Alpokian Script

The Alpokian alphabet

"Alpokian Script" refers to the writing system used across the World of Little King's Story. In reality, the script is not exclusive to the Kingdom of Alpoko, but is nicknamed as such since it has no given official name. Text written in the script is used all across the World, most prominently on various signs and in letters sent to Corobo by rival kings.

The design of the Alpokian script has a noticeably sharp and angular look for its characters that exclusively uses straight lines. Each character also follows a pattern in order to be read more easily. However, the design of its number characters are more curved to set them apart and follow less of an obvious pattern.

All Alpokian text in the game can be decoded and read provided the reader is familiar with the alphabet, or has a cipher, and is able to translate from Japanese.

Overview of System

TV Dinnah's letter, a clear example of the Alpokian script in use - when translated, it is a summarised version of how the in-game text says the letter reads

The Alpokian script is, in effect, a parallel alphabet to hiragana or katakana, the two phonetic "alphabets" of Japanese. Therefore, like these two sets of kana, the script is a syllabary, where each Alpokian character represents a syllable comprised of a consonant and a vowel, and correspond directly with the same character in hiragana and katakana. The script essentially works as a Japanese cipher, which can then be translated.

Due to being a single, entirely phonetic alphabet, Alpokian does not have any kanji and does not use katakana to distinguish foreign words. It does, however, maintain other aspects of the Japanese writing system. It has its own form of yōon to palatalise other characters, with an entirely unique set of smaller characters to do so, instead of using smaller versions of "y" characters. Despite this, it still uses a small version of its tsu character for the sokuon, as Japanese does. It also makes use of the chōonpu to extend vowels and even maintains the same character for it, unlike the rest of Alpokian. It does not, however, use the dakuten and handakuten system for voiced consonants such as /b/ and /p/, as those get entirely separate characters in Alpokian, thus rendering the need for such diacritics unnecessary.

Alpokian has the same punctuation as the Latin and Japanese writing systems, with commas, periods and exclamation marks. Alpokian also has a number system, which appears to be base 10. Numbers are easy to distinguish by their rounded shapes, compared to the more angular designs of Alpokian letters. The symbol for Bol also follows the general style of the Alpokian number system.

How to Read

The components that make up Alpokian - consonant bases and vowel modifiers

The Alpokian script is designed to transcribe Japanese through its own set of characters. However, these characters are much more forgiving to learn and remember than hiragana or katakana, as their designs are in homage to the Latin alphabet letters for the sounds that they represent. The writing system's design is similar to abudiga, as each character is comprised of a consonant base shape and a vowel marker shape; however, unlike a typical abugida systems, the consonant shapes can shift their position in the character to accommodate the placement of a vowel marker, similar to radicals in Kanji.

For example, a character whose base shape is a square with a horizontal line is a "b" consonant character, and a consonant shape that has a V-shaped marking attached to it in some way represents a "u" vowel. Therefore, the Alpokian character for "bu" is a square with a horizontal line which connects to two more lines to form an upside-down triangle shape. Once these components are learned, it becomes relatively straightforward to pronounce or transcribe Alpokian.

The words themselves seen in the World of Little King's Story are Japanese, albeit written phonetically with no kanji. By knowing Japanese or by having access to a robust Japanese dictionary, it is possible to translate the messages found within the game.

Appearances

Here is every use of Alpokian in Little King's Story. Contains some spoilers.

Where?	Transcription	Meaning
General
A Spoil	Ousama do-natsu	King donuts
White sheets on scaffolding of larger construction	Bouon	Soundproof
Wonder Spot sign	Supotto	Spot
Mail and back of the Art UMA	Nanbankozou	[unknown]
Inside of tape	Gamu te-pu	Gum tape
Kingdom of Alpoko
Mat in front of Princess Bouquet's door, Princess Manor	U E O Ta Chi Te Nu Se So Ki [unclear]	A series of random symbols, some repeated, possibly to resemble Bouquet's algebra, although inexplicably written backwards. Some are not Alpokian and some are based on symbols like X and Infinity.
Building, Soldier Town	Shitateya	Tailor
Royal School gate, Royal City	Roiyarusuku-ru	Royal School
Magical Land gate, Magical Land	Majikarurando	Magical Land
Blackboard, Skinny Observatory	Sekai ni tsuite	About the World
Crown rock, Corobo's Forest	[unclear]
Ginger's sign (no Art Pieces), Corobo's Forest	! Ousamatenrankai kaisainiokurinooshirase ! Konotabiha, minasanosakuhinwo Funshitsuteshimaimashita Noushiwakearimasendeseta Oyurushikudasaimaseju- No, ousamaga 1 maidemomitsukitekitekuretarabu Tenrankaikaisaiitashimasuju-	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
Ginger's sign (after 1 Art Piece is recovered), Corobo's Forest	! Ousamatenrankai kaisainooshirase ! Kontabiha,ousananogokatsuyakuniyori Ousamatenrankaiga Kaisainohakobitonarimashita Minasamafurutsuteokoshukudasaimase Genzai 9 mainomeigawotenjichuuja- Basho: Gyarari- Jinja- tokusetsutenjijuu	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
Kingdom of the Jolly
Alcohol bottles	Ousama Sake [unclear]	King Sake. A type of Japanese alcohol.
Ripe Kingdom
Gate to Ripe Kingdom	Concept art: Kafe metabo Uerukamu	Café Fatso Welcome
	In-game model: Morinokafeteria Uerukamu	Forest Cafeteria Welcome
Menu at entrance to Ripe Kingdom	~ Menyu- ~ Bakka-no re burahoje ~ [4 digit number] Karori- Amata-ri ga butaruto ~ [4 digit number] Karori- Metabori ra kuri-mu ~ [5 digit number] Karori- *Supeshiyarumenyu-* Shibabu-ru do kinguke-ki ~ [8 digit number] Karori-	~ Menu ~ [unknown] ~ 3,[?]00 Calories [unknown] ~ 5,[?]10 Calories Fatso a la crème ~ 10,320 Calories *Special menu* Shi'baboo de King Cake ~ 32,[?]53,200 Calories
Door to Shishkebaboo's gingerbread house	Shouko	Storehouse
Skull Plains
Gravestones, Haunted Zone 2	Yasurakani	Rest In Peace. Beginning of the Japanese phrase for Rest In Peace, 安らかに眠る (yasuraka ni nemuru).
Worrywart Kingdom
Sign at entrance, Worrying Labyrinth	Nayameru meiro	Worrying Labyrinth
Primetime Kingdom
Sign hanging on antennae, Public Broadcast Tower	Kokowa daiichi sutajio	Here is the first studio
Sign hanging on satellite, Public Broadcast Tower	Daini sutajio hakochira	This way's the second studio
Sign hanging on small TV, Public Broadcast Tower	Kocchiha dasanno sutajio	This is the third studio
"Watch TV?" sign, Public Broadcast Tower	Wa-rudo Ki-buru	World Cable
	Omoroide	Interesting
International Channel logo, TV Dinnah battle	Chanbara	Chanbara (Theatrical Swordfighting/Samurai Cinema, possibly a pun on channel/channeru)
News Channel logo, TV Dinnah battle	Arate	[unknown]
Cooking Channel logo, TV Dinnah battle	Oryouri	Cooking
Baby Channel logo, TV Dinnah battle	Beibii	Baby
Tiptoe Kingdom
Gym horses, Sobamanjaro Hiker Registration	[numerals]	The gym horses number each block of height they contain, starting at 1 at the top block. The tallest, where the Beard General is stood, has numbers up to 7.
Desk, Sobamanjaro Hiker Registration	Uketsuke	Reception
Railroad gates, Sobamanjaro Hiker Registration and Mount Sobamanjaro	Oiremase maunten!	Enter the mountain!
World of God
Books	Panchi	Punch. Possibly in reference to Punch Comics.
Inventory
Wonder Spot Book	Supottozutan	Spot Book
UMA Book	Monsuta-zutan	Monster Book
Gourmet Book	Guramezutan	Gourmet Book
Animal Book	Doubutsuzutan	Animal Book
Tunesmith Book	Hanautazutan	Humming Book
Jewel Book	Housekizutan	Jewelry Book
Records Book	Reko-dozutan	Records Book
Video Archive	Eizoukiroku	Video Recording
Letter from Onii King	~ Hatashijo ~ Hetsupokoookokunoosamane. Chooshininoranha, hetsupoko. Omade, daikirai. Baka. Oregaidiban. "Oniikingu" yori.	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text. Features poor handwriting and spelling errors, which Howser comments on.
Letter from Duvroc	~ Shoutaijou ~ Supponponoukokunousamahe ai-tsu. Asakarabanmadeharahorohirehare- socchirasanmo. Isshoniodoryo-shika- Ohananimihayoinokuchikarashinikohu (6 ji-) Nendyuuhanamichuu Doburo-kuouyori	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text. Features poor handwriting and spelling errors.
Letter from Shishkebaboo	~ Saisokujou ~ Harapekooukokunoousamahe. Bonju-ru! Harapekooukoku. Merushi-! Namonowoyamahodomotte. Ti-pa-tiheirasshu-i! (Ohirudoki) Pocchurikei Shishikababuuouyori	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
Letter from Omelet	~ Iminjou ~ Aruaruoukokunoousama. Watashihajoukinomonomi. Kakiwoiminshimasu. Namigadouarunoka. Kotaerukenri. Kotaerukakotaemaikawokotaerukenri: Ittsutainannanoka Omurettoouyori.	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
Letter from TV Dinnah	~ Tokusokujou ~ Surupokooukokunoousamahe. Kokuminhousounojushinryougatainoushiteorimasu. Tokidokigamennihyoujisarerubuchiisanamonitadesu. Sokkoku, zengakuoshiharaikudasai. (Uketsuke 18 ji) Ochanomanomikata Ti-bi-ranchiouyori	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
Letter from Long Sauvage	Main body: ~ Chousenjou ~ Aripokooukokunousamahe- Aripokooukoku, osorurunitarazu- Arinoomoihatennitodokazu- Mattokuchinkenasonzaihari- (Hirumakoi-) Mottonotennichikai Rongusoba-juouyori	Mostly corresponds to the in-game text.
	Drawings: Washi 480m kyou Omaeru kasu. Chinke Heishi 1.5m teido.
Letter from Jumbo Champloon	~ Hyousho-shou ~ Pupupuppupupuppupupupupupupupuppupu Pupupuppupuppuramo, puramo puramo!! Purabura haraharapekopeko... pota-ju? Puntsupuntsu-... toiretoire. Batta- Janbochanpurun
Blueprint	Furaingumashin [unclear]	Flying Machine There are more symbols on the document, but they are too small to read.
Cutscenes
Letter from Onii King, "The World is Huger!"	Same as Letter from Onii King in Inventory.
Blueprint, "Skinny Ray's Device"	Same as Blueprint in Inventory.
Please Stand By screen, "Punish TV Dinnah"	Shibarakuomachikudasai	Please wait a little while
TV logo, "Earthquakes!"	Same as News Channel logo in Primetime Kingdom.
Letters in Howser's hands, Letter of Indictment cutscene	Rikontodoki	Divorce papers
Unused
Door of Corobo's bedroom, unused opening cutscene	Korobo	Corobo. Inexplicably written backwards.
Unused letter, appears to be from unused "Chapter 0" section	Konoiwawokowasuanatahe. Kokodakenohehashikonoiwanonakani "doeari"monoganemutteimasu. ... sasugani. Nidotoshimaenaishira kowashitahitoga. Sekininwomotou! Kamisama	Letter telling the reader (presumably Corobo) to break open a nearby boulder to receive a dormant but immense power (the Magic Crown). Signed by God.
Bomb	[unclear]

Decipher Method

The "Rosetta Gravestone" found in the Japanese Official Guidebook, with transcriptions for five Alpokian characters into hiragana

For years, the Alpokian script went unnoticed by most Little King's Story players. However, on September 1st 2021, in light of recent efforts to decipher the Chozo runes seen in the upcoming game Metroid Dread, Little King's Story fans noticed a piece of artwork depicting a gravestone from Haunted Zone 2 in the Japanese King Story Official Guidebook. The gravestone had five Alpokian symbols upon it and the artwork had each symbol transcribed into hiragana: "ya, su, ra, ka, ni", the beginning of the Japanese phrase meaning "rest in peace" in a phonetic form. This confirmed that the characters were not random and had corresponding sounds, as well as confirming that this script was transcribing real Japanese sentences. A group of fans got together to try and use this information to decipher the rest of the alphabet. Soon it was theorised that the ends of letters from kings should end with their signature. Surely enough, some of the characters discovered earlier were appearing in the same positions in the final lines of these letters as they did in the Japanese names of various kings. With this information, it was then discovered that some, but not all, of the phrases from the Japanese in-game text seemed to match up with the Alpokian writing on the letters too. Soon after, it was also noted that the characters bore a resemblance to their Latin equivalents, which sped up identification of unknown characters. Within the day, almost the entire cipher was able to be completed using examples of characters found from in-game sources. Within the next few days, more characters were found and most of the Alpokian number system was decoded too. On September 3rd, the first public cipher was released, with only 4 characters unconfirmed out of over 80. In January 2022, the missing character for "nu" was discovered and added to the cipher, leaving 3 remaining. In February "di" was discovered; however, due to being a rare kana, it was previously assumed unlikely to appear, so a new spot was created for it on the cipher.

As of February 13th 2022, the only remaining characters are "pi" and the yōon forms of "o" and "u".

Trivia

• Several characters appear in Little King's Story that resemble Alpokian, but are not.
  • Some of TV Dinnah's channel logos feature English writing in a style that pays homage to Alpokian, but is just the Latin alphabet. Since Alpokian's character design takes inspiration from Latin letters, some of these letters are simply Alpokian base consonant shapes but without the vowel marker.
  • Markings on the ground of the Valley of Memories and within the Boney Tunnel have an Alpokian look to them, but are in fact entirely random. One of these markings, however, does somewhat resemble the symbol for "Bol".
  • Many scribbles, such as on the Worrying Labyrinth's diary entry signs and in the UMA Book, have designs that look Alpokian and even feature repeating symbols within themselves, but these writings do not match up with the Alpokian script. They are possibly separate writing systems or are perhaps simply in homage to the look of Alpokian without being any specific characters from the script, as purposefully unintelligible decoration.
  • Some signs on buildings, such as the menus in Gourmet Town, have angular characters, but are not Alpokian.
  • Verde's books have distinct characters, but are not Alpokian.
  • Continuous lines of curly writing decorate the sides of Corobo's coffin and have an Alpokian look, but cannot be read.