Edit filter log

'{{Short description|Pokémon species}} {{use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox character | name = Lapras | image = Pokémon Lapras art.png | caption ='''[[List of Pokémon|National Pokédex]]'''<br/>[[Gyarados]] - '''Lapras (#131)''' - [[Ditto (Pokémon)|Ditto]] | series = [[Pokémon (video game series)|''Pokémon'' series]] | firstgame = [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']] (1996) | designer = [[Ken Sugimori]] | voice= [[Rikako Aikawa]] | species = Pokémon | lbl21 = Type | data21 = Water/Ice }} {{nihongo|'''Lapras'''|ラプラス|Rapurasu | '''Laplace'''|extra={{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|æ|p|r|ᵻ|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. Lapras made its debut in the show in Season 2 Episode 30 of the [[Pokémon (TV series)]]. Lapras is a water-type large Pokémon that resembles a [[plesiosaur]]. Lapras was 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]] |access-date=2010-09-10 |author=Staff |language=ja}}</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 |access-date=2008-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116030930/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=91965 |archive-date=2008-01-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its English name is a romanization of the Japanese name ''Rapurasu'', subsequently revealed to be the Japanese way of writing ''Laplace'', a name likely based after the mathematician [[Pierre-Simon Laplace]].<ref>[https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2-it-it/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/wc12-battle-dictionary.pdf ''Names of Pokémon'' section of the official Battle Dictionary].</ref><ref name="lapras">[https://www.liberation.fr/apps/2016/06/pokemon/ Description of the French translation of Pokémon names from the translator Julien Bardakoff].</ref> In the ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' beta version, Lapras was named "Ness".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5zgSym8K6xnPxqYs9Knr3Dj/25-years-of-pokemon-five-things-you-didnt-know|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222230641/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5zgSym8K6xnPxqYs9Knr3Dj/25-years-of-pokemon-five-things-you-didnt-know|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-02-22|title=BBC - The Social - 25 Years of Pokémon: Five things you didn't know|date=22 February 2021}}</ref> 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> In [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Shield'']], Lapras received a Gigantamax form with access to the unique G-Max Move G-Max Resonance, the only Ice-type G-Max Move.<ref name=Gigantamax>{{cite web|title=Pokemon: The 10 Best G-Max Moves, Ranked|last=Cole|first=Gene|date=8 April 2020|url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-best-g-max-moves-ranked/|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106171108/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-best-g-max-moves-ranked/|archive-date=January 6, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Appearances== ===In the video games=== Lapras first appears in [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']], and appearing in other Pokémon games such as ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'', ''[[Pokémon Stadium]]'', ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver]]'', ''[[Pokémon Crystal]]'', ''[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]'', ''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire]]'', ''[[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen]]'', ''[[Pokémon Emerald]]'', ''[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl]]'', ''[[Pokémon Platinum]]'', ''[[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver]]'', ''[[Pokémon Black and White]]'', ''[[Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]'', ''[[Pokémon X and Y]]'', ''[[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]]'', ''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon]]'', ''[[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]]'', ''[[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]''. Outside of the main series, Lapras appears in ''[[Pokémon Snap]]'', ''[[Pokémon Pinball]]'', ''[[Pokémon Channel]]'', ''[[Pokémon Trozei!]]'', ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team]]'', ''[[Pokémon Ranger]]'', ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]'', ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky'', ''[[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]]'', ''[[Pokémon Rumble]]'', ''[[PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure]]'', ''[[Pokémon Rumble Blast]]'', ''[[PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond]]'', ''[[Pokémon Conquest]]'', ''[[Pokémon Rumble U]]'', ''[[Pokémon Battle Trozei]]'', ''[[Pokémon Shuffle]]'', ''[[Pokémon Rumble World]]'', ''[[Pokémon Picross]]'', ''[[Detective Pikachu (video game)|Detective Pikachu]]'', ''[[Pokémon Rumble Rush]]'', ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX]]'', ''[[Pokémon Go]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-go/2019/5/16/18628444/pokemon-go-raid-week-tiers-lapras-date-time-shiny-details|title=Pokémon Go is celebrating summer with an Extraordinary Raid Week and a Lapras Raid Day|first=Julia|last=Lee|date=16 May 2019|website=Polygon}}</ref> and ''[[New Pokémon Snap]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/17/21294135/pokemon-snap-nintendo-switch-trailer-breakdown-wailord-size-easter-eggs|title=Pokémon Snap's new trailer is filled with great details|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|date=17 June 2020|website=Polygon}}</ref> It also appears in the crossover game ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', under the form of a spirit which can be ridden to cross water bodies within the "World of Light".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/super-smash-bros-ultimate-world-of-light|title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate: World of Light is the game's insane new story mode|date=November 2018}}</ref> ===In the anime=== In the [[Pokémon (anime)|anime]], [[Ash (Pokémon)|Ash]] travels to the Orange Islands and finds a young Lapras which has been accidentally left behind by its pod. It joins him after he rescues it from three abusive trainers and [[List of Pokémon characters|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 manga=== 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. In ''[[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]'', Ash catches a Lapras and uses it for transport through the Orange Islands saga.<ref>{{Cite comic | cartoonist = Toshihiro Ono | story = オレンジ諸島 (The Orange Islands) | title = The Electric Tale of Pikachu | volume = 14 | issue = | date = 1997 | publisher = | location = | page = | panel = | id = }} </ref> ==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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/08/pokemon-crystal-version-pokamon-of-the-day-lapras-131-376224|title=Pok¿mon of the Day: Lapras (#131) - IGN|via=www.ign.com}}</ref> [[UGO Networks]]' Chris Plante named Lapras one of the "most unconventional vehicles in games".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/lapras-pokemon|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002230617/http://www.ugo.com/games/lapras-pokemon|url-status=dead|title=Most Unconventional Vehicles - Lapras - UGO.com|archivedate=2 October 2010}}</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>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MOQc163-XCcC|title=Generazione Pokémon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi giocattoli di ruolo|first=Loredana|last=Lipperini|date=10 July 2000|publisher=Castelvecchi|isbn=9788882102494|via=Google Books}}</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>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamershell.com/ds/pokemon_dash/|title=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>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gkn0fkhiwS0C|title=Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry - Ash Dekirk - Google Boeken|isbn=9781564148681|last1=Dekirk|first1=Ash|last2=Zell-Ravenheart|first2=Oberon|year=2006}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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 |access-date=2014-03-02}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' also included it in its list of Pokémon at #29.<ref>{{cite magazine |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 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Harmon |first=O'Dell |date=2012-11-21 |access-date=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 |access-date=2014-03-02}}</ref> Lapras was ranked 23rd in ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]''{{'}}s "The 50 Best Pokemon Up to ''Pokemon Crystal''", with Elijah Watson saying "Lapras is still an incredible Pokemon."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/10/best-pokemon-crystal-nintendo/|title=The 50 Best Pokemon Up to "Pokemon Crystal"|website=Complex}}</ref> Steven Bogos of ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' listed Lapras as his favorite Pokémon, stating that based on the infamous Loch Ness Monster, it also has a pretty sweet design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/top-100-pokemon-from-100-to-86/|title = Top 100 Pokemon - from 100 to 86|date = 21 February 2016}}</ref> Lyra Hale of ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' claimed that "it got absolutely wild Lapras was a swan boat ride."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/pokemon-intro-stock-footage-makeover/|title = Pokemon's Iconic Intro Gets a Stock Footage Makeover|date = 8 April 2021}}</ref> In the ''Pokémon of the Year'' poll held by [[The Pokémon Company]], Lapras was voted the tenth most popular Generation I Pokémon, receiving 23,411 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pokemon2020.pokemon.com/en-us/|title=Pokémon of the Year 2020 &#124; Pokémon Vote Results|website=pokemon2020.pokemon.com}}</ref> A Lapras-themed [[parfait]] was launched at the Pokémon Café in [[Tokyo]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecipe.com/must-see-food-items-pokemon-cafe/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731230200/https://www.therecipe.com/must-see-food-items-pokemon-cafe/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-07-31|title=20 Must-See Food Items Sold At The Pokémon Cafe &#124; TheRecipe|date=31 July 2019}}</ref> In 2019, [[Miyagi Prefecture]] in the [[Tōhoku region]] of Japan selected Lapras as its "official Pokémon"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dennison |first1=Kara |title=Lapras Is Now the Official Pokémon of Miyagi Prefecture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710022141/https://www.crunchyroll.com/en-gb/anime-news/2019/07/09/lapras-is-now-the-official-pokmon-of-miyagi-prefecture |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/en-gb/anime-news/2019/07/09/lapras-is-now-the-official-pokmon-of-miyagi-prefecture |archive-date=10 July 2019 |access-date=8 June 2020 |work=Crunchyroll |language=en-gb}}</ref> as a tourism ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://curlytales.com/lapras-the-pokemon-has-been-named-japans-official-tourism-ambassador/|title=Lapras, The Pokemon Has Been Named Japan's Official Tourism Ambassador|date=17 July 2019}}</ref> Lapras was later used on ''[[Pokémon Go]]'' to revive tourism near the coast of [[Iwate Prefecture]], [[Miyagi Prefecture]] and [[Fukushima Prefecture]] after the impact of [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/11/national/rare-pokemon-helping-tohoku-quake-zones/|title=Rare Pokemon deployed to help recovery in Tohoku quake zones|first=Shinya|last=Ajima|date=11 November 2016|website=The Japan Times}}</ref> A mascot of Lapras has already appeared Miyagi as part of new tourism ambassador role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soranews24.com/2019/07/10/pokemon-lapras-appears-on-streets-in-lakes-of-miyagi-as-part-of-new-tourism-ambassador-role/|title=Pokémon Lapras appears on streets, in lakes of Miyagi as part of new tourism ambassador role|date=9 July 2019}}</ref> In 2020, people can now travel with Lapras on Miyagi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/370789|title=Travel Japan's Miyagi Prefecture Together With Pokémon's Lapras|date=29 October 2020|website=MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON &#124; もしもしにっぽん}}</ref> Lapras was a subject of the ''Pokémon Go'' Incident. In 2016, a man crashed his car after seeing a Lapras that he hadn’t encountered before<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/05/playing-pokemon-go-crashed-car-experience|title=I crashed my car playing Pokémon Go|first=Steven|last=Cary|date=5 August 2016|website=the Guardian}}</ref> and some Bosnian players wandering close to landmines after encountering Lapras.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bn3xj4/bosnian-pokmon-go-players-are-braving-landmines-to-catch-a-lapras-or-something-vgtrn|title=Bosnian 'Pokémon Go' Players Are Braving Land Mines to Catch a Lapras or Something|website=www.vice.com}}</ref> In 2017, a Singaporean player named Liang Weiming died from a heart attack after a capturing rare Lapras at [[Marina Bay Sands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soranews24.com/2017/03/04/singaporean-man-dies-from-heart-attack-after-finally-catching-a-coveted-lapras-in-pokemon-go/|title=Singaporean man dies from a heart attack after finally catching a coveted Lapras in Pokémon GO|date=4 March 2017}}</ref> ===Merchandise=== A variety of merchandise<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2020/08/07/singapore-pokemon-center-anniversary-merchandise-unveiled/|title=Singapore Pokémon Center anniversary merchandise unveiled|date=7 August 2020|website=Nintendo Wire}}</ref> depicting Lapras have been produced such as the gigantic plush,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2018/3/8/17096898/life-size-lapras-plush-pokemon|title=This gigantic Lapras plush is the only friend we need|first=Allegra|last=Frank|date=8 March 2018|website=Polygon}}</ref> float,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-fans-can-now-buy-a-lapras-pool-float-onlin/1100-6477822/|title=Pokemon Fans Can Now Buy A Lapras Pool Float Online}}</ref> hoody water bottle and tank top,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/05/lapras_surf_collection_now_available_in_pokemon_center_range|title=Lapras Surf Collection Now Available in Pokémon Center Range|date=9 May 2017|website=Nintendo Life}}</ref> stationery,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/games-apps/first-pokemon-center-in-asia-outside-japan-opens-on-april-17|title=First Pokemon Centre in Asia outside Japan opens doors as part of Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport preview|date=12 April 2019|website=The Straits Times|last1=Tan|first1=Trevor}}</ref> T-shirt,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/these-custom-made-pokemon-shirts-are-to-die-for-and-theyre-now-available-in-the-us-and-uk/|title=These custom-made Pokemon shirts are to die for, and they're now available in the US and UK|first=Austin Wood 16|last=December 2019|website=gamesradar|date=16 December 2019}}</ref> and mascot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2019/07/08/stop-everything-youre-doing-and-watch-this-waddling-lapras-mascot/|title=Stop everything you're doing and watch this waddling Lapras mascot|date=8 July 2019|website=Nintendo Wire}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Portal|Video games}} *[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lapras_(Pok%C3%A9mon) Lapras on Bulbapedia] *[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/lapras Lapras on Pokemon.com] {{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 undersea characters]] [[Category:Fictional dinosaurs]] [[Category:Nintendo protagonists]] [[Category:Video game bosses]] [[Category:Fictional characters who can change size]] [[es:Anexo:Pokémon de la primera generación#Lapras]] [[fi:Luettelo Pokémon-lajeista (121–151)#Lapras]]'