Jaxi

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

Not to be confused with Taxi.

Jaxi
A Jaxi in Tostarena
First appearance	Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

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

—Jaxi, Super Mario Odyssey

A Jaxi is an animated feline statue found throughout the Sand Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey. Mario can ride a Jaxi by jumping on its back; the first time it is encountered, it must be paid 30 coins to use it, but this fee has to be paid only once, and Mario can call it at any Jaxi Stand free of charge afterwards. It becomes accessible only after the player completes the mission Showdown on the Inverted Pyramid or talks to it on the Jaxi Ruins. It is instrumental in the acquisition of several Power Moons and serves as quick transportation through the vast desert.

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 leftstick, brake by pressing B, and dismount by pressing ZL. However, the Jaxi's speed makes it difficult to control, and it slides whenever the player makes a turn, though the player can turn more quickly by braking while turning. Any breakable objects or small enemies the Jaxi runs into are knocked over or defeated, and it can run on poison without being damaged. If Mario falls down a pit while riding a Jaxi, the Jaxi returns to the spot where Mario found it.

Concept and creation

Concept art of a Jaxi

To emphasize a Jaxi being a moving statue, some parts were made movable and others unmovable before the design of the Jaxi was finished. 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

• 

  Jaxi standing upright

• 

  Mario riding a Jaxi through the desert

• 

  Mario mounting on a Jaxi

• 
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  Render of a Jaxi (bind pose)

• 

  Render of a Jaxi (posed)

• SMO Concept Art Jaxi (Egyptian Designs).png

  Egyptian-based concept art

Additional names

Internal names

Game	File	Name	Meaning
Super Mario Odyssey	Sphinx Ride	Sphinx Ride	-
Super Mario Odyssey	JaguarTaxistop	Jaguar Taxi	-

See also

• Yoshi
• Blooper Racer
• Ray
• Plessie

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ライドン・バス[?] Raidon Basu	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