Kirby: The Series / Episode Guide / S1E01
Season 1 · Episode 1 · Series Premiere

"Taken from Cutie"

TV-MA-LVD · 22 min
Airdate: September 29, 2008 Written by: Dayquall DeMontri James The CW
Episode Overview
EpisodeS1E01 · "Taken from Cutie"
AirdateSeptember 29, 2008 (The CW)
Written byDayquall DeMontri James
Running time22 minutes
RatingTV-MA-LVD (Language, Violence, Suggestive Dialogue)
Live viewers1.87 million (0.6 18–49)
DVR+7 total2.41 million (0.9 18–49)

"Taken from Cutie" is the series premiere of Kirby: The Series. Kirby (5 years old, fully verbal) struggles with unexpected jealousy after King Dedede adopts a golden retriever puppy named Biscuit. When all the Waddle Dees — and even Bandana Dee — begin doting on the new arrival, Kirby worries he's been replaced as Dream Land's cutest resident. The episode balances adult-oriented humor with genuine emotional stakes, establishing Meta Knight as an overprotective Spanish-accented single father and the slow-burn romantic tension between Dedede and Bandana Dee.

Full Synopsis

Jealousy, juice boxes,
and a golden retriever

COLD OPEN: Dream Land town square. Kirby demolishes a watermelon while Meta Knight fusses over him. Dedede arrives with an absurdly cute golden retriever puppy named Biscuit. The Waddle Dees swarm the puppy. Bandana Dee cradles Biscuit like treasure. Kirby pets the puppy happily — but notices no one is paying attention to him anymore. His smile falters. He asks to go home.

ACT ONE: Meta Knight's house. Kirby ignores star-shaped cookies. Under gentle prodding, he asks, "Do you think Biscuit is cute?" Meta Knight reassures him, but Kirby's worry lingers. Bandana Dee arrives with a party invitation for Biscuit. At Castle Dedede, the throne room is transformed. Kirby holds the puppy; the Waddle Dees coo — at Biscuit, not Kirby. Kirby's smile becomes strained.

ACT TWO: Kirby sits alone on a fountain edge. Meta Knight joins him. Kirby breaks down: "Do you think I'm still cute?" Meta Knight hugs him — rare and genuine — and says, "You are the most adorable, precious, wonderful thing in this entire kingdom." Dedede and Bandana Dee overhear. Kirby admits his jealousy. Bandee hugs him. Dedede gruffly reassures him. Biscuit curls up next to Kirby. The party winds down. Kirby falls asleep on Biscuit. Before leaving, Meta Knight tells Dedede, "You might want to work on your subtlety." Bandana Dee whispers, "He thinks I'm cute..."

Critical Reception & Ratings

What the critics said.
And who watched.

1.87M
Live viewers (premiere)
2.41M
DVR+7 total
7.8/10
IGN · B+ (AV Club)

The premiere ranked third in its timeslot among adults 18–34. The CW called the debut "moderately successful." Within 48 hours, the episode gained a cult following on Tumblr.

"A surprisingly tender exploration of childhood jealousy wrapped in absurdist humor. Eric Stuart's Meta Knight is a revelation."

— IGN

"The Dedede/Bandana Dee 'gay vibes' are played with genuine sweetness. The episode's core conflict is handled with surprising emotional intelligence."

— The A.V. Club (B+)

"Bandana Dee is the standout. 47 apple juice boxes were built for Season 1."

— Animation Magazine
Behind the Scenes

Trivia & hidden details

Title origin"Taken from Cutie" is a play on the 2008 film Taken and Kirby's status as "the cute one."
First full sentencesKirby speaks full English sentences for the first time. Makiko Ohmoto learned lines phonetically.
Age changeKirby was originally 2 and non-verbal; aged up to 5 during pre‑production.
Biscuit's modelThe puppy was modeled after an animator's golden retriever.
Unscripted vibesThe Dedede/Bandee romantic tension was not in the script — storyboard artists added it. The CW left it untouched.
47 juice boxesBandana Dee's apple juice box appears in every scene. 47 identical props were built.
Mama bear MetaMeta Knight's characterization: "a single dad who would burn the world for his son."
Eric Stuart & Ted LewisReprise their roles from the 2001–2003 anime Kirby: Right Back at Ya!