Jaxi

This article is about the mountable Jaxi. For the inanimate Jaxi Statues, see Jaxi Statue.

Not to be confused with Taxi.

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

—Jaxi, Super Mario Odyssey

A Jaxi 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 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. It was also given a necklace that resembles a mane.

Jaxis are based on jaguars and sphinxes, 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.

Quotes

• "How you doin'? I'm what you call a Jaxi."
• "You wanna ride, it'll be 30 coins. Whaddaya say?"
• "Gotta ride along to get along...bud."
• "So, what, you doing some sightseeing? You gotta check out the Inverted Pyramid!"
• "Controls are a snap: : Brake zl: Dismount"
• "I'll take off as soon as you're strapped in, but watch yourself—I go quick."
• "Aw, were you taking me to see my family, you old softy?"
• "I appreciate your kind gesture. Come see me again anytime!"
• "I know this place. But my days of standing around are done."

Gallery

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  Jaxi standing upright

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  Mario riding Jaxi through the desert

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  Mario mounting on Jaxi

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  Render of Jaxi (bind pose)

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  Render of Jaxi (posed)

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	Sphinx Ride (internal) ライドン・バス 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

• Yoshi
• Blooper Racer
• Ray
• Plessie