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{{Welcome participation}}
{{Characterinfo
|image = Spirou Spip.jpg
|Imgdes = Spirou and [[Spip]], as drawn by Janry
|Name = Spirou
|Other Names = Robbedoes (Dutch)<br>Splint (Danish)<br>Sprycjan (Polish)<br>Piko (Finnish)<br>Sprint (Norwegian)<br>Svalur (Icelandic)<br>Sĩ Phú (Vietnamese)<ref group=note>1975</ref>
|Age = Unknown, but looks young
|Hair Color = Orange
|Multi CV = Thor Bishopric (English)<br>Vincent Ropion (French)<br>Tony Neef (Dutch)<br>Peter Sjöquist (Swedish)
|From Where = Belgium
|Act Range = Worldwide
|Related Characters = Partner: [[Fantasio]]<br>Pet squirrel: [[Spip]]
|Moe Points = [[uniform]], [[reporter]], <del>[[samurai]]</del><ref group="note">Outfit in the cover of ''Spirou & Fantasio in Tokyo''</ref>, [[mascot]], [[hero]], [[superhero]], {{Spoiler|[[werewolf]]}}
}}
'''Spirou''' is the main character of the Belgian comic book series ''[[Spirou & Fantasio]]'', published by Dupuis.

== Introduction ==
First appearing in the comic book magazine of the same name, on April 21st, 1938, Spirou was a young hotel groom working at the Moustique Hotel. He was "brought to life" by an artist who was asked by Mr. Papillon (who worked at Moustique) to create a groom for him, with his "life water".<ref group=note>Le Journal de Spirou #1, 21 April 1938.</ref> Over the years, Spirou left behind his job as a bellhop, dedicating himself to reporting and going on adventures along with his partner [[Fantasio]], but he still retains his bellhop uniform. A hypothesis for this had been presented and reimagined in a Spirou story by Emile Bravo (''Le journal d'un ingenu''): Spirou was too poor to buy new clothes.<ref group=note>Bravo, Emile: ''Le journal d'un ingénu''. Dupuis, May 10, 2018.</ref> In the main canon of the ''Journal de Spirou'', the reason for this was that Spirou was forced to wear this costume because he was the "[[mascot]]" of the journal.<ref group=note>''Back to the rédak'''. Spirou Hebdo #3653, April 16, 2008.</ref>

Spirou was created and first drawn by Robert Velter, aka Rob-Vel, and since, the torch has been passed to authors over the years, with the most recent being Yoann Chivard and Fabien Vehlmann (credited as Yoann & Vehlmann). In the beginning, Spirou's stories consisted of short, humorous gags, but over time, the character has embarked on large-scale adventures, largely due to the influence of author André Franquin, who expanded upon Spirou's universe.

Spirou has been the star of [[Spirou (TV series)|two]] [[Spirou & Fantasio (TV series)|animated series]], one in 1992 and the other in 2006. He has also been portrayed in a live-action movie in 2018.

== Personality ==
Spirou is youthful, has a kind and brave heart, and is always ready to go on adventures, solve mysteries, or help those in need. He is the opposite of [[Fantasio]], as he is able to be logical and find solutions, whereas Fantasio is more impulsive and emotional. He rejects injustice, and stands for what is right, as he is seen fighting for peace<ref group=note>Franquin, André. ''Le dictateur et le champignon''. Dupuis, 1956.</ref> and other causes such as protecting the environment.<ref group=note>Fournier, Jean-Claude: ''Kodo, le Tyran''. Dupuis. May 30, 1979.</ref>

== Anecdotes ==
* Once, out of fear of being forgotten or considered as outdated, he became a superhero called "SuperGroom".<ref group=note>Spirou #4080. Dupuis, June 22, 2016.</ref>

== Trivia ==
* Spirou is one of the most popular Belgian comics characters, next to [[Tintin]].
* Spirou is the official character of a campaign organized by the Belgian inter-municipal environmental agency Tibi, which raises awareness on reducing waste.<ref>[https://www.lavenir.net/cnt/dmf20131015_00375422 L'Avenir: Spirou en ennemi du déchet (Spirou as an enemy of waste)] October 15, 2013 </ref><ref>[https://www.rtbf.be/info/article/detail?cat=REGIONS&id=8902676 RTBF.be: Avec Spirou, Charleroi et l'ICDI sensibilisent les jeunes aux déchets (With Spirou, Charleroi and ICDI raise awareness among youngsters about waste)] February 9, 2015 </ref>
* In a special supplement that came along with Issue #3570 of ''Spirou'' magazine (dated September 2, 2006), Spirou became a Japanese manga character. This short manga story was created by Jean-David Morvan and Hiroyuki Ooshima.
* In 2018, on the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Spirou was named a Human Rights Defender by the United Nations. {{Spoiler|He is the only fictional character on the list...}}

== Notes ==
<references group="note" />

== References ==
<references />

{{Spirou & Fantasio}}

[[Category:Spirou & Fantasio]]

[[zh:斯皮鲁]]