Fast Facts

• A fan-built animatronic Magikarp pays tribute to the iconic Big Mouth Billy Bass toy.
• The project involved 3D modeling, silicone molding, servo motors, and custom animation software.
• Magikarp measures over two feet long and can sing, dance, and move with a press of a button.
• DIY creator Kiara used open-source resources and off-the-shelf tech to bring the fish to life.

The Unlikely Icon: From Tacky to Techy

In the late 1990s, Big Mouth Billy Bass flopped onto the scene and into millions of homes. The plastic singing fish, mounted on a fake wooden plaque, was more than a gag gift - it was a pop-culture phenomenon, cited in sitcoms and even gracing the halls of the White House. But in the age of 3D printing and open-source code, nostalgia has a new face: a Pokémon named Magikarp, reimagined as the ultimate animatronic centerpiece.

Engineering the Pokémon Party Trick

Kiara, the mastermind behind Kiara’s Workshop, set out to re-create the magic, but with a twist. The inspiration was simple: take the flopping, crooning spirit of Billy Bass and fuse it with the loveable, famously useless Magikarp from the Pokémon universe. The process started with digital sculpting in Blender, a free 3D modeling software, to create the fish’s signature derpy look. After printing the mold, Kiara poured in silicone to replicate the rubbery skin, a tricky step that took several tries to perfect.

Inside, the Magikarp hides a surprisingly sophisticated skeleton. Servo motors - like little mechanical muscles - control the wiggling body and gaping mouth. The animation is programmed using Bottango, a simple tool that choreographs the fish’s movements to music. Even the activation mechanism is old-school: a button under the plaque, just like the original Billy Bass, starts the show.

Open Source, Open Waters

This project isn’t just about nostalgia or novelty. It’s a showcase for the modern maker movement, where enthusiasts remix old ideas with new technologies. By relying on open-source software and affordable electronics, projects like Kiara’s Magikarp lower the barrier to entry for animatronics - a field once reserved for Hollywood studios and theme park engineers. It’s a trend seen across the globe, from home-brewed robotic pets to elaborate Halloween displays, all powered by the same community-driven spirit.

Some experts see this as a small but significant shift. As DIY animatronics become more accessible, we may see a new wave of interactive art, educational tools, and even social engineering experiments. After all, if a Magikarp can learn to sing and dance, what’s next? The market for programmable, customizable gadgets is swelling, and creators are fishing for the next big catch.

WIKICROOK

• Animatronic: An animatronic is a robot that imitates the movements of living beings, commonly used in entertainment, exhibitions, and themed attractions.
• Servo Motor: A servo motor is a compact device that precisely controls movement and position, often used in robotics and automation for accurate mechanical control.
• Silicone Molding: Silicone molding is the process of shaping flexible, rubber-like objects by pouring liquid silicone into a mold and allowing it to cure.
• Open: 'Open' means software or code is publicly available, allowing anyone to access, modify, or use it - including for malicious purposes.
• 3D Modeling: 3D modeling is creating digital three-dimensional shapes or objects on a computer, often used for design, animation, or 3D printing.