Mimikyu

Mimikyu is a fictional creature from the Pokémon franchise. Designed by Megumi Mizutani for the 2016 Video games, Pokémon Sun and Moon. In the series, it is referred to as the "Disguise Pokémon" due to its design resembling a rag used as a disguise of Pikachu.

According to Pokédex entries, Mimikyu are friendly creatures who wear the disguise in order to seek affection from humans within the Pokémon world. In the animated series, Mimikyu is shown to be hostile towards Pikachu, often fighting them on sight.

Upon its release, Mimikyu was the only Pokémon to have ghost/fairy as its type.

Design and characteristics

Mimikyu is a small Pokémon, standing 8 inches (0.2 m) tall, and is hidden underneath a tattered cloak that is said to be made of straw. The cloak is shaped like Pikachu, and has black eyes, red cheeks, a black mouth, a lightning bolt-shaped stick that resembles a tail, and ears that are black on the top. It has beady black eyes that can be seen in the lower area of its costume, and a vague semblance of a lower body can be seen at its costume's hem. It will occasionally extend a black appendage from beneath the disguise.

The cloak is so shabby and worn that it is almost unrecognizable as Pikachu, but Mimikyu wears it in the hopes of being loved and accepted. Underneath the cloak, Mimikyu's true form is said to be too horrifying to behold, so it keeps itself hidden at all times. Its ability, "Disguise", allows it to take a single hit without taking any damage, but then the cloak is damaged.

Appearances

''Pokémon'' video games

The Pokémon video game series is a long-running franchise that has released numerous games over the years. The games typically follow the same general formula, in which the player controls a young Pokémon trainer on a quest to capture and train Pokémon. The trainer travels through various regions, battling other trainers and wild Pokémon, and collecting badges and other items along the way. The games have been released on a wide variety of platforms, including the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Switch.

Mimikyu appears in ''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Moon'' as a dual-type Ghost/Fairy Pokémon. It changes its appearance when hit by an attack. Its 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 Fairy-type move that requires Mimikyu to know the move "Play Rough" and hold a Mimikium Z, "Let's Snuggle Forever". It can be found on Ula'ula Island in the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart. Also in both Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Mimikyu appears as a totem Pokémon. Mimikyu appears in ''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Shield'' during foggy weather, in a section of the Wild Area named Giant's Mirror. Mimikyu is also present in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, found near ruins and in a forest called Tagtree Thicket. It is one of the Pokeball Pokémon in '' Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', which grabs and damages 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 also appears in ''Pokémon Rumble Rush'', '' Pokémon Shuffle'', '' Pokémon Masters EX'', '' Pokkén Tournament DX'' and '' Pokémon Go''.

''The Pokémon'' anime

Mimikyu appears in the anime '' Pokémon: Sun & Moon'', it was encountered by Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket. Meowth, being able to understand Mimikyu, 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. It later allies with Team Rocket when it sees them fighting Ash Ketchum's Pikachu, expressing its hatred for Pikachu as the reason it emulates the Pokémon's appearance.

The Pokémon anime is a long-running animated television series that is based on the Pokémon video game series. It follows the adventures of a young Pokémon trainer named Ash Ketchum and his Pokémon companion Pikachu as they travel through various regions, meeting new friends and encountering a wide variety of Pokémon along the way. The anime first aired in Japan in 1997 and has since been dubbed and aired in many other countries around the world. It has also spawned several spin-off series and films.

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. Mimikyu starred alongside Scraggy in a ''Looney Tunes''-styled animation short uploaded to the Japanese Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel. Mimikyu also made a short appearance in the anime '' Pokémon Journeys: The Series''. In the episode titled "That New Old Gang of Mine!", as Ash and Pikachu are searching for their friend Goh, you can see Mimikyu in the foreground carrying a Pinap berry. Mimikyu is accompanied by Bewear, Stufful, and Mareanie. Mimikyu makes another appearance in the 16th chapter of the manga Pokémon Adventures, authored by Hidenori Kusaka and published by Shogakukan.

Reception

Critical Response

In the ''Pokémon of the Year'' poll held by The Pokémon Company, Mimikyu was voted the most popular Generation VII Pokémon, receiving 99,077 votes, placing it 3rd overall in the competition, And as of 2020, Mimikyu had become more popular than Pikachu, the Pokémon Mimikyu tries to imitate in canon.

''Kotaku'' called Mimikyu the "most brilliant and heartbreaking" Pokémon that Game Freak had created, noting the Pokémon's large Internet following. Catrina Dennis of ''Inverse'' also observed this following, stating that fans had grown "obsessed" over it and that it "...pulled at players' heartstrings" .

Promotion

In 2019, the Pokémon Company dedicated the month of October to Mimikyu, paying homage to "this lonely, terrifying Pokémon – who really just wants to snuggle".

Mimikyu items were sold in retail shops in Japan beginning on September 22, 2018. On October 8, 2018, it was announced that Bandai would release a Mimikyu plush doll in January of the following year. A special Ditto-Mimikyu plush, with the former Pokémon imitating the latter, was released alongside four other Ditto imitation plushies. A Mimikyu costume for Pikachu was released on ''Pokémon Go'' for the 2019 Halloween Event.

In 2020, a gold, silver, and platinum necklace of Mimikyu was created by U-treasure. A Halloween Mimikyu themed meal was also released in the Japanese Pokémon Cafe during the same year. In 2021, an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a tea and sweats theme. In 2022, an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a café theme. On December 7th, 2022, Peach John released a collaboration with ''Pokémon'' that included a Mimikyu themed 3-piece set lounge set.

References

External links

Mimikyu on Bulbapedia

Mimikyu on Pokemon.com

【公式】『ポケットモンスター サン・ムーン』 ミミッキュのうた (Official "Pokémon Sun and Moon" Song of Mimikyu)

{{Pokémon directory

Pokémon species
Video game characters introduced in 2016
Ghost characters in video games
Fictional fairies and sprites
Fictional impostors
Fictional characters who can manipulate darkness or shadows
Fictional characters who can manipulate light
Demon characters in video games
Video game characters who use magic
Fictional characters who can teleport