Mimikyu

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Mimikyu
Pokémon character
Mimikyu artwork by Ken Sugimori
First gamePokémon Sun and Moon (2016)
Designed byMegumi Mizutani[1]
Voiced byBilly Bob Thompson (English)[2]
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeGhost and Fairy

Mimikyu (ミミッキュ, Mimikkyu) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise, designed by Megumi Mizutani for the 2016 video games Pokémon Sun and Moon. It is referred to as the "disguise Pokémon" in the series due to its appearance, which resembles a ragdoll form of Pikachu, the series mascot.

According to

animated series
, Mimikyu is shown to be hostile towards Pikachu, often attacking Pikachu on sight. Mimikyu's lore and personality have received positive receptions from both critics and fans of the series.

Design and characteristics

Mimikyu is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the

Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia,[5] by obtaining individuals from all Pokémon species.[4]

Mimikyu is a small Pokémon, standing 8 inches (0.2 m) tall.[6] The Pokémon itself hides underneath a tattered cloak with a crudely drawn face on its head. The overall disguise is shaped like a Pokémon called Pikachu[6] and is a meta-referential element of the Pokémon franchise; its imitation of Pikachu references the latter's role as the series mascot.[7] Mimikyu wears the costume in hopes of being loved and accepted, as its true form is said to be horrifying in nature.[8][7] Mimikyu has two "types", elemental attributes that dictate in battle strengths and weaknesses: Ghost and Fairy.[9] Mimikyu was designed by Megumi Mizutani.[10] In the anime, Mimikyu is voiced by Billy Bob Thompson in English.[11]

Appearances

Pokémon video games

Mimikyu first appears in Pokémon Sun and Moon.[10][9] It changes its appearance when hit by an attack. It has a special in-combat ability known as "Disguise", which allows it to avoid damage from an enemy attack once during a battle.[6] In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Mimikyu can use an exclusive Z-Move—a special, one-time use powerful attack—known as "Let's Snuggle Forever", that requires Mimikyu to know the attack "Play Rough" and hold an item called Mimikium Z.[12] It appears as a Totem Pokémon[13]—a special boss opponent in game[14]—in both Sun and Moon and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.[13] Mimikyu later reappears in Pokémon Sword and Shield[15] and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.[16] Mimikyu also appears in Pokémon Unite,[17] Pokémon Shuffle,[18] Pokémon Masters EX,[19] and Pokkén Tournament DX.[20]

The Pokémon anime

A Mimikyu appears in the anime

Meowth of Team Rocket,[21] a group of recurring antagonists in the series.[22] Meowth, a Pokémon who can also speak human language,[23] is able to understand Mimikyu and is terrified by the unheard horrifying things it says. When the two of them begin to battle, Meowth lifts Mimikyu's disguise, and is nearly killed by the sight of its true appearance.[24] It later allies with Team Rocket when it sees them fighting Ash Ketchum's Pikachu, expressing its hate for Pikachu as the reason it emulates the Pokémon's appearance.[24]

Other appearances

Mimikyu appears in a

Scraggy, in a Looney Tunes-styled animation short uploaded to the Japanese Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel.[27] In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it can be summoned with the Poké Ball item. It will assist the player character who released it and will attempt to grab and attack enemy player characters when summoned.[28] Mimikyu also appears as a Spirit—a collectable item that can give buffs to a playable character—in game.[29]

Promotion and reception

Mimikyu has been the subject of promotion for the series. Items featuring the character were sold in retail shops in Japan beginning on September 22, 2018,[30] and merchandise such as plushies were released.[31][32][33] In 2019, the Pokémon Company dedicated the month of October to Mimikyu.[34] In 2020, a gold, silver, and platinum necklace of Mimikyu was created by U-treasure.[35] A Halloween Mimikyu themed meal was also released in the Japanese Pokémon Cafe during the same year,[36] while in 2021 an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a tea and sweets theme.[37] In 2022, an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a café theme.[38] On December 7, 2022, Peach John, a clothing retailer, released a collaboration with Pokémon that included a Mimikyu themed 3-piece lounge suite.[39]

In the Pokémon of the Year poll held by

Popplio. They highlighted that its popularity came from the fact that Mimikyu "needs" players while the other Pokémon did not, stating that it seemed "expertly tuned to grip fans' hearts and never let go," due to the emotional vulnerability the Pokémon displayed.[45]

Other sources shared similar praise for Mimikyu's design. Madeline Virtue of Dualshockers called it one of the series' best designed characters, calling it "a star of the Pokémon world since its debut" and praising how well its design worked with the gameplay aspect of Mimikyu's Disguise ability.[46] Dennis Carden of Destructoid described it as one of the most pleasant surprises to come out of Sun and Moon, further describing it as "perhaps the most adorably creepy Pokémon to ever be conjured up by the minds at Game Freak" and its backstory "so tragically sweet [...] To put it simply, Mimikyu is a Mimikyutie."[47] The sentiment was shared by other contributors to the site, who echoed similar praises.[48]

References

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  2. ^ "voice acting". home. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
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  9. ^ a b 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.
  10. ^ a b "My151キャンペーン". Pokémon Center ONLINE. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022.
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  13. ^ a b "Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - Abandoned Thrifty Megamart, Captain Acerola's Trial against Totem Mimikyu for Ghostium Z". Eurogamer.net. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
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  32. ^ Barder, Ollie. "The Unnervingly Creepy Pokémon Mimikyu Gets A Plush Early Next Year". Forbes. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Mimikyu Cushion Adds Spooky Cuteness to Trainers' Workspace! | Product News | Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) Shop: Figures & Merch From Japan". otakumode.com. 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  34. ^ Alexander, Julia (1 October 2019). "Pokémon's saddest creature, Mimikyu, finally gets its due". The Verge. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
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  37. ^ "「ポケモン」ミミッキュがメインの一番くじ登場! テーマはポケモンたちとの"お菓子パーティ"♪". アニメ!アニメ! (in Japanese). 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  38. ^ "「ミミッキュ」の一番くじは本日10月1日から!高さ30cmの「ミミッキュ ぬいぐるみ」や、普段使いしやすい「コーヒーサーバー」など". インサイド (in Japanese). October 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  39. ^ "本日メインビジュアルと全ラインナップを大公開!PEACH JOHNより「ポケモンコレクション」が12月7日(水)に発売決定!". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES (in Japanese). 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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External links