Jigglypuff

] [citation|publisher=Sacramento Bee|date=August 29, 1999|author=Baker|title=Monster Trade] . Jigglypuff is voiced by Rachael Lillis in the English version of the anime show and in games, and by Mika Kanai in Japanese counterparts. [ [http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0008426/ Jigglypuff (Character)] . IMDb. Retrieved on 2008-05-06]

The name "Jigglypuff" is a portmanteau of the words ', referring to its motion, and ', referring to its buoyancy. Its Japanese name, "Purin", probably derives from nihongo|"purin"|プリン, the Japanese word for custard pudding. It may also come from a combination of many Japanese words; nihongo|"fukureru"|膨れる, meaning to swell or expand; nihongo|"fukafukashita"|ふかふかした, meaning soft or fluffy; nihongo|"fūsen"|風船, meaning balloon; and nihongo|"mari"|鞠, meaning ball. Essentially, it could be taken to mean "a soft and fluffy ball," "a swelling balloon," or a combination of the two.

Design and characteristics

Jigglypuff is a fictional character from the Nintendo franchise Pokémon. Jigglypuff is a balloon type Pokémon. Its body is globular, pink, fluffy, cuddly, and accented with stubby appendages, a tiny tuft of a single curl of hair, and enormous blue eyes, featuring green eyes for its alternate color version. Its skin is rubbery and stretchy. Jigglypuff can inflate its body like a balloon, or flatten its body, much like fellow Nintendo character Kirby. An exact limit to the size it can grow to in this manner is unknown. Jigglypuff evolves from Igglybuff with a high level of friendship, and to Wigglytuff when exposed to a Moon Stone.

Jigglypuff's song puts its listener to sleep. The song's sound waves match the brain waves of something that is asleep, and anything within earshot will be affected unless protected by an innate ability (such as Insomnia or Soundproof) or interference from additional sounds. Jigglypuff can easily adjust the wavelength of its voice, without pausing to take a breath. If the target shows no sign of sleepiness, there is a possibility it will not stop singing.

In video games

Jigglypuff can be found in all of the Pokémon video games, as well as "Pokémon Snap", which makes an allusion to the anime's counterpart. At one point of the game, a Jigglypuff bothered by Koffing can be rescued. If done, it and two others will appear to sing towards the end of the stage, with the central one holding the anime version's marker-based "microphone", and will swell up in anger if the player uses the pokéflute item at this time.Fact|date=May 2008

Jigglypuff is an unlockable character in all three games of the "Super Smash Bros." series. [ [http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/hidden10.html Smash Bros. DOJO!! Jigglypuff Profile] . Nintendo. Retrived on 2008-05-06] It can jump multiple times in midair (in the first two games, the only other character that could do this was Kirby. In "Brawl", other characters were given this ability, although the only ones who could fly were Charizard, Meta Knight, and Pit). The Rest attack, in which Jigglypuff descends near an opponent and immediately goes to rest, is difficult to connect, but when successful, often rockets even healthy opponents off the stage; this makes it one of the most powerful attacks in the game. [cite video game
title = Super Smash Bros. Brawl
developer = Nintendo
publisher = Nintendo
date =
language = English
level = The Colonel in regards to Solid Snake's codec information on Jigglypuff
quote = It may be light and puffy and full of air, but its Sleep ability is devastating...The instant it falls asleep, there's a huge buildup of energy in its center of gravity. If it hits you, it's lights out for sure.] Jigglypuff's Pound move has also been given one of the highest priorities in the game; the use of Pound will override most enemy attacks. In Brawl, Jigglypuff's Final Smash is called Puff Up; Jigglypuff puffs up bigger and bigger, then it delivers one massive hit. It is devastating on small stages, but challenging to use effectively on larger stages.

Cultural impact

In other media

In the Pokémon anime series, Jigglypuff is a recurring character who aspires to be a great singer after the inspiration of Ash Ketchum and company. Unfortunately, every potential audience falls asleep before the song finishes. Jigglypuff does not usually choose an appropriate time to sing and has been a hazard many times, especially on moving vehicles. Because of this, Ash Ketchum and his companions often find themselves running away from Jigglypuff, who obviously isn't pleased with the fact that everyone falls asleep whenever it sings. It keeps with it a black marker, its "microphone," (which had once belonged to Ash) and uses it to scribble on anyone who dares to fall asleep while it's performing (after it inflates itself in anger with a distinctive "honk" sound). Only on two occasions has Jigglypuff believed that anyone had heard its song to the end: in the first, Jigglypuff realizes that Misty's Psyduck was sleeping with its eyes open, and in the second, a Whismur (a Pokémon with "soundproof" ability and therefore immune to sound-based Pokémon moves) had heard the song the first time, but on the second time it was tired so it fell asleep anyway. There was once when Jigglypuff sang to two gigantic Pokémon battling each other, but these two Pokémon did not fall asleep, and instead Jigglypuff was knocked away by the energy of their battle. Another Jigglypuff (In the episode "Rough, Tough, Jigglypuff") had a Loudred (Whismur's evolved form and therefore also bearing the "soundproof" ability) listen to its song, but it didn't care as this Jigglypuff was using Sing for an attack.

In Pokémon Chronicles, Marina has a Jigglypuff, but when using Sing, people aren't affected in part because of Beedrill, because the beating of its wings are too loud.

This recurring gag with Jigglypuff was also used in "Hey You, Pikachu!" on the Nintendo 64. A similar Jigglypuff also appeared in the US stage musical "Pokémon Live!" Prior to the storyline depicted in the musical, a Pokémon Trainer who happened to be deaf had caught Jigglypuff. When Ash and friends confront this trainer, he sends out Jigglypuff, who succeeds in putting the heroes to sleep. Since the trainer is deaf, he obviously cannot hear the song and is therefore immune to her effects.

In 2006, Viz released a series of ten DVDs based around individual Pokémon in celebration of Pokémon's 10th anniversary in the United States. The Pokémon featured were determined by an online poll on Pokémon.com. [ [http://pokemon.com/#news_/XML/news_55.xml Make your Pokémon a Star!] Pokémon.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Out of 45 choices, Jigglypuff's received second place and was released as volume 2, with Pikachu's being the first volume. [ [http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=1103070 POKEMON: 10TH ANNIVERSARY - VOLUME 2 - JIGGLYPUFF - DVD MOVIE - VIZ DPMAN02] . Keenzo. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Another compilation of Pokémon anime episodes, including "The Song of Jigglypuff" in which Jigglypuff is introduced, is available on both VHS and DVD, entitled "Jigglypuff Pop." [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251337/ Pokémon: Vol. 14: Jigglypuff Pop(1999)(V)] . IMDb. Retrieved on 2008-05-06]

Jigglypuff has had sizable roles in most of the various Pokémon manga series. Jigglypuff also features prominently in many of the Pokémon chapter books, which generally follow the anime series closely. The Magical Pokémon Journey manga series has a Jigglypuff as one of the main characters, parodying Hello Kitty, and is introduced to the series in a volume called "Cooking With Jigglypuff" (ISBN 1-56931-456-X). [cite book
last = Tsukirino
first = Yumi
authorlink = Yumi Tsukirino
coauthors =
title = Cooking With Jigglypuff
publisher = Viz Comics
date = 2000
location =
pages =
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 1-56931-456-X ] "Jigglypuff's Magic Lullaby" (ISBN 1-56931-442-X) is part of the "Pokémon Tales" series for very young children. Written by Megumi Hayashibara and illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno, it tells the story of a female Jigglypuff who wants to make the other Pokémon happy by singing for them. Yet, as usual, her song puts them to sleep, and this makes her very sad. Her friend, a Bulbasaur, helps her resolve the situation. [cite book
last = Hayashibara
first = Megumi
authorlink = Megumi Hayashibara
coauthors =
title = Jigglypuff's Magic Lullaby
publisher = Viz Communications
date = 2000
location =
pages =
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 1-56931-442-X ]

Merchandising

Jigglypuff is often featured on products where a scene of several Pokémon are shown. An example of this is the full-sized Pokémon 747 aircraft by Boeing. [ [http://widebodyaircraft.nl/b747-60.htm Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet - ANA All Nippon Airways - Pokémon Colours] . Widebody Aircraft Parade. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Jigglypuff appeared on the starboard nose of the original white 1998 aircraft, and above the starboard wing of the 1999 blue aircraft. Jigglypuff was also on the nose of the international version of the plane. [ [http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/design.html ANA's Pokémon Jet Home Page | Design] . ANA SKY WEB. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Model-sized versions of all the Pokémon aircraft have also been made. [ [http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/novelties.html ANA's Pokémon Jet Home Page | Novelties] . ANA SKY WEB. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Jigglypuff has been made into several different toy and plush forms, as well as other items. These include, a four-inch action figure by Tomy Toys, small beanbag plush toy by Hasbro [ [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hasbro-Pokemon-Beanies-Jigglypuff-39/dp/B00000JDXH Pokémon Beanies Jigglypuff (#39)] Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] , a Halloween costume by Disguise Costumes, a six-inch plush "Christmas Jigglypuff", and an articulated action figure also by Hasbro. [ [http://www.walloffame.net/pomocomiacfi4.html Pokémon Monster Collection Mini Action Figure - #21 Jigglypuff] walloffame.net. Retrieved on 2008-05-06]

Critical reception and pop culture

In January 2006, a man named Donnell Bolton on "American Idol" performed Jigglypuff's signature song in his audition. This shocked quite a few people, for the strangeness of the choice as well as the fact that an older person was familiar with it. [ [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147745 American Idol Contestant Sings Jigglypuff] . 1Up.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-06] Another well-known use of the Jigglypuff song was in a promotional spot aired on Kids' WB! during the spring of 1999, crossing over with "The New Batman Adventures", in which Tim Drake orders Batman to sing the song for him when he goes to bed.

Jigglypuff is considered one of Nintendo's mascots [ [http://ign64.ign.com/objects/010/010494.html IGN: Super Smash Bros.] IGN. Retrieved on 2008-05-20] and one of the most popular characters in the Pokémon franchise. [ [http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:5qXQj8xd_KEJ:www.nintendo.com/corp/press/100499.html+site:nintendo.com+Jigglypuff+-forums+-techforums&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a Google cache of Nintendo: Press Release] Nintendo. Retrieved on 2008-05-20] The character has seen frequent mention on CNN in context to Pokémon-based news stories as a recognizable example of a character from the series. [ [http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/TV/9910/05/pokemon/ CNN - Pokémon banished from another playground] CNN.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20] [ [http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9911/04/showbuzz/ CNN - Showbuzz - November 14, 1999] CNN.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20] [ [http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9911/11/pokemon/ CNN - Pokémon craze moves to theaters] CNN.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20]

References

*"Pokémon Red and Blue", "Pokémon Yellow", "Pokémon Stadium", "Pokémon Stadium 2", "Pokémon Gold and Silver", "Pokémon Crystal", "Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire", "Pokémon Emerald", "Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen", "Pokémon Colosseum", ""

;Books
*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 Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide". Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
*Nintendo Power. "Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player’s Guide". Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5
* [http://www.upnetwork.net/pokedex/Gen1-2/039.shtml Ultimate Pokémon Network] Retrieved May 31, 2006.

;Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Pokémon website]
* [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Jigglypuff_(Pokémon) Bulbapedia article about Jigglypuff]
* [http://www.pokemondungeon.com/pokedex/jigglypuff.shtml Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex entry]
* [http://www.psypokes.com/dex/pokedex.php?id=39&view=general PsyPoke Pokédex entry]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KdBn38Kmi8 Jigglypuff's Lullaby]
* [http://www.brawlsnapshots.com/snapshots/tag?order=score&tag=jigglypuff Snapshots of Jigglypuff from Super Smash Bros. Brawl]