Yume Nikki:Uboa

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Uboa
Uboa's Initial Sprite
Location	• Poniko's Room • Uboa's Trap World
Role	Traps Madotsuki in an inescapable world
Size	Standard

If you turn off the light in Poniko's Room, there is a 1 in 64 chance that the 'Uboa Event' will occur. Whether the event will occur is determined when the player enters the room, not when the switch is flipped; so to force it to occur the player must repeatedly enter and exit the room, flipping the switch each time.

Description

Uboa sound effect

Uboa is a strange creature, usually considered male or genderless. Contrary to popular belief, Uboa may actually be female due to its eventual replacement of Poniko's sprite. There is a chance that it will replace Poniko when you turn off the light, and plays a continuous muted "aaaaaaah" sound, (if properly filtered) surprising most people.

When the event happens a bright flash fills the room, similar to a blowing light bulb, then the entire room changes and Uboa replaces Poniko (if you kill her before triggering the event, Uboa is not going to appear. However, you will be locked in Poniko's room). You cannot leave the room, and flipping the light switch only causes another flash of light. If you touch Uboa, you will be sent to a Monochrome Street highly similar to the White Desert (with even its soundtrack playing); which is a looped area flooded with white liquid (potentially a swamp or marsh), a strange monster in the background bleeding , and Uboa's face will become strangely warped. Despite this location's atmosphere being identical to the White Desert's, there are no routes that lead away from this area and into the White Desert itself. The only way to escape Uboa's Trap World is by pinching Madotsuki awake or by using the Medamaude effect.

Uboa's name originated from a type of scream in Japan. Originally pronounced 'uhoa' (ooo-hwha), when said in a manner resembling a scream, the name certainly suits its appearance and situation.

The origin of Uboa's (undistorted) face design may have come from a 1997 Treasure game called Mischief Makers, if it is not a highly odd coincidence. The denizens of the planet Clancer, as well as most objects on the planet, all have black, hollow looking eyes like Uboa that may be both curved inward or one curving outward and a usually gaping black mouth. The faces of most people are also white.

Reception

Uboa is likely a major factor for the success of the game, especially in the English version. Many non-Japanese players were introduced to Uboa through YouTube. Uboa itself may very well be the number one inspiration to download and explore Yume Nikki by most fans.

Fan Speculation

Hopelessness - Due to the aspect of being trapped, Uboa could be interpreted as a feeling of hopelessness.

Poniko's True Form - A common interpretation is that Uboa is Poniko's true form, mostly because it replaces her sprite.

Frustration - A theory based on the correlation between Mischief Makers and Uboa's face, Uboa may be based on Kikiyama's and/or Madotsuki's frustration. Uboa is thematically similar to near-hopeless gameplay since it is very hard to trigger the event and even harder to accidentally discover. This may be Kikiyama's way of projecting game frustration.

Revenge - Since Poniko could be interpreted as Madotsuki's emotional side, which she is locking away, bothering her (switching the lights on and off) causes Uboa to appear, giving a fright to the player.

Memetic Mutation

Cho Uboa - In which Uboa is a horrifying muscular creature. Poniko keeps it as her pet.

ah not tan neet... - In which Microsoft Sam sings the Toriningen Party Song, with a naked Masada with Uboa for a head dancing in the foreground. This is a remake of a Japanese video with a Japanese man singing, and the lyrics of the memetic version are mondegreens of that one.

Trivia

• When the Uboa event activates, some of the items in the room change. The dresser gets a "face" with googly eyes that may remind players of those of Masada and what seems to be a creepy smile. The two pictures change, the one over the desk turns from what looks like a mouse to a face which has googly eyes as well, and what could be either a moustache or a creepy-looking smile, and the one over Poniko's bed that changes from one shape to another. The window gets eyes and the rug's design also changes, showing a pattern with eyes as well. The lamp on the desk turns on, showing a light beam.

• Uboa has been one of the most popular characters from the game. Uboa has also made cameos or inspired for other characters in some fangames.
  

  Uboa's marking (.flow)

• Yume 2kki - In the Sky Kingdom world there is a dog-like character that resembles Uboa. This character has been called "Dogboa" by fans.

• .flow - Uboa makes a cameo as a marking in the dead end room in the Underwater Temple.

• Me - the Mask effect is a clear reference to Uboa's face, and the location it's found in is quite similar to Poniko's room.

• Uboa has, strangely, become a meme, despite his only appearing ingame one way.
• Uboa might have inspired the Hollow from Bleach (or the other way around) as he and some Hollows look very similar.
• According to some, Uboa's design (that of its initial sprite) was likely inspired by Spirited Away's Noh-Face.