TV-Series
Description
Jonetsu Hero Momoking is a creature from the Duel Masters card game and anime, serving as a central ace character in the Duel Masters King storyline. Originating as Joe Kirifuda's new partner after his previous ace, Joe Dragon, departed on a journey, Momoking was brought into being when Joe combined a starter deck card with a Momotaro storybook to unlock its true potential, giving it the ability to speak. The character takes its name and core inspiration from the classic Japanese folktale of Momotaro, which is about a hero born from a peach who battles ogres.
In terms of background, Momoking is not merely a summoned creature but a character with a rich in-universe history. Within the Ten Kings world, he is described as a protagonist who lived as the king of Team Kirifuda. He participated in the War of the Ten Kings and, with the help of five other kings, awakened as a more powerful form, Momoking Revo, to battle a major adversary named Jiaouga. His story extends into later arcs, where he learns he is the Future King, one of twelve kings destined to gain immense power. He faces tragic challenges, including watching other heroes be fused into mindless beings called Dispecters, and ultimately sacrifices himself by becoming a pillar to save the world from collapse.
Personality-wise, Momoking is defined by his intense passion and deep loyalty, characteristics befitting a hero. In the anime, he is depicted as having an emotionally intense and sometimes unstable temperament, often falling into self-reproach when his master, Joe, loses a duel. Despite his heroic status, he can show moments of fear or cowardice, once even attempting to commit seppuku out of shame for being frightened, which adds a layer of dramatic earnestness to his character. His loyalty to Joe is paramount, rivaling that of his predecessors. Unlike his more comical depiction in manga, where he appears as overweight and bald, the anime portrays him as a sleek, sharply dressed dragon in traditional attire, complete with a peach-colored body and a dignified gaze.
Momoking’s role in the story is primarily as the trump card and closest partner to the protagonist, Joe Kirifuda, throughout the King, King!, and KingMAX arcs. He was created specifically to counter the threat of the Oni King, Abaku, embodying the logic that one needs a hero like Momotaro to defeat ogres. As Joe’s ace, he is the primary finisher in duels, constantly evolving to meet new threats. He gains power from and fuses with other legendary creatures like Bolshack Dragon and Arcadias, taking on forms such as Momoking RX and Momoking JO. His journey culminates in the form Momoking-MAX, used in the final battle against the series antagonist.
Key relationships define Momoking’s existence. His most important bond is with his master, Joe Kirifuda, for whom he fights with unwavering loyalty. He is often accompanied by three companions known as the Momodachi, who are based on the monkey, pheasant, and dog from the Momotaro tale. Unlike the traditional story, these creatures are not his servants but rather his equals, often scolding him or taking the lead in managing Team Kirifuda. His lack of leadership compared to previous aces like Johnny is noted, yet he still commands respect as a powerful dragon. His story is also deeply intertwined with other major figures, including his predecessor, Joe Dragon, and the antagonist Jiaouga, with whom he shares a final, sacrificial confrontation.
Throughout his narrative arc, Momoking undergoes significant development, primarily measured by his continuous evolution into more powerful forms to protect his world. Starting as the mute Jonetsu Hero, he gains speech and evolves into Momoking Revo, then further into various Star Evolution creatures. His development culminates in a moment of ultimate self-sacrifice, as he chooses to become a pillar to support reality, ensuring the world he loves continues to exist. In the final moments of the KingMAX anime, though circumstances force him and his fellow Jokers to depart from Joe, he returns for one last duel with Kira as Jonetsu Hero, promising a future competition of growth, affirming that his spirit as a Joker is eternal.
As a creature, Momoking possesses formidable abilities that reflect his heroic nature. He is a multi-civilization creature of fire and nature with high power. His signature ability, Kirifudash, allows him to be summoned at a reduced cost at the end of an attack that breaks a shield, enabling a sudden offensive surge. He has Speed Attacker, allowing him to attack on the turn he is summoned, and Triple Breaker, letting him break three shields in one attack. His unique attack ability untaps him after his first attack each turn, essentially letting him attack twice in a row. Furthermore, he possesses a powerful resistance that prevents him from being targeted by the effects of non-rainbow spells or non-rainbow creatures, making him incredibly difficult to remove from the battlefield.
In terms of background, Momoking is not merely a summoned creature but a character with a rich in-universe history. Within the Ten Kings world, he is described as a protagonist who lived as the king of Team Kirifuda. He participated in the War of the Ten Kings and, with the help of five other kings, awakened as a more powerful form, Momoking Revo, to battle a major adversary named Jiaouga. His story extends into later arcs, where he learns he is the Future King, one of twelve kings destined to gain immense power. He faces tragic challenges, including watching other heroes be fused into mindless beings called Dispecters, and ultimately sacrifices himself by becoming a pillar to save the world from collapse.
Personality-wise, Momoking is defined by his intense passion and deep loyalty, characteristics befitting a hero. In the anime, he is depicted as having an emotionally intense and sometimes unstable temperament, often falling into self-reproach when his master, Joe, loses a duel. Despite his heroic status, he can show moments of fear or cowardice, once even attempting to commit seppuku out of shame for being frightened, which adds a layer of dramatic earnestness to his character. His loyalty to Joe is paramount, rivaling that of his predecessors. Unlike his more comical depiction in manga, where he appears as overweight and bald, the anime portrays him as a sleek, sharply dressed dragon in traditional attire, complete with a peach-colored body and a dignified gaze.
Momoking’s role in the story is primarily as the trump card and closest partner to the protagonist, Joe Kirifuda, throughout the King, King!, and KingMAX arcs. He was created specifically to counter the threat of the Oni King, Abaku, embodying the logic that one needs a hero like Momotaro to defeat ogres. As Joe’s ace, he is the primary finisher in duels, constantly evolving to meet new threats. He gains power from and fuses with other legendary creatures like Bolshack Dragon and Arcadias, taking on forms such as Momoking RX and Momoking JO. His journey culminates in the form Momoking-MAX, used in the final battle against the series antagonist.
Key relationships define Momoking’s existence. His most important bond is with his master, Joe Kirifuda, for whom he fights with unwavering loyalty. He is often accompanied by three companions known as the Momodachi, who are based on the monkey, pheasant, and dog from the Momotaro tale. Unlike the traditional story, these creatures are not his servants but rather his equals, often scolding him or taking the lead in managing Team Kirifuda. His lack of leadership compared to previous aces like Johnny is noted, yet he still commands respect as a powerful dragon. His story is also deeply intertwined with other major figures, including his predecessor, Joe Dragon, and the antagonist Jiaouga, with whom he shares a final, sacrificial confrontation.
Throughout his narrative arc, Momoking undergoes significant development, primarily measured by his continuous evolution into more powerful forms to protect his world. Starting as the mute Jonetsu Hero, he gains speech and evolves into Momoking Revo, then further into various Star Evolution creatures. His development culminates in a moment of ultimate self-sacrifice, as he chooses to become a pillar to support reality, ensuring the world he loves continues to exist. In the final moments of the KingMAX anime, though circumstances force him and his fellow Jokers to depart from Joe, he returns for one last duel with Kira as Jonetsu Hero, promising a future competition of growth, affirming that his spirit as a Joker is eternal.
As a creature, Momoking possesses formidable abilities that reflect his heroic nature. He is a multi-civilization creature of fire and nature with high power. His signature ability, Kirifudash, allows him to be summoned at a reduced cost at the end of an attack that breaks a shield, enabling a sudden offensive surge. He has Speed Attacker, allowing him to attack on the turn he is summoned, and Triple Breaker, letting him break three shields in one attack. His unique attack ability untaps him after his first attack each turn, essentially letting him attack twice in a row. Furthermore, he possesses a powerful resistance that prevents him from being targeted by the effects of non-rainbow spells or non-rainbow creatures, making him incredibly difficult to remove from the battlefield.