100 Favorite Pokémon - #4 Mantine

[shamanicshaymin]

Johto Pokémon may not quite show up as much in our 100 Mon Countdown. Part of it has to do with a smaller selection compared to the other regions... less Pokémon, less favorites. :( There are a few that I like though, and today we'll be discussing one of them. Meet (Heart)/Gold and Crystal exclusive, Mantine. :)





Name: #226 Mantine/Mantain
Type: Water/Flying
Species: Kite Pokémon
Abilities: Swift Swim/Water Absorb/Water Veil
PuriDex: It swims elegantly and freely, mindless of Remoraid hitching on to its broad fins. While eating things that swim into its mouth, it doesn't care if Remoraid scavenges for leftovers. Its whole body is very course, but it has a docile nature. On sunny days when the waves are calm, schools of Mantine may fly out of the water and over the waves if they build up enough speed. People organize tours to see this Pokémon and its pre-evolution Mantyke frolic and skim the tops of waves with Remoraid.
Puri's Nickname(s): Jackie (♂/♀)
Notable Celebrities: Tibo (Gold's Mantine in PokéSpecial), Molly's Mantine (Spell of the Unown), Jackie's Mantine (Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea)
Puri's Bizarre Pronunciation: Man (rhymes with "ban")-teen. Man-tine (rhymes with "time") is too easy. >(

Mantines are rare in (Heart)/Gold and Crystal. I remember minding my own business in Route 41 around the Whirl Islands when SUDDENLY GIANT STING RAY APPEARED. I caught it and was surprised that I didn't run into many other ones after that. Even in B/W, you're better off catching Mantykes, which show up at least 30%. Mantines are interesting for me, mainly because I used to have fond memories of watching sting rays in the Tennessee Aquarium growing up. They're also a display of commensalism in Pokémon... you know, where one animal gets the goods while the other neither suffers or benefits? That's Mantine and Remoraid, appealing to my inner animal nerd. Though depending how you look at it, it becomes mutualism when it comes to Mantykes. Have a Remoraid in your party? Mantyke evolves!

I like using Mantine for gameplay rather than competitive play, mainly because it's a Spe. Def tank without getting clobbered too hard by the computers, and it learns interesting moves like Psybeam and Confuse Ray. Plus I like the way it floats behind me in HG/SS with its wide smile. :) Based on its cry, I always imagined that it sounded like a dolphin while being just as playful as one. Imagine my disappointment when its voice in the Animé made it sound slow and stupid. :( Whatever, my headcanon trumps the show's any day. >(

As cute as it is, Mantine sadly isn't that popular a Pokémon even before Steve Irwin's death, especially when you compare it with say... Charizard or the Eeveelutions. Mantine only had four pages on Pixiv. :( But I've scrounged up what I could, so Mantine will not be without a gallery! *salute*



This is how I'd use Mantine, by the way. As my personal water-jet Remoraid-powered Hang Glider of Badass. 8)



Aw, c'mon Lyra, you're no fun. Though they don't call Mantine the Kite Pokémon for no reason. :o



This is what I mean. Awww.



Surprise Joltik! Wait your turn, little guy. :3



Fun Useless Fact: I used to think the gills on a sting ray were actually their eyes. Imagine my surprise when I learned they were actually in the back of their heads instead. :o



Whoosh! The artist said she was inspired by Ponyo for this. :)



This can either be sperm or a computer mouse. You decide.



The context in which Mantines are usually drawn. Breathtaking, eh?



One Happy Family~



And the gajinkas bid you a farewell. :)