Bidoof

Bidoof
Pokémon character
First game	Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006)
In-universe information
Species	Pokémon
Type	Normal

Bidoof, known as Bippa (ビッパ) in Japanese, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. It evolves into the Pokémon Bibarel, which becomes Normal and Water type whereas Bidoof is only Normal type. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, it is that game's "regional rodent," often used as a "HM slave," a role given to Pokémon capable of using mandatory items called Hidden Machines. It has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.

Bidoof 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.^[1] 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.^[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.^[3] 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.^[2]

Bidoof are small brown rodent-like creatures with large front teeth which they use for gnawing on wood. Bidoof need to constantly gnaw on hard substances to keep their teeth ground down, since they grow constantly.^[4] Without something to gnaw on, they become violent because of the pain and inconvenience the unwieldy growing teeth cause. A comparison revealed that Bidoof's front teeth grow at the same rate as a Rattata's.^[5] They have tufts of fur on their tails and a ring of them on their faces. They also have slightly webbed paws. Males have five lumps on their tails, unlike females, who have three. Bidoof build their nests along the side of bodies of water.^[4] They are more agile and active than they appear.^[6] Bidoof feed mainly on berries, and occasionally they can eat tree bark.

Bidoof first appears in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as an early Pokémon encountered by players. It later appears in HeartGold and SoulSilver as well as Pokémon Black and White. It eventually evolves into Bibarel. In the main games, Bidoof is often considered an "HM slave", a term which refers to a Pokémon that is only good for its ability to use most "Hidden Machines", items which teach Pokémon new abilities.^[7] It also appeared in Pokémon Platinum, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Outside of the main series, it also appears in some of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, some of the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Bidoof is a major supporting character; in the remake Explorers of Sky, a series of side missions called "Bidoof's Wish" is available to players. It also appeared in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Pokémon Rumble, Pokémon Rumble Blast, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, Pokémon Conquest , Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Rumble World, Pokémon Picross and Pokémon Rumble Rush.

An event in Pokémon Go taking place on October 22nd, 2018, was labelled Bidoof day, with the game's Twitter account encouraging players to post pictures of Bidoof.^[8]

Bidoof have appeared a few times in the Pokémon anime, first randomly appearing in the wild and then having a whole episode where a Steelix is destroying a Bidoof village. Since then they have had many more appearances such as one being under care of Reggie, Paul's older brother. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Platinum was attacked by a group of Bidoof in her own house.

On April 1st, 2021, a fancam video depicting Bidoof was published on The Official Pokemon Youtube Channel's account.^[9] On July 1st, 2021, The Pokémon Company announced "Bidoof Day," an event that featured various Bidoof-themed celebrations in various forms of Pokémon media.^[10] Events featuring Bidoof included a week-long Pokémon Go event, which culminated on the last day with the ability to obtain Bidoof with special in-battle attacks,^[11] a parody of the music video for Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up",^[12] and a special animated video titled Bidoof's Big Stand, which depicted a Bidoof being captured and used by a Pokémon Trainer, before eventually securing a major victory for its Trainer after being relegated to only using HM moves.^[13]

Since its debut, Bidoof has become a notable Pokémon within the Pokémon fandom,^[14][15] acting as a meme due to its overall weak in-game battling ability and its status as a "HM Slave,"^[15] which are Pokémon used by players solely to use un-removable "HM Moves" needed to progress through the game's story.^[16] Bidoof was featured in numerous parodies, in which it is depicted as being akin to a god-like being, with an entire subreddit being themed around the Pokémon.^[8] Its continued popularity among fans has contributed to it continuing to be relevant in the Pokémon series according to Screen Rant writer Scott Baird.^[17] Hobby Consolas writer David Rodriguez agreed with this sentiment, stating it's among the most likable Pokémon.^[18] Its "HM Slave" status was referenced in the games Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, where a new method, involving summoning helpful wild Pokémon to execute the moves for the player instead of using their own Pokémon, frequently involves Bidoof and its evolution Bibarel.^[19] Paste writers Kevin Slackie and Moises Taveras regarded Bidoof as being among the best Pokémon, calling it dorky and an "underdog." They also noted the fan following that Bidoof generated despite other players discarding it.^[20]

Gita Jackson of Vice Media described Bidoof's popularity as stemming from not only its lack of in-battle utility, but also its cute name and appearance, additionally noting its popularity with fans as a result, as well as its popularity within the photo-sharing features of the photography video game New Pokémon Snap.^[21] TheGamer's Stacey Henley additionally praised the "Bidoof Day" event, citing that the focus on Bidoof without any other notable incentive to The Pokémon Company helped emphasize the franchise's roots in a manner not frequently done by the Company, as well as emphasizing the focus on individual Pokémon and the followings behind them.^[22]

Eric Switzer of TheGamer praised Bidoof's role in Bidoof's Big Stand, noting its status as a fresh idea that was vastly appealing due to its narrative and usage of Bidoof as a protagonist.^[23] TheGamer's Gabrielle Hudson and Meg Pelliccio praised Bidoof's design, stating that they found its popularity to stem not only from its appealing nature, but also from its appearance in Bidoof's Big Stand.^[24] Noelle Warner of Destructoid praised the short for its charm, as well as for its animation.^[25]