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Interesting pokemon concept origins

Timbjerr

[color=Indigo][i][b]T-o-X-i-C[/b][/i][/color]
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  • As you should know, there are a lot of real-world mythological and pop-cultural references in the Pokemon universe. Most of them derived from Japanese mythology/pop-culture for obvious reasons, but some western cultural references still make it in occasionally.

    If you happen to be a huge nerd like me, you've probably independently researched and learned about a couple of these cultural references by now. If you have, this would be a fine place to share your knowledge. Which pokemon with a real-world cultural origin is your favorite? Which one you think might be obscure enough that NOBODY has noticed it before?
    _________________________

    As for me, I'm particularly fond of the real-world counterpart to Hoenn's weather trio, the Leviathan, Behemoth, and Ziz from Hebrew mythology, three divine beings with dominion over the seas, lands, and skies respectively that were tasked by God to protect their domain at the end times to destroy it. The Behemoth and Leviathan were briefly tamed by God so He could prove to Job that humans cannot hope to tame the beasts and only God Himself can. Fairly similar to the way Archie/Maxie had to learn the hard way that it's impossible to control Kyogre/Groudon after their resurrection.

    Also, while GameFreak fancied up their designs by a large margin, the analogous nature of the two trios is still somewhat apparent, especially in the compositions of these two pictures.

    Spoiler:
     

    Gunn

    horror resident
    1,404
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  • Great thread topic.

    A lot of origins are good, but the ones that I'm huge fan for are the those that are based from creepy superstitions. Ghost-type Pokemon are popular (maybe Psychic-type too? I'll have to look into this more :U), like Sableye which was inspired by the Hopskinsville Goblins.

    I know Cofagrigus might have been an odd idea for a Pokemon, but I am pleased that Ancient Egyptian religion was used for an inspiration.
     

    Timbjerr

    [color=Indigo][i][b]T-o-X-i-C[/b][/i][/color]
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  • I know Cofagrigus might have been an odd idea for a Pokemon, but I am pleased that Ancient Egyptian religion was used for an inspiration.

    I love Cofagrigus's design, but I'm still a little disappointed that it lacks a Ground- or Rock-typing. XD

    Speaking of, the Ghost/Ground that we did get is another interesting case. Golurk is based on the golems of Hebrew mythology...or more specifically, modern reinterpretations of ancient mythology found in American pop-culture. Several science-fiction movies and games will feature ancient war golems becoming possessed by a ghostly entity to do battle, either as a good guy or a bad guy.

    The Regi quad actually stays true to mythology as the golems in mythology were made by man to be their servants in building their empires and once their task was complete, they'd be sealed away.
     

    Miss Doronjo

    Gaiden
    4,473
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  • Hm, Claydol is an interesting pokemon; its design is similar to a clay figurine from the Jomon period of Japanese history. Wikipedia says The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese, which refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them. . Soooo...basically it represents one of the old Japenese culture; and is inspired by it I guess. I...actually never heard of this culture until just now! Only tales of it.
     
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    Strdstwanderer

    We'll get to that tomorrow
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  • The Old Japanese/Chinese Culture About the Waving Cat being the Basis Of Meowth Was Pretty Cool... Castform Being a teru teru bozu(a doll like thing that japanese peepz hang on their porch to prevent rain) Was Cool Too... Froslass Being a snow lady ghost thing in Japanese Folklore is Cool Too
     

    Kenshin5

    Wanderer
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  • When I saw Sigilyph I, thought it was unique in origin, with the Nazca Lines and the Kachina. Mainly because they drew from other legends not in the realm of Japan or ancient Eastern areas.

    I was always wondering Arcanine origin since it was seen by Ash in the Pewter City Pokemon Center since it was featured with some of the Legendary Bird Trio. Xiezhi, a Fire breathing Lion, which also symbolizes justice, which is no wonder why it's pre evo Growlithe is an assistant to officer Jenny.

    The Johto bird Duo interested me as well, since it seemed to me Johto was a region steeped in ancient Mythology, especially cities like Ecruteak City. They both draw from Mythical creatures and some dinosaur aspects. Lugia based on a Sea Dragon mixed with Dinosaur/ and Dragon aspects. Then Ho-oh which seemed to have multiple mythical bird aspects such as the Phoenix, Huma Bird, Fire Bird, Feghuang, Achiyalabopa.
     

    fenyx4

    HOENN CONFIRMED!
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  • Here are the Pokemon that most intrigued me with their origins (out of the current 649 Pokemon):

    Sigilyph - the Nazca Lines
    Moltres/Ho-oh and the Suzaku (Japanese Phoenix; Guardian of the South) and Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix), respectively.
    Blaziken - cockfighting chicken
    Infernape - Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of Journey to the West
    Emboar - Zhu Baijie, the 8-Precepts Pig of Journey to the West
    Arcanine - liger; shisa
    Magikarp/Gyarados - legend of the carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate waterfall would become a dragon
    Scyther - praying mantis
    Scizor - praying mantis and ant
    Heracross - rhinoceros beetle
    Mew - natural embryo;
    Mewtwo - genetically-engineered embryo
    Nincada - cicada larvae
    Ninjask - matured cicada, tsukutsukuboshi; ninja
    Shedinja - cicada husk
    Exploud - boombox
    Sableye - Hopskinville incident
    Mawile - futakuchi-onna
    Wailmer - beach ball/whale
    Wailord - blimp/blue whale
    Torkoal - tortoise/furnace hybrid
    Flygon line - antlion
    Zangoose - mongoose
    Crawdaunt - crayfish
    Anorith/Armaldo - anomalocaris/stegosaurus
    Castform - teru teru bozu
    the Regis & Regigigas/Legendary Golems - golems (moreso than Golem)
    Lati@s - dragon/jet plane cross
    Weather Trio (Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza): Behemoth, Leviathan, Ziz; respectively
    Jirachi - tanabata; genies
    Deoxys - DNA/"space virus"
    Torterra - World Turtle
    Empoleon - emperor penguin
    Kricketune - violin beetle/cricket
    Bastiodon - shield/dinosaur
    Vespiquen - Queen bee
    Drifloon/Drifblim - wayward balloon/blimp
    Garchomp - land shark
    Spiritomb - jibakurei
    Ninetales - kyubi
    Lucario - bipedal wolf
    Abomasnow - the Abominable Snowman
    Mamoswine - pig/woolly mammoth
    Porygon-Z - origami crane+computer virus
    Lake Trio - pixie variants
    Dialga - sauropod/Izanami+Izanagi
    Palkia - European dragon/Izanami+Izanagi
    Giratina - bat-insect-sauropod hybrid
    Heatran - volcanic spider/pooling lava
    Darkrai - phantom/nightmares/the Bogeyman
    Arceus - creation deity; qilin
    Victini - victory; V-sign; Nike of victory
    Samurott - samurai
    Serperior - Rose of Versailles; green snake
    Zebstrika - zebra
    Rapidash - unicorn
    Woobat - Honduran white bat; heart-nosed bat
    Pinsir - stag beetle
    Conkeldurr - clown carnies; musclemen
    Whirlipede - pill bug
    Scolipede - millipede; centipede; Arthropleura
    Waruvial/"Krookodile" - gharial
    Archeops - Archeopteryx
    Zoroark - kitsune
    Reuniclus - mitosis; cell unionDucklett/Swanna - the Ugly Duckling
    Vanilluxe - ice cream
    Emonga - flying squirrel
    Eelektross - electric eel
    Elgyem/Beheeyem - lifeforms from the Roswell incident
    Chandelure - chandelier/hitodama (will-o'-the-wisp)
    Haxorus - Ceratopsia
    Pawniard - dagger/Chess pawns
    Bisharp - tokusatsu (Super Sentai/Power Rangers; Kamen Rider) and black knights
    Braviary - bald eagle
    Golurk - the Iron Giant; Megazord (mecha)
    Hydreigon - Zmeys; hydra; hand puppets
    Musketeer trio - The Three Musketeers (and kelpie/D'Artagnan the 4th)
    Ulgamoth - Atlas moth; tiger lily; Mothra; hathor
    Kami trio - Japanese kami; genies
    Reshiram - birdlike wyvern; daimonji grand festival torch
    Zekrom - Allosaurus; electric turbine; drill
    Kyuremu - Theropod; jet
    Meloetta - Greek sirens
    Genosect - Paleozoic giant insects; genetic engineering
     
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    Nilz

    renegade of funk.
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  • For those who didn't know, the 5th gen hoofed trio consisting of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion are based off of the literary legends the 3 musketeers. Keldeo is based off the 4th member who eventually joins the trio. Btw I know this isn't part of mythology but Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres's names all end with Uno, Dos, and Tres, something I didn't notice until recently and feel very idiotic for not noticing. Also if anyone can find an accurate origin for Dunsparce I would be very thankful.
     

    PlatinumDude

    Nyeh?
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  • Samurott's origin is very interesting; it combines samurai with sea otters and sea lions. I also like how Volcarona is based on the Atlas moth and how Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion are based on the 3 Musketeers.
     

    Mr Cat Dog

    Frasier says it best
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  • Two of my favourite Pokemon - Lapras and Aerodactyl - are probably the most dinosaur-like of all the Pokemon (yes, the Hydreigon evolutionary line is pretty dinoriffic, but only really for its first two stages... the Hydra element comes out in the final form). With Aero, the translators were barely going to keep the façade with a pterodactyl by keeping its Japanese name of Ptera, and with Lapras, the connection to its plesiosaurus - as well as the Loch Ness Monster - couldn't be more obvious. Scotland doesn't have a load of mythology, but it was nice that at least some of it could be exploited in the Pokemon world.
     
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