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Manaphy (マナフィ, Manafi) is a recently released character in the Pokémon franchise. Its debut is in the 9th Pokémon Movie Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy, and is thought to be the Prince of the Sea Pokémon alluded to the title. It was the 6th Pokémon of the fourth generation to be revealed by Coro Coro magazine. It was also revealed with the silhouettes of three other Pokémon; The first one being Tamanta (the pre-evolution of Mantine), then Buoysel, and Perap. Manaphy is the official romanization of マナフィ, the Japanese name for this Pokémon. The final English name has yet to be revealed. This Pokémon is also known as Manafi.
Characteristics
Little is known about Manaphy at this point, leaving most of the information about its characteristics to speculation. Manaphy has been confirmed to be a Water-type Pokémon. As apparently indicated by the title of the ninth Pokémon movie, it is the supposed “Prince of the Sea”. Its bold blue appearance is vaguely fishlike, with fins and a body configured for swimming. Its role is also speculated to be the Diamond and Pearl counterpart to Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi, all promotional secret Pokémon. (If it is indeed the “secret” Pokémon of its generation as well as a pure-Water Pokémon, it will be the first so far that is not a Psychic-type.)
The ball-shaped attachments at the ends of Manaphy’s “antennae” are apparently its focal points for its powers. These attachments have been seen glowing a bright violet color while Manaphy is in an attack pose, suggesting that the attachments are its weapons for battle. It also appears to have a jewel on its torso that looks like the jewel on Sableye’s stomach.
When first revealed by Coro Coro, many fans noted Manaphy’s resemblance to the Chao, a fictional creature from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
In the video games
Manaphy has had no appearances outside of the anime as of yet, although it will appear in the upcoming Nintendo DS games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The only way to get Manaphy in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is transferring his egg to the games, where it will hatch. Manaphy's egg can be obtained only in Pokémon Ranger by means of a side mission, only obtainable upon receiving a ticket for pre-purchasing a showing to Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy.
In the Anime
Movie Appearances
Manaphy is apparently the star fourth-generation Pokémon of the ninth Pokémon movie, Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy, sharing the spotlight with Kyogre. None of Manaphy’s role in the movie, in relation to Kyogre or otherwise, is known for certain at this point, though. It is theorized that since Kyogre has long been recognized as the Lord of the Sea and Manaphy is advertised as the Prince of the Sea, Manaphy is subservient to Kyogre. According to the ninth movie manga adaptation, Manaphy can use its “feelers” to switch peoples' bodies, with hilarious results. For example, Ash and Jackie, the Pokémon ranger, get body switched in the first chapter.[1]
In other media
Because Manaphy was only recently released through Coro Coro magazine, it has yet to make an appearance in the manga or the Pokémon Trading Card Game. However, it, along with Buoysel, Tamanta and Perap will probably appear in the expected 9th Movie Half-Deck.
External links
- Bulbanews article showing official romanization
- Serebii.net’s Pokédex Entry for Manaphy
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