Munkidori is a blue simian Pokémon with long black fur covering most of its body, except for its face, hands, feet, and part of its chest, the latter forming an arrowhead pattern. Its face has yellow eyes with black striped markings between them, and they have magenta colorations on its rear and ankles. Each of its hands has three fingers, and its feet resemble sandals, each with two toes. Part of its head hair is slicked back, and a magenta toxic chain encircles its head like a headband. Munkidori is a male-only species with no female counterpart.
Munkidori, together with Okidogi and Fezandipiti, are known as the Loyal Three, the heroes of Kitakami. They are beloved by the people of Kitakami as heroes that once protected the land from the "evil ogre",[1] and stone statues bearing their likenesses were made by the people as an expression of their gratitude right where the three had been buried.[2] According to locals, worshipping Munkidori ensures one is successful in life and that everything will be hunky-dory. Even with its greedy and manipulative personality, Munkidori has great relationships with its teammates, talking to each other in private and acting together to defeat their opponents. By consuming the Kitakami Mochis, Munkidori can become a Titanic Pokémon.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
In myth, it is said that Munkidori was once a clumsy, dim-witted Pokémon. A longing for intelligence led it to meet the Mythical PokémonPecharunt which, in need of retainers in its journey to Kitakami, used its Binding Mochi and toxic chains to tame and transform Munkidori. This resulted in the toxic chain being wrapped around its head, chaining Munkidori to Pecharunt's will.[3] Munkidori transformed as the chain enhanced its capabilities, stimulating its brain and causing its Psychic powers to bloom, it could even see into the near future.[4] It prefers to keep itself somewhere safe while toying with its enemies, using its psychic powers to induce intense dizziness.
All of the levels at which Munkidori learns its moves, aside from level 1, are multiples of 8. It shares this trait with Pecharunt and the rest of the Loyal Three.
Munkidori possesses a type advantage over the other members of the Loyal Three, Ogerpon, and Pecharunt.
Origin
Munkidori may be based on a monkey, particularly the Japanese macaque, such as the northernmost Japanese macaque population from Aomori Prefecture of the Tōhoku region (which Kitakami draws inspiration from). This is partly reflected with Munkidori's Shiny form, which gives it a slight tanned fur coat similar to Japanese macaques. Meanwhile, Munkidori's regular coloration together with its short stature may reference chimpanzees. Munkidori's head hair resembles the 丁髷 chonmage, a traditional Japanese topknot worn by men; while its two toes are reminiscent of sandals. Its mischievous personality and Psychic typing could be a reference to the Satori, a yokai that takes the form of a mind-reading monkey and torments travelers. The shape of its body resembles that of a light bulb which often appears above someone's head when they get an idea.
Pecharunt and its Loyal Three of Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti, and their relationship to Ogerpon, may reference the Japanese folktale of Momotarō. The tale relates the titular Momotarō, a boy born from inside a peach, who traveled alongside a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant to fight a band of oni (a Japanese folkloric creature commonly equated to ogres in translations). The chains binding the Loyal Three may be based on shimenawa, woven ropes used in Shinto purification rituals; on Munkidori, the chain resembles a 鉢巻 hachimaki (Japanese headband), particularly the twisted variant.
The design and theme of Munkidori and the rest of The Loyal Three seem to not only reference the Beauty, Brains, and Brawn trope, but reference the Dorombo Gang from the 1977 anime Time Bokan Series Yatterman. In Munkidori's case, this would line them up with Boyacky, the brains of the trio. In addition, the Loyal Three's legacy in-game could reference how over the years, the Dorombo Gang have vastly overshadowed the main heroes in terms of popularity and homages in Japanese pop culture.
Name origin
Munkidori may be a combination of monkey and hunky dory (slang meaning that things are good).
Mashimashira may be a combination of 増し mashi (better, improving) and 猿 mashira (archaic word for monkey or ape).
↑Map Mission Guide:"Locals believe worshiping Munkidori leads to success in life—that doing so will make everything hunky-dory. Munkidori was originally a clumsy and dim-witted Pokémon, but a longing for cleverness led it to gain great wisdom." (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask)
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.
The shrine on Loyalty Plaza
Chainless as seen on the signs around Kitakami
For other sprites and images, please see Munkidori images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
