Mimikyu

Mimikyu
Togedemaru
778
Bruxish
Ability	Disguise
First game	Pokémon Sun and Moon
Creator	Game Freak
Artist	Megumi Mizutani
Voice Actor (EN)	Billy Bob Thompson (Jessie's) Sarah Natochenny (Acelrola's)
Voice Actor (JP)	Daisuke Namikawa (Jessie's) Kei Shindo (Acelrola's)

Mimikyu<sup>(JPJapanese: ミミッキュ

Romaji: Mimikkyu)</sup> is a species of Pokémon of the series of the same name. It is a Ghost and Fairy Pokémon introduced in the seventh generation in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Mimikyu changes forms, from Disguised Form into Busted Form, when it is hit by an attack.

Physiology and Behavior

Mimikyu is a small Pokémon whose body is almost entirely hidden under an old rag. Its small size makes it one of the shortest Ghost types. Its beady black eyes are visible through holes in the body of its disguise, and the fringe of an amorphous foot or lower body is visible under the hem. Occasionally, it will also extend a black appendage from under its rag. The veil itself resembles a Pikachu. The cloth is yellow with black-tipped ears. The Pikachu face appears to be drawn with crayons, consisting of black eyes, red cheeks, and a squiggly black mouth. The head is hollow and can be used to store objects. Mimikyu also carries a small stick resembling a lightning bolt to create a tail for its costume. When its disguise is damaged, the costume's head droops limply backward, revealing Mimikyu's ruse. Larger rips in the costume are accompanied by shadowy vapors pouring out from whatever is hidden within.

A lonely Pokémon, Mimikyu is always covered by its disguise. It is unknown what Mimikyu's true appearance looks like. Since this Pokémon is weakened by sunlight, it is rumored that the veil is used for protection. It is believed that seeing its true form will cause a mysterious illness or even a painful death. Because of this, Mimikyu will become agitated and violently stop anyone from attempting to look underneath its rag. Mimikyu's disguise is modeled after Pikachu because of the popularity of Pikachu-styled merchandise, thinking that its disguise would allow it to make friends with people. Unfortunately, this attempt makes its disguise look more creepy. Until recent times, Mimikyu was initially thought by humans to be just a ghost wearing a cloth.

A special Mimikyu in Alola serves as the Totem Pokémon for the Thrifty Megamart (Abandoned Site)'s Island challenge. This Mimikyu possesses an energy that originates from Ultra Wormholes, which takes the form of a golden, flaring aura. This energy is called Z-Power.

Busted Form

Mimikyu changes into its Busted Form when it is hit by an attack and its neck breaks, causing it to slump over and no longer convincingly resemble a Pikachu. Ordinarily, the rag it wears allows Mimikyu to avoid attacks. Mimikyu will attempt to keep up its disguise, even if its rag is broken. However, if its rag does get damaged or its neck gets broken, it will spend all night patching it in front of a mirror as if its life depends on it. Repairing the rag correctly is often difficult for Mimikyu, so it cries a lot on the inside. It then seeks revenge on the one that damaged it, fearing that its true identity could have been exposed. Unforgiving, Mimikyu will take down the culprit at the risk of costing its own life in the process. Mimikyu will never forget the person who damaged its rag for as long as it is still alive.

Appearances

Main Pokémon games

In Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it is the Totem Pokémon of the Thrifty Megamart. After using the Poké Finder on each of the Ghost-types in the main room, Mimikyu leads the player to a back room where the player faces it. It summons Haunter as allies.

Super Smash Bros.

Mimikyu appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it uses its signature Z-Move Let's Snuggle Forever on any opponent who gets too close to it. Unlike its depiction in the core series games, Mimikyu grabs its target instead of jumping on top of it. If the target is at 100% damage or more, they will be instantly knocked out, and Mimikyu will leave behind its disguise and presumably depart afterwards.

Mimikyu also appears as a Spirit. If its Spirit is equipped, the fighter will start the match with Death's Scythe.

No.	Image	Name	Class	Slot Cost	Ability	Acquisition
555		Mimikyu	★★	1	Death's Scythe Equipped	Battle via World of Light Battle via Spirit Board Purchase from the Vault Shop for 1000G

Spirit battle

No.	Image	Name	Enemy fighters	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music
555		Mimikyu	Pikachu (female)	Grab	3700	Luigi's Mansion	Sudden Damage	You take serious damage Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Mimikyu)	Main Theme - Luigi's Mansion (Brawl)

In the anime

Jessie's Mimikyu

In the anime, Team Rocket obtains one, using a Luxury Ball. It has a deep hatred for Pikachu.

A Shiny Mimikyu, nicknamed Mimikins, debuted in Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?, under the ownership of Acerola. Unlike regular Mimikyu, Mimikins is an actual ghost of a deceased Mimikyu, and thus can float in the air and pass through solid objects.

Mimikyu appeared in the Pokétoon short, Scraggy and Mimikyu, alongside Scraggy.

Mimikyu is featured in the animated short A Mimikyu Bedtime Story of Pokémon Sleep.

Other media

Mimikyu appeared in a music video, Mimikyu's Song. Mimikyu is the lead Pokémon in the music video for the song Ghost Dive of the Pokémon Music Collective, performed by Polkadot Stingray. Notably, it is the favorite Pokémon of vocalist Shizuku, and its cry is sampled in the arrangement of Lavender Town.

Origin

Mimikyu's disguise is based on Pikachu, possibly with an 'uncanny valley' resemblance. The execution of the disguise is similar to ghost costumes made from bedsheets. Mimikyu also shares similarities with the Bugul Noz, a Breton myth about a kind and gentle fairy spirit whose horrifying ugliness causes it to be perpetually alone. The fact that Mimikyu's appearance can kill is a reference to Lovecraftian or eldritch monsters; if any person were to see their true forms, they would either be driven insane or die.

Its name comes from the words "mimic you".

In-game Information

Pokédex Entries

Title	Entry
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	Disguised - Its actual appearance is unknown. A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock. Busted - After going to all the effort of disguising itself, its neck was broken. Whatever is inside is probably unharmed, but it’s still feeling sad.
Pokémon Moon	Disguised - A lonely Pokémon, it conceals its terrifying appearance beneath an old rag so it can get closer to people and other Pokémon. Busted - If its neck is broken or its rag torn during an attack, it works through the night to patch it.
Pokémon Ultra Sun	Disguised - Although it's a quiet, lonely Pokémon, if you try to look at what's under its rag, it will become agitated and resist violently. Busted - It stands in front of a mirror, trying to fix its broken neck as if its life depended on it. It has a hard time getting it right, so it's crying inside.
Pokémon Ultra Moon	Disguised - A gust of wind revealed what hides under this Pokémon's rag to a passing Trainer, who went home and died painfully that very night. Busted - Sad that its true identity may be exposed, Mimikyu will mercilessly seek revenge on any opponent that breaks its neck
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	Disguised - It wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to look less scary. Unfortunately, the costume only makes it creepier. Busted - There will be no forgiveness for any who reveal that it was pretending to be Pikachu. It will bring the culprit down, even at the cost of its own life.
Pokémon Shield	Disguised - There was a scientist who peeked under Mimikyu's old rag in the name of research. The scientist died of a mysterious disease. Busted - Its disguise made from an old rag allowed it to avoid an attack, but the impact broke the neck of the disguise. Now everyone knows it's a Mimikyu.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	Disguised - This Pokémon lives in dark places untouched by sunlight. When it appears before humans, it hides itself under a cloth that resembles a Pikachu. Busted - Even as it struggles beneath the cloth to repair the broken neck of its disguise, Mimikyu keeps up its impersonation of Pikachu.
Pokémon Violet	Disguised - Mimikyu was only recently identified as a Pokémon. Previously, people thought it was just a ghost wearing a cloth. Busted - It has taken damage and can no longer hold the head of its cloth disguise upright. For as long as it lives, Mimikyu will never forget its attacker.

Game Locations

Title	Location(s)
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	Thrifty Megamart
Pokémon Moon	Thrifty Megamart
Pokémon Ultra Sun	Thrifty Megamart
Pokémon Ultra Moon	Thrifty Megamart
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	Giant's Mirror, Bridge Field (Wanderer), Hammerlocke Hills, Rolling Fields (Max Raid Battle)
Pokémon Shield	Giant's Mirror, Bridge Field (Wanderer), Hammerlocke Hills, Rolling Fields (Max Raid Battle)
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	East Province: Area Two, Tagtree Thicket West Province: Area Three North Province: Area Two (Fairy Tera Type) Tera Raid Battles Oni Mountain, Infernal Pass, Chilling Waterhead, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods
Pokémon Violet	East Province: Area Two, Tagtree Thicket West Province: Area Three North Province: Area Two (Fairy Tera Type) Tera Raid Battles Oni Mountain, Infernal Pass, Chilling Waterhead, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods

Stats

Base Stats
HP	55
Attack	90
Defense	80
Sp. Attack	50
Sp. Defense	105
Speed	96
Total	476

Gallery

Main article: Mimikyu/gallery

Renders

Renders
Sun Moon File:PKMNSM778-S.png Sword Shield File:PKMNSS778-S.png Scarlet Violet File:PKMNSV778-S.png

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, and merchandise such as plushies were released. In 2019, the Pokémon Company dedicated the month of October to Mimikyu. 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, while in 2021 an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a tea and sweets theme. In 2022, an Ichiban Kuji for Mimikyu featured a café theme. On December 7, 2022, Peach John, a clothing retailer, released a collaboration with Pokémon that included a Mimikyu themed 3-piece lounge suite.

Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez called Mimikyu the "most brilliant and heartbreaking" Pokémon that Game Freak had created, feeling that instead of fighting Pikachu's popularity with newer designs the developers embraced it "to great effect", and represented the possible envy other Pokémon as intelligent creatures may have towards said popularity. She additionally noted Mimikyu's immense popularity with fans since it was revealed, a statement echoed by Catrina Dennis of Inverse. In a followup article, Hernandez attributed Mimikyu's popularity to the fandom's own reaction to the "bombardment" of Pikachu in Pokémon media and merchandise, stating "Grappling with that reality is one of the best things the Pokémon games have ever done." Edge also praised it as a "moment of self-awareness" on the part of Game Freak regarding the franchise's success, while indicating a broader change with Sun and Moon in contrast to the previous titles, "with everything shifted a few degrees away from normal."

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. Dennis Carden of Destructoid described it as one of the most pleasant surprise 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." The sentiment was shared by other contributors to the site, who echoed similar praises.

Trivia

• Mimikyu is the only Fairy-type Pokémon with a serpentine body.
• In the Pokémon of the Year poll held by The Pokémon Company in 2020, Mimikyu was voted the most popular Seventh Pokémon generation Pokémon, receiving 99,077 votes. It was also the third-most popular Pokémon overall.
• According to an official piece of merchandise, Mimikyu's height does not count the head of the disguise, only the body.
• In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it is the only Pokémon that can be obtained in both versions as an obtainable Totem-sized Pokémon.

External links

• Mimikyu at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Mimikyu (Pokémon) at Bulbapedia, the Pokémon wiki.
• Mimikyu at Pokémon Wiki, the Fandom wiki on Pokémon.