Klefki

Klefki
Pokémon series character
Klefki
National Pokédex
Goodra - Klefki (#707) - Phantump
First game Pokémon X and Y
Created by Mana Ibe
Designed by Ken Sugimori

Klefki (クレッフィ Kureffi, Cleffy in Japan) is a fictional creature in the Pokémon franchise. It was first introduced in Pokémon X and Y. It is a Pokémon that resembles a white key and ring, which collects keys to place on itself. It was designed by Pokémon graphic designer Mana Ibe and was inspired by "thinking of old mansions and secret keys and such." A short film about Klefki called "Pikachu, What's This Key For?" is slated to premiere as an opener for the 17th Pokémon film. Klefki received largely negative reception, though it gained the most attention. While critics such as The Huffington Post and IGN's readers felt it was a weird or poor Pokémon, Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez defended it for its "inanimate object" design.

Concept and creation

Klefki was designed by Pokémon graphic designer Mana Ibe. The inspiration for it was, as described by designer Junichi Masuda, "thinking of old mansions and secret keys and such."[1] Klefki, also known as the Key Ring Pokémon, is a white key ring, with various keys it has collected over time. It is a key collector that threatens attackers by fiercely jingling its keys at them.[2] Once attached to a key, it never releases it, so Klefki are frequently used for high-profile security.[3][4][5]

Appearances

Klefki first appeared in the video games Pokémon X and Y. A short film about Klefki called "Pikachu, What's This Key For?" is slated to premiere as an opener for the 17th Pokémon film.[6]

Reception

Of the new Pokémon introduced in X and Y, Klefki was the one that gained the most attention,[7] mostly receiving negative reception. IGN's readers voted Klefki the ninth worst Pokémon from Pokémon X and Y. IGN's Justin Davis joked that it was created when a designer lost his keys.[8] Game Informer‍ '​s Jeff Marchiafava criticized both its design and the concept behind its creation.[9] Kotaku editor Gergo Vas and Tiny Cartridge editor Eric Caoili called it "one of the weirdest."[10][11] GamesRadar's Brittany Vincent featured Klefki in her list of "14 Pokemon that are basically just ordinary objects with googly eyes."[12] Stuff Magazine‍ '​s Steve Hogarty cited Klefki as an example that the designers have run out of animals on which to base Pokémon. He stated that the designers "quite literally searching their pockets for new ideas, sticking googly eyes on assorted office stationery before calling it a day."[13] Angela Webber of The Portland Mercury included it in a list of Pokémon meant to demonstrate that the Pokémon designers have "run out of ideas."[14] The Huffington Post included Klefki in a list of the 20 weirdest Pokémon and noted that it "took the cake" and that the designers have "really outdone themselves."[15] Destructoid's Steven Hansen accused the Pokémon designers of "creative bankruptcy" in response to Klefki.[16] Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez noted that while players who dislike "inanimate objects that are somehow Pokémon," she had to defend it due to its basis on the Japanese mythological tsukumogami and its "ridiculous" design.[7] The Rochester City Newspaper‍ '​s Willie Clark felt that it was "awesome."[17] CD-Action editor spikain stated that while Klefki may seem "absurd," he asserts that the dislike for it and other newer Pokémon comes from nostalgia.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (2014-02-14). "Afterwords – Pokémon X & Y". Game Informer. p. 3. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  2. ↑ Game Freak (2013-08-12). "Pokémon X". Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo. These key collectors threaten any attackers by fiercely jingling their keys at them.
  3. ↑ Game Freak (2013-08-12). "Pokémon Y". Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo. It never lets go of a key that it likes, so people give it the keys to vaults and safes as a way to prevent crime.
  4. ↑ "More Pokémon". Pokemonxy.com. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  5. ↑ "クレッフィ｜『ポケットモンスター Ｘ』『ポケットモンスター Ｙ』公式サイト". Pokemon.co.jp. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  6. ↑ Hansen, Steven (2014-01-10). "17th Pokemon movie based on X & Y, has Mega Evolutions". Destructoid. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hernandez, Patricia (2013-10-15). "The Best (and Possibly Worst) of The New Pokémon Designs". Kotaku. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  8. ↑ Davis, Justin (2013-11-23). "The Best & Worst X/Y Pokemon Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  9. ↑ "Analyzing The New Pokémon Of X & Y". Game Informer. 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  10. ↑ Vas, Gergo (2014-02-27). "The Closest You Can Get To Storing A Pokémon In Your Pockets". Kotaku.
  11. ↑ Caoili, Eric (2014-02-27). "Carry a Klefki with you". Tiny Cartridge. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  12. ↑ Vincent, Brittany (2014-01-29). "14 Pokemon that are basically just ordinary objects with googly eyes". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  13. ↑ Hogarty, Steve (2013-10-24). "Nintendo’s running a bit low on new Pokémon ideas". Stuff Magazine. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  14. ↑ Webber, Angela (2013-10-14). "Has Pokémon Run Out of Ideas?". The Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  15. ↑ Casti, Taylor (2014-02-22). "These 20 Pokemon Will Make You Think Twice Before Trying To Catch 'Em All". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  16. ↑ Hansen, Steven (2013-10-04). "Klefki is a Pokemon that is a KEY RING. IT IS A KEY RING.". Destructoid. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  17. ↑ Clark, Willie (2013-11-08). "Video Game Review: Pokemon X/Y". Rochester City Newspaper. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  18. ↑ spikain (2013-10-19). ""Te Pokemony są coraz brzydsze", czyli dlaczego tak naprawdę narzekamy na nowe generacje". CD-Action. Retrieved 2014-03-03.