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Wikitroid
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The current title is from a guide or other published source.

Imago[1] is a boss encountered in Metroid: Zero Mission. It is a giant bee-like creature encountered in Ridley's Lair that attacked Samus Aran for destroying its eggs.

In the Metroid Zero Mission Official Site, the Imago's larval Kiru Giru forms are given the title Giant Evolving Bug (進化する巨大蟲?), presumably referring to their ability to metamorphose into Imago.

Description

Imago Larva

Imago's larval Kiru giru form ensnared by Tangle Vines.

Imago's larval form, the Kiru Giru, was found in Norfair. After traveling through a Norfair tunnel infested with parasitic Tangle Vines, Samus encountered a larva that had been suspended in midair by the Tangle Vines ensnaring it. She freed the larva by using a nearby Winged Ripper to reach a position where she could fire Missiles at the vines holding the larva up. Once freed, the larva plunged into a stone platform, opening a passage leading to Ridley's Lair. If the Ripper is directly underneath the larva when it falls, it is killed instantly.

Soon after arriving in Ridley's Lair, Samus saw the Kiru Giru larva forming a cocoon after having dug deeper underground. Samus returned to Norfair and followed the larva's tunnel only to find that it had already molted. Following its burrow further, Samus discovered a new chamber lined with eggs; as she approached a blocked-off Super Missile Tank, she accidentally broke several of the eggs. Enraged at the threat to its offspring, the fully-grown adult Imago promptly attacked Samus.

Combat

Boss imago sm

Imago's fully mature form in Metroid: Zero Mission.

Imago attacks by flying around and attempting to impale Samus with its deadly stinger. It will also fire needles from the stinger, and they can be destroyed for power-ups if necessary. This can be easily avoided, though, as Imago flies at a height that allows Samus to simply duck or use the Morph Ball to pass under it. Once she deals enough damage to its large glowing abdomen, the Imago's stinger is destroyed, leaving it only able to to ram its opponent. At this point, if Samus approaches the wall that blocks off the Super Missile Tank, the mortally wounded Imago will crash through the wall and expire, giving Samus access to the power-up.

There is a method to avoid damage entirely when facing Imago. By positioning Samus barely at the bottom of the first slope upon entering the chamber (her feet should be even with the first 'indent' near the bottom of the slope) and crouching, Imago's stingers will hit just in front of her and sail over her head while Imago remains unable to ram Samus. Samus will remain able to shoot Imago's abdomen at least twice per pass.

Metroid: Volume 2

09

Imago as seen in Metroid: Volume 2.

In Chapter 15 of the Metroid manga, Samus is attacked by an Imago while fighting the Charge Beam Beast. Her dialogue implies that the Imago (along with the rest of the Zebesian ecosystem) has heightened aggression due to being controlled by Mother Brain.

The Imago and Charge Beam Beast fight Samus together, with Imago holding her in the air while the Beam Beast strikes with its pincers. After shooting the Charge Beam Beast in the eye, Samus breaks free of the Imago's grip and shoots it as she falls to the ground.

Development Room

MetroidFusion Fan
Warning: Fan Translation(s) Ahead

This article, section, or file contains text that is unofficially translated by Metroid fans. Some information (such as proper English names of characters or items) may not be accurate. If an official translation becomes available, the fan translation(s) may be replaced.

The Violence-Loving Knight: "Are the Kiru Giru captured by the Karamutsuta in inner Norfair and the Kiru Giru Imago in Ridley the same life form? If so, it has amazing tenacity..."

Yoshio Sakamoto: "They're the same life form. But I don't know if it has tenacity. Samus only coincidentally narrowly saved the Kiru Giru captured by the Karamutsuta from certain death, and afterward, the reason Kiru Giru that became an Imago attacked Samus was because Samus had trampled on the eggs it had created."[2]

Trivia

  • Since they are the same species, Imago's theme is a sped-up remix of the themes for the Kiru Giru.
  • If Samus attempts to kill the Imago using a Spin Jump Attack, a glitch will stop it from moving. This forces the player to reset the game.[3]
  • Imago is the scientific word for the adult stage of an insect, such as a butterfly.
  • If Samus has acquired a Super Missile Tank through Sequence Breaking, she can open the Green Hatch and skip the Imago entirely. Additionally, Samus can make use of her regular Missiles and the Bomb Jump to enter the other side of Ridley's Lair, allowing her to battle Ridley without ever going anywhere near the Imago.

References


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