{{Short description|Pokémon species}} {{for|the Galarian form of Mr. Mime that evolves into Mr. Rime|List of generation VIII Pokémon#Mr. Mime}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox character | name = Mr. Mime | image = Pokémon Mr. Mime art.png | caption = Mr. Mime artwork by Ken Sugimori | series = Pokémon | firstgame = ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' (1996) | designer = Ken Sugimori (finalized)<ref name=EeveeDesigner>{{cite web |last1=Morrissy |first1=Kim |title=Pokémon Designers Reflect on History of Eevee's Design |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-09-10/pokemon-designers-reflect-on-history-of-eevee-design/.136529 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=2022-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126003606/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-09-10/pokemon-designers-reflect-on-history-of-eevee-design/.136529 |url-status=live }}</ref> | voice = {{Collapsible list|title=English|Kayzie Rogers<br/>Michele Knotz (''Sun'' and ''Moon''-Present)}}{{Collapsible list|title=Japanese|Yūji Ueda}} | species = Pokémon | lbl21 = Type | data21 = Psychic and Fairy<br>Ice and Psychic (Galar) }}
'''Mr. Mime''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Mr. Mime Voice Line.ogg|ˌ|m|ɪ|s|t|ɚ|ˈ|m|aɪ|m}}), known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''Barrierd'''|バリヤード|Bariyādo|lead=yes}}, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's ''Pokémon'' franchise. Mr. Mime 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. Mr. Mime is voiced by Yūji Ueda in Japanese. In English, it was voiced by Kayzie Rogers<ref>{{cite book |author=Willis, John |url=https://archive.org/details/screenworldvol5200john |title=Screen World 2001 |author2=Barry Monush |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |year=2002 |isbn=1-55783-479-2 |url-access=registration}}</ref> and Michele Knotz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokémon – Michele Knotz |url=https://micheleknotz.com/pokemon/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Known as the Barrier Pokémon, and the Dancing Pokémon in its Galarian form, Mr. Mime are skilled mimes even from a young age. As they mature, they gain the ability to psychically generate invisible objects such as walls and other barriers. In the anime, a Mr. Mime appears early on as a house cleaner and helper to Delia, the mother of series protagonist Ash Ketchum, while others are shown as entertainers or cooks. In the ''Pokémon Adventures'' manga, its abilities are utilized to create training rooms and surround an entire city with a barrier to prevent access from the outside world.
Mr. Mime's appearance has been heavily criticized since its inception due to its humanoid design, as well as for combining many poorly received design aspects of mimes and clowns. However, in comparison to more common series characters, the character's design has been praised, in particular for its scene in the live action 2019 film ''Detective Pikachu''.
==Design and characteristics== Mr. Mime is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the ''Pokémon'' media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Green'' for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' in 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=December 25, 2016 |title=''Pokémon Red'' & ''Blue'' – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |magazine=Game Informer}}</ref> In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.<ref name="millenial2">{{cite book |last=Allison |first=Anne |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |date=May 2006 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520938991 |pages=192–197}}</ref> Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=Scholastic Inc. |isbn=9780545795661 |page=5}}</ref> A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.<ref name="millenial2" />
Introduced in ''Red'' and ''Blue'', the design first started as pixel art sprites by the development team, with a single color identity chosen to work within the Super Game Boy hardware limitations.<ref name=EeveeDesigner/> While conceived as a group effort by multiple developers at Game Freak,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu |website=Pokemon.com |date=26 July 2018 |accessdate=23 November 2023 |title=Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409190502/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the finalized design and artwork was done by Ken Sugimori. Originally tasked with drawing the characters to illustrate a planned strategy guide by Game Freak when the games released, Sugimori drew all the sprites for the game in his style to not only unify their designs visually but also modify any design elements he felt were amiss, while trying to retain the original sprite artist's unique style.<ref>{{cite book |pages=342–343 |language=Japanese |title=Ken Sugimori Works |publisher=Tankobon Softcover |date=January 2014 |isbn= 9784198638061}}</ref>
The Pokémon was originally called "Barrierd" in Japanese. When the games were localized for English-speaking audiences as ''Red'' and ''Blue'', Nintendo of America gave the various Pokémon species descriptive names related to their appearance or features as a means to make them more relatable to American children,<ref name="Time">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220055311/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2001|title=PokéMania|last=Chua-Euan|first=Howard|date=November 22, 1999|magazine=Time |access-date=September 15, 2008}}</ref> and renamed it "Mr. Mime" based on its appearance as a mime.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060629195847/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/12045/mrmime.html |archivedate=2006-06-29 |url-status=dead |url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/12045/mrmime.html |title=#122 Mr. Mime |publisher=IGN Entertainment |work=IGN |access-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> However, translator Nob Ogasawara voiced concern regarding giving Pokémon gender-specific names, worrying about what would happen if the series were to introduce genders for Pokémon at a later date. Though the president of Nintendo of America dismissed his concerns, ''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'' would introduce the concept of gendered Pokémon, resulting in both males and females of the species being called Mr. Mime.<ref name="marcel">{{cite tweet |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607211114/https://twitter.com/DougDinsdale/status/1269697794765279233 |archivedate=2020-06-07 |number=1269697794765279233 |title=And yet, I caught flak for having a girl name her Spearow "Britney." Also, I was horrified by Mr. Mime because I Nostradamused that gender-specific naming would come back to haunt us forever more going forward. (Nidos as separate species?!) A lie once told must be doubled down. |user=DougDinsdale |last=Ogasawara |first=Nob}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGE3D7kcswY|title=Nob Ogasawara Interview #1|via=YouTube|date=2014-08-07|accessdate=2023-08-08|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809010303/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGE3D7kcswY&gl=US&hl=en|archivedate=August 9, 2023|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
Appearing as an anthropomorphic creature, it has a pink head with red cheeks and blue horns resembling hair, a round, white body with a red spot in the middle, light-pink arms and legs that are connected to its body by red spheres, white, five-fingered hands and blue feet that curl upward at the tips. Their hands are depicted with four fingers and an opposable thumb, with larger fingertips and red dots on their underside. However, game representations of the character featured only three fingers on each hand until the release of ''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire''.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2018/11/12/18088710/detective-pikachu-mr-mime-trailer-analysis|title=The infinite horrors of Pokémon's Mr. Mime|first=Austen|last=Goslin|date=November 12, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=July 6, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183624/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2018/11/12/18088710/detective-pikachu-mr-mime-trailer-analysis|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked by Rob Letterman, the director of the live action film ''Detective Pikachu'', to explain what exactly Mr. Mime is, The Pokémon Company responded with, "We don't know."<ref name="detective-mrmime">{{cite magazine |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/5580682/detective-pikachu-pokemon-characters/ |title=Here's How Pikachu, Jigglypuff and 4 Other Pokémon Were Brought to Life in Detective Pikachu |last=Chow |first=Andrew R. |accessdate=2023-08-08 |date=2019-05-10 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225058/https://time.com/5580682/detective-pikachu-pokemon-characters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Appearances== ===In video games=== In the video game series, Mr. Mime can be acquired from an in-game trade in ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' and ''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_98.html |publisher=IGN |access-date=September 30, 2009 |author=IGN Staff |title=Guides: Pokemon: Blue and Red |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207224030/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_98.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has since appeared in several sequels, including ''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=pokemonofthedaychick |date=2003-02-11 |title=Pokemon of the Day: Mr. Mime (#122) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/11/pokemon-crystal-version-pokemon-of-the-day-mr-mime-122-385702 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> ''Pokémon X and Y'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Callum |date=2020-11-14 |title=Pokemon: 15 Best In-Game Trades That Are Actually Worth It |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-best-ingame-trades/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> and ''Pokémon Legends: Arceus''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freidly |first=Damien |date=2022-02-14 |title=How to Catch Mr. Mime in Pokémon Legends: Arceus |url=https://screenrant.com/catch-mr-mime-pokemon-legends-arceus/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> In ''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'', Mr. Mime gains a new pre-evolved form, Mime Jr., which evolves into Mr. Mime when leveled up while knowing the move Mimic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/pokemon-platinum-ds/guide/page_151.html |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=September 30, 2009 |title=Pokemon Platinum Version - ds - Walkthrough and Guide - Page 151 - GameSpy |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072245/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/pokemon-platinum-ds/guide/page_151.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mr. Mime appears in ''Pokemon Sword'' and ''Shield'', only obtainable via trading another Pokemon. However, the game also introduces a "regional variant," an alternative form that can only be found in the game's given setting. This variant can evolve into a new Pokemon called Mr. Rime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=2020-05-22 |title=Pokemon Sword and Shield: How to Get Mr. Rime |url=https://www.vg247.com/pokemon-sword-and-shield-how-to-get-mr-rime |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref>
Outside of the main series, Mr. Mime has appeared in multiple spin-offs. In ''Pokémon Stadium 2'', Mr. Mime stars in its own minigame called "Mr. Mime Pong". Poké Balls appear on the field and by using Mr. Mime's Barrier, players can send the Poké Balls to the other player's fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/089/089318p1.html |publisher=IGN |access-date=September 29, 2009 |author=IGN Staff |date=December 20, 2000 |title=IGN: The Games of Pokemon GS: Part 1 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312005805/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/21/the-games-of-pokemon-gs-part-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mr. Mime appears in the augmented reality game ''Pokémon Go'', where it is only obtainable in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2017/07/12/this-looks-like-the-first-chance-to-get-locked-region-exclusive-pokemon-in-pokemon-go/#6db9ddc93eb5 |title=This Looks Like The First Chance To Get Locked Region Exclusive Pokémon In 'Pokémon GO' |last=Their |first=David |date=July 12, 2017 |work=Forbes |access-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724124404/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2017/07/12/this-looks-like-the-first-chance-to-get-locked-region-exclusive-pokemon-in-pokemon-go/#6db9ddc93eb5 |url-status=live }}</ref> It also appears in ''Pokémon UNITE''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/125161/pokemon-unite-is-coming-to-switch-in-july-mobile-devices-in-september|title=Pokemon Unite is coming to Switch in July & mobile devices in September|access-date=December 2, 2023|last=Denzer|first=TJ|website=Shacknews|date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019122804/https://www.shacknews.com/article/125161/pokemon-unite-is-coming-to-switch-in-july-mobile-devices-in-september|archive-date=October 19, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Pokémon Sleep.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |title=First New Pokemon Introduced in Pokemon Sleep |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-sleep-mime-jr-mr-mime/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Comicbook.com |date=September 10, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
===In anime and manga=== In the anime, a Mr. Mime lives with Delia Ketchum. It does housework for her in exchange for room and board. In this Mr. Mime's debut episode, Ash Ketchum, the series protagonist, dressed as a Mr. Mime to inspire a real Mr. Mime who worked for a circus. Delia knew about this, so when a wild Mr. Mime came to her door and wanted lunch, she thought it was Ash in costume and provided it with food. When the real Ash showed up, still in costume, she was quite puzzled, but wound up keeping '''{{Nihongo|'''Mimey'''|バリちゃん|Barichan}}''' as her live-in maid.<ref name="It's Mr. Mime Time">{{cite episode| title=It's Mr. Mime Time | series=Pokémon | credits=Hideki Sonoda (writer) | network=Various | airdate=September 27, 1999 | season=Indigo League|number=64}}</ref> In ''Pokémon Journeys'', it is revealed to have been captured by Ash off-screen, and aids Ash in various capacities throughout the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Megan |title=After 20 Years, the Pokemon Anime Just Redeemed Mr. Mime |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/pokemon-anime-mr-mime-redemption-fight-amazing/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Comicbook.com |date=December 29, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown-Hobson |first=Jametrious |date=2019-12-30 |title=Pokemon Finally Unleashed Mr. Mime in Latest Episode |url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-anime-episode-mr-mime/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref>
In the ''Pokémon Adventures'' manga, Mr. Mime was first seen under the control of Sabrina, an antagonist. It is used by the villainous organization Team Rocket to generate an invisible wall to seal off the whole of Saffron City.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kusaka |first=Hidenori |author2=Mato |title=Peace of Mime |series=Pokémon Adventures |volume=3: Saffron City Siege |date=August 5, 2001 |publisher=VIZ Media LLC |isbn=1-56931-560-4 |pages=5–19 |chapter=Chapter 28}}</ref> Another Mr. Mime also appeared under the ownership of Crystal, one of the main protagonists of the series. It has the ability to create invisible walls and rooms, much like Sabrina's Mr. Mime.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kusaka |first=Hidenori |author2=Satoshi Yamamoto |title=The Final Battle IV |series=Pokémon Adventures |volume=29 |date=November 27, 2008 |publisher=VIZ Media LLC |isbn=978-4-09-140743-6 |chapter=Chapter 331 }}</ref>
===In live action film=== thumb|upright=1.5|Mr. Mime's scene has been described as a standout in the film and received varied reactions regarding the design A Mr. Mime appears in the film ''Pokémon: Detective Pikachu'', being interrogated by the titular character and his partner Tim Goodman, due to being an informant for the latter's father. Completely mute in the film, it communicates through hand gestures and is initially uncooperative until Goodman engages its behavior by gesturing through mime to "set it on fire" by "dousing it with gasoline and a match" if it doesn't cooperate.<ref>{{cite web |website=theGamer |title=10 Things Detective Pikachu Got Right |first=Anthony |last=Fertino |accessdate=2023-08-09 |date=2023-03-31 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/detective-pikachu-got-right-best-parts/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225125/https://www.thegamer.com/detective-pikachu-got-right-best-parts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to director Rob Letterman, the scene was one of the earliest written for the film, and was inspired by the interrogation scene in the film ''Seven''. Additionally an actual mime, Trigby, was brought in for consultation and to help rehearse the scene with the actors. The Pokémon Company initially objected to letting the film use the character, feeling Mr. Mime was a poor fit for the film, until Letterman pitched the suggestion directly to their president Tsunekazu Ishihara, who laughed and let them proceed.<ref name="detective-ign"/>
Adapting Mr. Mime to a 3D model for the film proved difficult, and required a different approach than they had used towards other Pokémon in the movie in an effort to retain the design's more revamped aspects.<ref name="detective-ign"/> Visual effects supervisor Erik Nordby stated "When you look at the character, it instantly feels creepy. We had to figure out what aspects we could push and pull." To this end, they focused on making every surface of his model resemble common toys, utilizing aspects such as dodgeballs for his joints, while the gloves were modeled after those given as prizes at fairs. The visual effects team worked to add more elements to enhance the character's silhouette, such as subtle freckles in order to give Mr. Mime an air of cuteness.<ref name="detective-mrmime"/> Facial hair was additionally added to try and keep his face realistic without it resembling a deformed human face, culminating in a look that Letterman felt was "funny and disturbing.”<ref name="detective-ign">{{cite web |website=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/19/why-mr-mime-was-almost-cut-from-pokemon-detective-pikachu-ign-first |accessdate=2023-08-09 |date=2019-04-19 |first=Joshua |last=Yehl |title=Why Mr. Mime Was Almost Cut From Pokemon: Detective Pikachu - IGN First |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225143/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/19/why-mr-mime-was-almost-cut-from-pokemon-detective-pikachu-ign-first |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Critical reception== Since appearing in the Pokémon franchise, Mr. Mime has received a generally mixed reception, with critics, including from ''1Up.com'' and ''Retronauts'', disliking its mime aesthetic.<ref name="lamest">{{cite web |author=Bailey, Kat |work=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Networks |title=Top 5 Lamest Pokémon |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3169539 |access-date=June 9, 2009 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018172110/http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-lamest-pokemon |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |url=http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://download.gamevideos.com/Podcasts/Retronauts/040507.mp3 |title=Retronauts Episode 18 |website=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Networks |host=Jeremy Parish, James Mielke, Ryan O'Donnell, Richard Li, Shane Bettenhausen |date=April 5, 2007 |access-date=September 30, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The staff of ''GamesRadar'' complained about its design, noting that while "mimes/clowns aren't the easiest material to work with in the first place," they felt it was creepy due to its gangly arms and humanoid appearance compared to other Pokémon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/fugly-pokemon/a-20071010152314397000/g-2006100415372930075 |website=GamesRadar |access-date=July 25, 2009 |author=Staff |date=October 10, 2007 |title=Fugly Pokémon |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005000832/http://www.gamesradar.com/fugly-pokemon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Fellow contributor Carolyn Gudmundson further elaborated on the sentiment, noting that the humanoid designs were some of the most overused amongst Pokémon in the franchise, and thar Mr. Mime was both one of the most infamous and "horrific monstrosities" in this regard.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200843/http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-most-overused-pokemon-designs/a-2010072310344160054/g-2009081411831516068/p-2 |archivedate=2011-06-15 |url-status=dead |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-most-overused-pokemon-designs/a-2010072310344160054/g-2009081411831516068/p-2 |title=The most overused Pokemon designs |publisher= GamesRadar |author=Carolyn Gudmundson |date=July 23, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2011}}</ref> Joe Anderton of ''Digital Spy'' criticized Mr. Mime, calling it the worst Pokémon and creepy in nature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=April 20, 2019 |title=Detective Pikachu director had to wait 2 years for particular Pokémon |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a27214001/detective-pikachu-director-two-years-wait-mr-mime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420201734/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a27214001/detective-pikachu-director-two-years-wait-mr-mime/ |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>
Despite this negative reception, Mr. Mime has been identified as being among the more popular Pokémon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/pokemonradar-week-22/a-2007033012148119036/g-2006100415372930075/p-2 |title=PokemonRadar, Week 22 |page=2 |work=GamesRadar |publisher=Future Publishing |access-date=October 1, 2009 |author=Vassar, Darryl |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007234153/http://www.gamesradar.com/pokemonradar-week-22/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Tim |first=Frings |date=December 22, 2000 |title=CINEMA: PEAK emon! |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> In the book ''Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific'', David Surman defended Mr. Mime's design, suggesting that Sugimori developed it—along with Jynx—to draw upon the humor of heta-uma (a term meaning bad/nice). The book notes that the designs "oscillate between the poles of good and bad," and as a result offer diversity within the game and invite scrutiny from players.<ref name="Surman">{{cite book |title=Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific |last=Hjorth |first=Larissa |author2=David Surman |year=2009 |publisher=Taylor and Francis |isbn=978-0-415-99627-3 |chapter=9 |chapter-url=https://newport.academia.edu/documents/0009/2577/MERGEDPOKEMON.pdf |access-date=June 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620001743/http://newport.academia.edu/documents/0009/2577/MERGEDPOKEMON.pdf |archive-date=June 20, 2010 }}</ref> Mr. Mime was cited by writer Vincenzo Idone Cassone as an example of fans making light out of dissonant elements in the series. He cited a common fan-theory that stated Mimey was actually protagonist Ash Ketchum's father, noting that it led to fans of the series tying several unrelated elements together to construct a comedic explanation due to a lack of clarification in the series' canon as to the true whereabouts of Ash's father and Mimey's unique traits in the anime.<ref name="cassone">{{Cite journal |last=Cassone |first=Vincenzo Idone |date=2021-12-31 |title=Gotta face 'em all: Pokémon, Japanese animated characters, and the emergence of playful visual animism |url=https://ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/sss/article/view/SSS.2021.49.3-4.15 |url-status=live |journal=Sign Systems Studies |language=en |volume=49 |issue=3–4 |pages=556–557 |doi=10.12697/SSS.2021.49.3-4.15 |issn=1736-7409 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725170822/https://ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/sss/article/view/SSS.2021.49.3-4.15 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |access-date=16 March 2024|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Its appearance in the ''Detective Pikachu'' film received generally positive reception. Patricia Hernandez of ''Polygon'' stated that Mr. Mime "steals the show" in the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/10/18563355/detective-pikachu-mr-mime-pokemon-screenwriter-interview|title=Mr. Mime was almost considered too creepy for Detective Pikachu|publisher=Polygon|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923122037/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/10/18563355/detective-pikachu-mr-mime-pokemon-screenwriter-interview|archive-date=September 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> while Austen Goslin of ''Polygon'' found Mr. Mime's appearance to be terrifying in nature.<ref name="auto"/> In an interview with ''GameSpot'', lead actor of the film Justice Smith revealed that the Mr. Mime interrogation scene was one of his favorites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-detective-pikachus-mr-mime-scene-is-so-damn-go/1100-6466823/|title=Why Detective Pikachu's Mr. Mime Scene Is So Damn Good|publisher=GameSpot|last=Rougeau|first=Michael|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927070108/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-detective-pikachus-mr-mime-scene-is-so-damn-go/1100-6466823/|archive-date=September 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Inside Games'' labelled the scene with Mr. Mime as creative and entertaining, praising it for making Mr. Mime more interesting in the film than in its standard appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-07 |title=映画『名探偵ピカチュウ』ポケモンファンが喜ぶ12のポイント 2ページ目 |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2019/05/07/122115.html |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=インサイド |language=ja}}</ref> Cassone additionally noted that several unique attributes of Mr. Mime's design in the film, such as its extensive detail, anthropomorphic appearance, and well-acted performance elicited "both disturbance and amusement" in those who watched the film.<ref name="cassone" />
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Portal|Video games}} * {{Bulbapedia}} * [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/mr-mime Mr. Mime on Pokemon.com]
{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}} {{Pokémon Generation 8}} {{Pokémon}}
Category:Fictional characters who can manipulate light Category:Fictional characters who can teleport Category:Fictional mimes Category:Pokémon introduced in generation I Category:Pokémon with regional variants Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996 Category:Psychic-type Pokémon Category:Fairy-type Pokémon Category:Ice-type Pokémon