Starvin' Marvin (Character) (2024)

For other uses, see Starvin' Marvin (Disambiguation).

Starvin' Marvin is a thin little boy from Ethiopia, who first appeared in the episode, "Starvin' Marvin".

Background[]

In his first appearance in "Starvin' Marvin", Marvin was accidentally shipped over to the boys, who then took him into their custody, and tried to teach him the ways of the Americans. However, they are eventually found out, and forced to return him to Ethiopia, but not without a large number of mutant turkeys to feed his family.

In his second and most recent major appearance in "Starvin' Marvin in Space", Marvin got control of a spaceship, which he and the boys used to travel to outer space. Later in the episode, Marvin brought all of the other Ethiopians to the paradise planet Marklar.

Marvin makes a brief cameo in the 100th episode, "I'm a Little Bit Country" in the large crowd at the very end. It is not explained how he returned from Marklar. Though a group of Marklars were spotted next to him and presumably took him with them.

Language[]

He does not know how to speak English, but he learns how to say a few of Cartman's catchphrases, such as "Sweet!" or "Yeah, I want the Cheesy Poofs!". He also learned how to say his name (that is, the name the boys give him). His real name in his clicking-based language sounds something like "(click)-(oh-in-uh)-ma'bin" - the boys find this difficult to pronounce and shorten it to just "Marvin" based on the ending. According to the government agents who greet his parents, his surname is "(click)-(click)-derk".

Appearance[]

Starvin' Marvin is incredibly malnourished due to the famine in his home country, thus appearing incredibly emaciated. He has nothing to wear except a dirty loincloth and sandals.

Prominence[]

• "Starvin' Marvin" - Is shipped to the boys, who try to teach him the ways of the Americans.
• "Starvin' Marvin in Space" - Takes control of an alien spacecraft and ends up on Marklar with the boys.
• "I'm a Little Bit Country" - Appears in a cameo role at the episode's finale.
• "Red Man's Greed"
• "1998 New Year's Countdown"

Video Games[]

South Park Rally[]

Starvin' Marvin is a secret playable character in the game. To unlock him, the player must lose the Thanksgiving race while not collecting any turkeys.

South Park: Phone Destroyer[]

Starvin’ Marvin is a 3-Cost Rare Fighter of the Neutral theme. He is a flyer and a Headhunter, which means he specifically targets the enemy leader.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

• Out of any character with a starring role in an episode, Marvin has had the longest absence. Having not being seen in an episode since Season 7. (20+ years)
  • He does reappear in the games South Park, South Park Rally, and South Park: Phone Destroyer. Phone Destroyer is technically his most recent appearance, as it was released in 2017.
• The boys were intrigued by the clicking sounds of Starvin' Marvin's language, which actually bear a greater resemblance to the Khoisan languages of Southern Africa, rather than any languages spoken in Ethiopia.
• Starvin' Marvin is given different names in the following dubs:
  • Cantonese: 青雲 (cing1 wan4)
  • French: Pascal la Dalle
  • German: Hungriger Hugo
  • Hungarian: Kákabélű
  • Italian: Donato l'allupato^{[note 1]}
  • Mandarin Chinese: ㄅˇㄚ ㄅㄨ (Bǎ bū)
  • Portuguese (Brazil): Marvin Faminto
  • Spanish (Latin America): Paco el Flaco/Pepe

Notes[]

References[]