History Characters / CupheadRunawayDebtors

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: He's nowhere to be found during the finale of the good ending. Probably because he might've been KilledOffForReal in the third phase of his fight

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: He's nowhere to be found during the finale of the good ending.

* AffablyEvil: He might anatognize the cups, but at least he's well-mannered.

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Although most of the time she sends her mooks to do the bidding, she can also attack using a sugar cane as a shotgun.

A group of vegetables whom you fight in a garden in "Botanic Panic". They consist of three main characters; Sal Spudder (a potato), Ollie Bulb (an onion), and Chauncey Chantenay (a carrot). A fourth character, Horace Radiche (a radish), also appears under certain conditions.

A blue slime-like boss you fight in a forest in "Ruse of an Ooze".

A woman that can turn her body into a blimp whom you fight in the skies in "Threatenin' Zeppelin".

A flower boss whom you fight in a forest clearing in "Floral Fury".

Two frog brothers in boxing gloves fought in a showboat club setting (ironically run by flies) in "Clip Joint Calamity". Ribby is the shorter one and wears white trunks, while Croaks is taller and wears red.

** The appearance of the Baroness and her barony are inspired by various cartoons' candy kingdoms, but most noticeably Cookietown from "WesternAnimation/TheCookieCarnival". One of her minions, Lord Gob Packer, is also a jawbreaker version of VideoGame/PacMan.

An evil clown you fight on the roller coaster in "Carnival Kerfuffle".

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The rollercoaster is named in Ron Bates' ''Cuphead in Carnival Chaos'' as "Dizzy Borden".

A genie fought above the desert in "Pyramid Peril".

A dragon fought in the clouds circling a tower in "Fiery Frolic".

A bird who lives within a cuckoo house, and the boss of "Aviary Action". After he takes a beating, his son, Willy Warbles, comes out of the birdhouse to attack you. You fight them in the skies.

A queen bee fought in a tabloid-printing office building for bees (naturally) in "Honeycomb Herald".

* StealthPun: She's a bee called Rumor, and she works at an office that's presumably a news building (if the level name "Honeycomb Herald" is any indication - the artbook states it's intended to be a tabloid press). Another word for rumors and news is "the buzz".

** Her turning into a plane to fight you in the final phase. She's a "Buzz Bomber" "Bee-plane". Or, alternatively, a "[[{{Pun}} Bee]]-17 Flying Fortress"[[note]](which would be era-appropriate, and which she vaguely resembles)[[/note]]. In this phase, she also attacks you by turning one of her wings into a "Buzz Saw."

A pirate fought on the docks that can summon sea creatures to help him. The boss of "Shootin' n' Lootin'".

An actress you fight on a stage in front of an live audience in "Dramatic Fanatic".

* ParasolOfPain: One that's tremendously versatile at that, playing roles like "MookMaker", "teleporter", and "spinning top of death".

A giant rat that controls a tank built from a soup can to fight you. Meanwhile, a massive cat by the name of Katzenwagen watches the battle, and eventually intervenes in the final stretch. You encounter them in "Murine Corps".

* DegradedBoss: In a weird sense, but Katzenwagen goes from being the final phase of a boss fight to being a yarn gun for the Howling Aces in "Doggone Dogfight". Or maybe it's just a cat that looks like it, who knows.

** Werner means "soldier" and he's a veteran of World War 1. Wermin is a German pronunciation of "vermin".

* PhonyVeteran: According to "The Art of Cuphead", Werner isn't an actual veteran. The book states that Werner is "A military master in his own mind".

** The title of their stage is "Murine Corps". "Murine" is an adjective that pertains to the subfamily of old world rats and mice.

* TacticalSuicideBoss: You'd expect a military-themed boss to be more, ahem, "tactical".

A mad scientist piloting a giant robot (which is named as the debtor) that fights you in the junkyard in "Junkyard Jive".

A gigantic mermaid fought over the ocean in "High-Seas Hijinx".

* BarelyChangedDubName: The German localizaton names her "''Ca'''r'''la Maria''".

** The sea turtle she summons in her first phase looks like a very angry Toby Tortoise from Disney's ''WesternAnimation/SillySymphonies'' (specifically "WesternAnimation/TheTortoiseAndTheHare"), and his fisticuffs pose alludes to the boxing match held in "Toby Tortoise Returns".

A haunted train comprised of the Blind Specter, an eyeless ghost; the Conductor, a skeletal conductor; the Lollipop Ghouls, two giant animate pistons; and finally, the train's living engine, the Head of the Train. You fight them on a rail cart in "Railroad Wrath".

* DubNameChange: To emulate the dubbing convention of the '30s, most of their names are translated in foreign language as an attempt to sound more local, often changing the meaning and adding new puns. There's so much that [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/DubNameChange/Cuphead it has it's own page.]]

* DubNameChange: To emulate the dubbing convention of the '30s, most of their names are translated in foreign language as an attempt to sound more local, often changing the meaning and adding new puns.

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, they are known as "''Shūcàisānrénzǔ''" (Vegetable 3-Person Team).
** In French, they are known as "''La bande des Tubercules''" (The Tubers Band).
** In German, they are known as "''Die Wurzelmeute''", a literal translation.
** In Italian, they are known as "''Gli Ortaggiosi''" (The Vegetables).
** In Japanese, they are known as "''Konsai-ikka''" (The Root Crop Clan).
** In Korean, they are known as "''Ppuri Goemurui Seupgyeok''" (Root Monster Attack).
** In Polish, they are known as "''Mafia Włoszczyzny''" (The Mirepoix Mafia). "Włoszczyzna" is also a word used to refer to the Italian language, derived from 'włoski' meaning the Italian people, so it also means "The Italian Mafia".
** In Portuguese, they are known as "''Máfia da Raiz''" (The Root Mafia).
** In Russian, they are known as "''Ovoshchebanda''" (The Vegetable Band).
** In the Spanish languages, they are known as "''La Banda Raíz''" (The Root Band) in European Spanish, and "''La Pandilla Raíz''" (The Root Gang) in Latin American Spanish.

* DubNameChange:
** In European Spanish, he's called "''Gel La Tinoso''", a pun on the word for 'gelatinous'.
** In French, he's called "''Victor Visqueux''" (Slimy Victor).
** In Italian, he's called "''Genni Gelatina''" (Genni Gelatin).
** In Japanese, he's called "''Purupu le Gran''", and as "le" is wrtten with the kana for "ru", the name is a pun on 'purupuru', meaning jiggly or bouncy.
** In Polish, he's called "''Egoślimakus''".
** In Portuguese, he's called "''Il Melecone''", derived from 'meleca' meaning goo, and made to sound like a fighter's stage name.
** In Russian, he's called "''Tyanuk de la Grand''".

* DubNameChange:
** In Portuguese, she is known as "''Geni Buarque''" (Jenny Buarque), as a reference to Brazilian composer Chico Buarque, and the song "''Geni e o Zepelim''" (Jenny and the Zeppelin) from his album ''Ópera do Malandro''; the name of the boss level in Portuguese is a play on the title of said song.

* DubNameChange:
** In European Spanish, his name is "''Flor Ypondio''", a feminine name, which could either count as ShesAManInJapan or GenderBlenderName depending on the intention. The name is a pun on 'floripondio', referring to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia_arborea angel's trumpets]].
** In French, his name is "''Fred Aster''", a pun on the aster flowers and Creator/FredAstaire.
** In German, his name is "''Nella Nelke''", also a feminine name. The last name means "Carnation".
** In Italian, his name is "''Floris Rivoltella''", with his first name being a common European one meaning "Flower" and his last name meaning "Revolver".
** In Latin American Spanish, his name is "''Clavel de Cagney''" (Cagney's Carnation).
** In Polish, his name is "''Rusłan Rosiczkoff''", with his last name being derived from 'rosiczka' meaning sundews.
** In Portuguese, his name is "''Cactônio Spinoza''".
** In Russian, his name is "''Groznaya Gvozdika''" (Fearsome Carnation).

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, Croaks is named "''Guāguā''", a direct translation
** In European Spanish, they're named "''Ribidí y Croas''".
** In French, they're named "''Coasse et Batrace''" (Croak and Toad).
** In German, Croaks is named "''Quak''", a direct translation.
** In Italian, they're named "''Krak e Krok''", a pair of onomatopeic sounds for frogs used in kids shows.
** In Korean, they're named "''Gaeguri wa Gaegori''", both derived from the Korean words for croaking.
** In Latin American Spanish, they're named "''Hosco y Tosco''" (Surly and Crude).
** In Polish, they're named "''Rechot i Żabokser''", the former meaning 'croak' and the latter being a {{Portmanteau}} of "żaba" (frog) and "bokser" (boxer).
** In Portuguese, they're named "''Escoaxo e Sopapo''", the former derived from 'coaxo' meaning croak and the latter meaning 'slap'.
** In Russian, Croaks is named "Kvak", a direct translation.

* DubNameChange:
** In French, she is known as "''Baronne von Berlingot''" (Baroness Von Boiledsweet)
** In Polish, she is known as "''Baronowa von Cuks''", from 'cukier' meaning 'sugar'.

* DubNameChange:
** In Polish, he's named "''Klaun Ciągut''" (Ciągut the Clown), likely from 'ciągutka' meaning taffy.
** In Portuguese, he's named "''Zobo, o Palhaço''" (Zobo the Clown), the name being a reversal of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bozo_the_Clown Bozo the Clown]].

* DubNameChange:
** In European Spanish, he's called "''Eugenio el Grande''" (Eugene the Great), a pun on the word "Genio" (Genie) and the name "Eugenio".
** In French, he's called "''Djinn le génie''" (Djinn the genie); [[RepetitiveName redudant name]] aside, this may be a reference to ''[[Creator/DavidBowie The Jean Genie]]''.
** In Italian, he's called "''Gigio Prodigio''", the last name meaning 'wonder'.
** In Polish, he's called "''Dżin Żelko-wielki''" (Genie Jelly-great).
** In Portuguese, he's called "''Genésio, o Magnífico''" (Genesio the Magnificent).
** In Russian, he's called "''Dzhinn Velikolepnyj''" (Magnificent Genie).

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, he is called "''Kǒngbù Huǒlóng''" (Frightening Fire Dragon).
** In French, he is called "''Allumette le dragon''" (Matchstick the dragon).
** In German, he is called "''Grimm Zündohlz''", an almost literal translation. The fact that his first name is spelled "Grimm" may be a nod to Creator/TheBrothersGrimm.
** In Italian, he is named "''Lello Zolfanello''" (Lello Matchstick) with his first name likely being chosen for the sake of a [[RhymingNames rhyme]].
** In Korean, he is named "''Kkeumjjik Kkamjjik Seongnyang-gun''" (Terrible and Cute Matchstick).
** In Polish, he is named "''Ponury Przypalnik''", a literal translation.
** In Portuguese, he is named "''Fogo de Chão''" (Ground Fire), likely a reference to the restaurant chain of the same name.
** In Russian, he is named "''Grim Ognepykh''" (Grim Firepuff).
** In the Spanish languages, he is named "''Fósforo Funesto''" (Gloomy Matchstick) in European Spanish, and "''Fósforo Sombrío''" (Somber Matchstick) in Latin American Spanish.

* DubNameChange:
** In French, he is called "''Corbin Claquebec''" (Corbin Beakclicking).
** In German, he is called "''Zacharias Zwitscher''" (Zachary Chirp).
** In Italian, he is called "''Pippo Grifo''" (Pip Griffin).
** In Japanese, he is called "''Otori Washinosuke''" (Bigbird Eagleson), written entirely in katakana.
** In Polish, he is called "''Świr Kukuł''" (Crazy Kukuł), with the last name also being from "kukułka" meaning "cuckoo".
** In Portuguese, he is called "''Tião Gavião''" (Sebastian Hawk).
** In Russian, he is called "''Wally Shchebetun''" (Wally Chatterer).
** In the Spanish languages, he is called "''Pico Trinos''" (High Trill) in European Spanish, with "Pico" both meaning "Peak" or "Magpie" and also being a given name. The Latin American Spanish localization calls him "''Titi Trinos''" (Aunt/Uncle Trill); since Titi is usually used for aunts, it could be a case of GenderFlip.

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, she is known as "''Fēnghòu''" (Queen Bee); as this is just a descriptor of what she is, this may be a case of NoNameGiven.
** In European Spanish, she is known as "''Reina Néctar''".
** In French, she is known as "''Régina Nectar''".
** In German, she is known as "''Helene Honigtöpfchen''" (Helene Honeypot).
** In Italian, she is known as "''Regina Mielinda''", with her last name derived from 'miele', meaning honey.
** In Latin American Spanish, she is known as "''Reynita Abejita''" (Little Queen Beehive).
** In Polish, she is known as "''Psebzydła Pscółka''", the last name from 'pszczoła' meaning 'honey bee'
** In Portuguese, she is known as "''Abélia Reale''" (Honeysuckle Royal).
** In Russian, she is known as "''Koroleva Medobryushko''", the first name meaning 'queen' and the last name derived from 'medóvyj' meaning 'honey'.

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, he is called "''Hēihúzichuánzhǎng''" (Captain Blackbeard).
** In French, he is called "''Capitaine Barbedécume''" (Captain Foambeard).
** In German, he is called "''Käpt'n Pökelbart''" (Captain Saltbeard).
** In Italian, he is called "''Capitan Barbabrina''" (Captain Brinebeard).
** In Japanese, he is called "''Shiohige-senchō''" (Captain Saltbeard).
** In Korean, he is called "''Jjansuyeom-seonjang''" (Sea Captain Saltybeard).
** In Polish, he is called "''Kapitan Solibroda''" (Captain Saltbeard).
** In Portuguese, he is called "''Capitão Barba-salgada''" (Captain Saltybeard).
** In Russian, he is called "''Kapitan Dorogoborod''" (Captain Expensivebeard).
** In Spanish, he is called "''Capitán Barbasalada''" (Captain Saltybeard).

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, she is "''Sally Wǔtáijù''", a literal translation.
** In European Spanish, she is "''Tere Teatrera''".
** In French, she is "''Babette Descène''", a pun on the nickname "Babette" and "Bête de scène" (Stage beast), an idiom to describe a charismatic performer.
** In German, she is "''Doris Diva''".
** In Italian, she is "''Brunilde Butterfly''", maybe referencing the butterfly fan she carries with her, as well as the Valkyrie-like cardboard cutout that you fight in the third phase.
** In Latin American Spanish, she is "''Sally Teatral''".
** In Portuguese, she is "''Paula Protagonista''".
** In Russian, she is "''Sally Primadonna''".

* DubNameChange:
** In European Spanish, he's named "''Ratten Rattibronnen''".
** In French, he's named "''Briscard Gerbil''" (Veteran Gerbil).
** In Italian, he's named "''Werner von Ratt''".
** In Polish, he's named "''Porucznik Myszewicz''" (Lieutenant Myszewicz), with his last name derived from 'mysz', meaning 'mouse'.
** In Portuguese, he's named "''Maus von Kampf''".
** In Russian, he's named "''Gans Gryzun''" (Hans Rodent).

* DubNameChange:
** In Italian, the debtor is named "''Mark Ingegno''", the last name meaning 'genius'. Notably, the Italian localization doesn't specify if it's the robot or the professor, meaning it's either the only one that names the professor as the debtor, or it's the only one that gives the robot a proper name.
** In Russian, Dr. Kahl is called "''Dr. Kashlya''", meaning cough.

* DubNameChange:
** In French, she is called "''Gorgonella''", a play on "Gorgon" and female names such as "Isabella", referencing her Medusa transformation.
** In Latin American Spanish, she's named "''Maria Caleta''", her last name meaning 'cove'.
** In Polish, she's named "''Maria Maszkara''", her last name being a dated word for 'mask' that is now used as a term for something hideous or unattractive.
** In Portuguese, she's named "''Dona Iara''", referencing the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iara_(mythology) Brazilian mythological figure.]]
** In Russian, she's named "''Kayla Morina''".

* DubNameChange:
** In Chinese, the train is called "''Yōulíngtèkuài''" (Ghost Express).
** In French, it's called "''Loco-fantôme''", a combination of locomotive and the French word for 'phantom'.
** In German, it's called "''Geisterexpress''" (Ghost Express).
** In Italian, it's called "''[=mOrient=] Express''" (capitalization intended), a pun on 'morte' meaning death, and the OrientExpress.
** In Japanese, it's called "''Yūressha''" (Netherworld Train).
** In Korean, it's called "''Yuryeong Geupaengyeolcha''" (Ghost Express).
** In Polish, it's called "''Duch Torpeda''" (Spirit Torpedo), a pun on and a reference to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxtorpeda Luxtorpeda]].
** In Portuguese, it's called "''Expresso Fantasma''", a literal translation.
** In Russian, it's called "''Prizrachnyj ekspress''" (Ghostly express).
** In Spanish, it's called "''Expreso Fantasma''", a literal translation.

* BenevolentGenie: Weirdly enough, he's perfectly willing to [[spoiler:give the cups double their hitpoints should they summon him - though he's still gonna mock them if they still lose to him with said extra hitpoints.]]

* EarlyBirdCameo: As of the 1.3.2 update, [[spoiler:spinning around three times in the overworld summons him. One can do this as early as the player goes outside Elder Kettle's home in Isle 1, well before Djimmi himself can be fought in Isle 2.]]

* OurGeniesAreDifferent: He's not here to give any wishes, and he attacks with several summoning and shapeshifting methods. And apparently there's a school for them, if the game over quote from his first phase is of any indication.

* BloodKnight: He is a somewhat ambiguous example of this trope. While he apologies for fighting you and in general, seems like the nicer bunch of the villains, several of his expressions clearly indicate that he enjoys fighting you.

* EnergyRingAttack: In his first phase, Grim Matchstick attacks with Eye Beams that manifest themselves as a short row of rings flying in the player character's direction. The last ring in a row is pink, allowing the cups to parry-slap it.

* NiceShoes: Wears ''magic lamps'' as shoes.

* PapaWolf: Implied to be the reason why Dr. Kahl is helping his robot fight against you, he doesn't want his creation face you alone.

* EatenAlive: Presumed to be Wally's fate when beaten, as the medic birds are seen pouring salt and pepper on him with hungry looks in their eyes, and that he is among the few characters not present in the game's closing scene. But WordOfGod states that he's still alive.

* AlliterativeFamily: Both the father Wally, and the son Willy, have a name that start with '''W'''.

* VisualPun: The small brown sharks with chains he summons are ''dogfishes''. Or, put another way, they're ''seadogs''.

** In Portuguese, she is known as "''Geni Buarque''" (Jenny Buarque, as a reference to Brazilian composer Chico Buarque, and the song "''Geni e o Zepelim''" (Jenny and the Zeppelin) from his album ''Ópera do Malandro''; the name of the boss level in Portuguese is a play on the title of said song.)

** In Portuguese, he is called "''Tião Gavião''" (Uncle Hawk).

* FlunkyBoss: For the most part, it's his ship, barrel, and sea creatures that really attack you, with Brineybeard taking potshots at you on occasion.

* EyepatchOfPower: Although it's apparently just for show - though it's hard to see in the middle of the battle, he occasionally peeks out of it, revealing a good eye underneath.

** In Portuguese, he's named "''Zobo, o Palhaço''" (Zobo the Clown).

** In Russian, he is named "''Grim Ognepyx''" (Grim Firepuff).

** In Italian, it's called "''[=mOrient=] Express''" (capitalization intended), a play on 'morte' meaning death, and the OrientExpress.

** In Polish, it's called "''Duch Torpeda''" (Spirit Torpedo), a play on and a reference to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxtorpeda Luxtorpeda]].

** In French, she is called "''Gorgonella''", a pun on "Gorgon" and female name such as "Isabella", referencing her Medusa transformation.

** In Polish, it's called "''Duch Torpeda''" (Spirit Torpedo), a play on and a reference to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxtorpeda]].

** In French, the train is called "''Loco-fantôme''", a combination of locomotive and the French word for 'phantom'.

** In French, she is named "''Babette Descène''", a pun on the nickname "Babette" and "Bête de scène" (Stage beast), an idiom to describe a charismatic performer.

** In German, she is "''Doris Diva''".

** In Brazilian Portuguese, she's named "''Dona Iara''", referencing the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iara_(mythology) Brazilian mythological figure.]]