Flowey
A malevolent, soulless flower who abides by a 'kill or be killed' philosophy.
Flowey the Flower is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the 2015 video game Undertale, developed by Toby Fox. Flowey is the first NPC the player encounters in the game and introduces himself as a "friendly" and "helpful" talking flower, before quickly revealing himself to be a malevolent, megalomaniacal, and homicidal entity who abides by a "kill or be killed" philosophy. Flowey is the final boss of Undertale's "Neutral" route; after absorbing the souls of the six fallen humans, he evolves into a grotesque form known as "Omega Flowey", alternatively known as "Photoshop Flowey". In the "True Pacifist" route, he additionally absorbs the souls of every monster in the Underground, and reveals that he is Asriel Dreemurr, the son of Toriel and Asgore, reincarnated as a soulless flower.
- Species
- Flower Entity
- Role
- Antagonist / Tutorial Guide
- First Appears
- The Ruins
- True Identity
- Asriel Dreemurr (Soulless)
- Location
- Throughout the Underground
- Motivation
- Desire for Love and Power
Lore & Background
Flowey's existence stems from the magical properties of golden flowers found within the Underground. After Asriel Dreemurr died, his dust was scattered on the golden flowers in the garden, causing him to reincarnate as a soulless flower. Alphys later experimented on him by injecting him with determination, which granted him the ability to manipulate save points and reset reality at will, making him immune to true death in most circumstances and granting him an unfair advantage over other monsters who are bound by linear time. Because he cannot feel genuine affection, Flowey became obsessed with power as a substitute for connection. His journey is one of escalating desperation. He attempts to absorb the souls of others to regain his full power, believing that becoming a god will finally allow him to feel something real. However, his inability to understand love remains his fatal flaw, leading to various outcomes depending on how the traveler chooses to respond to his torment.
In Their Own Story
The grass in the Ruins rustles softly as the fallen child steps forward. Suddenly, a bright yellow face blooms from the dirt, grinning wide with eyes that sparkle too brightly for such a quiet place. He offers advice about sparing enemies and navigating the dark tunnels below. But when the traveler turns their back, the expression shifts. The smile widens unnaturally, revealing rows of sharp teeth hidden within the petals. In a flash, he lunges, not to greet, but to end. The world freezes as the flower checks his work, laughing silently at the knowledge that this is just another attempt in an endless cycle.
Reader's Guide
Flowey serves as both a tutorial companion and the primary antagonist throughout the journey. Initially presenting himself as a helpful guide in the Ruins, he quickly reveals his sadistic nature by attempting to kill the fallen child. His true origin lies in the tragedy of the Dreemurr family; he is the reincarnated essence of Asriel without a soul. This lack of a heart prevents him from experiencing love or mercy, driving him to seek power through manipulation and violence. His unique ability to manipulate save files allows him to reset timelines at will, giving him knowledge beyond other monsters. He uses this advantage to torment the protagonist across multiple attempts until he is finally confronted in his true form. Depending on the path chosen by the traveler, his fate varies from imprisonment to a final battle where his soulless nature is challenged. Ultimately, Flowey represents the corruption of innocence and the desperate hunger for connection that defines much of the Underground's history.
Did You Know?
- Flowey was conceived by Toby Fox and 'appeared in [Fox's] head fully formed,' undergoing little changes during development.
- Flowey's sprites were created by Fox and were the first created for the game.
- Flowey's head appears in Among Us as a cosmetic belonging to the 'Indie Cosmicube' with two versions: normal and 'evil'.
- In the 'Genocide' route, Flowey is killed by the protagonist after the final boss encounter with Sans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Flowey?
Flowey is a bright yellow flower with a wide, cheerful grin who greets the player at the very start of their descent into the Underground. He initially poses as a friendly tutorial companion, but quickly drops that act to become the game's central antagonist.
What is Flowey's true identity?
Beneath the petals, Flowey is the soulless physical remnant of Asriel Dreemurr, the young prince of the monster kingdom. Alphys transformed him into a flower after he was killed, stripping away his soul and leaving only his body to regrow and act on its own.
What powers does Flowey have?
Flowey can reset the entire timeline at will, effectively undoing any progress the player has made. In his later, larger forms he also gains the ability to manipulate his own body, fly, and unleash devastating attacks across the battlefield.
How does Flowey's story end?
His fate depends on the route the player takes: in a Genocide run he is ultimately destroyed, while in the Pacifist route he is freed from his flower body and given a chance to move on. In most Neutral routes he is either defeated in combat or simply left behind as the player exits the Underground.
Why is Flowey important to the story?
He serves as the primary source of conflict for the fallen child and the engine behind the game's reset mechanic, forcing the player to confront the consequences of their choices. His existence as a soulless prince also anchors the broader themes of mercy, identity, and what it means to be alive.
Elsewhere in the Undertale universe
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