Shotzo

“	This indestructible cannon packs quite a wallop!”
	— Shotzo's Cast Description • Kirby's Epic Yarn

Shotzo is a regular enemy in the Kirby series. Like Gordo, Shotzos are invincible and cannot be defeated (only under special circumstances, such as dropping one into a pit). Shotzos have appeared in almost every game in the main series and some spin-off titles.

Physical Appearance

Shotzo is a small black cannon that fires spherical bullets (buttons in Kirby's Epic Yarn). It has leg-like structures attached to it despite being mostly immobile, but these are absent in its Kirby's Dream Land 3 design. For the most part, Shotzo swivels around and aims at Kirby. Others stay locked-on at one place and shoot when Kirby comes near or shoot at a timed volley of three cannonballs in one direction.

Some Shotzos even have an attached parasol that they use to drift down from the sky. Once the Shotzo lands, the parasol will detach, and sometimes chase Kirby.

Other variations of Shotzos include Wall Shotzo, Flame Shotzo, Gigatzo, Coldtzo, Volttzo, and Cloud Cannon.

Games

Kirby's Dream Land

Shotzos are first introduced in Castle Lololo, seen having their standard set of moves. In Float Islands, Shotzos will sometimes appear below the surface of the water firing shots up at Kirby, while in Bubbly Clouds, a Shotzo can be found dangling from a Parasol firing shots downward at Kirby. These two variations have never appeared in any other Kirby game.

Shotzos are replaced in Extra Game by Blatzy. Its replacement fires shots much faster and much more accurately.

Kirby's Dream Land is the only game where Shotzos can be destroyed by using the Mike or being invincible.

Kirby's Adventure and Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Shotzos return mostly unchanged from its appearance in Kirby's Dream Land. Bullets fired from Shotzos can now be destroyed with either a Copy Ability or a puff of air, though they cannot be inhaled. In Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, Shotzos can be visibly destroyed by grabbing a Parasol Shotzo and either flinging it toward or tackling it onto a solid object or water with either the Backdrop or Throw abilities.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

Shotzos appear in this game as well, acting very much the same way as before. Laser-shooting Wall Shotzos appear in Stage 4 of Rock Star.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition

Shotzos return in this game, along with several other types of cannon enemy. This time, however, they can be sort of defeated. If Kirby uses a Super Ability on any indestructible enemy, it will not be defeated straight away, but upon walking a short distance away and coming back, it will be gone. This can be done on two different levels, using either the Ultra Sword or Grand Hammer. There is also a mid-boss fight with Water Galboros in Dangerous Dinner in which there is a Shotzo on the ceiling that constantly fires at Kirby. Upon the mid-boss's defeat, this Shotzo will disappear.

Shotzo appears in the Sword and Item Challenges of Kirby's Return to Dream Land. It appears in the New Challenge Stages in Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition as well. It appears in the Normal Challenge.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Shotzos behave the same way they do in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. However, they can turn to fire at Kirby even when he's on a different plane from the enemy.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

Shotzo appears in this game. They act in the same way that they did in previous games.

Kirby: Planet Robobot

Shotzo appears in this game.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Shotzo appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS's Smash Run mode. It fires cannonballs as it does in the Kirby series. These cannonballs move faster and spiral less than the ones it fires in other games. Shotzo is invincible in this game.

Related Enemies

Related Quotes

“	Shotzo the cannon is indestructible and will never stop firing its cannon balls ^[sic] at Kirby. Avoid it by staying as far away from it as possible.”
	— Description • Nintendo Power (Volume #39)

“	Another character type in Kirby 64 that you can't destroy, Shotzos fire cannonballs at you from a distance, or they rest on crates. Be careful not to let them fall on you when you destroy the crates.”
	— Description • Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Official Strategy Guide (Prima)

“	These little cannons can be a big hazard.”
	— Official Kirby: Triple Deluxe website

“	These cannons from the Kirby series could track Kirby and fire at him. In Smash Bros., there are two different kinds: ones that fire in a set direction and ones that will track and fire at a fighter. Don't waste time attacking these guys, though—it's impossible to defeat them.”
	— Trophy description • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

“	Depending on the type, these indestructible cannons will either fire three shots in a fixed direction or one shot aimed at you.”
	— Tip • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Trivia

Freezo from Kirby's Epic Yarn is comparable to Shotzo. Both are described as cannons, they both stay firmly planted in one spot, and they shoot projectiles. They are both immune to the Yarn Whip attack, and they both have an o at the end of their names.
In Smash Run, when Shotzo turns around, it doesn't merely pivot like it does in the Kirby series; its leg structures move off the ground as if it has actual feet.