Smallfry (character)

Smallfry​

Smallfry

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 obtain 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

“	Distracting enemies ✔️ Neutralising traps ✔️ Helping to solve puzzles ✔️ Eating... fuzz? ✔️ Yes, Smallfry can do it all!	”
— @NintendoEurope on Twitter

Gallery

Promotional

Artwork

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  2D artwork

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  Agent 3 and Smallfry only

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  Vertical key art of Return of the Mammalians featuring Agent 3 and Smallfry

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  Horizontal key art

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  2D artwork

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  3D artwork of Smallfry with Power Eggs

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  Render

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  Render

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  Render

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  Announcement trailer

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  Smallfry inside Agent 3's backpack

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  Full cover artwork of the 2022 Winter issue of Nintendo Magazine

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  Smallfry on one of the Splatune 3 discs

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  Money vs. Fame vs. Love Splatfest artwork of Deep Cut featuring Smallfry

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  Splatoon 3 first anniversary artwork featuring Smallfry

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  Smallfry in the Splatoon 3: Splatlands bonus manga chapter.

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  Smallfry alongside Agent 3 in an early version of Octopods at Rest Tend to FLIP OUT!

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  Smallfry inside Agent 3's backpack overlooking a cityscape in an Alterna mission

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  Smallfry hopping beside a Fuzzy Octotrooper

• Smallfry eating Fuzzy Ooze (Link to file)

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  Agent 3 and Smallfry

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  Agent 3 and Smallfry onlooking Fuzzy Ooze in Future Utopia Island

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  Smallfry concept art from The Art of Splatoon 3

Merchandise

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  amiibo

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  Smallfry and Agent 3 on the cover of the Nintendo Magazine (2022 Winter)

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  Running Smallfry collection by Nintendo Tokyo

• File:S3 plush Sanei S Smallfry.jpg

  Plush toy by Sanei

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  Plush toy prize by Bandai

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  Rubber key ring prize by Bandai

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  Design towel prize by Bandai

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  Magnets by Bandai

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  Magnets by Bandai

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  "Classic"

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  "Mohawk"

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  "Spiky"

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  "Pompadour"

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  "Swept"

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  "Bun"

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  "Pineapple"

In-game

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  Sub weapon icon

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  Sub weapon icon in SplatNet 3

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  Smallfry Damage Up upgrade icon

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  Smallfry HP Up upgrade icon

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  Smallfry Ink Saver upgrade icon

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  Smallfry Quick Respawn upgrade icon

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  The Tableturf card icon of Smallfry

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  Smallfry's customization screen

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  Classic hairstyle

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  Mohawk hairstyle

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  Spiky hairstyle

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  Pompadour hairstyle

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  Swept hairstyle

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  Bun hairstyle

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  Pineapple hairstyle

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  Smallfry alerting the player to an invisible loot anchor

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  Agent 3 after touching Fuzzy Ooze next to Smallfry

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  Smallfry napping near Agent 3 in Future Utopia Island

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  Smallfry sitting perched in Agent 3's ink tank

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  Agent 3 holding Smallfry after defeating Mr. Grizz

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  Smallfry taking a nap

• Smallfry humming Calamari Inkantation

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  Unofficial render of Smallfry's game model on The Models Resource

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  Smallfry in the cafe

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  Smallfry during Zombie vs. Skeleton vs. Ghost

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  Smallfry during Friends vs. Family vs. Solo

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  A snapshot of Smallfry

Hugefry

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  Hugefry (Classic hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Mohawk hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Spiky hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Pompadour hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Swept hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Bun hairstyle)

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  Hugefry (Pineapple hairstyle)

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  Unofficial render of Hugefry's game model on The Models Resource

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.
  • 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".
• 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:
  • On top of the sign to the right of the Ammo Knights entrance on the shop sign
  • On the seat closest to the window in the cafe
  • On top of the railing outside the Inkopolis News Studio watching the Squid Sisters
  • On top of The Shoal that can be seen when first loading into the game if last played on Inkopolis Plaza
  • Inside the lobby circle within Inkopolis Tower
  • In the bottom corner of the right shop window of Shrimp Kicks
  • Waiting for the train across the tracks
  • In the window of the observation deck on Inkopolis Tower
  • On top of the fox statue between the ears
  • On top of the antenna atop one of the buildings in the distance outside Inkopolis Plaza that can be seen from the corner of the ramp leading up to the Shoal and Inkopolis News Studio
• 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
  • In Off the Hook's studio, behind Marina's turntables; only its tail is visible from the outside
  • On top of a electric pole next to the claw machine
  • 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
Japanese	コジャケ kojake	Small salmon
Dutch	Salmini	From Salmoniet ("Salmonid") and mini
French	Salmioche	From Salmonoïde ("Salmonid") and mioche ("kid", "brat")
German	Salmini	From Salmonide ("Salmonid") and mini
Italian	Salmonello	Little Salmonid
Russian	Малетчик Malyotchik	From малёк malyok ("whitebait", "fry") or маленький malen'kiy ("small") and налётчик nalyotchik ("raider")
Spanish (NOA)	Escamita	Little [fish] scale
Spanish (NOE)	Cenutrín	From cenutrio ("twerp", "brat")
Chinese (Simplified)	小鲑鱼 Xiǎo guīyú	Little Salmon
Chinese (Traditional)	小鮭魚 Xiǎo guīyú	Little Salmon
Korean	꼬마연어 kkoma-yeoneo	Little Salmon

Hugefry

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