Bubble Trouble

Earthworm Jim stands out on this countdown for a couple of reasons. Most of the characters on this list have an innate ability to blow bubbles, but Jim can only fight with bubbles if he’s equipped with the appropriate weapon. It’s a bit of a stretch to describe the bubble gun as a weapon, however. It’s nearly impossible to hit anything with it, since the bubbles sort of float around randomly. If Jim is lucky enough to hit anything with the gun, the bubbles will pop upon impact without doing any damage whatsoever. The bubble gun is useless, so it’s debatable if Jim belongs on a list of bubble fighters. There’s no rule that says a weapon has to work, of course, so Jim belongs on this list even though his bubbles are ineffective. Weaponized bubbles are inherently ridiculous, and Jim’s bubble gun takes this premise to its logical extreme.

Deku Scrubs are peculiar, plant-based creatures that can typically be found in wooded areas. When Link is unexpectedly transformed into a Deku Scrub in Majora’s Mask, he makes the most of the situation. Although the Deku form could be considered a curse, it also bestows Link with all sorts of amazing abilities. Deku Link can hop on water, hover in the air, and stun his enemies with spin attacks. He can also launch magic bubbles out of his cannon-like snout! Unfortunately, the bubbles have a tendency to bounce off armored enemies. They still come in handy when Link needs to target floating objects, however, and you can potentially charge the bubbles up in order to increase their range. Deku Link’s bubbles aren’t as accurate or powerful as arrows are, but they’re readily available and don’t require additional equipment to use.

Bubble is a common water-type attack that can inflict damage and potentially lower the target’s battle speed. We’ve been introduced to over 60 Pokémon that can master the technique, so I’m faced with the difficult decision of choosing one of them to represent the series on this countdown. Squirtle seems like an obvious choice, and he’s been able to use the maneuver from the very beginning. (Bubble was likely the first move used by anyone who selected Squirtle as their starter in Pokémon Red or Blue.) The reason why Araquanid is being recognized instead is because he leans more heavily into the bubble theme. His head is encased in a giant water bubble, which acts as both a weapon and a protective shield. His Pokédex entries suggest that Araquanid can draw small Pokémon into the bubble in order to drown them! I guess bubbles aren’t as harmless as they look.

Many characters from the Mario universe were considered for this countdown. Baby Yoshis could blow bubbles in New Super Mario Bros. U, and the aptly-named Bubble Flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder bestowed Mario and his friends with similar powers. Wart was using bubbles back in the 1980s, however, so he gets a legacy advantage as far as this list is concerned. After the mischievous frog takes control of the enigmatic Dream Machine, he basically hangs out in a room by himself and waits for justice to arrive. The Dream Machine produces an endless supply of killer vegetables for some reason, and bubbles are Wart’s only line of defense. I don’t think anyone was impressed by Wart’s bubble-blowing antics, and this is probably why Mario never invites him to go-kart races. I haven’t forgotten Wart even if his enemies have.

The Tatsu Steed are mountable allies from the Realm of Sleep that feed on the dreams of others. The colorful creatures have a relatively small role in Kingdom Hearts 3D, but they have all the qualifications that this list is looking for. Most of their attacks involve bubbles in one way or another. They have bullets, bombs, mortars, and mines in their arsenal, and they’re all made out of bubbles. These attacks are more dangerous than you might imagine, and their aim is surprisingly accurate from a distance. Tatsu Steeds aren’t as effective up close, however, and their journal entry goes so far as to describe them as punching bags. Fortunately, they’re able to create bubble shields for these occasions. It’s amazing how versatile the little guys are, and they’re unmatched on this list when it comes to variety.

Mizutsune are specially evolved Leviathans that secrete soapy fluids from their serpentine bodies. The monsters treat the terrain like their own personal Slip ‘N Slide, and they show remarkable agility as they slither around in their own suds. The secretions can also be used as weapons, and it’s not unusual for hunters to be covered with immobilizing bubbles. If Mizutsune gets tired of blowing bubbles at his adversaries, he also has the option of placing explosive bubbles on the ground that act like veritable landmines. Even though Leviathans are typically regarded as apex predators, it would be accurate to describe Mizutsune as deceptively deadly. No reasonable person would expect soap bubbles to be so dangerous. Weaponized bubbles are often played for laughs, but nobody’s laughing when Mizutsune gives them an impromptu bubble bath.

Mega Man has battled hundreds of nefarious Robot Masters over the years, but Bubble Man was the first one that was created for the purpose of underwater combat. He almost always has the advantage in aquatic environments, and he can swim around at remarkable speeds. They don’t call him Bubble Man for nothing, and he obviously incorporates bubbles into his repertoire as well. The amphibious robot can fire bubbles from an arm cannon or a head-mounted gun, and he has the option of bombarding his enemies with smaller bubbles or trapping them inside larger ones. The bubbles are durable enough to be used as personal shields, so he can also hide within his own bubbles if the situation calls for it. His Bubble Lead weapon isn’t nearly as effective when Mega Man uses it, and this only serves to highlight how spectacular Bubble Man truly is.

After an evil warlord kidnaps Queen Eliza and steals everyone’s musical instruments, a young boy named Milon takes it upon himself to rescue the queen and retrieve the stolen goods. He’s given very little guidance on his quest, and it’s unclear how he supposed to progress through the secret castle. His only saving grace is a magic bubble that can incapacitate enemies and break through blocks to reveal hidden passages. The bubble is relatively weak at first, but it’s power increases throughout the course of the adventure. The bubbles are a lot more useful in the sequel, as Milon has the good sense to use a straw-like blowgun. This allows him to shoot the bubbles with more precision, and he can even hold his enemies in place. When his enemies are trapped in bubbles, Milon can send them flying into the stratosphere with a simple touch.

In Kirby: Squeak Squad, our favorite inflatable hero has the option of storing bubble items in his stomach for later use. One of the ways he achieves this is through his new Bubble power-up. When this power is activated, Kirby can generate a steady stream of bubbles out of a wand. He also has the option of charging up the attack in order to create a larger, more powerful bubble. In either case, the bubbles he creates can potentially transform his enemies into the aforementioned bubble items. Kirby also produces bubbles from the top of his head when the ability is in use, so he wisely wears a shower cap to prevent the suds from getting in his eyes. It’s one of the most adorable things I’ve ever seen, and it’s a shame that Bubble was only used in one game. It’s arguably the most underrated ability in Kirby’s vast arsenal.

Bubblun and Bobblun are sharing the top spot on this list because they are palette swaps with identical abilities, motivations, and backstories. The twin brothers were ordinary children who were transformed into bubble-blowing dinosaurs after venturing into the Cave of Monsters to save their girlfriends. The transformation was intended to be some sort of a curse, but it was a blessing in disguise since it gave the twins a fighting chance in the face of insurmountable odds. Bub and Bob can trap their enemies in bubbles and then pop them in dramatic fashion. The baddies will be incapacitated when they’re trapped in bubbles, so they’ll be forced to float around helplessly and wait for the dino protagonists to finish them off. Bub and Bob are adorable and deadly, and this dichotomy is exemplified by their weaponized bubbles.