Jynx
Pokémon character
National Pokédex
Scyther - Jynx (#0124) - Electabuzz
First gamePokémon Red and Blue (1996)
Designed byKen Sugimori (finalized)[1]
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
GenderFemale-only
TypeIce/Psychic

Jynx, known in Japan as Rougela (ルージュラ, Rūjura), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Jynx first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles, or animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. While no English voice actors have been attributed for the character, in Japan they have been voiced by Mayumi Tanaka, Chie Satō, Kujira and Chiyako Shibahara

Jynx's design and humanoid appearance has been criticized by the Western media, including cultural critic Carole Boston Weatherford, who described Jynx as representing blackface after seeing the character's depiction in the anime. Due to complaints, Game Freak modified its appearance by changing the original color of its face from black to the current color, purple.

Design and characteristics

Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Pokémon series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the Pokémon Red and Blue video games for the Game Boy. In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures called Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon,[3][4] and some can transform into stronger species, or evolve, once they gain enough experience.[5] The ultimate goal of the games is to complete the entries in the Pokémon index (Pokédex), a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading to obtain creatures from all Pokémon species.[3]

Introduced in Red and Blue, the design started as pixel art sprites by the development team first, with a single color identity chosen to work within the Super Game Boy hardware limitations.[1] While conceived as a group effort by multiple developers at Game Freak,[6] 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.[7]

Originally called "Rujura" 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.[8] As a result, they were renamed "Jynx", a play on the word "jinx".[9]

Also known as the "Human Shape" Pokémon, Jynx is a female-only species that resembles the Japanese mythical creature Yuki-onna. Originally portrayed with a black face and dark blue hands, Jynx's design was changed to purple coloration after critiques that it perpetuated racism.[10] In addition Jynx have large pink lips, saucer-like eyes, white arms, and long, blonde hair. The "clothes" they appear to wear are actually part of their body, resembling a circular red bra and skirt. Jynx have no visible feet, and in the games leave no footprints. Jynx has a pre-evolution, Smoochum, which evolves into Jynx when it receives enough experience from battles and reaches level 30.

Jynx Pokémon walk in a dance-like fashion, wiggling their hips in a manner described in Red & Blue, as well as in Leaf Green as "seductive".[11] It uses dancing to communicate, with the exact rhythm relying on its emotion at the time. The dance affects people, causing them to themselves dance with no regard to their actions.[12] Jynx speak in a language that only other Jynx can understand, though the sound is described as similar to human speech.[13] This trait is carried on to games where Pokémon speak English such as the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, with the text appearing as combinations of "X"s, "O"s, punctuation marks, and/or musical notes, instead of legible words.[14] Jynx are psychic, and can attack either by kissing an opponent or launching "strange orbs" at them, and can protect themselves with a psychically-generated barrier.[15][16]

Appearances

In video games

Jynx originally appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue, then appeared in other Pokémon games such as Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Platinum. The second generation of Pokémon games introduced Smoochum, a baby Pokémon who Jynx evolves from at level 30.[17] Appearing again in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokémon Black and White, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon X and Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon,[18] Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! and Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Outside of the main series, Jynx appears in a majority of Pokémon spin-off titles, including Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trozei!, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, Pokémon Ranger, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Pokémon Rumble, Pokémon Rumble Blast, Pokémon Rumble U, Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Rumble World, Pokémon Rumble Rush, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Pokémon Ranger games, Pokémon Go and New Pokémon Snap.[19] Because of the controversy surrounding Jynx's skin color, it was changed from black to purple in Pokémon Stadium 2 and all subsequent games.

In anime

Jynx first appeared in the Pokémon anime in Holiday Hi-Jynx when one of Santa Claus's Jynx was separated from him, Ash and friends helped to return the Jynx to her owner.[20] The episode was not re-aired in the USA because of the controversy over her appearance. However, it was placed on On-Demand on 2011, thus rendering it available to audiences in the US. Jynx appeared again in the episode The Ice Cave,[21] which was not aired in English-speaking countries for the same reason. Jynx also made a cameo as a doll that Misty wins.[22] Jynx later appears in Pokémon Orange Islands series, in episodes still present in American rotations.

Jynx made an appearance in a contest in All Things Bright and Beautifly.[23] However, because Jynx had been animated with black skin instead of purple, her 13-second appearance was cut from the English dub. Jynx later appears in episodes 116 and 117 of Pokémon: Advanced Generation, with the inoffensive purple skin color.[24][25] Because the main order of these episodes would have been during February which is also Black History Month, KidsWB chose to air these episodes out of order and air them in April after the Hoenn Championship League episodes as it would help build the ratings with the Grand Festival and Hoenn League episodes and it would have avoided offending people during February due to the Jynx controversy. However one exception was in the episode Hi Ho Silver Wind! where a purple Jynx had a minor cameo which aired in February.[26] These episodes were aired in the normal rotational order in the UK. A trio of Jynx sisters were later depicted in the episode Three Jynx and a Baby. These three Jynx were overly-protective towards their sister, a Smoochum. The Smoochum evolved into a Jynx at the end of the episode.[27]

In printed material

Jynx's most notable role in the Pokémon manga is being under the ownership of Lorelei in Pokémon Adventures. Lorelei's Jynx is noted for having the ability to generate voodoo dolls out of ice using its Ice Beam. When Lorelei draws crosses on any part of the dolls using her lipstick, ice shackles form on the specified body parts of her targets, eventually freezing the victim over completely. Even after the victims are broken free, the freeze induces lasting numbness in the areas where it was applied. Both Red and Sabrina suffered this condition and had to seek a cure atop Mt. Silver by bathing in the hotsprings there. Another ability of Lorelei's Jynx is revealed in the Sevii Islands saga: she can create a wispy band of ice around targets, with which Lorelei can use to track down using her powder case.

Jynx has made a number of appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, with the black-skinned design (sometimes US version cards show up purple and edited before the controversy) before the Weatherford controversy, and with the purple-skinned design after Nintendo regained control of the Pokémon TCG. Jynx first appeared in the Base Set with her black-skinned design, but later reprints of this card have the purple-skinned design.

Jynx appeared in an illustration alongside the Vocaloid Meiko for Project Voltage—an official collaboration between Pokémon and Hatsune Miku.[28]

Controversy and reception

Jynx's original design has been heavily criticized as resembling blackface actors.

Jynx's original appearance and design have received criticisms in various publications. Children's book author and cultural critic Carole Boston Weatherford published an article in the Greensboro News & Record alleging that Jynx's design bore a striking resemblance to blackface actors, an image which is considered racist against African Americans,[29] and further described the Pokémon as "a dead ringer for an obese drag queen." She further criticized the Pokémon in the magazine Advertising Age, comparing it to Little Black Sambo and suggesting its English name as also a possible derogatory remark towards Black people relating to voodoo (with its original Japanese name, Rougela, being unrelated).[30][31] The Advertising Age report was later reprinted in an issue of Black People Today. Since then, the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University has listed Jynx as an example of racism in modern material.[32] Later, the Jim Crow Museum published a letter by a reader of the aforementioned article, who disagreed with the museum's assertion that Jynx was deliberately racist by design.[33] In response, Game Freak modified Jynx's design in localized versions of the games, a change which would several years later be reflected in the Japanese versions of the games and the anime series.[10] In addition, episodes featuring the older Jynx design were censored or completely removed from televised syndication by Warner Bros. (who currently hold the North American distribution rights to the anime).[34] After the anime episode "Three Jynx and a Baby!", Jynx also ceased to physically appear in the anime, although its pre-evolved form, Smoochum, has continued to appear in the anime, even after the aforementioned episode.

Likely as a result of this controversy, Jynx has also been altered in various releases of Pokémon games featuring the black design, with the American Virtual Console rerelease of Pokémon Yellow changing its face and hands to purple, and the Virtual Console rerelease of Pokémon Snap on the Wii and Wii U doing the same.

Criticisms still persist, such as 1UP.com which, in an article discussing the "lamest Pokémon" of the series, referred to it as the "infamous blackface Pokémon".[35] Washington Post writer Mary C. Morton described Jynx as having "explicitly, albeit grossly caricatured, womanly features", and challenged the assertion that the games crossed gender barriers with such.[36] In their podcast, Retronauts, they emphasized it further, noting the design as "creepy" and that it maintained the issue of racism still.[37] IGN also criticized the design, characterizing Jynx as a "transvestite midget in racially offensive makeup".[38] In his article titled "21 Pokémon Who Are Definitely Queer," Matthew Rodriguez of Out described Jynx as "a literal drag queen."[39] GameDaily ranked it first on their list of the "Top 10 Weirdest Looking Pokémon", noting its design suggested the presence of breasts, and echoing qualms regarding its resemblance to blackface performers.[40] Games.net ranked it fourth on their "Top 10 Disturbingly Sexual Game Characters" list, questioning why the character was clothed in what resembled a "slinky dress and push-up bra."[41] Jim Sterling of Destructoid included it in their list of 30 "rubbish" Pokémon, and stated "Don’t act like you didn’t know it was fucking coming."[42] GamesRadar described Magmar and Jynx as the Romeo and Juliet of Pokémon.[43] GamesRadar's Carolyn Gudmundson compared Jynx to the Gothita line due to both's designs being based on an "overtly feminine form", though describing Gothita's line as "way less creepy".[44] Author Loredana Lipperini described Jynx as an "opera singer".[45] Russ Frushtick of Polygon claimed that Jynx is a worst first-gen Pokémon that should be wiped from existence, and further stated that Jynx is just problematic at every turn.[46] Liz Finnegan of The Escapist listed Jynx as worst Pokémon design, and further stated that "the problem with Jynx is that she’s not menacing, nor is she cute. Jynx is just plain old ugly."[47] VentureBeat placed Jynx on a list of "seriously ugly Pokémon" from the past twenty years, and claimed that Jynx has always weirded him out.[48] Ben Skipper of International Business Times ranked Jynx as one of the very worst Pokémon designs.[49] Sam Loveidge of Digital Spy listed Jynx as worst Pokémon design ever, and further stated that it got some seriously racist connotations and manages to look just human enough to be totally creepy-looking.[50] Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku described Jynx as a literal blackface of Pokémon.[51] In a 2016 Japanese poll, Jynx was voted as the fourth ugliest Pokémon, receiving 37 votes.[52] David Lozada of GameRevolution listed Jynx as the weirdest Pokémon ever, stating that "Jynx is the embodiment of weird."[53]

Conversely, Elijah Watson of Complex ranked Jynx as one of the 50 best Pokémon, acknowledging that "it's probably one of the strangest-looking Pokemon out there," but that "it can handle its own better than we may think."[54] In the book Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific, David Surman defended Jynx's design, suggesting that Sugimori developed it—along with Mr. Mime—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.[55] Timothy Monbleau of Destructoid crowned Jynx as the best rental Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium, citing her powerful Ice/Psychic-type combination and good speed.[56] Andrew Scariati of TheGamer came to a similar conclusion, ranking her as the second best rental Pokémon in Stadium.[57] Jynx was ranked as the fourth best Psychic-type Pokémon in Generation I—behind Mew, Alakazam, and Mewtwo—by Staci Miller of Game Rant.[58] In his article for CBR titled "10 Underrated Pokémon That Deserve Regional Variants In Scarlet And Violet," Daniel Kurland placed Jynx at number one, arguing that a new a Paldean variant could "redeem the Pokémon."[59]

See also

  • Pokémon episodes removed from rotation, a list of episodes of the anime removed due to various controversies, including an episode removed due to featuring Jynx.
  • Mr. Popo, another character also labelled as a racist caricature
  • Mr. Mime, another Pokémon criticised for its humanoid appearance
  • Yama-uba, Jynx's inspiration

References

  1. 1 2 Morrissy, Kim. "Pokémon Designers Reflect on History of Eevee's Design". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Jynx". Behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 Game Freak (September 30, 1998). Pokémon Red and Blue, Instruction manual. Nintendo. pp. 6–7.
  4. ↑ Game Freak (September 30, 1998). Pokémon Red and Blue, Instruction manual. Nintendo. p. 11.
  5. ↑ Game Freak (1998-09-30). Pokémon Red and Blue, Instruction manual. Nintendo. pp. 31, 35.
  6. ↑ "Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu". Pokemon.com. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Ken Sugimori Works (in Japanese). Tankobon Softcover. January 2014. pp. 342–343. ISBN 9784198638061.
  8. ↑ Howard Chua-Euan; Tim Larimer (1999-11-22). "PokéMania". Time. Vol. 154, no. 20. CNN. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  9. ↑ "#124: Jynx". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  10. 1 2 "A Decade of Pokemon Scandals - Jynx Incites Racial Backlash". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  11. ↑ Game Freak (1998-09-30). Pokémon Red (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: It seductively wiggles its hips as it walks. It can cause people to dance in unison with it.
  12. ↑ Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: Jynx walks rhythmically, swaying and shaking its hips as if it were dancing. Its motions are so bouncingly alluring, people seeing it are compelled to shake their hips without giving any thought to what they are doing
  13. ↑ Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. Pokédex: Its cries sound like human speech. However, it is impossible to tell what it is trying to say.
  14. ↑ Chunsoft (2006-09-18). Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. ∞XO@#*~♪♪♪
  15. ↑ HAL Laboratory (2006-10-30). Pokémon Ranger (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. Jynx swings its hips as if it's dancing while walking. Beware of its kiss attack!
  16. ↑ Creatures Inc. (2008-11-10). Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. It attacks by launching strange orbs. It protects itself with a psychic barrier.
  17. ↑ "Walkthrough - Ice Path". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  18. ↑ "Pokémon Locations Listing". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  19. ↑ McFerran, Damien; Cartwright, Jon (June 14, 2021). "New Pokémon Snap Durice Pokémon List / Pokédex - 155 - 200". Nintendo Life.
  20. ↑ Hideki Sonoda (writer) (1999-12-11). "Holiday Hi-Jynx". Pokémon. Season 1. Episode 63. Various.
  21. ↑ Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer) (2002-05-30). "The Ice Cave". Pokémon. Season 3. Episode 250. Various.
  22. ↑ Junki Takegami (writer) (1999-09-04). "Princess vs. Princess". Pokémon. Season 1. Episode 52. Various.
  23. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (2003-12-27). "All Things Bright and Beautifly". Pokémon. Season 6. Episode 286. Various.
  24. ↑ Aya Matsui (writer) (2006-04-08). "Pacifidlog Jam". Pokémon. Season 6. Episode 116. Various.
  25. ↑ Masashi Sogo (writer) (2006-02-11). "Berry, Berry Interesting". Pokémon. Season 6. Episode 117. Various.
  26. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (2006-02-18). "Hi Ho Silver Wind!". Pokémon. Season 6. Episode 121. Various.
  27. ↑ Junki Takegami (writer) (2006-11-25). "Three Jynx and a Baby". Pokémon. Season 9. Episode 440. Various.
  28. ↑ Liu, Stephanie (November 6, 2023). "Project Voltage Image Depicts Meiko for 19th Anniversary". Siliconera. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ↑ Carole Boston Weatherford (2000-01-16). "Politically Incorrect Pokémon, One Of The Pokémon Characters Reinforces An Offensive Racial Stereotype". Greensboro News & Record. Greensboro, N.C.: H.3.
  30. ↑ Carole Boston Weatherford (2000-02-28). "Pokemon phenom harbors racist image;Jynx character is a stereotype comparable to Little Black Sambo". Advertising Age. Crain Communications, Inc.
  31. ↑ "Politically Incorrect Pokemon". September 25, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25.
  32. ↑ David Pilgrim. "New Racist Forms: Jim Crow in the 21st Century". The Jim Crow Museum, Ferris State University. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  33. ↑ ""Anti-Black Images" in Japanese Animation". ferris.edu. Ferris State University. December 3, 2006. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  34. ↑ Jack DeVries (2009-02-02). "Pokemon Report: You Can't Do That on Television". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  35. ↑ Kat Bailey. "Top 5 Lamest Pokemon". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. Archived from the original on 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  36. ↑ Mary C. Morton (1999-09-14). "Pokemon: The Dark Side". The Washington Post.
  37. ↑ Jerry Parish; James Mielke; Ryan O'Donnell; Richard Li; Shane Bettenhausen (2007-04-05). "Retronauts Episode 18". 1UP.com (Podcast). UGO Networks. Archived from the original on 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  38. ↑ DeVries, Jack (2008-11-14). "Pokemon Report: Do Not Want". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  39. ↑ Rodriguez, Matthew (February 28, 2023). "21 Pokémon Who Are Definitely Queer". Out.
  40. ↑ Chris Buffa. "Top 10 Weirdest Looking Pokémon". GameDaily. AOL. Archived from the original on 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  41. ↑ Ben Karl; Dave Rudden (2007-10-05). "Top Ten Disturbingly Sexual Game Characters". games.net. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  42. ↑ "Thirty rubbish Pokemon: Red/Blue edition". Destructoid.com. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  43. ↑ "Pokemusings, week 32, page 2". GamesRadar+. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  44. ↑ Carolyn Gudmundson (2011-03-01). "Pokemon Black and White Pokedex - Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  45. ↑ Loredana Lipperini (2000). Generazione Pokémon: I bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi "giocattoli di ruolo" (in Italian). Castelvecchi. p. 235. ISBN 9788882102494.
  46. ↑ "The worst original Pokémon: Our 37 picks". Polygon.com. 26 September 2018.
  47. ↑ "10 Worst Pokemon Designs". Escapistmagazine.com. February 26, 2016.
  48. ↑ "20 years have produced some seriously ugly Pokémon". Venturebeat.com. March 1, 2016.
  49. ↑ "What are the worst Pokémon designs? #Pokemon20". International Business Times UK. February 25, 2016.
  50. ↑ "20 worst Pokémon designs ever, ranked". Digitalspy.com. 28 December 2016.
  51. ↑ "Pokémon Designs Aren't Getting Worse, They May Be Getting Better". Kotaku.com. 17 December 2012.
  52. ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (May 10, 2016). "A Poll For The Ugliest Pokémon". Kotaku.com.au.
  53. ↑ "Weirdest Pokemon Ever | From Alcremie to Vanillite". GameRevolution.com. July 11, 2019.
  54. ↑ "The 50 Best Pokemon Up to "Pokemon Crystal"". Complex.com.
  55. ↑ Larissa Hjorth; David Surman (2009). "9". Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific (1st ed.). Routledge/Taylor & Francis. p. 314. ISBN 978-0-415-99627-3.
  56. ↑ Monbleau, Timothy (April 18, 2023). "The 10 best rental Pokemon in Pokemon Stadium". Destructoid. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  57. ↑ Scariati, Andrew (May 11, 2023). "Pokemon Stadium: The 13 Best Rental Pokemon, Ranked". TheGamer. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  58. ↑ Miller, Staci (October 22, 2022). "Pokemon: Every First Gen Psychic-type Pokemon, Ranked". Game Rant. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  59. ↑ Kurland, Daniel (November 18, 2022). "10 Underrated Pokémon That Deserve Regional Variants In Scarlet And Violet". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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