Ludicolo

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Ludicolo
Image:Ludicolo.png
National Pokédex
Lombre - Ludicolo (#272) - Seedot
Hoenn Pokédex
Lombre - Ludicolo (#021) - Seedot
Japanese name Runpappa
Evolves from Lombre
Evolves into None
Generation Third
Species Carefree Pokémon
Type Water / Grass
Height 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m)
Weight 121.0 lb (55.6 kg)
Ability Rain Dish / Swift Swim

Ludicolo (ルンパッパ? Runpappa in original Japanese language versions) is a fictional character of the Pokémon franchise. are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Japanese Pokémon media franchise. Ludicolo debuted in 2002 in the Japanese versions of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. In all aspects of the franchise, Ludicolo, as with all other Pokémon, are used to battle both wild, untamed Pokémon and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.[1]

Ludicolo's name derives from the word ludicrous, meaning laughable or hilarious, and the colocynth, a tendril-bearing Old World vine bearing yellowish, green-mottled fruits the size of small lemons. The "Ludi" part of its name is also derived from the Latin word for game. Ludicolo loves to dance, which could be associated with playing a game of sorts. The "Colo" part is also an anagram of a Spanish word for Crazy; "loco". Its Japanese name is likely a portmanteau of the words Rumba (ルンバ?), a style of rhythmic dance, and Kappa (河童?), Japanese mythological creatures. The basin-like structure on its head is similar to the water-filled depressions atop the heads of Kappa, and it moves its body as if dancing. The name Ludicolo refers to the species as a whole, as well as to individual specimens in the games, anime, manga, trading cards, and other media.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Ludicolo looks like a large bipedal tropical plant. It is covered in a yellowish brown coat of what may be fur or foliage and sports a sombrero-like lilypad on top of its head, with a small pineapple or trunk-like formation growing at its center. Adding to this image, its fur looks similar to a poncho. As evidenced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, female Ludicolo differ from the males by sporting thinner stripes on their fur. The duck-bill and fur together give Ludicolo a platypus-like appearance.

Ludicolo can derive much energy and vitality from cheerful and upbeat music. Upon hearing such music, for example during festivities or mountain hiking expeditions, Ludicolo is driven into the open and starts dancing rhythmically. In battle, Ludicolo exhibits a similar tireless attitude, not flinching even from much more powerful foes.

The principle behind this phenomenon is that the melodious sound waves are supposed to stimulate Ludicolo's cells into making it more powerful.

[edit] Role

[edit] In the Pokémon video games

Ludicolo are featured in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire of the Pokémon video game series. Originally in Japanese, but later translated into other languages, the games have sold over 143 million copies worldwide.[2]

Ludicolo is not found in the wild. It can only be obtained through evolving a Lombre (exclusively found in the Sapphire and Emerald versions of the franchise) by exposing it to a Water Stone. Therefore, the availability of Lombre dictates the availability of Ludicolo. The moment of evolution is entirely up to the player and thus must be chosen with care, because like most Stone-evolved Pokémon, Ludicolo cannot naturally learn attacks.

Ludicolo's Grass/Water type combination is very useful, nullifying elemental weaknesses of both types (Electric and Grass for Water and Fire and Ice for Grass). Its special stats are very good, but the rest of its stats are simply average for a Stage 2 Pokémon.

One of the most notable Ludicolo trainers in the games is Miror B., an early villain in Pokémon Colosseum who uses several Ludicolo and in the game's story would rather dance with his Pokémon than perform his responsibilities as a Cipher Admin. He returns in the sequel Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, but does not use Ludicolo as often as he did in the prior game. Possibly as a nod to Ludicolo's supposed ability to grow stronger as it hears festive, upbeat music, Miror B. sports a unique Latin-inspired battle theme in Colosseum, though whether or not this has any actual effect on his Pokémon is doubtful at best.

[edit] In the Pokémon anime

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games (excepting Pokémon Yellow[3]) follow. The anime features the quest of Ash Ketchum,[4] a young Pokémon trainer, as he and several other companions travel around the world with their Pokémon partners.

Ludicolo is one of the Pokémon Brock uses in his team, which is ironic since he is a Rock-type Pokémon trainer, against which both Grass and Water-type Pokémon are strong. He has had it ever since it was a Lotad. Ludicolo is very cheerful and is frequently seen dancing joyfully around. Brock often uses this as a diversion, accompanying Ludicolo in a song and dance number. Brock's Ludicolo evolved in the episode "Once In A Mawile" where a Mawile fell in love with Ludicolo's pre-eveolved form (a Lombre) but the Lombre did not return the sentiment, after evolution however the Ludicolo fell in love with Mawile, but Mawile decides she no longer liked him due to his new appearance, so Mawile goes for a Psyduck, breaking Ludicolo's heart.

Ludicolo is first seen as the Pokémon used by the Mexican trainer Poncho in the episode "Go Go Ludicolo". They saw Ludicolo when the group was having something to eat. After they finished eating, Corphish battled Ludicolo. Ludicolo won.

Ludicolo first appeared in "Pokémon: Gotta Dance". It kept showing up out of nowhere whenever the Poké-Baton was activated.

In the Japanese Version, all 3 ludicolos are voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki.

However in Episode 007 of Diamond and Pearl, another three ludicolos are voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi, Daisuke Sakaguchi and Kiyotaka Furushima.

[edit] In the Pokémon trading card game

Ludicolo appear several times in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a collectible card game in which players simulate Pokémon battles.[5] There are five Ludicolo cards printed as of now.

  • EX Sandstorm
  • EX Deoxys
  • EX Deoxys
  • EX Crystal Guardians (as Ludicolo δ)
  • A promo card in the first trainer booster set

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
  2. ^ "The Ultimate Game Freak: Interview with Satoshi Tajiri", TimeAsia.com URL Accessed July 12, 2006 (Waybacked).
  3. ^ Pokémon Yellow Critical Review Ign.com. Retrieved on March 3, 2007
  4. ^ Pokémon anime overview Psypokes.com. URL Accessed May 25, 2006.
  5. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game "How to play" guide Pokemon-tcg.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
Publications
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../l/u/d/Ludicolo.html"