Mimikyu (ミミッキュ, Mimikkyu?) (MEE-mee-kyoo[1]) is a Ghost/Fairy-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VII.
Quick Answers
Why does Mimikyu disguise itself as Pikachu?
What is the significance of Mimikyu's wooden tail?
What type of Pokémon is Mimikyu?
What generation was Mimikyu introduced in?
What is the lore behind Mimikyu's design?
Biology[]
Physiology[]
Concept art of Mimikyu.
The overall structure of the disguise does resemble Pikachu, but the body is triangle-like shaped it has no feet and no arms, yet some black at the bottom revealing a little bit of the real Mimikyu. The disguise is made of cloth. 2 holes appear in the body of the costume, which are the actual eyes of Mimikyu. it has very crooked ears and the skin is a grayish-beige color. Its "tail" is made of wood and has a grayish-brown color. The disguise's "face" only consists of poorly drawn eyes, cheeks, and a zigzag mouth.
Underneath the cloth appears to be a black shadowy mass with two glowing eyes, but it is unknown what it looks like in full, as glimpsing it causes immediate catatonic shock, if not death. In actuality, Mimikyu is only approximately the size of its disguise's torso, as there appears to be nothing organic inside of the rag's head.
official concept art revealing mimikyu in 2024
Shiny Mimikyu's disguise turns completely gray. Its "tail" and eyes remain unchanged.
Due to its clothed appearance, it was previously mistaken as an ordinary ghost in ragged cloth until it was recently identified as a Pokémon species.
Behavior[]
Apparently, about 20 years ago, it was said that Pikachu is more popular than them, so they dressed up like Pikachu in order to become more popular among Trainers.
In the case of one notable Mimikyu in the anime, it has been shown to harbor an immense, almost psychopathic hatred toward all Pikachu, especially Ash's. This may not be the case for all Mimikyu however, and it is likely that different Mimikyu have different attitudes toward Pikachu.
Mimikyu is said to be a cursed being, and those who have seen under their rags have all died painfully out of shock. In the anime, Meowth saw Mimikyu's true form several times (though partially) and fainted several times before being returned to his senses soon after.
However, most Mimikyu mean no actual harm, and in fact only want to make friends with humans. As such, they hide their true forms under a costume representing what people loved the most; Pikachu, though when attacked, they will show one or both of their claws that hide underneath the cloth they wear and strike back.
Evolution[]
Mimikyu does not evolve.
Game data[]
Locations[]
| Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Version(s) | Area(s) | Rarity |
| Sun and Moon | Thrifty Megamart | Rare |
| Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon | Thrifty Megamart | Rare |
| Sword and Shield | Bridge Field, Giant's Mirror Max Raid Battles: Hammerlocke Hills, Rolling Fields |
Common |
| SWSH The Crown Tundra |
Ballimere Lake, Frigid Sea, Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Giant's Foot, Old Cemetery, Slippery Slope, Snowslide Slope, Three-Point Pass Dynamax Adventures Max Raid Battles: Ballimere Lake, Frigid Sea, Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Giant's Foot, Old Cemetery, Slippery Slope, Three-Point Pass |
Rare None Rare |
Pokédex entries[]
- Sun
Disguised Form: Its actual appearance is unknown. A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock.
Busted Form: 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. - Moon
Disguised Form: A lonely Pokémon, it conceals its terrifying appearance beneath an old rag so it can get closer to people and other Pokémon.
Busted Form: If its neck is broken or its rag torn during an attack, it works through the night to patch it. - Ultra Sun
Disguised Form: 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 Form: 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. - Ultra Moon
Disguised Form: 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 Form: Sad that its true identity may be exposed, Mimikyu will mercilessly seek revenge on any opponent that breaks its neck. - Sword
Disguised Form: It wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to look less scary. Unfortunately, the costume only makes it creepier.
Busted Form: 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. - Shield
Disguised Form: There was a scientist who peeked under Mimikyu's old rag in the name of research. The scientist died of a mysterious disease.
Busted Form: 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. - Scarlet
Disguised Form: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 Form:Even as it struggles beneath the cloth to repair the broken neck of its disguise, Mimikyu keeps up its impersonation of Pikachu. - Violet
Disguised Form:Mimikyu was only recently identified as a Pokémon. Previously, people thought it was just a ghost wearing a cloth.
Busted Form: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.
Stats[]
| Stats | |
|---|---|
| HP | |
| Attack | |
| Defense | |
| Sp. Atk | |
| Sp. Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 476
|
Type effectiveness[]
| Damage taken | Types | |
|
  
| |
|
| |
|
None | |
|
 
| |
|
None | |
| Note: If a type is not listed, it means it does normal damage to the Pokémon. | ||
Learnset[]
By leveling up[]
| Generation VIII | ||||||
| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| 1 | Wood Hammer | 
|
Physical | 120 | 100% | 15 |
| 1 | Splash |
|
Status | — | —% | 40 |
| 1 | Astonish |
|
Physical | 30 | 100% | 15 |
| 1 | Scratch |
|
Physical | 40 | 100% | 35 |
| 1 | Copycat |
|
Status | — | 100% | 20 |
| 6 | Shadow Sneak |
|
Physical | 40 | 100% | 15 |
| 12 | Double Team |
|
Status | — | —% | 15 |
| 18 | Baby-Doll Eyes | 
|
Status | — | 100% | 30 |
| 24 | Mimic |
|
Status | — | 100% | 10 |
| 30 | Hone Claws | 
|
Status | — | —% | 15 |
| 36 | Slash |
|
Physical | 70 | 100% | 20 |
| 42 | Shadow Claw |
|
Physical | 70 | 100% | 15 |
| 48 | Charm |
|
Status | — | 100% | 20 |
| 54 | Play Rough |
|
Physical | 90 | 90% | 10 |
| 60 | Pain Split |
|
Status | — | —% | 20 |
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
| Generation VII | ||||||
| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| 1 | Astonish |
|
Physical | 30 | 100% | 15 |
| 1 | Copycat |
|
Status | — | 100% | 20 |
| 1 | Scratch |
|
Physical | 40 | 100% | 35 |
| 1 | Splash |
|
Status | — | —% | 40 |
| 1 | Wood Hammer |
|
Physical | 120 | 100% | 15 |
| 5 | Double Team |
|
Status | — | —% | 15 |
| 10 | Baby-Doll Eyes |
|
Status | — | 100% | 30 |
| 14 | Shadow Sneak |
|
Physical | 40 | 100% | 15 |
| 19 | Mimic |
|
Status | — | 100% | 10 |
| 23 | Feint Attack |
|
Physical | 60 | —% | 20 |
| 28 | Charm |
|
Status | — | 100% | 20 |
| 32 | Slash |
|
Physical | 70 | 100% | 20 |
| 37 | Shadow Claw |
|
Physical | 70 | 100% | 15 |
| 41 | Hone Claws |
|
Status | — | —% | 15 |
| 46 | Play Rough |
|
Physical | 90 | 90% | 10 |
| 50 | Pain Split |
|
Status | — | —% | 20 |
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
By TM/HM[]
By breeding[]
| Generation VII | |||||
| Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| Curse |
|
Status | — | —% | 10 |
| Parent Candidates: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Shuppet, Banette, Duskull, Dusclops, Dusknoir, Spiritomb, Yamask, Cofagrigus, Litwick, Lampent, Phantump, Trevenant | |||||
| Destiny Bond |
|
Status | — | —% | 5 |
| Parent Candidates: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Koffing, Weezing, Wobbuffet, Yamask, Cofagrigus, Phantump, Trevenant | |||||
| Grudge |
|
Status | — | 100% | 5 |
| Parent Candidates: Misdreavus, Shuppet, Banette Yamask, Cofagrigus | |||||
| Nightmare |
|
Status | — | 100% | 15 |
| Parent Candidates: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar | |||||
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. * indicates this move requires chain breeding. ◊ indicates the father must learn this move in a previous generation. ♈ indicates the father must learn this move via TM. | |||||
By tutoring[]
| Generation VII | ||||||
| Games | Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| USUM | After You |
|
Status | — | —% | 15 |
| USUM | Covet |
|
Physical | 60 | 100% | 25 |
| USUM | Drain Punch |
|
Physical | 75 | 100% | 10 |
| USUM | Giga Drain |
|
Special | 75 | 100% | 10 |
| USUM | Last Resort |
|
Physical | 140 | 100% | 5 |
| USUM | Magic Room | 
|
Status | — | —% | 10 |
| USUM | Pain Split |
|
Status | — | —% | 20 |
| USUM | Snatch |
|
Status | — | —% | 10 |
| USUM | Snore |
|
Special | 50 | 100% | 15 |
| USUM | Spite |
|
Status | — | 100% | 10 |
| USUM | Telekinesis |
|
Status | — | —% | 10 |
| USUM | Trick |
|
Status | — | 100% | 10 |
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
Sprites[]
Appearances[]
Anime[]
Main[]
Supporting[]
Trivia[]
- In the anime, Meowth has witnessed the true form of Mimikyu, showing it to be an amorphous dark blob with a pair of glowing yellow eyes. Both times Meowth 'died' temporarily but was later revived.
- The quote in which "20 years ago, Mimikyu got jealous of Pikachu and created its costume" may be a reference to when Pokémon Sun and Moon were released 20 years from Pokémon Red and Green's release.
- Prior to the introduction of Flutter Mane in Generation IX, Mimikyu is the only Ghost/Fairy-type Pokémon.
- Totem Mimikyu is the only Totem Pokémon that is not exclusive to Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon.
- According to official pieces of merchandise, Mimikyu's head does not count as part of the body and only its lower body counts as the height.
- In Super Smash Bros., Mimikyu is one of the Pokémon that can be freed from Poké Balls. During this time, it uses its signature Z-Move Let's Snuggle Forever.
- Mimikyu is one of the collectable spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Mimikyu ranked 3rd, among all Pokémon, in the Pokémon of the Year 2020 poll by The Pokémon Company. It also ranked 1st among all Alola Pokémon.
Origin[]
Mimikyu is based on a badly-made Pikachu doll. It may also be based on ghost costumes made from a white sheet with eye-holes. Its true form is based on legends about darkness clouds that make people vanish or die. It may also draw inspiration from Lovecraftian beings, creatures created by author H. P. Lovecraft that are said to kill or cause mental insanity simply by their appearance alone. It could also be based on the Bugul Noz, a kind and gentle fairy that was lonely due to its ugly appearance.
Etymology[]
Mimikyu's name may be based on the words "mimic you" and meikyuu (mystery). It may also be based on the Japanese onomatopoeia for squeaking (kyukyu).
Names in other languages[]
- Chinese: 謎擬Ｑ
- French: Mimiqui
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ Silvestri, Cris (2018). Pokémon: Super Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 323. Scholastic. ISBN 978-1338230895.
See also[]
- Pokémon.com Pokédex
- Legendary Pokémon data
- The Pokémon Database
- Pokémon Dream Pokédex data
- Psypokes Psydex data
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