Piplup
| Piplup | |
|---|---|
| Piplup National Pokédex Infernape - Piplup (#393) - Prinplup Sinnoh Pokédex Infernape - Piplup (#007) - Prinplup | |
| Japanese name | Pochama |
| Evolves from | None |
| Evolves into | Prinplup |
| Generation | Fourth |
| Species | Penguin Pokémon |
| Type | Water |
| Height | 1 ft 4 in (0.4 m) |
| Weight | 11.5 pounds (5.2 kg) |
| Ability | Torrent |
Piplup (ポッチャマ, Potchama, Pochama in original Japanese language versions) is one of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Pokémon media franchise.
Piplup is known for being one of the three species of Pokémon players can choose from at the beginning of their adventure in the Diamond and Pearl versions of the series. The purpose of Piplup in the games, anime and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon, untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.[1]
The name Piplup may be a pun on the onomatopoeia plop, the sound of something hitting water, and plump. Its name may also be a reference toward the character Pip from Charles Dickens's Great Expectations or the onomatopoeia peep peep, the sound young chicks make. Its Japanese name Pochama is a portmanteau of the Japanese words referring to splashing in water (ぽちゃぽちゃ, pochapocha) and children from wealthy or upper classes (おぼっちゃま, obotchama). This refers to its stuck-up attitude, and the fact that it is a Water-type Pokémon that splashes and plays in water. The name Piplup refers to the species as a whole, as well as individual specimens in the games, anime and manga.
Biological characteristics
Characterized as penguins, Piplup have a layer of fine down covering their bodies that protects them from frigid waters as well as hot temperatures. Piplup have a dark to normal blue collar on its neck with two white buttons placed on its belly. Despite their cute appearance, Piplup are very proud Pokémon that dislike receiving food from their trainers.[2] They are based upon emperor penguin chicks when first hatched.
In the video games
Piplup is the Water-type Starter Pokémon choice in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,[3] similar to Squirtle, Totodile and Mudkip of other games.
Piplup evolves into Prinplup at level 16, which evolves into Empoleon at level 36.
In the Pokémon anime
A Piplup owned by a beginner Pokémon coordinator, Dawn, has appeared in all of the 4th generation series, to date.[4] Dawn befriended Piplup after saving it from a group of Ariados, and chose it as her starter Pokémon. It is voiced by Michelle Knotz who provides Nurse Joy's voice and Delia Ketchum and the voice of Team Rocket's Jessie.
In the Trading Card Game
There are currently two Piplup cards available outside of Japan:
- Diamond & Pearl, as Piplup Lv.9, a Water-type common card (#93)
- a Promo card, as Piplup Lv.9, a Water-Type card
In March 2007, three limited edition collectors' tins were released by Pokémon USA. Piplup Lv.9 from Diamond & Pearl was included in one of the tins as a special holographic card. The other two tins contained Turtwig Lv.10 and Chimchar Lv.8 from the same set.
References
- ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
- ^ Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Official Site pokemon.kids.yahoo.co.jp. URL Accessed November 11, 2006.
- ^ Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Pokédex entries Serebii.net. URL Accessed August 6, 2006.
- ^ Pokémon anime character bio; Dawn bio Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 13, 2006.
External links
Template:Contains Japanese text
- Official Pokémon website
- Dawn's Piplup on Bulbapedia
- Template:Serebiidex
- PsyPoke Pokédex entry