This is an accepted version of this page
| Psyduck | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon character | |
 Psyduck artwork byKen Sugimori | |
| First game | Pokémon Red andBlue (1996) |
| Designed by | Ken Sugimori (finalized)[1] |
| Voiced by | Michael Haigney (English, 1998-2006) Michele Knotz (English, since 2006) Rikako Aikawa (Japanese) |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Pokémon |
| Type | Water |
Psyduck (/ˈsaɪdʌk/ ⓘ), known asKoduck (コダック,Kodakku) in Japan, is aPokémon species inNintendo andGame Freak'sPokémon franchise. Created byKen Sugimori, Psyduck first appeared in the video gamesPokémon Red andBlue and later in sequels. It has later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. A Psyduck also appears as part of the main cast in thelive-action animated filmPokémon Detective Pikachu. Psyduck has been voiced byMichael Haigney andRikako Aikawa since its debut.
Aduck-like Pokémon, Psyduck is constantly stunned by itsheadache, and usually just stands vacantly, trying to calm itself. In theanime series, Psyduck's appearances became arunning gag;Misty, a major supporting character, would often release Psyduck by accident instead of the Pokémon she wanted to use. Psyduck has been met with a primarily positive response since its debut, primarily in its role in thePokémon Concierge television series.
Psyduck is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for thePokémon media franchise. Developed byGame Freak and published byNintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video gamesPokémon Red andGreen for theGame Boy, which were later released in North America asPokémon Red andBlue in 1998.[2] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process calledevolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[3] Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[4] A major goal in each game is to complete thePokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[3]
Introduced inRed andBlue, the design started as pixel artsprites by the development team first, with a single color identity chosen to work within theSuper Game Boy hardware limitations.[1] While conceived as a group effort by multiple developers at Game Freak,[5] the finalized design and artwork was done byKen Sugimori. Originally tasked with drawing the characters to illustrate a planned strategy guide by Game Freak when the games released, Sugimori drew all the sprites for the game in his style to not only unify their designs visually but also modify any design elements he felt were amiss, while trying to retain the original sprite artists' unique styles.[6] 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.[7][8] As a result, they were renamed "Psyduck", a combination of the words "psychic" and "duck".[9]
Psyduck is constantly stunned by itsheadache,[10] and usually just stands there vacantly, trying to calm its headache.[11] When the headache gets too bad, its brain cells awaken, allowing it to use strong psychic powers.[12][13] Psyduck is classified in-game as a Water-type Pokémon.[14] When a Psyduck receives enoughexperience from battles, it evolves intoGolduck.[15] During the initial pitch of the 2019 filmDetective Pikachu, writers Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez stated that they wanted Psyduck in the film, citing that this was because it was "their favorite." Hernandez stated that "Because I'm a neurotic writer, I really relate to getting stressed and more stressed and more stressed and then just exploding... and for that reason, I've always felt a great kinship to Psyduck, so we thought that was really important to get him in there."[16] Psyduck was also initially planned to be one of the cover mascots of thePokémon, Let's Go! games, though it was ultimately scrapped due toEevee's popularity and Psyduck's yellow color scheme clashing with the other decided mascot,Pikachu.[17][18] Psyduck has been voiced by Michael Haigney in English[19] and byRikako Aikawa in Japanese.[20]
Psyduck made its debut appearance in thePokémon video game series inPokémon Red andBlue,[21] before later appearing in all mainline entries in the series.[22] It has since gone to make a variety of appearances in spin-off games, such as thePokémon Snap series,[23] thePokémon Mystery Dungeon series,[24]Pokémon Go,[25] and thePokémon Rumble series.[26]
In thePokémon anime,Misty, a major supporting character in the series, has a Psyduck that she accidentally caught, serving as 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, and in instances where she does intend to use it, it often does not act. When its headache gets bad enough, it has been shown to use phenomenally powerful Psychic-type moves which far exceed its perceived potential.[14][27][28] As such, it often acts as comic relief within the anime.[29][14] Psyduck have appeared at various points in thePokémon Adventures manga.[30] Psyduck appears in the 2019 filmPokémon Detective Pikachu as the partner to the female lead of the film, junior unpaid reporter Lucy Stevens (portrayed byKathryn Newton).[31] It also appears in the 2023 animated seriesPokémon Concierge, in which a shy Psyduck is a wild Pokémon in the Pokémon Resort, an island where Pokémon come to visit and relax. It ends up befriending the protagonist, Haru, and the two become close friends.[32]
Psyduck has appeared in multiple pieces of merchandise, including plush toys,[33] battery-powered toys,[34] pins, and cards in thePokémon Trading Card Game.Zavvi has launched licensed T-shirts featuring Psyduck and other populargeneration I species.[35][36] Psyduck-inspired cast necklaces have also been available in Japan.[37] The firstPokémon Jet, aBoeing 747-400D forAll Nippon Airways, has Psyduck and nine other Pokémon on its livery.[38] A life-sized Psyduck plush was released byThe Pokemon Company in 2020, later being rereleased in 2023.[39]
Described as "silly" byGameSpy andThe New York Times, Psyduck has been well received by the media, identified as one of the most popular characters in the original games byGamesRadar+ andKotaku.[40][41][42][43] Psyduck is Pokémon developerJunichi Masuda's favorite Pokémon.[44]GameDaily staff felt it was among the more unique Pokémon designs, whileIGN felt it was a cult favorite among fans due to its "bizarre, bewildered appearance."[45][46] Alex Walker ofKotaku highlighted it as a relatable character, also citing its role as comic relief in the Pokémon anime.[29] It was also cited as a favorite character byIGN staff.[47] TheCoventry Evening Telegraph also praised its design, stating the character was "more interesting" in comparison to more commonly seen Pokémon such asSquirtle,[48] thoughJames Stephanie Sterling ofDestructoid was more critical, calling it "annoying" and "irritating."[49] Psyduck has also been criticized for alleged associations to the occult. AuthorCindy Jacobs criticized Psyduck's alleged occult powers, while Pastor Phil Arms discussed how its psychic powers reflected "New Age" ideas of altered states of consciousness.[50]
Psyduck's appearance inPokémon Concierge has been received positively. James Whitbrook, writing forGizmodo, found Psyduck and its relationship with the show's protagonist, Haru, a relatable centerpiece of the show. He highlighted their relationship as a relatable and welcoming message.[51] Jade King, writing forTheGamer, found Psyduck's role and emotions in the show akin to feelings of social anxiety, and praised the messages delivered by Psyduck overcoming its own anxieties to befriend Haru.[52] Ana Diaz, writing forPolygon, also praised Psyduck's role in the show, stating that "Every scene with Psyduck is like viewing a brief, but fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated thoughtless bliss." She also highlighted how the show helped portray Psyduck in a more positive light, primarily in comparison in its role in thePokémon anime series.[14] Emma Stefansky, writing forThe Atlantic, cited similar sentiments, stating that the series "wisely recognizes the dramatic potential of Psyduck." She highlighted the usage of Psyduck, primarily used as comic relief, as a relatable figure in the series.[32] ActressRena Nōnen, who played Haru in the series, cited that it had become her favorite Pokemon as a result of the series.[53]
Pokédex: Always tormented by headaches. It uses psychic powers, but it is not known if it intends to do so.
Pokédex: While lulling its enemies with its vacant look, this wily Pokémon will use psychokinetic powers.
Pokédex: If its chronic headache peaks, it may exhibit odd powers. It seems unable to recall such an episode.
Pokédex: The only time it can use its psychic power is when its sleeping brain cells happen to wake.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
