Smoochum
Encyclopedia
Smoochum, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
, Smoochum first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
that was introduced a generation after. It is a female-only species that uses its lips, the most sensitive part of its body, to examine new and unfamiliar objects, and remember its likes and dislikes. This sensitivity quickly develops as it grows. It actively runs about, but often falls. When idle, it rocks its head back and forth, as if it were kissing someone. It constantly searches for ways to see its reflection, so it can see if its face is dirty.
and in its remakes Pokémon Crystal and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
. It is the pre-evolution of the Pokémon Jynx
which had no other forms until Gold and Silver. In them, it is only available by breeding a Jynx with a similar Pokémon or with the Pokémon Ditto
. It is one of several baby versions of Pokémon species introduced in Gold and Silver, which includes Pichu
, Igglybuff, Cleffa, Tyrogue, Elekid, and Magby. It has since appeared in every main Pokémon title since, notably Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
where it was made available in the wild for the first time. Outside of the main series, Smoochum appears in Pokémon Channel
, Pokémon Trozei!
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
titles, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.
. In the television series, it appears in the episode "The Screen Actor's Guilt" where an actor owns a Smoochum, and his agent attempts to keep them apart in fear that the actor owning a Smoochum would damage his reputation. In another episode, it is separated from three Jynx because of Team Rocket member Jessie, but is rescued by the Jynx, Ash Ketchum
, and his companions. Smoochum has made several minor appearances, including being owned by Jessie for a brief period of time.
In the Pokémon Adventures
manga, a Smoochum appears on two separate occasions: once in the ninth volume where it is one of several baby Pokémon that escape from a day care, and one named Chumee that is consistently used by the character Crystal as part of a team of Pokémon that she uses to capture other Pokémon. Smoochum also appears in the Magical Pokémon Journey
manga where it is the younger sister of a fortune telling Jynx. It attempts to tell fortunes, but it has no ability to do so and ends up telling bad fortunes.
, some of which were coloured purple and themed after Smoochum.
Since its first appearance, Smoochum has received mostly negative reception. Smoochum ranks as the 10th least favourite Pokémon among IGN
readers. IGN's Jack DeVries listed a number of reasons why it is so disliked, which included a sentiment that human-shaped Pokémon are "creepy as hell" and its name. 1UP.com
's Michael Vreeland wrote that the Pokémon Gothita looks like "a Smoochum whose mother got it plastic surgery and then took it shopping at Hot Topic
". Official Nintendo Magazines Thomas East wrote that Smoochum's name was "amusing" and that it could have made a list of the five best Pokémon names. ComicsAlliance's David Uzumeri and Chris Sims covered Smoochum in their "Best and Worst of Pokémon" article. David wrote that it was "needy-looking" while Chris wrote "I don't even know what to say about it other than 'This exists.'" GamesRadar
's Carolyn Gudmundson wrote that she was "thankful for all 489 Pokemon species", a number which was normally 493 but she stated that Smoochum along with three other Pokémon were "all dead" to her. Joe.ie's Emmet Purcell wrote that in contrast to Jynx, Smoochum was "inoffensive".
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and Game Freak
Game Freak
is a Japanese video game developer that currently creates games exclusively for Nintendo. It has developed the Pokémon series of role-playing games and several other games.-History:...
's Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
Ken Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
, Smoochum first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver
Pokémon Gold and Silver
are the second installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. The games have dual-mode capabilities allowing them to also be played on earlier Game Boy models. They were first released in Japan in 1999 and to...
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
Concept and characteristics
Smoochum is the pre-evolution of JynxJynx
Jynx, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Jynx first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of...
that was introduced a generation after. It is a female-only species that uses its lips, the most sensitive part of its body, to examine new and unfamiliar objects, and remember its likes and dislikes. This sensitivity quickly develops as it grows. It actively runs about, but often falls. When idle, it rocks its head back and forth, as if it were kissing someone. It constantly searches for ways to see its reflection, so it can see if its face is dirty.
In the video games
Smoochum first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and SilverPokémon Gold and Silver
are the second installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. The games have dual-mode capabilities allowing them to also be played on earlier Game Boy models. They were first released in Japan in 1999 and to...
and in its remakes Pokémon Crystal and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
are enhanced remakes of the 1999 video games Pokémon Gold and Silver. The games are part of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS...
. It is the pre-evolution of the Pokémon Jynx
Jynx
Jynx, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Jynx first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of...
which had no other forms until Gold and Silver. In them, it is only available by breeding a Jynx with a similar Pokémon or with the Pokémon Ditto
Ditto (Pokémon)
Ditto, known in Japan as is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Ditto first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of...
. It is one of several baby versions of Pokémon species introduced in Gold and Silver, which includes Pichu
Pichu
is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Pichu first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. There...
, Igglybuff, Cleffa, Tyrogue, Elekid, and Magby. It has since appeared in every main Pokémon title since, notably Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. With the enhanced remake Pokémon Platinum, the games comprise the fifth installment and fourth generation of the Pokémon series of RPGs...
where it was made available in the wild for the first time. Outside of the main series, Smoochum appears in Pokémon Channel
Pokémon Channel
Pokémon Channel, released in Japan as is a virtual pet video game for the GameCube, developed by Ambrella. Its focus is the adventures the player has with Pikachu, most of them involving a new television network...
, Pokémon Trozei!
Pokémon Trozei!
, released as Pokémon Link! in Europe, is a Pokémon-themed puzzle video game for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan on October 20, 2005, in North America on March 6, 2006, in Australia on March 30, 2006, and in Europe on May 5, 2006.-Gameplay:...
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
- Manga :*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.-...
titles, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
is an action role-playing game video game for the Nintendo DS. It is the sequel of Pokémon Ranger and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and third installment of its series. It was released in Japan on March 6, 2010, North America on October 4, 2010, and Europe on November 5, 2010. Gameplay revolves...
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.
In other media
Smoochum has made multiple appearances in the Pokémon anime. Smoochum appeared in the short film titled Pikachu & Pichu which preceded the film Pokémon 3: The MoviePokémon 3: The Movie
Pokémon 3: The Movie, originally released in Japan as , is a 2000 Japanese animated film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama as the third feature-length Pokémon film. It was released in Japanese theaters on July 8, 2000, and the English adaptation, entitled Pokémon 3: Spell of the Unknown was released...
. In the television series, it appears in the episode "The Screen Actor's Guilt" where an actor owns a Smoochum, and his agent attempts to keep them apart in fear that the actor owning a Smoochum would damage his reputation. In another episode, it is separated from three Jynx because of Team Rocket member Jessie, but is rescued by the Jynx, Ash Ketchum
Ash Ketchum
Ash Ketchum, known as for all appearances in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. He was created by, and named after, Satoshi Tajiri as the protagonist of the anime and manga series, as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise...
, and his companions. Smoochum has made several minor appearances, including being owned by Jessie for a brief period of time.
In the Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures, released in Japan as , is a Pokémon-related manga based on the video games. Satoshi Tajiri once stated that the Pocket Monsters Special series is closest to what he imagined the Pokémon world to be:...
manga, a Smoochum appears on two separate occasions: once in the ninth volume where it is one of several baby Pokémon that escape from a day care, and one named Chumee that is consistently used by the character Crystal as part of a team of Pokémon that she uses to capture other Pokémon. Smoochum also appears in the Magical Pokémon Journey
Magical Pokémon Journey
Magical Pokémon Journey, known in Japan as , is a shōjo manga series set in the fictional universe of the Pokémon franchise. The manga is by Yumi Tsukirino and serialized by Shogakukan in the manga magazine Ciao, and collected in ten bound volumes.The main character, Hazel , sets off to catch...
manga where it is the younger sister of a fortune telling Jynx. It attempts to tell fortunes, but it has no ability to do so and ends up telling bad fortunes.
Reception
Nintendo released a series of Pokémon handheld systems called Pokémon miniPokémon mini
The is a handheld game console designed and manufactured by Nintendo and themed around the Pokémon media franchise. It is the smallest game system with interchangeable cartridges ever produced by Nintendo, weighing just under two and a half ounces...
, some of which were coloured purple and themed after Smoochum.
Since its first appearance, Smoochum has received mostly negative reception. Smoochum ranks as the 10th least favourite Pokémon among IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
readers. IGN's Jack DeVries listed a number of reasons why it is so disliked, which included a sentiment that human-shaped Pokémon are "creepy as hell" and its name. 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
's Michael Vreeland wrote that the Pokémon Gothita looks like "a Smoochum whose mother got it plastic surgery and then took it shopping at Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
". Official Nintendo Magazines Thomas East wrote that Smoochum's name was "amusing" and that it could have made a list of the five best Pokémon names. ComicsAlliance's David Uzumeri and Chris Sims covered Smoochum in their "Best and Worst of Pokémon" article. David wrote that it was "needy-looking" while Chris wrote "I don't even know what to say about it other than 'This exists.'" GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
's Carolyn Gudmundson wrote that she was "thankful for all 489 Pokemon species", a number which was normally 493 but she stated that Smoochum along with three other Pokémon were "all dead" to her. Joe.ie's Emmet Purcell wrote that in contrast to Jynx, Smoochum was "inoffensive".