Piplup (Japanese: ポッチャマ Pochama) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.
It evolves into Prinplup starting at level 16, which evolves into Empoleon starting at level 36.
Along with Turtwig and Chimchar, Piplup is one of three starter Pokémon of Sinnoh available at the beginning of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.
Biology
Piplup is a light-blue, penguin-like Pokémon, which is covered in thick down to insulate against the cold. It has a dark blue head with a primarily white face and a short, yellow beak. The dark blue feathers on its head extend down its back and around its neck, which causes it to appear to be wearing a cape. There are two white ovals on its chest and a small, light-blue marking resembles a crown above its beak. It has flipper-like arms and yellow feet with three toes each.
Piplup has a strong sense of self-pride. Because of its pride, it has a hard time accepting food from humans and bonding with its caretakers. It will even puff out its chest after it falls down, which it often does due to its poor walking abilities. However, it is a skilled swimmer that can dive for over ten minutes in order to hunt. It has also been shown to fly short distances in the anime. It lives along the seashore in colder climates.
In the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
Piplup debuted in Following A Maiden's Voyage!, where it got into a fight with a Chimchar over their food in Professor Rowan's lab. After ruining the lab, the two escaped, and Dawn was given the task of finding them. She found Piplup, and the two narrowly escaped an Ariados attack. Back at Rowan's lab, Dawn chose Piplup as her starter Pokémon. Since then, he has been her main Pokémon and has been mostly seen outside of his Poké Ball.
A Piplup, who used to be a human, was one of the two main members of Team Poképals in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness.
Other
In The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!, Tyler used a female Piplup nicknamed Pippy to catch a Yanma. She is different from other Piplup because she wears a tiara.
In DPS01, Professor Rowan presented a Piplup to Shinko as one of the starter Pokémon for her to pick. It fought with Rowan's Chimchar after it stole its food; this led to a window breaking and Piplup and Chimchar escaping. They were then captured by an Ariados's web before being rescued by Shinko and Dawn.
A Piplup appeared in I Choose You!, under the ownership of Verity. It is her main Pokémon.
In The Sinnoh Iceberg Race!, Lauren's Piplup ran away from Sinnoh after becoming jealous of Lauren's new Croagunk. Eventually, it was returned to her by Ash and Goh after they found it in Vermilion City. Piplup then entered itself and Croagunk into the Pokémon Iceberg Race, but the two partnered up to save Lauren after Team Rocket interrupted the race.
Minor appearances
In Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, a Piplup watched Meloetta's concert.
In Going for the Gold!, multiple Piplup were living in the Ambrette Aquarium. Seeing these Piplup reminded Ash of Dawn's, since her Piplup was "something else".
In Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, a Piplup was living in a forest.
A Piplup appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.
In The Cuteness Quotient!, a Trainer's Piplup competed in the Friendship Festival.
A Piplup appeared in a fantasy alongside the other starter Pokémon in JN046.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP003
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Piplup
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Ash's Pokédex
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Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. It's very proud, and its thick down protects it from the cold.
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DP143
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Piplup
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Lyra's Pokédex
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Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Although not the most sure-footed, it is proud nonetheless, getting right back up after a fall with head held high.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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BW086
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Piplup
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Ash's Pokédex
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Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Piplup's limited walking skills often cause it to fall down, but that never hurts its pride.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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JN008
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Piplup
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Ash's Rotom Phone
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Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. A Water type. Piplup is a proud Pokémon and an excellent swimmer, and it has a layer of down that keeps out the cold.
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In the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer
A Piplup appeared in the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, under the ownership of Barry. Alongside Bettie's Pikachu and Iris's Haxorus, it battled Skyla's Swanna, Flint's Infernape, and Acerola's Palossand, though the outcome was left unknown.
In the GOTCHA! music video
A Piplup briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
In the manga
In the movie adaptations
- Main article: Dawn's Piplup
Dawn's Piplup appears in the following manga adaptations of Pokémon movies: The Rise of Darkrai, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, Arceus and the Jewel of Life and Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Like in the anime, it is Dawn's main Pokémon. The role of Piplup is basically the same in all the chapters, but in most stories, it is shown inside his Poké Ball and has fewer interactions with Pokémon present in the story.
In the Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl manga
- Main article: Dawn's Piplup
Dawn's Piplup appeared in Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl.
In the Pocket Monsters DP manga
A Piplup appeared in PMDP24, under the ownership of Professor Oak.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Platinum's Piplup
In Pokémon Adventures, Platinum began her journey with a Piplup. It eventually evolved into a Prinplup and an Empoleon. She first appeared in Stagestruck Starly.
A Piplup appeared in a flashback in Homecoming and the Brilliant Professional Golfer. Moon accidentally exposed it to poison and traveled to Alola to find a cure for it. By the end of the chapter, it had been cured.
In the Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master! manga
A Piplup appeared in ABM01.
In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga
- Main article: Hareta's Piplup
Hareta randomly selected Piplup to battle an enraged Onix in In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!!. After their first encounter with Onix, Hareta chose Piplup as his first Pokémon. Piplup was originally disobedient to Hareta, but eventually listened to him in order to defeat the Onix during their second battle.
In the TCG
- Main article: Piplup (TCG)
In the TFG
One Piplup figure has been released.
Other appearances
Piplup in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
On being released from a Poké Ball, Piplup slides along the stage using Surf. Anyone caught in it will be pushed until Piplup disappears, or pushes the character off the stage. Piplup will keep using Surf even when off the stage.
Trophy information
A Penguin Pokémon. It's one of the starter Pokémon received from Professor Rowan when the player departs from the Sinnoh region. It's a Water type, so it's strong versus Rock and Grounds. It's very cute but filled with pride--it hates to accept food from people. When it levels up, it evolves into Prinplup.
While Piplup no longer appears from Poké Balls, having been replaced by Oshawott, it makes a cameo appearance in the Kalos Pokémon League stage. When the stage transitions to the Flood Chamber, it can be seen in the background along with Blastoise, Wailord, and Clawitzer.
Trophy information
You wouldn't think it from its adorable exterior, but this Pokémon is very proud and often won't listen to its Trainer. When it walks on land, it waddles and even falls over sometimes, all in a suitably cute way, but once it's in the water you'll see its true potential. It's a skilled swimmer and can dive for over ten minutes at a time to hunt.
Piplup appears as a Spirit.
Game data
NPC appearances
- In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, Piplup is one of Pikachu's best friends. He is found keeping a trapped Wynaut company in the Beach Zone after falling through the mysterious tunnel. Once the Wynaut is safe, he takes a Pikachu shaped hot air balloon back to the Meeting Place where he mends it. He later accompanies Pikachu to the Sky Pavilion along with Chikorita and Charmander where he meets Mew.
- Piplup returns in PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond where he and Pikachu arrive at a new PokéPark. They venture into the Wish Park together and try to save some of the Pokémon trapped there. Piplup inevitably becoming trapped in the Wish Park after saving Pikachu and Oshawott's lives. He is later found by Zorua and Zoroark and announces that he wishes to stay in Wish Park so he can help the Pokémon who are coaxed into coming. Piplup is later taken by Gothitelle in exchange for setting Victini free, where he is then manipulated by Darkrai. Piplup later awakens Pikachu from Darkrai's nightmare and encourages Pikachu to seek out his missing friends after their memories were taken by Darkrai right before the final battle.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #007
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Johto #—
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Diamond
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Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. Its thick down guards it from cold.
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Pearl
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It lives along shores in northern countries. A skilled swimmer, it dives for over 10 minutes to hunt.
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Platinum
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A poor walker, it often falls down. However, its strong pride makes it puff up its chest without a care.
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HeartGold
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It doesn't like to be taken care of. It's difficult to bond with since it won't listen to its Trainer.
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SoulSilver
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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A poor walker, it often falls down. However, its strong pride makes it puff up its chest without a care.
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White
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Black 2
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A poor walker, it often falls down. However, its strong pride makes it puff up its chest without a care.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos #—
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Hoenn #—
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X
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It doesn't like to be taken care of. It's difficult to bond with since it won't listen to its Trainer.
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Y
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Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. Its thick down guards it from cold.
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Omega Ruby
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It doesn't like to be taken care of. It's difficult to bond with since it won't listen to its Trainer.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Because it is very proud, it hates accepting food from people. Its thick down guards it from the cold.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In side games
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In events
Pokémon Global Link promotions
Games
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Event
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Language
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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BW
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Global Link Piplup
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Japanese
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PGL
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10
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October 29, 2010 to November 30, 2011
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BW
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Global Link Piplup
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Korean
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PGL
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10
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June 1, 2011 to June 1, 2013
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B2W2
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Global Link Piplup
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English
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PGL
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10
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December 6, 2012 to July 31, 2013
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B2W2
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Global Link Piplup
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French
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PGL
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10
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December 6, 2012 to July 31, 2013
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B2W2
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Global Link Piplup
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German
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PGL
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10
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December 6, 2012 to July 31, 2013
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B2W2
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Global Link Piplup
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Italian
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PGL
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10
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December 6, 2012 to July 31, 2013
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B2W2
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Global Link Piplup
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Spanish
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PGL
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10
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December 6, 2012 to July 31, 2013
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Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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53
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113 - 160
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216 - 310
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51
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50 - 113
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96 - 221
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53
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52 - 115
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99 - 225
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61
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59 - 124
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114 - 243
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56
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54 - 118
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105 - 232
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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Total: 314
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation VIII. Click on the generation numbers above to see Piplup's learnsets from other generations.
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(Soak ×1)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Soak ×1)
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Browser entry R-083/N-001
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It attacks by spitting bubbles that make Pokémon Slowed.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 2.08 seconds
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Base HP: 49
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Base Attack: 69
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Base Defense: 49
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Base Speed: 60
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PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
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Strong:
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Weak:
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PokéPark Pad entry:
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Pikachu's childhood friend. He called Pikachu to have an adventure in PokéPark with him. He is serious about everything.
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Pokémon: Magikarp Jump
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Friendship Item: Mystic Water (Beat the Quick League)
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★✰✰: 1 ★★✰: 2 (10) ★★★: 3 (12)
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Skill: Recovers n Training Point(s)
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Recovery time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Evolution
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Other sprites
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Platinum intro's sprite
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Trivia
- Piplup shares its category with its evolved form and Eiscue. They are all known as the Penguin Pokémon.
- Piplup is the most selected Sinnoh starter Pokémon in the anime, being the starter Pokémon of Dawn, Kenny, and Tyler.
- Piplup was designed by Yusuke Ohmura.
- In February 2007, it was believed that Piplup's localization name was the same as its Japanese name, Pochama, due to the claim made by a piece of merchandise at Toy Fair. But this was conflicted later by another item at Toy Fair again by the merchandise named "Piplup".
Origin
Piplup is likely based on a young penguin, possibly an emperor penguin chick. The light blue crown-shaped marking above its beak may have also been inspired by emperor penguins.
Name origin
Piplup is derived from plop or plup from the sound of a pebble hitting water.[1] It may also incorporate pip, a stage of growth in baby birds immediately before they hatch from the eggshell.
Pochama is derived from ぽちゃぽちゃ pochapocha (the sound of a pebble splashing in water).[1] It may also incorporate 坊っちゃま botchama (child).
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ポッチャマ Pochama
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From 坊っちゃま botchama and ぽちゃぽちゃ pochapocha
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French
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Tiplouf
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From petit and plouf
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Spanish
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Piplup
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Same as English name
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German
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Plinfa
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From plip and infant
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Italian
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Piplup
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Same as English name
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Korean
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팽도리 Pengdori
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From 펭귄 paeng'gwin, -돌이 -dori, and possibly from 도령 doryeong and 도련님 doryeonnim
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Mandarin Chinese
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波加曼 Bōjiāmàn
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Transliteration of its Japanese name. Also from 波 bō
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Cantonese Chinese
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More languages
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Hebrew
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פיפלאפ Piplap
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Transcription of English name
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Russian
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Пиплап Piplap Пиплуп Piplup
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Transcription of English name
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Thai
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โพจจามะ Photchama
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
Notes
External links
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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.
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