Why Japanese Fans Say “Kimokunai!” About Swampert: A Meme of Mockery and Love

“Swampert is gross!”
“No it’s not—(゜∀゜)キモクナーイ!!”
…and just like that, a meme was born.

In Japanese Pokémon fandom, some memes are created from epic moments or dominant characters. But others, like “キモクナーイ (Kimokunai!)”, come from something much stranger—design, emotion, and internet banter gone wild.

This article will explore the origins, cultural role, and evolution of “Kimokunai!”—a phrase that turned Swampert, a bulky amphibian starter, into a legend of both ridicule and love.

🧬 What Does “キモクナーイ” Mean?

Let’s start with translation.

• キモい (Kimoi) = Gross, creepy, weird-looking
• キモクナーイ (Kimokunai) = “Not gross!” (casual/slangy)

It’s an intentionally exaggerated, emotional response. And when paired with Swampert’s early 2000s sprite… it became a meme cannon.

The full line often went like this:

“Swampert looks gross.”
→ “NO IT’S NOT!! (゜∀゜)キモクナーイ!!”

This became a copypasta, with fans mock-defending Swampert in online forums (especially 2channel, the precursor to 5ch).

🎮 Why Swampert?

Swampert, known as ラグラージ (Laglarge) in Japanese, is the final evolution of Mudkip. In Gen III (Ruby/Sapphire), it had great stats and typing—Water/Ground.

So what’s the problem?

✴️ The Sprites Were… Weird

• Its official artwork was cool and solid.
• But the in-game sprite (especially in Gen III–IV) had bulging eyes, a lumpy body, and a wide frog-like stance.
• Many fans described it as:
  • “Too human-shaped”
  • “Uncanny valley”
  • “A sad evolution from the cute Mudkip”

This visual shock triggered the classic “Kimoi” reaction, especially among fans who loved Mudkip’s cute look.

📜 Origin: The Birth of the Meme

📌 Where It Started

Around 2002–2005, the phrase began showing up on Japanese forums, notably 2channel and Pokémon-themed message boards.

🗣 Sample exchange:

「ラグラージってキモいよな」
“Swampert is kind of gross.”
「(゜∀゜)キモクナーイ！！」
“It’s NOT gross!!”

The dramatic counter-response—often with the happy face emoticon—became more memorable than the insult. It quickly turned into a reaction meme used in all sorts of contexts, often sarcastically.

🧠 Expert Insights (From Japanese Sources)

According to multiple community sources:

1. Pixiv Encyclopedia

Describes “キモクナーイ” as a response-driven meme born from the disconnect between official Swampert art and in-game graphics. It’s a mix of sincere defense and over-the-top humor.

“Swampert’s unusual face in pixel art created a divide between fans—some loved it, others flinched.”

📎 Source: Pixiv百科事典

2. Yahoo! Chiebukuro (Yahoo Answers Japan)

One 2009 response clearly outlines the meme’s pattern:

“It came from 2ch, where someone said ‘Swampert looks gross,’ and people replied with ‘It’s not! Kimokunai!’ sarcastically and repeatedly.”

📎 Yahoo! 知恵袋 thread

This meme became a symbol not of Swampert’s ugliness, but of fans’ emotional reactions.

✍️ Fan Interpretations & Real Voices

1. A NicoNico blogger reminisced:

“Ah, the internet era of ‘(゜∀゜)キモクナーイ’… You couldn’t post a Swampert picture without someone using it. It was a love-hate joke.”

📎 Zalwa.net – Nostalgia post

2. AniwotaWiki (Anime Otaku Wiki)

Provides a long-form analysis of why the meme stuck:

• Swampert wasn’t just gross. It was loveably gross.
• The community made fun of it, but never rejected it.
• The meme was a form of bonding—mocking the design while still using Swampert in games.

📎 AniwotaWiki

🧩 Meme Usage in Practice

“キモクナーイ” evolved beyond Swampert over time:

• Used sarcastically to defend any weird-looking character
• Often quoted with emoticons or exaggerated voice: “KIMOKUNAAAAI!!!”

It became a template for mock defense, the way English speakers might say:

“He’s not ugly, he’s UNIQUE.”

💞 Emotional Core: Why “Kimokunai!” Resonated

At first glance, “キモクナーイ” may seem like a shallow joke about appearance. But beneath the humor lies something deeper: a shared emotional coping mechanism.

Fans who adored Mudkip’s cuteness were often shocked—or even disappointed—by Swampert’s final design. But instead of simply rejecting it, they:

• Mocked it playfully
• Defended it aggressively
• Used memes to reframe their emotions

This is why “キモクナーイ” became more than a meme. It was a kind of digital tsundere reaction—part insult, part love, all internet.

“It’s ugly! No it’s not! I love it. …Maybe.”

🎭 From Laughter to Loyalty: A Meme’s Maturity

By Gen V and VI, Swampert had become a competitive powerhouse, especially with its Mega Evolution in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Suddenly:

• It was no longer a joke in battles
• But the meme stayed alive

In fact, many fans loved Swampert more because of the meme. It was a battle-hardened warrior wrapped in awkwardness.

People started to say:

“Swampert may not be cute…
But it’s ours.”

That duality—awkward looks + effectiveness—made it a mascot of underdog victory.

🌐 Cultural Reflections: Why This Could Only Happen in Japan

“Kimokunai!” is the kind of meme that’s hard to export. Why?

1. Linguistic Nuance

• “キモい” is casual and vague
• “キモクナーイ” is a quirky form of rebuttal
• The face (゜∀゜) adds performative energy

This playfulness is hard to replicate in English without explaining the joke—thus, it rarely crossed into western fandoms.

2. Net Culture DNA

Early 2000s Japanese forums were full of:

• ASCII art
• Emoticon-heavy dialogue
• Roleplay-like sarcasm

“Kimokunai!” fits perfectly into that tone—less about logic, more about energy and vibes.

🌀 What It Means Today

While you don’t see the phrase everywhere in 2025, it still resurfaces:

• In meme retrospectives
• In Pokémon YouTube commentary
• Among older fans as an inside joke

You’ll find fans referring to shiny Swampert as:

“Extra Kimokunai.”
“It’s so purple… it’s majestic… and cursed.”

There’s now a meme-layered affection for Swampert. It represents:

• The power of memory
• The joy of flawed favorites
• How internet culture can shape identity

🧠 Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Swampert Saga

“キモクナーイ” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a story.

• It’s about expectation vs. reality
• About how people make peace with weird design
• About how mockery can become affection

It shows how internet humor often masks real emotional adaptation.

“We didn’t love Swampert because it was beautiful.
We loved it because it was ours—and kind of ugly.”

🔗 Sources & References

• Pixiv Encyclopedia – キモクナーイ
• Yahoo Chiebukuro – Meme Origin
• AniwotaWiki – Swampert Analysis
• Zalwa.net – Meme Nostalgia