King Hippo - Concept and Characteristics

Concept and Characteristics

King Hippo was originally created by Punch-Out!! character designer M. Wada. His most recent appearance was illustrated by art director Eddie Visser.

King Hippo's face and girth resemble that of a hippopotamus, hence his name. He is an obese man from the fictional Hippo Island (Not hailing from the real, sub-Antarctic Hippo Island). His age, weight, and height are all unknown. He is often depicted wearing a crown. He has tanned skin (coloured blue in Captain N: The Game Master) and a large mouth.

In the video game, he blocks every punch until, when he opens his mouth and raises his fist, the player's character, Little Mac, has a chance to punch him in the face. Doing so stuns him for a moment, leaving his stomach exposed. Little Mac must then pummel him there to do damage (and cause Hippo's trunks to fall down repeatedly). Once Hippo is knocked down on his butt, he is unable to stand under his own weight before the referee's ten-count. In the Wii version of the game, his underpants have starmen on them.

The Wii version added a version of the character with a manhole cover taped to his stomach, protecting his only weakness. He speaks English in the cartoon and NES game but, in the Wii Punch-Out!! game and anime, only makes grunting noises.