While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Mimikyu changes forms, from Disguised Form into Busted Form, when it is hit by an attack.
Mimikyu is a small Pokémon whose body is almost entirely hidden under an old rag. Its small size at 0.2 m makes it one of the shortestGhost types, though with its disguise it stands about 0.56 m tall.[1] Its eyes are beady black through the holes in the body of its disguise however, as seen in the animated series, its eyes are actually purple. Fringe of an amorphous foot or lower body is visible under the hem as well. Occasionally, it will also extend a long, black claw-like appendage from under its rag. When angered, its eyes will glow yellow. The veil itself resembles a Pikachu. The cloth is yellow with black-tipped ears. The Pikachu face appears to be drawn with crayons, consisting of black eyes, red cheeks, and a squiggly black mouth. The rag's head is hollow and can be used to store objects. Mimikyu also carries a small stick resembling a lightning bolt to create a tail for its costume. When its disguise is damaged, the costume's head droops limply backward, revealing Mimikyu's ruse. Larger rips in the costume are accompanied by shadowy vapors pouring out from whatever is hidden within.
Mimikyu is a lonely Pokémon who disguises itself as a Pikachu in the hopes of making friends because of the popularity of Pikachu-styled merchandise.[2] Unfortunately, it only ends up making it look creepier. Its relationship with Pikachu can vary between individuals and canons, with some being antagonistic, as seen in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, or friendly, as shown in the A Mimikyu Bedtime Story short. Mimikyu's Pokédex data records its height without its disguise. Its height in its Disguised Form is similar to Pikachu's. Mimikyu is always covered by its disguise, so its true appearance is unknown. However, glimpses of it have been seen, such as its claw, its underside, and its eyes. Since Mimikyu is weakened by sunlight, it is rumored that the veil is used for protection. It is believed that seeing its true form will cause a mysterious illness or even a painful death. Because of this, Mimikyu will become agitated and violently stop anyone from attempting to look underneath its rag. Until recent times, Mimikyu was initially thought by humans to be just a ghost wearing a cloth. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Mimikyu mimics Pikachu to the point of even sleeping like it.[3]
Silhouette of a Mimikyu's true form swimming in water
Mimikyu's eyes seen from under its rag
Forms
Mimikyu has two forms: Disguised Form and Busted Form.
Mimikyu changes into its Busted Form when it is hit by an attack and its neck breaks, causing it to slump over and no longer convincingly resemble a Pikachu. It is known to feel deep sadness when revealed as it truly is beneath its disguise, though it is likely that it is not actually in pain despite its broken neck. Ordinarily, the rag it wears allows Mimikyu to avoid attacks. Mimikyu will attempt to keep up its disguise, even if its rag is broken, but if it does get damaged, Mimikyu will spend all night patching it in front of a mirror as if its life depends on it. Repairing the rag correctly is often difficult for Mimikyu, so it cries a lot on the inside. It then seeks revenge on the one that damaged it, fearing that its true identity could have been exposed. Unforgiving, Mimikyu will take down the culprit even at the risk of costing its own life in the process. It will never forget the person who damaged its rag for as long as it is still alive.
Disguised Form
Busted Form
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
It stands in front of a mirror, trying to fix its broken neck as if its life depended on it. It has a hard time getting it right, so it's crying inside.
There will be no forgiveness for any who reveal that it was pretending to be Pikachu. It will bring the culprit down, even at the cost of its own life.
Gets 8 Berries plus 1 of each of the Berries other Pokémon on your team collect.
Mimikyu wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to grow closer to people and other Pokémon. It spends so much time acting like a Pikachu that sometimes it even sleeps like one.
Wanna-Curl-Up Sleep
Busted Sleep
Copycat Sleep
Atop-Belly Sleep
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Form data
Mimikyu has two interchangeable forms: Disguised Form and Busted Form. It will always be in its Disguised Form outside of battle. Mimikyu starts battles in its Disguised Form. When it is hit by a damaging move (or hits itself in confusion), its AbilityDisguise reduces the damage it takes from it: in Generation VII, it takes no damage from it at all, and in Generation VIII onward, it nullifies the attack's damage but then loses 1/8 of its maximum HP. Afterwards, it changes into Busted Form. While in Busted Form, it can be damaged normally. Mimikyu will stay in Busted Form until either it faints or the battle ends. Mimikyu has a unique form change animation that shows its disguise slumping to the side when it changes to Busted Form.
Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokémon. A Ghost and Fairy type. It wears a ragged head cover to look like a Pikachu, but little is known about this Pokémon. It's said that a scholar who once tried to look inside met his end.
Mimikyu is the lead Pokémon in the music video for the song Ghost Dive, performed by Polkadot Stingray. Notably, it is the favorite Pokémon of vocalist Shizuku,[4] and its cry is sampled in the arrangement of Lavender Town.
Mimikyu appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, where it uses its exclusive Z-MoveLet's Snuggle Forever[5] on any opponent who gets too close to it. Unlike its depiction in the core seriesgames, Mimikyu grabs its target instead of jumping on top of it. If the target is at 90% damage or more, they will be instantly KO'd, and Mimikyu will leave behind its disguise and presumably depart afterwards.
Mimikyu also appears as a Spirit. If its Spirit is equipped, the fighter will start the match with Death's Scythe.
According to an official piece of merchandise, Mimikyu's height does not count the head of the disguise, only the body.[7]
In the Pokémon of the Year poll held by The Pokémon Company in 2020, Mimikyu was voted the most popular Generation VII Pokémon, receiving 99,077 votes. It was also the third-most popular Pokémon overall.
Mimikyu's disguise is based on Pikachu. The execution of the disguise is similar to ghost costumes made from bedsheets. Mimikyu also shares similarities with the Bugul Noz, a Breton myth about a kind and gentle fairy spirit whose horrifying ugliness causes it to be perpetually alone. The fact that Mimikyu's true appearance can kill may be a reference to Lovecraftian or eldritch monsters; if any person were to see their true forms, they would either be driven insane or die.
Name origin
Mimikyu and Mimikkyu may be derived from mimic and きゅうきゅう kyūkyū (onomatopoeia for squeaking, similar to Pikachu). It may also involve a corruption of 迷宮 meikyuu (mystery).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.