Pokémon Nicknames: Wishiwashi

Wishiwashi (in Japanese: ヨワシ  “Yowashi”) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon’s Alola Region (Generation VII). This Pokémon does not evolve, but it can change forms with its “Schooling Ability” — — if it has reached level 20. (Source: Bulbapedia)

One would have to agree that the sad-eyed fish is much more intimidating in the schooling form. However, if its HP is lowered to less than half during battle, it will revert to its regular form.

Wishiwashi is a small fish. I have used names like “Minnow-Soda” (after Minnesota) or “SS Minnow” (after the boat in Gilligan’s Island).

Healthy people eat a lot of fish, thus food or “diner” type names could be used. “ChickenOfSea” after the popular brand of tuna.  “Starkist” is another tuna name. “SorryCharlie” would work because of Wishiwashi’s sad face. Perhaps Wishiwashi is related to sardines — thus “Sardinia” after the Italian island. Name a female Wishiwashi “AuntChovey” after anchovies, which are part of a good anti-pasta. “Baccala”  is Italian salted cod — and the name of a Sopranos character.  I think he ended up “swimming with the fishes“. Of course don’t forget “Tartar“. Actually I eat very little fish these days. Fish is not fish to me unless it is breaded, deep fried and covered with cheddar and tartar sauce.

Wishiwashi looks like some type of smelt, so names like “Smelts” or “Smelt+Dealt” come to mind. The phrase “whoever-smelt-it-dealt it” was common on my middle school bus. You could name one “Smells Fishy” and the like. It is always a hoot to give your fish a funny name, then send it out over the Wondertrade — “Denny sent over A-Fishy-Smell … take good care of A-Fishy-Smell”. Ha. That would be hilarious. It reminds me of the famous quotation about smelts:

“There are only two things that smell like fish … and one of them is fish.” 

One of my favorite fish names has always been “Odoroyo Fish” the GREAT 1980s cover song updated by the Japanese idol group Tsuri Bit. Previously, I had only named Barboach/Whiscash “Odoroyo”. Here is a coincidence:  I used to name Whiscash “WishyWashy” because of the “W” on its head — but that is another story.

Another fun fish name is “Mr. Limpett” after “The Incredible Mr. Limpett” movie. I loved all of Don Knotts‘ movies when I was a kid. For more nostalgia you could name a Wishiwashi “SplishSplash” after the Bobby Darin song.

“1Fish 2Fish” is after the Dr. Suess’ children’s book “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish”. Of course Wishiwashi is blue, but if you name it “Blue Fish” most would not make the connection. Other bookish or “school of fish” type names are appropriate: “Schools Out” after the great Alice Cooper song … or “Back2School” after the Rodney Dangerfield film. Do you what is scary to a middle school student? These “Back to school” ads you see in print ads in JULY! It is like they are mocking the kids that school will start in just a few weeks.

Because of Wishiwashi’s sad looking face, I thought of “My-Sad-Clown“. Also Wishiwashi’s frown reminds me of actor Sean Penn’s grin. Penn, (perhaps the stupidest person on the face of the Earth, — unless you count Russell Brand) often makes that frowny-face of disgust in his movies.

Looks like Droopy does not like what is on the seafood menu …

I named the first Wishiwashi that I caught “Droopy” because of its drooping eyes. That Pokémon is one drooping, flaccid fish. That led me to “LakeFlaccid” as a play on the movie named “Lake Placid”. Droopy looks like he could use some Cialis. “Viagra Falls” is a related name, based on the famous Niagara Falls.

There is a phrase often repeated by feminists that goes “A woman needs a man … like a fish needs a bicycle.”

I strongly disagree with that view. Jewish author Dennis Prager’s has said (and I paraphrase) that men and women need each other. I agree with that. Certainly a man does not feel complete without the love of a good woman. A woman needs a man just the same. It is true that living alone would be better than getting into a bad relationship. However, to say that men and women do not need each other is … well … STUPID.

Will this fish end up old, alone and bitter?

Readers: I apologize for the lack of Pokémon cosplay photos for this post. It seems Wishiwashi is just too new for Pokémon otaku to have created full Wishiwashi costumes yet. All I could find were these fish-patterned panties. Sorry.

Forget the bike, sweetie I just took something to put me in “schooling form” all weekend!

What is your favorite fish name? Please comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Bruxish

Alola cousins! (Denny imitating Professor Kukui): “Have you tried the fish tacos?”

Bruxish (in Japanese: ハギギシリ “Hagigishiri” is a Water and Psychic dual type. Thus far, there are no known evolutionary forms. It is given “Gnash Teeth” as its Pokémon category. Gnash teeth? I can hear Mrs. Sinnoh’s teeth gnashing whenever I am playing Pokémon and I’m supposed to be doing chores and home repair.

I was excited and very interested to see this new Alola region Pokémon. It looks weird, and maybe a little unnatural, but that is what I like about it. Some Pokémon resemble their real animal counterparts a little too much. Bruxish is based on a real life Hawaiian Reef Triggerfish. Bruxish’s wild psychedelic coloration also remind me of a real-life Parrotfish as well. Bruxish’s body is more “head-shaped” than fish-shaped it seems. Its mouth reminds me of the Kissing Fish, and and the sharp teeth remind me of a Piranha.

Bruxish has an odd flower-like protuberance on the top of its head. It is this organ which is the source of its psychic power. Bruxish’s full biology is described at the Bulbapedia site linked here.

My old hippie friend thinks that you should catch this fish, dry-cure the protuberance – then SMOKE IT for a really mellow buzz. I disagree. I am anti-drugs for one thing, plus I think that Poké-animals should be treated a little more kosher. They are spiritual beings, and they should not exist merely to be over-harvested, or in order to make us feel good about ourselves… but I digress.

I used my psychic powers to nab this fish.

I nicknamed a female Bruxish with “Outstanding” potential “Kiss-Me-Kate” after the famous musical of the same name. Here is a song from the movie version. My Kiss-Me-Kate is a ladyfish with the “Strong Jaw” ability, which enhances her “biting” moves. “Psychic Fangs” is her signature move.

I named another “RazzleDazzel” because the fish’s coloration may dazzle opponents. It has the “Dazzling” ability, which surprises the enemy and makes the opponents’ “priority moves” useless.

You could name these fish after famous impressionist artists – “Picassofish” after the painter. I think that “Matisse” would be a good arty name, and would work for males or females. You can think of your favorite artist. I named one “ColorMeGone” after the alt-rock group. You may like “ColorMeBad” rather.

Haruka also suggested the name “Fish Taco” I don’t know why.

I named one toothy fish “Britishsmiles” after an episode of “The Simpsons”. Ralph Wiggims was wary of going to a dentist, and lied about brushing his teeth regularly. The dentist pulled out a photo book titled “The Big Book of British Smiles”. The joke being this book would scare children into taking care of their teeth, so that they would not end up looking like a Cockney prostitute. That humorous clip is LINKED HERE.

Also along the British theme, I named a Bruxish “Brexit” because I just thought the fit the fish. It will beat you, then exit. Of course, the real Brexit will never happen, as Britain’s central government does not want the U.K. to leave the EU and will delay the process until it can be voted down in another election. … and yes, I do digress again …

The hippie movement and psychedelia thing could be mined for more “SummerOfLove” and other groovy names.”Love + Peace” for example. If only there were some way to get this HKT48 song piped into the White House and the Kremlin at the same time.

Some other names I might suggest, but have not used yet include:

“Humuhumu” would be a great (shortened) name for the real triggerfish’s Hawaiian name:  “humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa”. 

The song is LINKED HERE.

“Trig” as Bruxish resembles a trigger-fish, although that name sounds a little too macho for such a gay-colored fish.

Um … I think this was a translation error from the original Japanese Sun Moon anime.

“Dragqueen” due to its lip coloration, and arguably the fish resembles a guy wearing makeup. Covered with makeup, but you can still tell it is a guy. They are pretty good about not gnashing there their teeth though. Ahem … you should see what types of images dirty-minded people are posting about Bruxish on Tumblr … and yes, I digress again.

You have to watch how you pet these Snapper-fish.

“Headshop” due to its shape, and its psychedelic coloration. “Bad Acid” as in the quote “remember the time you took that bad acid, and you got up on top of the roof, and said that you were Jesus Christ and that you could fly?”

What … wait … Fish tacos? You mean those are really real, Haruka ? … I always thought “Fish Taco” was just a euphemism.

What is the name of your Psychic Fish? Please comment!