Wobbuffet

Wobbuffet
File:Wobbuffet.png National Pokédex Unown - Wobbuffet (#202) - Girafarig Johto Pokédex Sudowoodo - Wobbuffet (#107) - Venonat Hoenn Pokédex Wynaut - Wobbuffet (#161) - Natu
Japanese name	Sonansu
Evolves from	Wynaut (from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire onwards)
Evolves into	None
Generation	Second
Species	Patient Pokémon
Type	Psychic
Height	4 ft 3 in (1.3 m)
Weight	55 pounds (25 kg)
Ability	Shadow Tag

Wobbuffet (ソーナンス, Sōnansu, Sonansu in original Japanese language versions) is one of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon from the Pokémon Franchise – a series of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri.

The purpose of Wobbuffet 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.

The name Wobbuffet probably comes from the words "wobble" and "buffet." It bears a resemblance to an upside down punching bag. The origins of this creature's mannerisms and its Japanese name, Sonansu, are rather obscure compared to most Pokémon. The character is based on the late Japanese comedian Sanpei Hayashiya (林家三平) (1925–1980). Hayashiya's trademark routine involved him putting one hand to his forehead and saying "Sō nansu, okusan" (そうなんす、奥さん) ("So it seems, madam"). This is why, in the Japanese Pokémon anime and movies, this Pokémon is often seen putting a hand to its forehead and shouting "Soooooonansu!"

Biological characteristics

Wobbuffet is a stiff Pokémon shaped like a blue balloon of sorts with four legs. Its face is in a constant grimace. Its eyes always appear closed. It bears a resemblance to a punching bag. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, female Wobbuffet have red lips, much like lipstick. The unusual, sensitive tail has two eyes with an unknown function. Some think they are its true eyes, some don't, but they can blink.

Wobbuffet hates light and shock, so it lives in the quiet darkness of caves and only comes out at night. If attacked, it inflates its body to bolster its amazing ability to counter-attack using the moves Counter and Mirror Coat, rather than offensive battling like most other Pokémon, for it won’t attack on its own. It does nothing but endure attacks in this fashion, suggesting that Wobbuffet either has an inability to tolerate aggressive behavior on its part, or that it is simply built to withstand attacks. However, it will not endure an attack on its valued, sensitive tail. When that happens, the Pokémon will react ferociously, trying to take the foe with it using Destiny Bond. To keep its pitch-black tail hidden from the sight of potential attackers, it lives in black caves and atmospheres as described above.

If two or more Wobbuffet meet, they will turn competitive and try to outdo each other's endurance in what may appear to be a standing, staring contest. However, they may try to see which one can endure the longest without food. Trainers need to be aware of this habit. Any captured Wobbuffet will salute and say "Wobbuffet" occasionally (as shown with Team Rocket's Wobbuffet).

The idea of non-aggression, and using the opponents strength against them is a common martial arts tactic, typically taught in Buddhist, Taoist, and other martial arts.

In video games

File:Feraligatrscreen.PNG

Screenshot of Pokémon Crystal, portraying a player's Feraligatr battling an enemy Wobbuffet.

Wobbuffet is available in every Pokémon video game from Gold and Silver onwards, with the exception of Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, it is available in Dark Cave, and as a prize at the Goldenrod Game Corner. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, it can be caught in the Safari Zone. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, high-level Wobbuffet can be found in the Unknown Dungeon, and they can be also found in Six Island of the Sevii Islands.

Wobbuffet has a tremendous amount of hit points, and its Shadow Tag ability prevents its opponents from retreating from battle. Unlike most Pokémon, Wobbuffet can not learn any new attacks except the four already known when captured. They are Mirror Coat, Counter, Safeguard, and Destiny Bond. However, starting with the Ruby and Sapphire versions, Wobbuffet’s new pre-evolved form Wynaut has access to three additional moves: Splash, Encore, and Charm. Since none of these attacks do damage in themselves, but mainly retaliatory moves, Wobuffet users naturally adopt a counter-attacking strategy.

Wobbuffet also appears in Pokemon Ranger. It is very slow, and it interferes with capture by inflating itself when a capture line is drawn around it. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Wobbuffet is the only Pokémon that appears in cutscenes not to speak in English, instead speaking in utterances of its own name like in the anime, even though its pre-evolution, Wynaut, is perfectly capable of speaking English. However, Wobuffet shows itself to be capable of speaking English when it is in a dungeon and not the team's leader and the player talks to it.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

In the popular GameCube game Super Smash Bros. Melee, Wobbuffet can be summoned out randomly by use of the Poké Ball item. Wobbuffet cannot directly attack players, but will hurt them when struck. Throwing an item into Wobbuffet will also cause it to wobble with its Counter attack, striking anyone close enough to it. The summoning player can receive knockback from this Pokémon, but does not receive damage. Notably, in the event match "Legendary Pokémon", some Poké Balls contain Wobbuffet rather than a legendary Pokémon. It is also an unlockable trophy.

In Pokémon Channel

In the Nintendo GameCube game Pokémon Channel, Wobbuffet is one of the few Pokémon to host its own show, which is in the form of a simple trivia game show. Wobbuffet quizzes three random Pokémon contestants, who descend from the ceiling in large Pokéballs as they answer questions correctly. All the questions involve identifying a Pokémon, based on its silhouette, voice, or a brief glimpse. Wobbuffet also appears as one of the virtual plush dolls which players can "purchase" in-game using the shopping channel.

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 follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum—an in-training Pokémon Master—as he and several other companions travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.

In the anime, Jessie of Team Rocket acquires a Wobbuffet after it is accidentally exchanged with her Lickitung, and it has appeared in almost every episode since then. Wobbuffet is her equivalent of Misty's Psyduck — it has a habit of popping out of its Pokéball at inopportune times without being called. It also joins in Team Rocket's motto, right after Meowth, shouting a loud "Wobbuffet!" Jessie used it in a Pokémon Contest against Harley in Kanto, but lost. In "Fear Factor Phony", it fell in love with a Kirlia and the feeling was mutual. In this episode as well, the same Wobbuffet became the first Wobbuffet to do a physical attack, though because Wobbuffet can only attack back, Wobbuffet became easily injured and exhausted.

In the episode "Wobbu-Palooza," Ash and Co. come upon a village where everyone had a Wobbuffet. The Wobbuffet Village was having its annual Wobbuffet Fair at the time. Those Wobbuffet became victims to 3 punks (the same ones who damaged their town years ago) who used their Hitmonlee, Machoke, and Primeape to beat them up. In the Wobbuffet Village, there is a rule that there are no Pokémon battles during the festival as stated by that town's Officer Jenny (meaning that Ash, Misty, and Brock can't have Chikorita, Poliwhirl, and Golbat defend the Wobbuffet). When the Wobbuffet statue was being attacked, Jessie's Wobbuffet ended up defeating the three Pokémon and sending the punks running.

In the trading card game

File:Wobbuffet tcg.jpg

Wobbuffet in the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Wobbuffet has made five appearances, Basic and Psychic-type cards unless otherwise designated:

• Neo Discovery
• Skyridge
• EX Sandstorm
• EX Team Rocket Returns (as Rocket's Wobbuffet, as a Dark-type)
• EX Legend Maker

Notes and references

• The following games and their instruction manuals: Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal; Pokémon Stadium 2; Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald; Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen; Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Notes

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

External links

• Official Pokémon website
• Bulbapedia (a Pokémon-centric Wiki)’s article about Wobbuffet as a species
• Template:Serebiidex
• PsyPoke - Wobbuffet Pokédex entry and Usage Overview
• Smogon.com - Wobbuffet Tactical Data