Smallfry (character)

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Smallfry
RotM Render Smallfry.png
Smallfry in Splatoon 3
Species Salmonid (Smallfry)
Habitat
Height
Hair color Red
Eye color Red with black pupils and yellow sclera
Age
Gender
Pronouns
Relations Agent 3 (companion)
Location The Splatlands, Splatsville, The Crater, Alterna, Inkopolis Plaza
Shop
HP
Maximum HP
Members
Other forms
This article is about the character from Splatoon 3's story mode. For the type of Salmonid this character belongs to, see Smallfry (species).

Smallfry (occasionally also referred to as "little buddy") is a Salmonid of the eponymous type that accompanies the player in Splatoon 3. It assists the player in the single-player campaign Return of the Mammalians, being able to be thrown at enemies to cause damage, distract enemies, and activate various mechanics, such as Inkrails, Propellers, and Ink Switches. It is unaffected by Fuzzy Ooze and can eat it to clean it up if fed with enough Power Eggs.

Appearance

As a Smallfry, it is the smallest type of Salmonid. It is distinguished from the enemy Smallfry by its completely gray skin, customizable hairstyle, lack of a spoon, and dark green pants.

History

Early life

Sunken Scroll 8 depicting Smallfry.

Smallfry is a very rare case of a young Salmonid which strayed too far from their original school during a run and became lost. They met the soon-to-be Agent 3, who makes a living by hunting for scraps. With Smallfry being able to eat about anything, they work together with Agent 3 out of a shared motivation.

Splatoon 3

Smallfry continues to follow around the player across the Splatlands and hangs around Splatsville or Inkopolis Plaza.

They accompany the player when they get appointed "Agent 3" in the Crater and are needed to progress further as they are not only unaffected by Fuzzy Ooze, but can remove it by eating attached Fuzzballs. At the Crater's base, Cuttlefish and Agent 3 are confronted by DJ Octavio. In the ensuing battle, Smallfry obstructs Octavio's Ink Vac by being thrown at it, enabling Agent 3 to counter his attacks and defeat him. As the battle concludes, the ground beneath them collapses as Fuzzy Ooze flows out, causing all four to plummet into the depths.

Smallfry and Agent 3 in Alterna.

Smallfry and Agent 3 find themselves in Alterna, where they meet the New Squidbeak Splatoon, comprised of Agent 1 and 2, as well as their Captain (who was the previous Agent 3). Smallfry helps Agent 3 by continuing to clean the Fuzzy Ooze around the Sites of Alterna while being able to assist them during missions with the Hero Gear or Smallfry as weapon options as well as the fights against the members of Deep Cut. After combining the three treasures guarded by Deep Cut, which the Captain uses to get rid of the sharp fuzz on the central island, Agent 3 can enter the Alterna Space Center, where Cuttlefish is held by Mr. Grizz.

The Entrance prohibits weapons, only allowing pets and/or sidekicks. Smallfry presses buttons, distracts and defeats enemies, stuns Flooders and activates devices like Balloon Fish and Propellers, enabling Agent 3 to progress through the section until they are able to optain their confiscated Hero Gear.

When, reaching the top of the rocket, the New Squidbeak Splatoon find Cuttlefish dried up and lifeless, as a result of being dehydrated by Mr. Grizz, who appears before them, revealed to be a grizzly bear. He escapes on the rocket, aimed to spread Fuzzy Ooze all over the world. The Captain drops a tear on Cuttlefish's body, which makes him come to his senses. With the help of Deep Cut, Agent 3 and Smallfry are able to reach the rocket.

When confronting Mr. Grizz, Agent 3 and Smallfry battle their way through hordes of Octarian troops, with Smallfry using the large Golden Eggs scattered around to boost itself, eating the Fuzzballs on the rocket and on Mr. Grizz himself. After having some of his Fuzzballs splatted, Mr. Grizz knocks Agent 3 and Smallfry out from his rocket as he absorbs the Fuzzy Ooze and plans to send it to Earth himself. Fortunately, DJ Octavio, appears in his modified Octobot, catching the two. Together with him, the Squid Sisters and Deep Cut play the Calamari Inkantation 3MIX, causing Smallfry to transform into Hugefry. Hugefry confronts Mr. Grizz one-on-one as DJ Octavio and Agent 3 vacuum the Fuzzballs on Mr. Grizz's body. After vacuuming the ooze, they blast the ink back at him, resulting in his defeat. After transforming back into Smallfry, they, Agent 3 and Octavio return to Earth together.

Abilities

Smallfry can be thrown like a sub weapon in certain stages. If it directly hits an enemy or destructible object, it will deal consecutive damage to it over time. Otherwise, it will distract nearby enemies so they will attack Smallfry instead of the player; this allows for opportunities to attack troublesome enemies such as Shielded Octotroopers. If Smallfry takes too much damage, it will be splatted and the player must wait until it respawns to use it again.

Smallfry can be recalled using the "This Way!" command or by trying to use it as a Sub weapon when it is not already on the player's back. It will also automatically return to the player after a short time, upon falling off the stage, or if the player moves too far away from it.

Smallfry's attributes can be upgraded with Upgrade Points, allowing it to deal more damage and take more damage before being splatted as well as reducing the amount of ink needed to throw it.

A large red exclamation point may sometimes appear over Smallfry's head when it is near a loot anchor (including those that are invisible). If this happens, it will run toward the loot anchor and begin to glow with a yellow light while bouncing next to it, alerting the player to its presence.

Smallfry can consume Fuzzballs, destroying Fuzzy Ooze connected to them. Each Fuzzball requires a specific number of Power Eggs to eliminate, which can be seen by pressing down on the right stick while in Alterna. For the Fuzzballs found aboard the Spirit Lifter, Golden Eggs are required instead.

During the last phase of the final boss, Smallfry transforms into "Hugefry", a gigantic chum salmon.

In the manga series

In Splatoon 3: Splatlands, Smallfry is a minor character who follows Braid around while she practices. He uses the "Classic" hairstyle. In Chapter 78 of Vol. 19, Smallfry introduces Grizzco Industries for the first time in the Splatlands manga, when at the end of the chapter he can be seen in front of it.

Quotes

If diving into a sewer sounds intimidating, at least you won't have to go it alone. You'll have Smallfry as a companion, and it turns out that having a Salmonid buddy is pretty handy! Smallfry can attack, it can be a decoy, and it can interact in useful ways with the environment.
— @SplatoonNA on Twitter[1]


Distracting enemies ✔️
Neutralising traps ✔️
Helping to solve puzzles ✔️
Eating... fuzz? ✔️

Yes, Smallfry can do it all!
— @NintendoEurope on Twitter[2]

Gallery

Promotional

Artwork
Merchandise

In-game

Hugefry

Trivia

  • It is stated that the bond between Agent 3 and Smallfry - while unusual due to the normal aggression Salmonids show towards Inklings and Octolings - came to be when Smallfry decided to work together with Agent 3 out of a shared motivation, with Agent 3 salvaging scrap around the Splatlands for profit, and Smallfry being willing to eat just about anything, presumably including said scrap.[3]
    • Sunken Scroll 8 mentions that in rare cases younger Salmonids can end up separated from their schools during a run. As a picture of Smallfry (and their hairstyles) is included in the scroll, this might suggest that the player took it in after it got lost.
      • In the Japanese version, the Sunken Scroll refers to this type of Salmonid as "ケイジ" (keiji), which is a reference to a type of salmon in real life called "鮭児".[4]
  • Smallfry appears in Splatsville in random locations, namely:
    • On the stool outside of Crush Station
    • On the metal crate to the left of the Ammo Knights entrance and right of the main stairs
    • Behind the player's spawn on a square drain
    • In front of the waterfall river garden in the northern quad
    • Next to Murch, lying down
    • On the concrete ledge next to the manhole
    • High up inside of the cafe above Deep Cut's studio
    • High up on top of a sign attached above Hotlantis
    • On top of the sidewalk pole in front of Hotlantis
    • On the railing at the top of the staircase overlooking the waterfall river garden
  • Smallfry appears in Inkopolis Plaza in random locations, namely:
  • Smallfry appears in Inkopolis Square in random locations, namely:
    • On top of the turtle statue's head
    • On top of a few boxes to the left of Grizzco Industries
    • Outside Headspace looking through their window
    • Next to the arrows forming a circle that are in the middle of Inkopolis Square
    • In the cafe next to Iso Padre
    • On top of a electric pole next to the claw machine
    • High up on top of a sign leading to the train station
    • On top of a tall building that can be seen from the amiibo box
    • On top of a faraway building that can be seen from the train station
    • Through the window of the brick building that is to the right of the skate park. This spot can only be seen through camera mode.
  • If the player remains idle for long enough, Smallfry can occasionally be heard humming Calamari Inkantation. After the player has completed Return of the Mammalians, it may alternatively hum Happy Little Workers.
  • Hugefry's likeness is carved into a rock face overlooking Bonerattle Arena.
  • During certain Splatfests such as FrostyFest and Splatoween Splatfests, Smallfry wears a small party hat while on Inkopolis or Splatsville. The design depends on the Splatfest.

Names in other languages

Smallfry
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese コジャケ
kojake
Small salmon
Netherlands Dutch Salmini From Salmoniet ("Salmonid") and mini
CanadaFrance French Salmioche From Salmonoïde ("Salmonid") and mioche ("kid", "brat")
Germany German Salmini From Salmonide ("Salmonid") and mini
Italy Italian Salmonello Little Salmonid[a]
Russia Russian Малетчик
Malyotchik
From малёк malyok ("whitebait", "fry") or маленький malen'kiy ("small") and налётчик nalyotchik ("raider")
Mexico Spanish (NOA) Escamita Little [fish] scale[b]
Spain Spanish (NOE) Cenutrín From cenutrio ("twerp", "brat")
China Chinese (Simplified) 小鲑鱼
Xiǎo guīyú
Little Salmon
Hong Kong Chinese (Traditional) 小鮭魚
Xiǎo guīyú
Little Salmon
South Korea Korean 꼬마연어
kkoma-yeoneo
Little Salmon


Hugefry
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese オオジャケ様
ōjake-sama
The Great Big Salmon
Netherlands Dutch Salmega From Salmoniet ("Salmonid") and mega
Germany German Salmaxi From Salmonide ("Salmonid") and Maximum
Italy Italian Salmonone From Salmonello ("Smallfry") and the suffix -one used to describe something big. Literally translates to "Big Salmon"
Russia Russian Мегалетчик
Megalyotchik
Megafry[c]
Mexico Spanish (NOA) Escamota Large [fish] scale[d]
Spain Spanish (NOE) Megacenutrín Mega + from cenutrio ("twerp", "brat")
China Chinese (Simplified) 大鲑鱼大人
Dà guīyú dàrén
Same as Japanese
Hong Kong Chinese (Traditional) 神聖大鮭魚
Shénshèng dà guīyú
The Holy Big Salmon
South Korea Korean 대왕연어
daewang-yeoneo
King Salmon

Translation notes

  1. Ending -ello is used to describe something small or cute, translating literally to "Small Salmon"
  2. The suffix -ita is used to describe a noun that is small. In this case, they added -ita to the word escama meaning scale.
  3. From мега mega and малётчик malyotchik ("Smallfry")
  4. The suffix -ota is used to describe a noun that is large. In this case, they added -ota to the word escama meaning scale.

References