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The Flying Men (フライングマン, alternatively Flyingman in Encyclopedia MOTHER) are a species of birdlike characters in EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound. They live together in a small house that Ninten and Ness can visit in Magicant both in Mother and EarthBound, respectively. If a Flying Man is spoken to, he will join Ninten or Ness until he is knocked unconscious. Once a Flying Man has been defeated, he cannot be revived and will be buried at his home. There are five in all, but only one can join Ninten or Ness at a time. One thing to note is that a flying man is only active in Magicant, it cannot follow your character out into the regular world.

In EarthBound, the Flying Men introduce themselves to Ness as his 'Courage'. This is keeping in line with the fundamental nature of Magicant, which is a manifestation of its visitor's unconscious mind. In addition to their appearances, they can deal and sustain a moderate-to-high damage from enemies.

If Ness uses up three Flying Men, the fourth he uses will tell him not to treat the Flying Men like trash. If Ness goes back and gets the final fifth Flying Man, he will say that 'This isn’t courage, it’s desperation'.

In Super Smash Bros for 3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimatethe Flying Men spawn in the upper-right corner of the Magicant stage. They will help the first character that touches him, and continue to help until they are KO'ed. When this occurs, a grave will appear and another will spawn shortly after. Just like the real Magicant, there are only five of them that will spawn until they don't spawn anymore.

Flying Man (Song)[]

06_-_Louis_Philippe_-_Flying_Man

06 - Louis Philippe - Flying Man

Flying Man

"Flying Man" is a song arranged by Keiichi Suzuki and sung by Louis Philippe. Linda Hennrick wrote the lyrics.

Life is but a moment
a single grain of sand
that slips right through the hourglass
and slips right through your hand
you've shown me how
to make each moment count
and I know now
what life's all about

Life is but a twinkle
the winking of an eye
a star that lights the universe
a flash across the sky
you came to me
just like a shooting star
you gave to me
the love that's in your heart

When you live for love
how precious life can be
when you give your love
I truly do believe
if only for a moment
it's a miracle to see

So shine for all the world tonight
and live for love, give your love to me

Life is but a twinkle
the winking of an eye
a star that lights the universe
a flash across the sky
you came to me
just like a shooting star
you gave to me
the love that's in your heart

When you live for love
how precious life can be
when you live for love
I truly do believe
if only for a moment
it's a miracle to see

So shine for all the world tonight
and live for love, give your love to me

When you live for love
how precious life can be
when you give your love
I truly do believe
if only for a moment
it's a miracle to see

So shine for all the world tonight
and live for love, give your love to me


Ver. 2 (Released in the 2022)

Life is but a moment
A single grain of sand
That slips right through the hourglass
And slips right through your hand
You've shown me how
To make each moment count
And I know now
What life is all about

Life is but a twinkle
The winking of an eye
A star that lights the universe
A flash across the sky
You came to me
Just like a shooting star
You gave to me
The love that's in your heart

When you live for love
How precious life can be
When you give your love
I truly do believe
If only for a moment
It's a miracle to see
So, shine for all the world tonight
And live for love
Give your love to me
Na na na na na na na

Life is but a twinkle
The winking of an eye
A star that lights the universe
A flash across the sky
You came to me
Just like a shooting star
You gave to me
The love that's in your heart

When you live for love
How precious life can be
When you live for love
I truly do believe
If only for a moment
It's a miracle to see
So, shine for all the world tonight
And live for love
                  Give your love to me
         

So shine for all the world tonight
And live for love
      Give your love to me

Shine on me Shine on me Shine on me

Trivia[]

  • They may be a reference to the enemies in the NES game Balloon Fight, who not only look like birds but also fly by using balloons.
  • Near the house where the Flying Men reside, Buzz Buzz's grave can be found.
  • Flying Men appear in the Magicant stage in Super Smash Bros for 3DS, and will ally with the first player who touches them. They fight in the same manner as normal fighters do, so they can also be grabbed and punched out of stage.
  • Flying Men are referenced in Mother 3. An enemy called Negative Man referencing the lyrics, saying "Life is but a moment, a worthless grain of sand."
  • In January 2022, it seems that the lyrics were rewritten for some reason, possibly for copyright issues.
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