Inkling (Splatoon)

Lore & Background

Inklings are one of two sentient cephalopod races that emerged after humanity's extinction on a post-apocalyptic Earth. They can freely alternate between a humanoid 'kid' form, in which they wield ink-based weapons, and a squid-like 'swim' form, allowing them to submerge and move through surfaces covered in their team's ink. This morphing ability is central to their combat and movement in the competitive sport depicted in the Splatoon series.

Inklings use a variety of weapons resembling water guns, painting equipment, and other objects to spread ink across floors and walls, damage opponents, and claim territory. They can replenish ammunition only by standing or swimming in their own ink. During matches, they communicate via signals such as 'This Way!' and 'Booyah!' and can instantly launch toward teammates or their spawn point through 'super jumping.'

Inklings equip cosmetic gear—headgear, clothing, and shoes—that provides passive abilities affecting gameplay, such as faster respawn or reduced ink consumption. These abilities can be customized using in-game currency and items like 'super sea snails.' The race appears across all main Splatoon titles.

Reader's Guide

Inklings are the iconic player characters of the Splatoon franchise, a series that has sold over 30 million copies and spawned an esports tournament circuit starting in 2018. Their unique dual-form mechanics—alternating between humanoid combat and squid-like traversal—define the series' gameplay, which blends third-person shooting with territory control. The franchise's competitive modes, including Turf War and Ranked Battles (Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, Clam Blitz), rely on Inklings' ability to spread ink and swim through it.

Beyond gameplay, Inklings have become cultural symbols of the series, appearing in a manga adaptation and holographic music concerts, primarily in Japan. The race's design and the series' style have contributed to positive critical reception, with the first two games earning year-end accolades. Inklings' role in Splatfests—limited-time events—further cements their importance as the face of a franchise that has expanded through collaborations with third-party companies and multiple sequels, including Splatoon 2, Splatoon 3, and the spin-off Splatoon Raiders.

Did You Know?

• Inklings can morph between humanoid and squid forms at will, a core mechanic in the Splatoon series.
• They can only replenish ammunition by standing or swimming in their own team's ink color.
• Inklings use weapons from eleven distinct classes introduced across the franchise, including Shooters, Chargers, and Splat Rollers.
• The first game featuring Inklings, Splatoon, was released for the Wii U on 28 May 2015.