Netflix's Cuphead Show might not be as brutal or as rage-inducing as the game that inspired it, but it does feature a huge identifying factor that no adaptation of the game should be without, the bosses. Cuphead's collection of the Devil's debtors is one of the biggest selling points for the boss-rush game, so of course they'd be included in the show.
While the series only has one season thus far, fans were already treated to a stellar selection of the game's best bad guys. Although not all of them were in league with the Devil, many of them still give Cuphead and Mugman a hard time with comedic results.
Cala Maria
Starting right at the show's intro, viewers can spot a familiar squid-haired siren swimming in the oceans surrounding Inkwell Isle. Cala Maria is one of the later bosses seen on Inkwell Isle 3 in the Cuphead video game, and it looks like she's still prowling the depths of the world's ocean.
While she hasn't made a full face-to-face appearance in the cartoon yet, it can be assumed that the cups will have to face her eventually. It seems unfair to include her in the intro and not have her be some kind of teaser for what's to come.
Captain Brinybeard
Along with Cala Maria, another member of Inkwell Isle's aquatic community can be seen in the intro. Towards the bottom-left side of the screen, viewers can spot Captain Brinybeard in his big red pirate ship sailing the waters of the map.
Like his mermaid-inspired peer, Brinybeard hasn't made a fully-realized encounter with Cuphead and Mugman, which is somewhat surprising. Considering the character takes influences from classic animated villains like Bluto and Peg-Leg Pete, it would make sense to have him play a bigger part than just a member of the opening titles.
Goopy Le Grande’s Tombstone
As the intro rolls on, Cuphead and Mugman are pulled through a variety of scenes that show off the various perils and environments of Inkwell Isle. When they come to the verse about heebie-jeebies, the bouncy world around them suddenly turns from a sunny day to a creepy walk through a graveyard. Attentive gamers will recognize a familiar face on each tombstone the two cups pass.
Though the face is slightly different, this is a clear nod to the final form of Goopy Le Grande from one of the first boss levels in the game. The graves even have a similar animation as they look like they're about to flop on top of the two lead characters.
Ribby and Croaks
One of the first bosses outside of the Devil the two cups get a proper faceoff with are Ribby and Croaks from the Clip Joint Calamity level. In the show, however, the amphibious duo trade in their classic Street-Fighter-inspired attire for a pair of slick suits to wear for their riverboat club.
Although they've been given a new set of threads, the frogs are still a pair of brutal boxing brawlers that have it in for Cuphead and Mugman. That being said, they tend to fight more amongst themselves than the two heroes.
The Root Pack
Like Ribby and Croaks, the Root Pack earn an entire episode dedicated to their mischief. While not as confrontational or rough as they are in the garden, they do serve as a trio of foes for the cups when they invade Elder Kettle's garden. Depicted as a trio of conmen rather than giant monsters, the veggies are more of an annoyance rather than a fearsome foe.
While their demeanors are changed from the game, they still maintain a relatively similar appearance, Sal's hat and face placement being the only major deviation. However, the trio of wiseguys might not be the personalities some fans had in mind.
Grim Matchstick
Grim Matchstick could be described as a cartoonish version of King Ghidorah, and he's certainly an intimidating resident of Inkwell Isle and that hasn't changed for the Netflix adaptation. Not only does he make an appearance in the show's intro, he makes a full-bodied, firebreathing one in the "Dangerous Mugman" episode.
Thus far, Grim Matchstick appears and behaves just as he does in the video game, though viewers have yet to see his head become a giant flamethrower. Hopefully, he's a reoccurring obstacle for the citizens on Inkwell Isle as well as the two leads and not just a one-time gag.
King Dice
If there's one character that made a seamless transition from the game to the animated series, it's King Dice. Although he's not managing any casinos, he still has his Cab-Calloway-inspired flair for showmanship and stage presence. He even does the same spinning dance moves he does in the game's Die House sections.
From the way he walks, talks, and the way Wayne Brady portrays him, King Dice is one of the most true-to-form characters to make it from game to screen. With such a phenomenal presence and performance, fans can eagerly hope to see him return in Cuphead season 2.
The Devil
Of course, no adaptation of the game would be complete without an appearance from its final boss, the Devil himself. But as strange as it might seem, the show's creators have gone a much more comedic angle with his characterization. It might not reflect the evil, horned entity seen in the game, but it definitely works.
He's over-the-top, musical, full of himself, and has a knack for making devilish deals. He definitely sounds more like a standard-issue Disney villain rather than the prince of darkness most were probably expecting. With that in mind, there's no denying that it all works together entirely for his benefit.