On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Nintendo released the Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo for Kirby Air Riders.
Details have also been revealed for a celebratory in-game event held in conjunction with the amiibo launch.
Note: This article is based on information released in Japan.
The Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo Is Now Available!
The Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo launched on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Following series regulars like Kirby and King Dedede, the next character to receive an amiibo in the lineup is none other than Chef Kawasaki.
カワサキがamiiboになる日が来るとは…！
もちろん乗せ替えもできるし、そのままゲームに参加させられます。 pic.twitter.com/ecOj7K9vgH— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) September 3, 2026
Even Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai), director of Kirby Air Riders, posted a surprised comment about the release.
Chef Kawasaki boasts a remarkably passionate cult following, meaning more than a few fans have eagerly awaited this day.
Nintendo Topics
Additionally, the amiibo for the Air Ride machine Chef Kawasaki pilots, the Hop Star, allows players to move its thruster nozzles just like in the game.
The level of detail as a physical figure is truly impressive!
Nintendo Topics
Furthermore, players can swap riders across machines with previously released amiibo from the same line, such as Kirby & Warp Star.
It serves as a great excuse to collect the earlier figures in the lineup as well.
The amiibo is available for purchase on the Nintendo Store.
For more details on other figures in the series, check out the Kirby Air Riders Special Feature Page on the My Nintendo Store.
In-Game Event "Superspicy Squad!" Coming Soon!
To coincide with the amiibo launch, the in-game event Superspicy Squad! will run from Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM to Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Because the description on Nintendo Topics Japan was so delightfully unique, we quote it directly below:
In this team battle event in City Trial, players team up with randomly matched ally Chef Kawasakis to challenge an opposing legion of Chef Kawasakis!
Enjoy a City Trial overflowing with Chef Kawasakis.
(Translated from Japanese)
Nintendo Topics (JPN)
Nintendo's official dedication to pushing Chef Kawasaki is on another level.
Even though it was just a still image, the thumbnail featuring an overwhelming swarm of Chef Kawasakis felt so vibrant that you could practically hear voice actor Nobuo Tobita reprising his iconic delivery from the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! TV anime series—we couldn't help but burst into laughter.
As event participation rewards, players can obtain license materials, titles, and stickers.
This event features rewards such as the main menu icon license sticker unlocked via the Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo.
Why not take this event as an opportunity to discover the wonderfully eccentric charm of Chef Kawasaki?
The "Superspicy Squad!" event is coming up! Team up with Chef Kawasaki players online and face off against an army of CPU Chef Kawasakis in this Team Battle City Trial event! #KirbyAirRiders
Event Period: 9/09/2026 8pm PT to 9/14/2026 8pm PT pic.twitter.com/Rv6RDlzOZh
— Kirby Air Riders (@KirbyAirRiders) September 3, 2026
