
Illustrated diagram shows why the weakest Pokémon is also the worst kisser.
With Pokémon Sword and Shield releasing for the Switch last Friday, there’s a lot of love in the air for the Pocket Monster pantheon designed by Game Freak (not Nintendo). But while fans are happy to once again be spending time with their Poké-pals, there’s one Pokémon species that’s getting a new batch of online attention in Japan for a less complimentary reason.
In a tweet posted back in the summer, Japanese Twitter user @nokochan1224 was sharing some of her musings on what makes a good kiss, complete with a few on-screen examples from movies or TV dramas. She then shifted the discussion to the other end of the spectrum by diagramming what she says is the worst kissing technique she’s ever been on the receiving end, which she’s dubbed “the Magikarp kiss,” after the often-ridiculed carp-like bottom-feeder Pokémon species,
特に宣伝することはないので、ここで私が体験した対極的な最悪のキスをご紹介したいと思います。
— のこのこ (@nokochan1224) June 12, 2019
それでは聞いてください、「コイキング・キス」。
※ちなみにコイキングは何も悪くありません pic.twitter.com/SGCWAl9Qgf
So what prevents any romantic magic from occurring in a Magikarp kiss? @nokochan1224 outlines the move’s six defining points:
1. The other person’s mouth completely covers yours
2. Terrifying view of the relentless advance of their mouth
3. Immediately physically intense
4. Sticky with saliva
5. Feels like your lips are being eaten
6. The other person keeps a tight grip on your shoulders
Though it’s kind of hard to see how the tight grip on the shoulders mentally connects to Magikarp (since it doesn’t have hands), the rest of the list all ties in to the Pokémon’s frantic writhing and splash-spreading gyrations. And while this is the first time for the term “Magikarp kiss” to be used to describe this awkward expression of affection, @nokochan1224 isn’t the only one to have experienced it, as shown in reactions from commenters such as:
“Yep, there are people out there who kiss like this.”
“This is my least favorite way to be kissed. It’s like, ‘Please, get me out of this hell.’”
“Were you making out with a parasite or something?”
“It’s like you’re being consumed!”
“Complaints noted. I’ll stop kissing people like this.”
“I…I think I’d actually like it if my girlfriend kissed me like this.”
Though @nokochan1224 is quick to add that she has no ill will towards Magikarp itself, having its name attached to sloppy kissing technique is but the latest indignity for the only Pokémon breed that has an entire song about how worthless it is in a fight. It’s an especially harsh association, since cultured historians will point out that fishman Noonsa of anime TV series Slayers was kissing in a similar fashion back in 1995, a year before Magikarp’s first appearance in the original Pokémon video games and two years before the start of the Pokémon animated series.
But don’t give up, Marikarp! Sure, you may be weak and pathetic now, but we all know that with enough effort and courage, someday you’ll transform into Gyarados, and hopefully along the way your kissing skills will evolve too.
Source: Twitter/@nokochan1224 via Otakomu
Photos ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he has his fingers eternally crossed for more Slayers anime, and more fishman episodes.


Magikarp song’s brand-new English version is full of love for the most pathetic Pokémon【Video】
Insane Japanese Twitter user does the unthinkable: beats Pokémon Sun/Moon only using Magikarp
Pokémon Magikarp Jump Game Launches for iOS, Android Devices
Pathetically weak Magikarp shown love with Pokémon manhole covers in birthplace of koi culture
Beautiful Magikarp necklaces show your Pokémon-loving lover you’re in it for the long haul【Pics】
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
As mobile game Pokémon GO launches, players keep finding Magikarp in crazy locations 【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Poll asks Japanese gamers if they’d break up with a lover who deleted their Pokémon save
Japanese fish that beat Pokémon video game passes away
Love ballad to Pokémon’s Slowpoke is strangely emotional and romantic【Video】
Shocking news! Star Pokémon Pikachu’s design isn’t based on a mouse
New Pokémon dress shirt line lets you dress like an adult in the company of all 151 Kanto species
“Real-world Pokémon” has Japanese Internet gushing, but what is the cute creature?
Japanese prefecture that named a Pokémon as its governor to install 16 new Pokémon manholes
Subway-riding Pikachu displays terrifying Pokémon power/hidden limb
Mouthwatering Pokémon KitKat “ad” has us dreaming of the future of Japanese sweets【Video】
Japan’s “excessively Pikachu” marriage registration form is appropriate amount for Pokémon lovers
New giant Pokémon plushie is so big it looks like it could eat you【Photos】
Elderly Japanese man goes Pokémon Go hunting at wife’s grave, offers sweet tribute to lost love