Magikarp, known in Japan as Koiking (コイキング, Koikingu), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Magikarp first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff entries, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Known as the FishPokémon, Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, especially lakes, rivers, and ponds. Magikarp received mixed responses from critics, with some criticism directed towards it for being useless or pointless.
Description
Magikarp is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.[1] In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures called Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution.[2]
Magikarp is a red, medium-sized piscine Pokémon, although shiny Magikarp are golden in color. Its notable characteristics include large, heavy scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has a stiff, three-pointed fin on its back and a four-pointed fin on its stomach which are both yellow. The shape of the dorsal fin resembles a crown, leading to its Japanese name Koiking. It also has long barbels, which are white on females and tan on males. Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds,[3] it is usually overlooked by trainers because it is pathetically weak.[4] Even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. They are normally seen using Splash, which is unusual, as it makes them easy targets to predators.[5] Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today,[6] and this belief has led scientists to research this species.[7] Long-lived Magikarp are able to utilize their immense splashing power to leap high enough to jump mountains.[8] Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds.[9] It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream.[10]
The concept of Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is based on the Chinese mythological tale of the carps leaping over the Dragon Gate. According to the legend, carps that leap over a legendary waterfall called the Dragon Gate are rewarded for their perseverance and transformed into dragons.[11] In the Nintendo 64 game, Pokémon Snap, the only way for the player to see a wild Gyarados is to knock a Magikarp into a waterfall, where it will evolve.
In the first generation of Pokémon games, Magikarp can only learn 2 moves by level. The moves are Splash and Tackle, at levels 1 and 15, respectively.
From generations 2 to 8, Magikarp can learn the aforementioned moves at those respective levels, plus the move Flail, at level 25.
In some generations, Magikarp can learn Hydro Pump and Bounce, however, the method to learn these moves is not by leveling up.
There are some Magikarp that have been awarded to players (either in-game or by events) that know a few moves other than the mentioned before, however, those are few specimens.[12][13]
In the anime, Magikarp has appeared several times, most notably as the subject of a running gag in which a salesman attempts to trick Team Rocket into buying Magikarp in various guises, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.[21] In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befriended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly, which happens rarely.[22] In The Wacky Watcher, Ash, Misty, and Tracey help a Pokémon Watcher named Dr. Quackenpoker observe the migration and evolution of a school of Magikarp.[23] Another, in Ya See We Want an Evolution, was nicknamed the strongest Magikarp. This Magikarp was unique in that it was in fact able to battle very well, even knocking out Pikachu.[24] An official music video of Magikarp was made called "I Love Magikarp", the song featured how weak Magikarp is.[25] It appears also on PokétoonMagikarp’s Journey.[26]
A Magikarp appears in the film Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, evolving into Gyarados after Detective Pikachu threw a Magikarp to help battle against a Charizard.[27]
Reception
A Magikarp shaped taiyaki served in a restaurant in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan in 2017.[28]
Magikarp has been regarded as one of the weakest Pokémon in the series, as well as one of the worst Pokémon.[29]GamesRadar described it as "the ultimate in useless Pokemon", though noted its evolution Gyarados as one of the "most well-known" characters in the series.[30]IGN regarded it as being "comic relief" until it evolves into Gyarados.[31]IGN also criticized Magikarp as the "worst Pokémon ever", citing its low statistics and low utility.[32] Steven Bogos of The Escapist listed Magikarp as 61st of their favorite Pokémon, stating that one of the most useless Pokémon, that if you can manage to level up, turns into one of the most bad-ass: Gyarados.[33]
The book Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific cited it as an "example of a common recurring and weak element" in the games, whose presence rather than function was to "emphasize the exclusivity and strength of other, rarer creatures for players to find".[34] Loredana Lipperini, author of the book Generazione Pokémon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi, described it as "innocuous-looking."[35] Stephen Totilo of Kotaku also gave criticism to Magikarp, commenting that the using it as his character in Pokémon Rumble made him learn the "hard way" that he "couldn't have had a worse idea."[36] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Good Game has praised PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure for its faithfulness to various Pokémon's abilities; while Torterra and Hitmontop were described as using Razor Leaf and Rapid Spin, they merely described Magikarp's actions as just "being Magikarp."[37] In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Magikarp was one of the most hated Pokémon due to some players using Magikarp during the game's multiplayer raids.[38] The website Bright Side of the Sun used an analogy involving Magikarp, commenting that the words "defense" and "rebounding" were "tossed around" more by their coach to them than "a Magikarp card at a Pokémon convention in 1997."[39] Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku said that Magikarp is the best Pokémon Go buddy.[19] Shane Redding of Screen Rant ranked Magikarp as Generation 1 Pokémon that make no sense.[40] Kyle Hilliard of GameInformer listed Magikarp as one of the pointless video game pets that we love.[41] Gortexfogg of Destructoid claimed that Magikarp is the greatest Pokémon, stating that "because he entirely fails at being a Pokémon. He is just a fish, a simple carp. It is that irony that sets him apart as the greatest."[42] Khee Hoon Chan of Paste noted that while players who dislike Magikarp, He had to defend it due to still how useful the Pokémon is, and stating that "It's [sic] existence is still a labor of love, one that has turned into a legacy. It even inspired a song."[43]
A variety of merchandise depicting Magikarp have been produced such as Poké lids,[44] Toys,[45] Plush,[46] 18k luxurious gold and silver necklaces,[47] and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[48] Magikarp has been also cosplayed by a Twitch streamer to jokingly "compete" with hot tub streamers,[49] and by a baby on HonoluluComic book convention[50] being deemed to be the cutest cosplay ever.[51]
^Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN9780520938991.
^Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.
^Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: Magikarp is a pathetic excuse for a Pokémon that is only capable of flopping and splashing. This behavior prompted scientists to undertake research into it.
^Game Freak (1999-10-19). Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: Famous for being very unreliable. It can be found swimming in seas, lakes, rivers and shallow puddles.
^Hjorth, Larissa; David Surman (2009). "9"(PDF). Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific. Taylor and Francis. ISBN978-0-415-99627-3. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
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