Mimikyu

Mimikyu (/ˈmɪmikjuː/), known in Japan as Mimikkyu (ミミッキュ), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori and first introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon, it is referred to as the "Disguise Pokémon", as it is a Pokémon that disguises itself to look like Pikachu in order to make friends. Its name is a pun of "mimic you", while also referencing Pikachu.

Mimikyu
Pokémon series character
National Pokédex
Togedemaru – Mimikyu (#778) – Bruxish
First gamePokémon Sun and Moon
Designed byKen Sugimori
Voiced byBilly Bob Thompson (English, Jessie's)
Sarah Natochenny (English, Acelrola's)
Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese, Jessie's)
Kei Shindō (Japanese, Acerola's)

Design and characteristics

Mimikyu is a small Pokémon, standing only 8 inches tall, and is hidden almost entirely underneath a disguise.[1] It has beady black eyes which can be seen through its disguise, and a vague semblance of a foot or lower body can be seen at the hem of its disguise. It will occasionally extend a black appendage from beneath the disguise; the disguise has black eyes, red cheeks, a squiggly black mouth, a lightning bolt-shaped stick that resembles a tail, and ears that are colored black on the top. According to the official Pokémon website, Mimikyu is "dreadfully lonely", and in an effort to emulate the popularity of Pikachu, wears the Pikachu-like costume in order to make friends.[2] Mimikyu is drawn to dark or dimly lit areas, and its health will decline if exposed to sunlight.[2]

Appearances

In the video games

Mimikyu appears in Pokémon Sun and Moon as a dual-type Ghost/Fairy Pokémon,[3] and it changes its appearance when hit by an attack. Its special ability, "Disguise", allows it to avoid damage from an enemy attack once during a battle. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Mimikyu can use an exclusive Z-move called "Let's Snuggle Forever", a Fairy-type move that requires Mimikyu to know the move Play Rough and hold a Mimikium Z.[4] This move can only be learned by Mimikyu. Mimikyu can be found on Ula’ula Island in the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart.[1] It is one of the Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which captures a fighter when summoned. Mimikyu also appears as a Spirit. If its Spirit is equipped, the fighter will start the match with a Death's Scythe. Mimikyu appears in Pokémon Sword and Shield during foggy weather, in a section of the Wild Area named Giant's Mirror.[5]

In the anime

Mimikyu appears in the anime Pokémon: Sun & Moon, and is encountered by Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rocket. Meowth, being able to understand Mimikyu, becomes in love by unheard horrifying things it says, and when they begin to battle, Meowth lifts up Mimikyu's disguise, nearly killing himself with the sight of Mimikyu's true form.[6] It later allies with Team Rocket when it sees them fighting Ash Ketchum's Pikachu, expressing its hatred of Pikachu as the reason why it emulates the Pokémon's appearance.[7] It joins Team Rocket in the following episode when Jessie uses James's Luxury Ball, which enables her to capture Mimikyu without the need to weaken it. A shiny Mimikyu is owned by Acerola, which is nicknamed Mimikins. Unlike most Ghost types, Mimikins is the ghost of a deceased Mimikyu. This allows it to float and pass through solid objects. It is often seen outside of its Poké Ball.

Other appearances

Mimikyu appears in its own music video that was uploaded to the official Pokémon YouTube channel, rapping a song about itself in Japanese.[8][9]

Mimikyu starred alongside Scraggy in a Looney Tunes-styled animation short uploaded to the Japanese Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel.[10]

Merchandise

On October 8, 2018, it was announced that Bandai will release a Mimikyu plush doll in January 2019.[11] The Pokémon Center has also released Mimikyu attire and a Gallery Figure of Mimikyu, featuring the Pokémon using Shadow Sneak.

Reception

Kotaku called Mimikyu "Game Freak’s most brilliant and heartbreaking Pokémon that they’ve ever come up with", and noted Mimikyu's large Internet fan following.[12] Catrina Dennis of Inverse also observed this following, writing that "a new, immediate obsession has begun to spread throughout the [Pokémon] fandom surrounding one addition [Mimikyu] that has pulled at players’ heartstrings already".[13] Janine Hawkins of Paste explained the online attention as being a result of the character's design, writing that "fans have embraced the creature expressly because of [its] overt vulnerability ... Mimikyu was designed to emotionally compel us, and they’ve already been a huge success".[14]

Destructoid listed Mimikyu as one of its staff's favorite Alolan Pokémon, stating that it is "probably going to be the star of Gen VII for a lot of people".[15] Allegra Frank of Polygon wrote that Mimikyu "may be one of the most unique, cutest Pokémon to ever join the series",[16] and Jessica Lachenal of The Mary Sue wrote that "Mimikyu is as mysterious as it is adorable".[17]

See also

References
  1. "Pokemon Sun and Moon: How to Get Mimikyu". Prima Games. 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  2. Liz Finnegan (21 October 2016). "Pokemon Sun and Moon's Mimikyu Has the Saddest Song". The Escapist. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  3. Nadia Oxford (9 December 2016). "Best Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon". USgamer. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  4. Jacob Kleinman (28 November 2016). "How to catch Mimikyu in 'Pokémon Sun and Moon': Location, true form and more". Mic Network, Inc. Tech.Mic. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  5. Chan, Daniel (November 27, 2019). "Pokemon Sword and Shield: Where to Find Mimikyu". Game Rant. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. Christian Hoffer (25 November 2016). "Mimikyu Is Super Messed Up in the New Pokemon Anime". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  7. Patricia Hernandez (25 November 2016). "Mimikyu Is Terrifying In The Pokémon Sun and Moon Anime". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  8. Allegra Frank (21 October 2016). "This Pokémon would like to remind you it's not Pikachu, thanks very much". Polygon. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  9. Dustin Kemp (24 October 2016). "Pokemon's New Pikachu Ghost Is Twisted But Adorable, Its New J-Pop Theme Song Sums It Up". Inquisitr. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  10. Lee Julia (5 June 2020). "New Pokémon animation is like a Looney Tunes short with Scraggy and Mimikyu". Polygon. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  11. Barder, Ollie. "The Unnervingly Creepy Pokémon Mimikyu Gets A Plush Early Next Year". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  12. Patricia Hernandez (13 July 2016). "The Internet Has Fallen In Love With Pokémon Sun and Moon's Pikachu Imposter". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  13. Catrina Dennis (15 July 2016). "Pokemon Fans Are Going Nuts For Sad, Adorable Mimikyu". Inverse. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  14. Janine Hawkins (25 July 2016). "The Power of Helplessness: Why Everybody Loves Mimikyu and Hates Popplio". Paste. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  15. "Here are Destructoid's favorite Alolan Pokemon". Destructoid. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  16. Allegra Frank (19 July 2016). "Get to know Pokémon Sun and Moon's six newest Pokémon". Polygon. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  17. Jessica Lachenal (21 October 2016). "Let's Take a Pokémon Feels Trip With This Sad Mimikyu Song". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 7 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
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