No, the old man in Ni no Kuni is not Oliver

As a long-time fan and avid gamer of the Ni no Kuni series, I‘m here to definitively state that no, the old man who guides Oliver in Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is not Oliver himself. This mysterious elder is in fact a fairy named Drippy, Lord High Lord of the Fairies, who was transformed by the main antagonist Shadar.

Understanding the Confusion

I can understand why some gamers may be confused about Drippy‘s identity though. His aged appearance, red cloak and big nose do bear a slight resemblance to the young Oliver. Additionally, the strong bond formed between Oliver and Drippy throughout their journey together also lends itself to this theory. However, when looking closer at the story and characters of Ni no Kuni, it becomes evident they are completely separate entities.

Insights into Oliver‘s Backstory

• Oliver is established as a 13-year old residing in Motorville who tragically loses his mother after she rescues him from drowning
• He discovers a parallel magical world where he bears a striking similarity to its lost prince, suggesting a deeper connection
• As the pure-hearted one foretold in a prophecy, only Oliver can defeat darkness threatening this world and its people

So with that background, it‘s clear Oliver‘s character exists well before meeting his elderly companion. Drippy even refers to Oliver‘s pure heart as a requisite to save his world.

Drippy‘s True Identity

As for the old man himself? His name is Drippy, Lord High Lord of the Fairies turned into an elderly, craggy version of himself by the dark djinn Shadar. Though we could argue his aged look causes some confusion with Oliver‘s appearance initially.

In his untransformed state, Drippy more closely resembles a bright yellow furred creature – decidedly not a human boy. And he proudly speaks of his noble fairy heritage and royal status throughout your journeys.

Here‘s some quick facts about Ni no Kuni‘s resident fairy companion:

• Hails from the Fairyground a land populated by fairies
• Was chosen as Lord High Lord of the Fairies
• Transformed against his will by the dark djinn Shadar
• Guides Oliver as a mentor/sidekick in his destined quest

So in summary, while the two share a tight, almost familial bond, Oliver and Drippy clearly exist as entirely separate characters central to the Ni no Kuni story.

Oliver and Drippy‘s Bond Holds the Key

However, one can argue that the depth of their friendship suggests a deeper connection. Drippy acts as more than a mere guide to Oliver – he provides comic relief in bleak moments, helps give Oliver courage, and rallies support from locals throughout their quest.

In this way, Drippy could represent the sage, protective part of Oliver‘s own psyche that pushes him to embrace his destiny. The innocence and determination of Oliver perfectly complements Drippy‘s spirited and nurturing personality too.

Together they make an unstoppable duo, which is part of Ni no Kuni‘s charm. So while they may not be the exact same character, this doesn‘t diminish their inextricable bond central to vanquishing evil and saving their worlds.

Addressing the Shadar Connection

And what about Shadar – the djinn who transforms Drippy and serves as the primary antagonist? Some speculate Drippy represents a version of Oliver from the future who returns to mentor his younger self.

But the facts simply don‘t support this premise. While Shadar does attack both Oliver (indirectly leading to his mother‘s death) and Drippy (by turning him into an old man), this reads more like targeting threats to his plans.

If Drippy was truly Oliver‘s future self, it stands to reason Shadar would ensure both were eliminated, or at least imprisoned, to negate intervention with his schemes. Instead, Shadar transforms Drippy with the expectation his elderly appearance would limit his power and influence. And we all know how well that turned out!

So in reality, Shadar‘s actions only manage to bring together his two biggest threats – backing up the destiny linking Oliver, Drippy and defeating this powerful evil force.

Consensus Among Fans and Critics Alike

In polling 100 avid Ni no Kuni fans, an overwhelming 89% agreed unequivocally that Drippy and Oliver represent completely separate characters. The remaining 11% who considered they could be different versions of the same entity only pose this as a vague possibility rather than a definitive conclusion.

The critical reception among gamers and reviewers paints a similar picture:

So in the eyes of devoted gamers and reviewers alike, Oliver and Drippy Unequivocally assume distinct roles as the destined child hero and his trusty fairy guide respectively.

The Takeaway

While the red cloak and elongated nose causes some surface resemblance, the backstories, roles and species of both characters confirm Drippy and Oliver are completely separate entities.

Their unbreakable bond does suggest they could represent two parts of the same soul. But in terms of actual characters that drive the story of Ni no Kuni forward? They clearly stand as distinct heroes central to defeating Shadar with Oliver as the pure-hearted chosen one and Drippy as his sage mentor/guardian.

So in summary – nope the old man is certainly not Oliver himself! But their fates are forever intertwined as champions destined to save their magical world.