Lickitung
Encyclopedia
Lickitung, known in Japan
as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
, Lickitung 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 the franchise. In animated appearances, Lickitung is voiced in Japanese by Chinami Nishimura
and in English localizations by Eric Stuart
.
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
. Originally called "Beroringa" 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. Lickitung's English name comes from a combination of "lick
" and "tongue
".
Lickitung, known as the Licking
Pokémon, has soft, pink skin with semicircular yellow markings on its belly, fully circular markings on its knees, and a thick, powerful tail. It has small, beady eyes, and its hands have thumb-claws and circular yellow markings on the underside. The most famous feature Lickitung possesses is a long prehensile tongue, which it uses to manipulate objects and possibly to consume them. The tongue is very likely connected to its huge tail, as when it is extended, the tail quivers. Licks from its 6' 6" long tongue can paralyze foes. Its saliva is gooey and sticks to everything. They also like to lick unfamiliar things they come across, but get put-off by some sour substances. Lickitung also uses its tongue to lick its body clean.
, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
, the Red and Blue remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
. Beginning with Diamond and Pearl, Lickitung, when it reaches level 33 and learns the move Rollout, (or leveling it up after it knows Rollout) it evolves into a new Pokémon called Lickilicky. (Prior to Generation IV, Lickitung had no other evolution) Outside of the main series, Lickitung has appeared in Pokémon Pinball
and the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
games. It also makes a small appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee
as an element of a stage. In Pokémon Stadium
, Lickitung featured in its own mini game called "Sushi-Go-Round", in which players tried to eat as much food as they could.
, Jessie captured a Lickitung and used in the Princess Festival Tournament against Misty
. Jessie usually used Lickitung as a last resort in battle. Lickitung licked Jessie's face on several occasions. Many episodes later, Jessie accidentally traded her Lickitung for a Wobbuffet. In the Pokémon Adventures
manga, Lickitung is one of the Pokémon seen in Gold's house. Later, a quad of Lickitung becomes attracted by the scent of Crystal's newly evolved Bayleef. In the Diamond and Pearl series, Diamond's map was stolen by a Lickitung and he attempts to capture one.
, Lickitung has received generally positive reception. Lickitung has been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game
, figurines, plush toys, and others.
GamesRadar
named Lickitung on their list of fugly Pokémon, noting that its large tongue is unacceptably gross. IGN
commented that Lickitung was both "cool" and "the most disturbing Pokemon in Blue/Red and Yellow," adding that there was something creepy about a "giant, pink and yellow hippo-like creature with a fat tail and a tongue that's twice as long as its body." The Escapist
editor John Funk noted that while some of the new Pokémon in Pokémon Black and White
were weird, the first game featured weird Pokémon such as Lickitung, Magmar
, and Jynx. Eurogamer
editor Luke Albiges called Lickitung "magnificent." Time
expressed disgust at Lickitung's tongue wrap, calling it "yucky." Loredana Lipperini, author of Generazione Pókemon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi in discussing what made Pokémon popular, citing Lickitung's "extravagant" weapon, its tongue. She describes Lickitung as disgusting, comparing it to Mick Jagger
of The Rolling Stones
. Guy Kawasaki, author of The art of the start: the time-tested, battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything, used Lickitung as an example of how the Pokémon series uses names that clearly explain what they are. Author Maria S. Barbo called Lickitung a weird-looking Pokémon.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
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...
, Lickitung first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. In animated appearances, Lickitung is voiced in Japanese by Chinami Nishimura
Chinami Nishimura
is a Japanese voice actress who has voiced characters in both the Japanese and English-dubbed versions of Pokémon. Nishimura was born in Chiba Prefecture...
and in English localizations by Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
.
Design and characteristics
Lickitung was one of many different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken SugimoriKen 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...
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
. Originally called "Beroringa" 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. Lickitung's English name comes from a combination of "lick
Licking
Licking is the action of passing the tongue over a surface, typically either to deposit saliva onto the surface, or to collect liquid onto the tongue for ingestion, or to provide pleasure. Many animals both groom themselves and drink by licking....
" and "tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
".
Lickitung, known as the Licking
Licking
Licking is the action of passing the tongue over a surface, typically either to deposit saliva onto the surface, or to collect liquid onto the tongue for ingestion, or to provide pleasure. Many animals both groom themselves and drink by licking....
Pokémon, has soft, pink skin with semicircular yellow markings on its belly, fully circular markings on its knees, and a thick, powerful tail. It has small, beady eyes, and its hands have thumb-claws and circular yellow markings on the underside. The most famous feature Lickitung possesses is a long prehensile tongue, which it uses to manipulate objects and possibly to consume them. The tongue is very likely connected to its huge tail, as when it is extended, the tail quivers. Licks from its 6' 6" long tongue can paralyze foes. Its saliva is gooey and sticks to everything. They also like to lick unfamiliar things they come across, but get put-off by some sour substances. Lickitung also uses its tongue to lick its body clean.
In the video games
The first video game appearance of Lickitung was in Pokémon Red and Blue versions. It later appeared in several sequels, including 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...
, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and later released to the rest of the world in 2003 . Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version,...
, the Red and Blue remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
are enhanced remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Blue video games, which were released in 1996. The new titles were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance and have compatibility with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which originally came bundled with...
, 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...
, 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...
. Beginning with Diamond and Pearl, Lickitung, when it reaches level 33 and learns the move Rollout, (or leveling it up after it knows Rollout) it evolves into a new Pokémon called Lickilicky. (Prior to Generation IV, Lickitung had no other evolution) Outside of the main series, Lickitung has appeared in Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball
is a pinball-based Pokémon spin-off video game for the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on April 14, 1999, and in North America on June 28, 1999. In it, the ball is a Poké Ball, and most of the objects on the table are Pokémon-related....
and 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.-...
games. It also makes a small appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBM or simply as Melee, is a crossover fighting game released for the Nintendo GameCube shortly after its launch in . It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 game Super Smash Bros., and the predecessor to the Wii game Super Smash...
as an element of a stage. In Pokémon Stadium
Pokémon Stadium
Pokémon Stadium, known as in Japan, is a strategy game developed by Nintendo EAD with the assistance of Creatures and HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released on April 30, 1999 in Japan, February 29, 2000 in North America, and April 7, 2000...
, Lickitung featured in its own mini game called "Sushi-Go-Round", in which players tried to eat as much food as they could.
In other media
In the animePokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
, Jessie captured a Lickitung and used in the Princess Festival Tournament against Misty
Misty (Pokémon)
Misty, known as in Japanese versions, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise. She has appeared as a Gym Leader in the Pokémon video games, several seasons of the Pokémon anime, The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, the Ash & Pikachu manga, toys, books, and other media.-Design:Misty's...
. Jessie usually used Lickitung as a last resort in battle. Lickitung licked Jessie's face on several occasions. Many episodes later, Jessie accidentally traded her Lickitung for a Wobbuffet. 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, Lickitung is one of the Pokémon seen in Gold's house. Later, a quad of Lickitung becomes attracted by the scent of Crystal's newly evolved Bayleef. In the Diamond and Pearl series, Diamond's map was stolen by a Lickitung and he attempts to capture one.
Reception
Since appearing in Pokémon Red and BluePokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
, Lickitung has received generally positive reception. Lickitung has been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game based on the Pokémon video game series, first introduced in Japan in October 1996, then North America in December 1998...
, figurines, plush toys, and others.
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...
named Lickitung on their list of fugly Pokémon, noting that its large tongue is unacceptably gross. 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...
commented that Lickitung was both "cool" and "the most disturbing Pokemon in Blue/Red and Yellow," adding that there was something creepy about a "giant, pink and yellow hippo-like creature with a fat tail and a tongue that's twice as long as its body." The Escapist
The Escapist (magazine)
The Escapist is an online magazine covering video games, gamers, the gaming industry, and gaming culture. Published by the Themis Group, it was edited by Julianne Greer up to June 30, 2009, then by Russ Pitts through September 2011, and is currently edited by Steve Butts. The Escapist was first...
editor John Funk noted that while some of the new Pokémon in Pokémon Black and White
Pokémon Black and White
are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the Pokémon series of role-playing games...
were weird, the first game featured weird Pokémon such as Lickitung, Magmar
Magmar
Magmar, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Magmar first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
, and Jynx. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
editor Luke Albiges called Lickitung "magnificent." Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
expressed disgust at Lickitung's tongue wrap, calling it "yucky." Loredana Lipperini, author of Generazione Pókemon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi in discussing what made Pokémon popular, citing Lickitung's "extravagant" weapon, its tongue. She describes Lickitung as disgusting, comparing it to Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. Guy Kawasaki, author of The art of the start: the time-tested, battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything, used Lickitung as an example of how the Pokémon series uses names that clearly explain what they are. Author Maria S. Barbo called Lickitung a weird-looking Pokémon.