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Psyduck

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Psyduck
Pokémon series character
National Pokédex
Persian - Psyduck (#054) - Golduck
First gamePokémon Red and Blue

Psyduck, known as Koduck (コダック, Kodakku) in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Psyduck first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and later in subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Psyduck is voiced by Rikako Aikawa in Japan and Michael Haigney in English.

Known as the duck Pokémon, Psyduck is constantly stunned by its headache, and usually just stands there vacantly, trying to calm it. In the anime, Psyduck was a constant running gag where Misty would release Psyduck by accident instead of the Pokémon she wanted to use. Since appearing in the series, Psyduck has received generally mixed reception, described as "downright silly" by GameSpy.

Design and characteristics

Psyduck was one of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[1][2] Originally called "Koduck" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.[3] As a result they were renamed "Psyduck", a combination of the words "Psychic" and "duck".[4]

Known as the Duck Pokémon, Psyduck resembles a yellow duck or platypus with a vacant stare. It has a small tuft of black hair at the top of its head. It walks on its hind legs, and has arms rather than wings. Its arms are useful in using its powerful psychic abilities. Its appearance is meant to trick enemies into thinking it is weak. It has arms with three claws on each to deliver scratches if threatened. Psyduck live in freshwater lakes, small ponds, or rivers in tropical areas. When a Psyduck receives enough experience from battles, it evolves into Golduck.

Psyduck is constantly stunned by its headache,[5] and usually just stands there vacantly, trying to calm its headache.[6] When the headache gets too bad, its brain cells awaken, allowing it to use strong psychic powers.[7][8] Some use their vacant look to their advantage, lulling the enemy and then using its psychokinetic powers.[6] Psyduck don't remember using their powers, so they tilt their head in confusion.[9] It is said to not remember using its powers because it uses them while in a deep sleep state.[10][11]

Appearances

In video games

Psyduck can be found in areas in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl a group of Psyduck can be found blocking the northern fork of Route 210. After the player obtains the badges in Veilstone City and Pastoria City, Cynthia will hand over a SecretPotion to cure their headaches. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, Psyduck is available Pokémon to be the main character. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Psyduck appears in the Poké Floats stage as the third Pokéfloat to appear. Fighting occurs on its head and beak, and it then floats up and off the top of the screen.

In other media

In the anime, Misty has a Psyduck that she accidentally caught in Hypno's Naptime.[12] It is a constant source of frustration for her, as it frequently emerges to attempt to battle the opponent in substitution of the Pokémon she intends to use. It is also shown to be unable to swim, despite being a Water-type Pokémon. Despite this, she has been shown to deeply care for it. Despite being generally shown as dimwitted and oblivious, when its headache gets bad enough, it has been shown to use phenomenally powerful Psychic-type moves which far exceed its perceived potential. Nine Psyduck appeared in The Psyduck Stops Here!; six parents and three babies. Three of the parents were blocking the path that Ash and his friends tried to pass on their way to Celestic Town. The Psyduck weren't able to return to their real home, Lake Psyduck, because of three Muk.[13]

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, many Psyduck have appeared in the manga owned by other trainers. In the Red, Green & Blue chapter, an undead Psyduck, that had been brought back to life by a Koga's Gastly, appeared in the Pokémon Tower. It first appeared to Red like a normal Psyduck, until it attempted an assault on him: its eyeballs suddenly sunk into its eye sockets and some skin fell off, revealing its bones. Since it was just a mindless undead, it was easily destroyed by Red's Bulbasaur.

Cultural impact

Described as "downright silly" by GameSpy, Psyduck has been well received by the media.[14] The New York Times compared it to a duck-billed platypus, adding that it "looks entertainingly silly".[15] GameDaily described it as "one of the more unique Pokémon characters", as well as weird, noting it has changed little in either aspect throughout the history of the franchise.[16] IGN described the character as a "cult favorite" amongst fans, attributing the reaction to its "bizarre, bewildered appearance",[17] as well as citing it as a favorite character around their offices.[18] GamesRadar also called it one of the more popular from the original games, describing it as fun to use "if only to see the reaction of other players".[19] The Coventry Evening Telegraph also praised its design, stating the character was "more interesting" in comparison to more commonly seen Pokémon such as Squirtle.[20] Author Loredana Lipperini described Psyduck as the "comic talents" of Nintendo.[21]

Origins of Design

While many mainstream outlets and even many subculture segments consider Psyduck to be an original creation, this is not very likely to be the case.

More likely, the design of Psyduck is based on the 1976 floating ghost platypus, "Thought Eater" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_eater), from the Dungeons & Dragon's franchise.


References

  1. ^ Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界". Nintendo.com (in Japanese). Nintendo. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  2. ^ Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  3. ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". TIME. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  4. ^ Staff. "#054 Psyduck". IGN. Retrieved 201-09-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ Game Freak (1999-10-19). Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: Always tormented by headaches. It uses psychic powers, but it is not known if it intends to do so.
  6. ^ a b Game Freak (1998-09-30). Pokémon Red (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: While lulling its enemies with its vacant look, this wily Pokémon will use psychokinetic powers.
  7. ^ Game Freak (2000-10-15). Pokémon Silver (Game Boy Color). Nintendo. Pokédex: If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode.
  8. ^ Game Freak (2001-07-29). Pokémon Crystal (Game Boy Color). Nintendo. Pokédex: The only time it can use its psychic power is when its sleeping brain cells happen to wake.
  9. ^ Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Pearl (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. Pokédex: It never remembers using its odd powers, so it always tilts its head in puzzlement.
  10. ^ Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: Psyduck uses a mysterious power. When it does so, this Pokémon generates brain waves that are supposedly only seen in sleepers. This discovery spurred controversy among scholars.
  11. ^ Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: If it uses its mysterious power, Psyduck can't remember having done so. It apparently can't form a memory of such an event because it goes into an altered state that is much like deep sleep.
  12. ^ Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer) (October 13, 1998). "Hypno's Naptime". Pokémon. Season Indigo League. Episode 27. Various.
  13. ^ Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer) (December 27, 2008). "The Psyduck Stops Here!". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 87. Various.
  14. ^ Leeper, Justin (2004-04-24). "Hall of Fame: Pokémon". GameSpy. Retrieved 2009-10-03. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. ^ New York Times Theater Reviews (2001). The New York Times Film Reviews 1999-2000. Taylor & Francis. p. 178. ISBN 0-415-93696-9.
  16. ^ Workman, Robert. "Retro Rewind: Then and Now - Pokémon". GameDaily. AOL. Archived from the original on 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  17. ^ "Psyduck Biography". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  18. ^ Staff (1999-11-11). "Pokémon of the Day: Psyduck". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2001-03-31. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  19. ^ Elston, Brett. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 5". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. p. 10. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  20. ^ Tim, Frings (December 22, 2000). "CINEMA: PEAK emon!". Coventry Evening Telegraph. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  21. ^ Generazione Pokémon: i bambini e l ... - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
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