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This is the page for the franchise character. You may be looking for the book character.


Bucket: "It's always the quiet ones who snap the loudest."
Mulch: "I'd give it to him, Snotlout. There's no telling what he's capable of."
  — Talking about Fishlegs in "Gem of a Different Color"  

Fishlegs Justin Ingerman is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's closest friend in the franchise. He is a very sensitive, caring person, and has an incredible knowledge about dragons. He is 14 years old in the first film, three shorts, Riders, and in Defenders of Berk, 17 to 18 in Dawn of the Dragon Racers and Race to the Edge, 19 years old in How to Train Your Dragon 2, 20 years old in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, and 29 in How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming.

Official Description[]

Resident dragon nerd and statistics guru, Fishlegs, 19, is a skittish and lovable oaf who seems to only get bigger with age. He's a timid sort, reluctant to break or even bend rules, preferring instead to play it safe.
His enthusiasm for dragons knows no bounds and he delights in keeping detailed records of their individual traits and characteristics. Despite being easily intimidated, Fishlegs is clever and tenacious, making him a formidable rival for Snotlout in the battle for Ruffnut's affections.
  Viking Guide  


Biography

Biography banner
Click here to view the biography of Fishlegs Ingerman.


Physical Appearance[]

FishlegsHTTYD

Fishlegs' appearance in How to Train Your Dragon and the three shorts

Generally, unlike his literary counterpart, Fishlegs in the franchise has a very large and husky appearance and is the biggest out of all the Dragon Riders.

In How to Train Your Dragon, Fishlegs wears a brown fur tunic, with a tiny Viking helmet with a pair of tiny horns on it. Fishlegs wears this same outfit in the three specials: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, Gift of the Night Fury, and Book of Dragons.

In the Cartoon Network series, DreamWorks Dragons: The Series, Fishlegs wears the same outfit, just that rather than having fur, it is made out of suede. In the Netflix series, Dragons: Race to the Edge, Fishlegs wears the same outfit he wears in How to Train Your Dragon 2, only this time, once again it's suede rather than fur. His helmet also changes to having a pair of dragon wings rather than horns.

Fishlegs & Meatlug racing colors

Fishlegs' appearance in How to Train Your Dragon 2

In How to Train Your Dragon 2, Fishlegs wears a same brown fur tunic with silver highlights, however, this time it's equipped with furry armbands, and a belt with pockets. Fishlegs now has a thin beard as well. He has also grown heavier in the five years in between the two films and developed a double chin.

In How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Fishlegs sports a braided mustache and tattoos on his upper arms. During rescue missions he is seen wearing dragon scale armor made from Meatlug's scales. He appears to have actually lost some weight since the events of the previous film.

Personality[]

While Fishlegs appears to be clumsy and oafish, there is more to him than meets the eye when it comes to this Viking! Beneath his mediocre exterior lies someone who prefers knowledge to the battleground. He possesses extensive knowledge when it comes to dragons, and is known to recite dragon statistics at a moment's notice.
  School of Dragons website[1]  

Fishlegs is probably the smartest, but also one of the most cowardly and quietest members of the Berk Dragon Training Academy. Despite his flaws, he is still a valued member of the gang. He may be the most cowardly of the group, but will face his fears when he is needed the most, especially out of love for his dragon, Meatlug. Fishlegs is also a vivid dreamer, as shown in "Follow the Leader".

Fishlegs develops a stronger sense of self-confidence as of the episode “Gem of a Different Color“ as he began to see his own self-worth and contribution to the Academy and was willing to stand up to and insult Snotlout, something he had never been able to do earlier in the franchise.

Fishlegs is not very good at hiding his feelings, as he is almost always blushing when being complimented, and later with Heather around. He is also more open to hugging and general physical contact with people, much more so than any of the other Vikings.

Fishlegs is also shown to always be seeking more and more knowledge, especially about dragons or botany. He enjoys reading scrolls, examining maps, deciphering old scripts and the lot. This is also one of the main reasons why he is a valued member of the Riders. Aside from Hiccup, Fishlegs is shown to be their advisor and could be the most knowledgeable about dragons.

In the How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular, Fishlegs has a sense of humor and serves as some comic relief in this live-action play. He even cooks pancakes with the fire of a Monstrous Nightmare. He also likes dancing and hip-hop (something his actor likes that translated into the theatrical show).

Fishlegs' split identity, Thor Bonecrusher, is the exact opposite of him. Bonecrusher is brave to the point of engaging in intense heroic acts, using Fishlegs' rarely used strength. He is very charismatic, impressing people with his feats of bravery and tales of heroism, even making Snotlout infatuated with him. Thor can also be very arrogant; insulting Meatlug and other Vikings he thinks are beneath him, and not listening to other's warnings.

When hypnotized by Snotlout, Fishlegs becomes the Anti-Thor. While retaining his charisma, arrogance and bravery, this Thor is villainous, betraying his friends and working with the enemy. He also shares Fishlegs' fondness for Meatlug. When working with either friend or foe, he's shown to be a great tactician, setting traps for the other Riders.

Ruffnut, who ends up being his romantic partner, confesses that she fell for him because she likes “sensitive guys”.

Abilities, Skills, and Talents[]

  • Intelligence and Building: Fishlegs has proven several times, especially in the first film and in the series whenever a new species of a dragon appeared, that he has a great knowledge of dragons. Unlike Hiccup, who learns from experience, Fishlegs prefers to learn from books. He thought of hand signals as seen in "Twinsanity", and knew Changewings were looking at the boat because Snotlout had the fourth egg as seen in "Gem of a Different Color". He came up with a system of using different colors on dragons for different islands to study their territory as seen in "Appetite for Destruction", figured out why the Flightmare comes every ten years as seen in "Fright of Passage", and taught Meatlug to improve her combat ability that were all shown to be a great success. He even built his own Viking ship for the Regatta event, although Meatlug got seasick and regurgitated lava on the deck of the ship, causing it to sink in the process in Dawn of the Dragon Racers. He also has much more of an interest in flora and fauna than the other Riders.
  • Strength: It was revealed that when Fishlegs gets angry, he will go berserk, successfully defeating enemies and intimidating people, such as in "Gem of a Different Color" and "Big Man on Berk". This is possibly based on the books, where Fishlegs was half Berserker, half Murderous. He was also able to tackle-hug Meatlug in Gift of the Night Fury. As Bonecrusher, in "Big Man on Berk", he shows off his true strength and is able to lift up a cart.
  • Senses: In "Night of the Hunters, Part 1", Fishlegs was able to identify concentrated dragon root by sniffing and tasting it. He later did the same while searching for the Buffalord in "Buffalord Soldier".
  • Dragon Training and Riding: He’s shown to successfully train multiple dragons including a Catastrophic Quaken and his Terrible Terror Iggy. He flew on Toothless once in "The Iron Gronckle", though he was fearful of doing so, since Toothless is much faster than Meatlug. However, he was able to overcome his fear in order to save Meatlug. He has multiple useful ideas for Dragon Training methods, as he was the one who invented the hand signals during the events of "Twinsanity". He is also quite skilled in dragon calls as seen in "We Are Family, Part 1". He is the only one who thought of training ideas for Meatlug to improve her combat ability and gain amazing skills, which all have become a success. And in "Worst in Show", he used pictures to teach Iggy which object to fetch for him.
  • Navigation Skills: Fishlegs is shown to be the best in navigating islands and identifying direction, as he was able to recognize different dragons locations on certain colors in "Appetite for Destruction". He is also able to recognize landmarks around Berk.
  • Combat: Despite his rather distaste for violence, Fishlegs has proven himself as an adept combatant, as evidenced when he battle and defeat Outcasts, Berserkers, and Dragon Hunters that oppose him throughout the series. He is incredibly good at combat as "Thor Bonecrusher", able to knock Snotlout out with a pinch to the shoulder, fight a Scauldron, and beat some thugs up effortlessly.
  • Swordsmanship: Fishlegs has proven himself to be a capable swordsman. This was shown in "Something Rotten on Berserker Island" where he held his own against some of Savage's men and defeated some of them. He also went toe-to-toe with Jarg for a brief time.
  • Speed and Agility: Though shown to be a heavyweight, he is able to run fast enough to catch up to the teens when he's afraid. As Bonecrusher, he was able to run faster than a baby yak and perform flips.
  • Endurance and Stamina: In the first film, he has shown to be able to take Meatlug's weight on him when she falls over him. His stamina, despite being a heavyweight teen, he is able to run a long distance without getting too winded.
  • Dragon Roar: Fishlegs is skilled in mimicking the roar of any dragon. This was shown after Snotlout did an incorrect roar of a Changewing and Fishlegs corrected him in "We Are Family, Part 1". In the same episode, he later did a Thunderdrum, which lured a Thunderdrum to them.
  • Drawing: He was able to draw a picture of the Razorwhip from Bucket's description, despite never having seen one before in "Have Dragon Will Travel, Part 1". He also made a set of dragon cards in "Crash Course", that he would later keep with him at all times and continue to update through How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
  • Teaching Skills: Fishlegs was able to show off his knowledge of dragons and their attacks when he became a tour guide for the children of Berk in "Dragon Eye of the Beholder, Part 1". He was able to teach everything he knows about Gronckles to Dagur, and pointed out that the latter is a fast learner as they both learned a new skill for combat: the Inverted Gronckle Drop.
  • Music: Fishlegs seems to enjoy singing to his beloved Meatlug as he will sing to her often. He sang with her for the Thunder Ear test, though Stoick believes he is not a very good singer. Fishlegs also plays the pan flute quite well in "Tone Death."
  • Acting: Fishlegs is shown to be a very good actor, as he was able to impersonate Stoick better than even Gobber in Homecoming, who was one of Stoick's closest friends and advisor.

Relationships[]

Meatlug[]

Hiccup-toothless-how-to-train-your-dragon-1 Main article: Fishlegs and Meatlug's Relationship
Who's my little princess? Oh, you are. I missed you! [src]
  — Fishlegs, as he reunites with Meatlug  

Meatlug is Fishlegs' dragon. They have a closer and more tender relationship than most the other dragons with their riders.

Heather[]

Hiccup-toothless-how-to-train-your-dragon-1 Main article: Fishlegs and Heather's Relationship
Okay, I wasn't going to say this, but here it goes... I don't want to go back to being long distance terror pals. I want you here! [src]
  — Fishlegs to Heather  

Heather was Fishlegs' first girlfriend. They were together in Dragons: Race to the Edge.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III[]

Hiccup-toothless-how-to-train-your-dragon-1 Main article: Fishlegs and Hiccup's Relationship
That's a language I'm afraid we'll never understand. [src]
  — Astrid about Fishlegs and Hiccup's geeking out  

Hiccup is Fishlegs' best friend. They've known each other their entire lives and interact in each installment.

Ruffnut Thorston[]

IMG 1528

Ruffnut kissing Fishlegs

Here you go, darling. Mine's worth ten! [src]
  — Fishlegs to Ruffnut after tossing her the black sheep  

Though Fishlegs was often a target for pranks, teasing, and even bodily harm of the twins, he has been seen fighting with Snotlout for Ruffnut's affection. In Season 2 of Race to the Edge, Fishlegs and Ruffnut came under the impression that they accidentally got married with Tuffnut as the officiator. During the fake ceremony, Fishlegs and Ruffnut were seen genuinely enjoying themselves and each other. When they suddenly believed they'd been married, however, this changed. Fishlegs was horrified and took the situation very seriously, while Ruffnut didn't take it seriously at all and merely used it as a reason to cause mayhem with her brother. Fishlegs felt like he had no choice but to play along. Later on, Astrid and Snotlout reminded Tuffnut that he had never completed his officiator training, and the marriage was annulled. Fishlegs was instantly relieved to be divorced from Ruffnut, but that changed when he exclaimed, "I haven't been this happy since my wedding day!" He seems to have been honest. Fishlegs turned to Ruffnut and both appeared to genuinely grieve for their union. Ruff affectionately rubs her nose against his and then slaps him. Fishlegs responds that his doors would always be open to Ruffnut.

By How to Train Your Dragon 2, Fishlegs attempts to win Ruffnut's affection.

At the end of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, at Hiccup and Astrid's wedding, he tears up and hugs Ruffnut.

Snotlout Jorgenson[]

Snotlout: "Oh! Fishlegs, that was awesome! Just like I taught you. No need to thank me. Success is its own reward."
Fishlegs: "Oh, really, Snotlout? Tell me more! Oh, yeah, that's right. I just remembered I don't care."
Snotlout: "I taught him too well."[src]
   
Jws470

Snotlout and Fishlegs have had long-standing issues with each other. This is mainly because Snotlout has been teasing and pranking Fishlegs quite often. However, Fishlegs finally stood up for himself, successfully convincing Snotlout to give back the Changewing egg, in "Gem of a Different Color". In the second season, not much of their relationship has been seen. By How to Train Your Dragon 2, they are now rivals for a different reason, which is for Ruffnut's affection.

Astrid Hofferson[]

Astrid comforting Fishlegs

Fishlegs being comforted by Astrid

Fishlegs: "Why is it always violence with you?"
Astrid: "It's not violence, it's communication."[src]
   

Astrid and Fishlegs generally get along well and are good friends. They are often teamed up for missions since they are considered the more rational members of the group apart from Hiccup. However, Astrid has made it clear that Fishlegs is not her type as shown when she was repulsed by Fishlegs, while hypnotized, flirting with her as shown in "Big Man on Berk".

Stoick the Vast[]

Stoick: "When you told me you'd be running the Screaming Death attack drill, I assumed you wouldn't actually try to destroy the entire village."
Fishlegs: "Uh, technically chief, it was just the Great Hall... and I'll let you take it from here."[src]
   

Like most Vikings, Fishlegs is seen respecting and sometimes fearing Stoick. As Bonecrusher, Fishlegs called Stoick the Vastly overrated, though he did not realize it. Fishlegs was greatly saddened when Stoick died and fired a flaming arrow to his late chieftain's funeral ship out of honor and respect.

Gobber the Belch[]

Fishlegs and Gobber

Almost

Gobber: "I have a little something for you."
Fishlegs: "But that's the very first sword you made, for yourself."
Gobber: "It is. But anyone who drives off an Outcast ship deserves her."[src]
   

Though not much of their relationship has been seen, it can be concluded Gobber and Fishlegs are friends. He and Gobber have been working together, and Gobber "comforted" him in his own way. At the end of the episode "The Iron Gronckle", he even gave Fishlegs the first sword he had made out of Gronckle Iron. Gobber resumed making this iron three years later after Fishlegs got the formula from the Dragon Hunters.

Iggy[]

Iggy was a Terrible Terror that Fishlegs trained. He originally wanted to name him 'Deathwing', but eventually went for Iggy instead. Fishlegs taught Iggy how to recognize several objects, which helped them save Meatlug from the Outcasts.

Toothless[]

Tumblr o1z5cnsPFh1u1x8wgo5 1280

Fishlegs trying to ride Toothless

Please, just give me the Night and not too much Fury! [src]
  — Fishlegs rides Toothless for the first time  

Fishlegs rides on Toothless to save Meatlug and Hiccup. Initially, he was very afraid of his speed, but he was able to overcome his fear of his love of his dragon. Fishlegs stated that Toothless is the best dragon for competitions since his abilities are greatest and can learn amazing skills.

Hookfang[]

Fishlegs putting an end to Hookfang's frenzy

Fishlegs bonding with Hookfang

All right, Hookfang, let's get something straight. I may not be Snotlout, but I am a Dragon Rider. And, as such, I deserve the respect of a Dragon Rider. Are we clear? [src]
  — Fishlegs rides Hookfang for the first time  

Though Fishlegs believes like everyone that Hookfang is a lot like his owner, he possibly used to be afraid of the Monstrous Nightmare, although he has seen how he listens to his commands that was meant for Meatlug. He is shown to care about Hookfang enough by helping him to find a cure and thought of Fireworms that can try to reignite his fire. Fishlegs even tried to comfort him on Fireworm Island. He was also shown to be grateful that Hookfang has help to train Meatlug to get stronger and more fierce. He thought that Hookfang was going back to his feral side once again thinking this could happen to other trained dragons as he thought to make sure Meatlug wouldn't become like Hookfang.

When the Dragon Riders got separated during a storm, Fishlegs ended up finding an agitated Hookfang. Initially, he was unable to make the dragon yield. But after a serious speech, Fishlegs and Hookfang managed to work together and reunite with the rest of their group. Although Fishlegs and Hookfang crash land on the ground in front of the other Riders, and Fishlegs yells at Hookfang that what he was doing is not respect.

Appearances[]


Trivia[]

  • In the books, Fishlegs is even skinnier than Hiccup, but in the movie, he's clearly a heavy-set teen. The books also depict him as the son of Alvin the Treacherous, whereas the series indicates no relation between the two men.
  • Even though he receives the Gronckle Iron sword from Gobber in "The Iron Gronckle", he doesn't use it after that episode.
    • However, in "In Plain Sight", it is revealed that this is because Dagur stole it.
  • Fishlegs has a Binge Eating Disorder as seen in "The Iron Gronckle" which explains his weight.
  • He is the Berk Dragon Academy's Boulder Class dragons expert, as seen in "How to Pick Your Dragon".
  • Of all the main characters during Dragons: Defenders of Berk, Fishlegs had the most episodes that focused on his character development.
  • In Dawn of the Dragon Racers, he also seems to creep out Hiccup when he appears from behind him.
  • Speed Stingers are one of Fishlegs' favorite dragons, but even though he is very afraid of them he manages to bond with the young Stinger, Speedy.
  • It is revealed in "Big Man on Berk" that Fishlegs is allergic to Gobber's earwax.
  • Fishlegs can play the panpipes, as seen in "Tone Death" when he tries to comfort Garf by playing a melody.
  • In School of Dragons, Fishlegs states that he loves to explore the stars with the telescope since he can't go there himself.
  • In "Follow the Leader", it is revealed that his middle name is Justin.

References[]

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