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'{{Infobox VG character | name = Larpasbitch | image = [[File:Pokémon Lapras art.png]] | caption ='''[[List of Pokémon|National Pokédex]]'''<br>[[Gyarados]] - '''Larpas(#131)''' - [[Ditto (Pokémon)|Ditto]] | series = [[Pokémon (video game series)|''Pokémon'' series]] | firstgame = [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']] | artist = [[Ken Sugimori]] | voiceactor= [[Rikako Aikawa]] | japanactor= Rikako Aikawa }} {{nihongo|'''Lapras'''|ラプラス|Rapurasu | '''Laplace'''|extra={{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|æ|p|r|ɨ|s|}}}} is a [[List of Pokémon|Pokémon species]] in [[Nintendo]] and [[Game Freak]]'s ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchise. Created by [[Ken Sugimori]], Lapras first appeared in the video games [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']] and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. It is voiced by [[Rikako Aikawa]] in both the Japanese and English-language versions of the [[Pokémon (anime)|anime]]. ==Concept and characteristics== Lapras was one of 151 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by [[Ken Sugimori]] for the first generation of ''Pocket Monsters'' games ''Red'' and ''Green'', which were localized outside Japan as [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html |title=2. 一新されたポケモンの世界 |page=2 |work=Nintendo.com |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |accessdate=2010-09-10 |author=Staff |language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=91965 |title=Game Freak on Pokémon! |author=Stuart Bishop |publisher=CVG |date=2003-05-30 |accessdate=2008-02-07|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5VSJaR6xT|archivedate=2008-02-08}}</ref> It was originally to be called Ness in the English versions after the mythical lake creature [[Loch Ness Monster]] but was eventually changed to Lapras.<ref name="lapras">[http://guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_81.html Pokemon Blue Guide & Walkthrough - Game Boy - IGN]</ref> Lapras might have gotten its name from famous French scholar [[Pierre-Simon Laplace]]. Lapras, known as the [[Transport]] Pokémon, is a large sea creature which resembles a [[plesiosaur]]. It may also be inspired by [[placodont]]s. It has four flippers, however its front ones are notably larger than its hind flippers. It has a long neck, and large black eyes. Lapras has unusual curled ears and a short horn in the middle of its forehead. The majority of its body is blue, while its underside is a light cream-yellow color. Its most distinguishing feature is the gray shell on its back, which is largely dotted with blunt knobs. Lapras is most known for its fondness of moving people and Pokémon across bodies of water.<ref>{{pokédex|crystal|This gentle Pokémon loves to give people rides and provides a very comfortable way to get around.}}</ref> Some Lapras are able to develop Psychic abilities such as [[telepathy]],<ref>{{pokédex|yellow|A gentle soul that can read the minds of people. It can ferry people across the sea on its back.}}</ref> which makes them able to understand human speech.<ref>{{pokédex|firered|Its high intelligence enables it to understand human speech. It likes to ferry people on its back.}}</ref> They keep track of their fellow pod members through use of high-pitched songs they constantly sing,<ref>{{pokédex|ruby|People have driven Lapras almost to the point of extinction. In the evenings, this Pokémon is said to sing plaintively as it seeks what few others of its kind still remain.}}</ref> much like whales. Unfortunately due to their docile nature they do not like to fight, and this has made them an easy target for hunters,<ref>{{pokédex|gold|They have gentle hearts. Because they rarely fight, many have been caught. Their number has dwindled.}}</ref> which has made them very rare in the wild, due to being over hunted.<ref>{{pokédex|red|A Pokémon that has been overhunted almost to extinction. It can ferry people across the water.}}</ref> Despite this, wild Lapras are somewhat common in the Sinnoh region, appearing in Victory Road exclusively but at a fairly abundant rate. ==Appearances== ===In the video games=== Lapras first appears in [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'', ''Yellow'']] and appears in the subsequent remakes ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'', [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen|''FireRed'', and ''LeafGreen'']]. In it, players are given a Lapras in Saffron City. Lapras appears in every main ''Pokémon'' title following, most notably in [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']] as well as its remakes ''[[Pokémon Crystal|Crystal]]'', [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver|''Pokémon HeartGold'', and ''SoulSilver'']], where it can be found in a certain area every Friday until captured. In [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'']] wild Lapras are a more common sight, but they still only appear in a single area. Lapras appears in other ''Pokémon'' titles, including ''[[Pokémon Conquest]]'',''[[Pokémon Snap]]'', ''[[Pokémon Channel]]'', ''[[Pokémon Pinball]]'', ''[[Pokémon Trozei!]]'', the ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]'' titles, the ''[[Pokémon Ranger]]'' titles, ''[[Pokémon Rumble]]'', and ''[[PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure]]''. ===In other media=== In the [[Pokémon (anime)|anime]], [[Ash (Pokémon)|Ash]] travels to the Orange Islands and finds a small Lapras which has been accidentally left behind by its pod. It joins him after he rescues it from some unscrupulous trainers and [[Team Rocket]]. It is mainly used for transportation between the various islands, but he uses it in some battles. Lapras eventually reunites with its pod and leaves Ash. They meet up again in Johto where Lapras rescues its entire pod from Team Rocket and becomes their leader. Lapras also appears in the second part of the anime special ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness'' where she takes [[Piplup]] and [[Chimchar]] on a ride. In the ''[[Pokémon Adventures]]'' manga, [[Pryce (Pokémon)|Pryce]] lost two of his favorite Lapras in an avalanche, just as the egg born by them hatched. Unable to get over his loss, Pryce swore to save his Lapras and thus began researching into time travel, setting the events of the Johto saga in motion in which he tries to capture a [[Celebi (Pokémon)|Celebi]] in a GS Ball. ==Reception== IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that Lapras was "amazing" and has "won the heart of many a trainer, including yours truly" due to its "great beauty, grace and gentleness."<ref>[http://faqs.ign.com/articles/376/376224p1.html Pokemon Crystal Version Pok�mon of the Day: Lapras (#131) - IGN FAQs]</ref> [[UGO Networks]]' Chris Plante named Lapras one of the "most unconventional vehicles in games".<ref>[http://www.ugo.com/games/lapras-pokemon Most Unconventional Vehicles - Lapras - UGO.com]</ref> [[GamesRadar]]'s Raymond Padilla wrote that it is "one of our favorite Pokémon from the original game."<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/pokemon-diamond-pearl/news/pokemusings-week-26/a-2007121314191709048/g-2006100415372930075/p-3 Pokemusings, week 26 | GamesRadar]</ref> Author Loredana Lipperini wrote that Lapras was “reliable”,“placid”, and “gentle”.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MOQc163-XCcC Generazione Pokémon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi ... - Loredana Lipperini - Google Boeken]</ref> Lapras has been compared to several creatures both real and mythological. [[IGN]] wrote that it was "loosely based on a [[plesiosaur]], crossed with a [[tortoise]]".<ref name="lapras"/> Gamershell's David Jenkins compared Lapras to the [[Loch Ness Monster]].<ref>[http://www.gamershell.com/ds/pokemon_dash/ Pokemon Dash DS Game Index Page]</ref> Author Ash Dekirk described it as a combination of a [[sea turtle]] and a [[dragon]]. He also described it as resembling a [[plesiosaur]] with a spiky tortoise shell on its back.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Gkn0fkhiwS0C Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry - Ash Dekirk - Google Boeken]</ref> ''Official Nintendo Magazine''{{'}}s Thomas East compared it to a plesiosaur as well as Loosha from ''[[Professor Layton and the Last Specter]]''.<ref name="onm"/> Game Revolution's Johnny Liu described it as a "subservient Loch Ness monster".<ref>[http://media.gamerevolution.com/review/ds/pokemon-dash Pokemon Dash Review]</ref> IGN named it the 27th best Pokémon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lapras - #27 Top Pokemon |url=http://www.ign.com/top/pokemon/27 |work=[[IGN]] |last=Drake |first=Audrey |accessdate=2014-03-02}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' also included it in its list of Pokémon at #29.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 50 Pokémon Of All Time |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/21/top-50-poke.aspx?PostPageIndex=3&PageIndex=7 |work=[[Game Informer]] |last=Harmon |first=O'Dell |date=2012-11-21 |accessdate=2014-03-02}}</ref> ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''{{'}}s readers voted it the eighth best Water-type Pokémon.<ref name="onm">{{cite web |title=Best Water Pokemon |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/35298/best-water-pokemon/ |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |last=East |first=Thomas |date=2012-02-10 |accessdate=2014-03-02}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Portal|Pokémon}} * [http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Pokémon website] * [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lapras_(Pokémon) Lapras on Bulbapedia] {{Pokémon directory}} [[Category:Pokémon species]] [[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996]] [[Category:Video game characters with water abilities]] [[Category:Video game characters with ice or cold abilities]] [[Category:Loch Ness Monster in fiction]] [[Category:Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities]] [[Category:Fictional characters with water abilities]] [[es:Anexo:Pokémon de la primera generación#Lapras]] [[fi:Luettelo Pokémon-lajeista (121–151)#Lapras]]'