Jaxi: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 12:44, March 31, 2021

This article is about the mountable Jaxi. For the inanimate Jaxi Statues, see Jaxi Statue.
Not to be confused with Taxi.

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“I'll take off as soon as you're strapped in, but watch yourself - I go quick.”
Jaxi, Super Mario Odyssey

A Jaxi[1] is a feline animated statue found throughout the Sand Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey. It is instrumental in the acquisition of several Power Moons and otherwise serve as a quick transport for the vast desert. It only becomes accessible after completing the mission "Showdown on the Inverted Pyramid" or by talking to the Jaxi in the Jaxi Ruins. Upon talking to one for the first time, it asks Mario if he wants a ride for thirty coins, which Mario can either accept or deny. Mario is only charged once.

As soon as Mario jumps onto a Jaxi's back, it takes off running at its full speed. The player can control the Jaxi with the left control stick, brake by pressing B, and dismount by pressing ZL. However, the Jaxi's speed makes it difficult to control, with the Jaxi sliding whenever the player makes a turn, though the player can turn quickly by braking while turning. Any breakable objects or small enemies the Jaxi runs into are knocked over or defeated. Mario can also ride Jaxis safely over poison. If Mario falls down a pit while riding a Jaxi, the Jaxi returns to the spot Mario found it.

Concept and creation

Concept art of Jaxi in Super Mario Odyssey.
Concept art of a Jaxi

To emphasize it being a moving statue, some parts were made movable and others not-movable before finishing the design of the Jaxi.[2] It was also given a necklace that resembles a mane.[2]

Jaxis are based on jaguars[3] and sphinxes[4], and their name in many languages is a portmanteau of jaguar and taxi. This is reflective of various jaguar deities from ancient Mesoamerica, such as Tezcatlipoca. Jaxis may also be inspired by komainu, Japanese lion statues that are believed to protect shrines and temples from evil. Numerous tales exist about normally stoic komainu statues suddenly coming to life, similar to Jaxis. Notably, the first stone Jaxis encountered in the ruins are before a large gate reminiscent of a torii, which are traditionally guarded by a pair of komainu in Japan.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese Sphinx Ride[4]
(internal)
Template:Nowrap
Raidon Basu
Sphinx Ride

Raidon Bus; raidon is based on either 「ライド」 (raido, ride), 「ライオン」 (raion, lion) or both. Also, possibly a pun based on the English "ride on". Reused from Raidon in Super Mario 3D World.
Chinese (simplified) 莱德·巴士[?]
Láidé Bāshì
Ride Bus. 莱 (lái) is similar to the word for run 来 (lái).
Chinese (traditional) 萊德‧巴士[?]
Láidé Bāshì
Ride Bus. 萊 (lái) is similar to the word for run 來 (lái).
Dutch Jaxi[?] Jaxi
German Miauxi[?] From miau (meow) and taxi
Italian Ruggitaxi[?] From ruggito (roar) and taxi
Korean 잭시[?]
Jaeksi
Jaxi
Russian Рыкарус[?]
Rykarus
From рык ryk (growl) and "Icarus", a brand of Hungarian buses popular in 1990s-2000s Russia.
Spanish Jaxi[?] Jaxi

See also

References

  1. ^ IGN. (June 13, 2017). Mario Gets An Awesome Mount to Ride In Super Mario Odyssey. YouTube. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Post about the concept art of a Jaxi from the Japanese Super Mario Odyssey official Twitter account. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  3. ^ Super Mario Odyssey internal filename (JaguarTaxistop)
  4. ^ a b Super Mario Odyssey internal filename (SphinxRide)