • Star Egg • Tadpola Cola • Thropher Cookie • Wilt Shroom • Yoshi-Ade • Yoshi Candy • Yoshi Cookie
Key items Alto Card • Beetle Box • Boo Flag • Bright Card • Castle Key 1 • Castle Key 2 • Carbo Cookie • Cricket Jam • Cricket Pie • Crystal Sharda • Dry Bones Flag • Elder Key • Extra-Shiny Stonea • Fertilizer • Fireworks • Greaper Flag • Microbomb • Monster Trophya • Room Key • Seed • Shed Key • Shiny Stone • Soprano Card • Special Frog Coin • Stay Vouchera • Temple Key • Tenor Card • Wallet
Weapons Chain Chomp • Cymbals • Double Punch • Drill Claw • Fake Chomp • Finger Shot • Froggie Stick • Frying Pan • Hammer • Hand Cannon • Hand Gun • Hurly Glove • Koopa Shell • Lazy Shell • Lucky Hammer • Masher • Mega Glove • Parasol • Paratroopa Shell • Punch Glove • Ribbit Stick • Sage Sticka • Slap Glove • Sonic Cymbals • Spiked Chomp • Star Gun • Stella 023a • Sticky Glove • Super Hammer • Super Slap • Ultra Hammer • War Fan • Whomp Glove • Wonder Chompa
Armor Courage Shell • Fire Cape • Fire Dress • Fire Pants • Fire Shell • Fire Shirt • Fluffy Cape • Fluffy Dress • Fluffy Pants • Fluffy Shirt • Happy Cape • Happy Pants • Happy Shell • Happy Shirt • Heel Shell • Hero Shirt • Lazy Shell • Lovely Dress • Mega Cape • Mega Pants • Mega Shirt • Pants • Prince Pants • Royal Dress • Sailor Cape • Sailor Dress • Sailor Pants • Sailor Shirt • Shirt • Star Cape • Super Suit • Thick Pants • Thick Shirt • Work Pants
Accessories Antidote Pin • Attack Scarf • Booster's Charm • Coin Trick • Defense Scarf • Echo Signal Ringa • Enduring Broocha • Exp. Booster • Fearless Pin • Feather • Flower Ring • Ghost Medal • Jinx Belt • Jump Shoes • Nurture Ring • Quartz Charm • Safety Badge • Safety Ring • Signal Ring • Teamwork Banda • Troopa Medal • Trueform Pin • Wake-Up Pin • Zoom Shoes
Special moves Arrow Rain • Attack Locka • Aurora Flash • Backfire • Big Bang • Blast • Blazer • Blizzard • Body Slam • Bolt • Bombs Away • Boulder • Breaker Beam • Card Rain • Card Toss • Carni-Kiss • Celebration Shota • Claw • Clown Car Barragea • Come Back • Crusher • Crystal • Dark Claw • Dark Star • Diamond Saw • Doom Reverb • Echofinder • Eerie Jig • Electroshock • Elegy • Endobubble • Fangs • Fear Roulette • Fear Sickle • Final Clawa • Fire Orb • Fire Saber • Flame • Flame Stone • Flame Wall • Flare • Flutter Hush • Fun & Run • Funguspike • Geno Beam • Geno Blast • Geno Boost • Geno Flash • Geno Whirl • Get Tough • Goodnight • Grinder • Group Hug • Gunk Ball • Hammer Time • Healing Rainbowa • Hot Shot • Howl • HP Rain • Ice Rock • Ignitea • Ink Blast • Iron Maiden • Item Locka • Jinxed • Jump • Last Shot • Light Bubble • Lightning Orb • Loco Express • Loco Express 023a • Lulla-Bye • Magic Forcea •Magnum • Mechakoopa Stomp • Mega Recover • Meteora • Meteor Blast • Meteor Swarm • Migraine • Mirage Attack • Missed me! • Monster Toss • Moral Supporta • Multiplier • Multistrike • Mushroom Funk • Mute • Nimble Forcea • Painspout • Petal Blast • Pierce • Poison • Poison Gas • Pollen Nap • Psych Bomb • Psyche • Psycho Plasm • Quicksilver • Reaper Sickle • Recover • Scarecrow Bell • Scarecrow Dust • Scarecrow Fangs • Scarecrow Funk • Sand Storm • Scream • Shaker • Shocker • Shooting Star Shota • Shredder • Silver Bullet • Skewer • Sledge • Sleep Sauce • Sleepy Time • Snowy • Solidify • Somnus Waltz • Spare-Us-Alla • Spear Rain • Special Locka • Spore Chimes • Sporocyst • Spritz Bomb • Star Rain • Star Ridersa • Starry Shell Spikea • Static Electricity • Stench • Storm • Super Fireball • Super Jump • Sword Rain • Terrapunch • Terrorize • Therapy • Thornet • Thought Peek • Thunderbolt • Toad Assista • Triple Kick • Ultra Fireball • Ultra Jump • Va-Va-Voom • Valor Forcea • Valor Up • Venom Drool • Vigor Forcea • Vigor Up • Viro Plasm • Water Blast • Weird Mushroom • Will-O-Wisp
Elements Fire • Jump • Ice • Lightning
Status effects DEF-Up • Downed • Fear • Mushroom • Mute • Poison • POW-Up • Prohibited Command • Scarecrow • Sleep
Minigames Beetle Mania • Beetle Race • Goomba-thumping • Look the other way • Moleville Mountain • Mushroom Derby • Wheeere's Yoshi?!
Miscellaneous Action Gaugea • Ally Buffa • Bestiary (SNES · Switch) • Bowser doll • Chaina • Fungi Light • Gallery (SNES · Switch) • Gauge Movea • Glitches • Hidden Treasure • Level up progressions • Mario doll • Parade • Peach doll • Play Reporta • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes • Scrapbooka • Screw bridge • Shops • Sound Playera • Soundtrack • Special moves • Staff (SNES · Switch) • Treasures • Triple Movea • Trolley
a Exclusive to Super Mario RPG for the Nintendo Switch
Retrieved from "https://www.mariowiki.com/index.php?title=Culex&oldid=4471688"