Pokemon real life lookalikes and cognates

[Lord Yawgmoth]

Gyarados: Sea Serpent
Rayquaza: Chinese Dragon?

 

[PKMN Gold Fanatic]

Taillow + Swellow = Swallow

 

[Lord Yawgmoth]

Totodile Line-Crocodiles and Alligators
Sharpedo-Shark
Magikarp-Carp
Torchic Line-Chickens
Spinarak-Cute spider! XD
Ariados-Spider, perhaps an orb-weaver.
Shuppet-Puppet

 

[Icelilly]

Seel- Well.... Seel. XD
Magnemite line- Magnets
Pachirisu- Squirrel
Skunky line- Skunk
Cloyster- Oyster
Zubat line- Bat
Mankey- Monkey
Vulpix and Ninetales- Fox
Onix- Rock

 

[ToraSushii]

Here's another:

Infernape = Sun Wukong (aka, The Monkey King)

Search for ref pictures, I'm sure Infernape was based on him. (Now if only Infernapes could use Wukong's weapon. :D)

 

[Mages4ever]

ekans =snake
Spell it Backwards...

arbok= cobra
Spell backwards change c to k

 

[Azonic]

A
* Abomasnow - Abominable Snowman (yeti)
* Abra - Fox / Cat
* Absol - Wolf / Cat
* Aerodactyl - Pterodactyl
* Aggron - Steel Monster / Lizard
* Aipom - Monkey
* Alakazam - Fox / Cat
* Altaria - Bird / Cloud
* Ambipom - Monkey
* Ampharos - Sheep
* Anorith - Anomalocaris (extinct animal that represents shrimp)
* Arbok - Cobra
* Arcanine - Dog / Lion
* Arceus - Horse-like mammal
* Ariados - Spider
* Armaldo - Armadillo
* Aron - Possibly a dog
* Articuno - Bird
* Azelf - Elf
* Azumarill - Mouse
* Azurill - Mouse

B

* Bagon - Reptile
* Baltoy - Top (toy)
* Banette - Marionette Doll
* Barboach - Loach (type of fish)
* Bastiodon - Dinosaur
* Bayleef - Dinosaur
* Beautifly - Butterfly
* Beedrill - Bee
* Beldum - Steel floaty thingy
* Bellossom - Blossom
* Bellsprout - Venus Flytrap
* Bibarel - Beaver
* Bidoof - Beaver
* Blastoise - Tortoise
* Blaziken - Chicken
* Blissey - Egg
* Bonsly - Bonsai plant
* Breloom - Mushroom
* Bronzong - Japanese Bell
* Bronzor - Mirror
* Budew - Plant bud
* Buizel - Weasel
* Bulbasaur - Dinosaur
* Buneary - Rabbit
* Burmy - Bagworm / Cocoon
* Butterfree - Butterfly

C

* Cacnea - Cactus
* Cacturne - Cactus
* Camerupt - Camel
* Carnivine - Venus Flytrap
* Carvanha - Pirahna
* Cascoon - Cocoon
* Castform - Molecule
* Caterpie - Caterpiller
* Celebi - Fairy
* Chansey - Egg
* Charizard - Lizard / Dragon
* Charmander - Salamander
* Charmeleon - Chameleon
* Chatot - Parrot
* Cherrim - Sakura (cherry blossom)
* Cherubi - Sakura bud
* Chikorita - Dinosaur
* Chimchar - Monkey
* Chimecho - Windchime
* Chinchou - Lantern / Angler
* Chingling - Windchime
* Clamperl - Clam
* Claydol - Top (toy)
* Clefable - Fairy
* Clefairy - Fairy
* Cleffa - Fairy
* Cloyster - Oyster
* Combee - Bee
* Combusken - Chicken
* Corphish - Crawfish
* Corsola - Coral
* Cradily - Lily
* Cranidos - Dinosaur
* Crawdaunt - Crawfish
* Cresselia - Crescent shape (moon)
* Croagunk - Toad
* Crobat - Bat
* Croconaw - Crocodile
* Cubone - Dinosaur
* Cyndaquil - Porcupine

D

* Darkrai - Witch
* Delcatty - Cat
* Delibird - Santa Claus / Bird
* Deoxys - Alien
* Dewgong - Dugong (seel-like sea animal)
* Dialga - Dinosaur
* Diglett - Pig
* Ditto - Blob of goop
* Dodrio - Bird
* Doduo - Bird
* Donphan - Elephant
* Dragonair - Serpent
* Dragonite - Dragon
* Drapion - Scorpion
* Dratini - Serpent
* Drifblim - Blimp
* Drifloon - Balloon
* Drowzee - Anteater
* Dugtrio - Pig
* Dunsparce - Land Snake
* Dusclops - Cyclops
* Dusknoir - Ghost / Cyclops
* Duskull - Cyclops / Ghost
* Dustox - Moth

E

* Eevee - Dog
* Ekans - Snake
* Electabuzz - Human / Cat
* Electivire - Human / Cat
* Electrike - Dog
* Electrode - PokeBall
* Elekid - Human / Cat
* Empoleon - Emperor Penguin
* Entei - Dog
* Espeon - Dog
* Exeggcute - Egg
* Exeggutor - Egg / Palm Tree
* Exploud - Monster

F

* Farfetch'd - Duck
* Fearow - Sparrow
* Feebas - Bass (fish)
* Feraligatr - Alligator
* Finneon - Neon Tetra (fish)
* Flaaffy - Sheep
* Flareon - Dog / Fox
* Floatzel - Weasel
* Flygon - Dragonfly
* Forretress - Bagworm / Cocoon
* Froslass - Kimono
* Furret - Ferret

G

* Gabite - Shark
* Gallade - Human / Sword
* Garchomp - Shark
* Gardevoir - Human
* Gastly - Gas
* Gastrodon - Snail
* Gengar - Doppelganger
* Geodude - Rock
* Gible - Shark
* Girafarig - Giraffe
* Giratina - Possibly Satan (6 legs, 6 claws, etc. = 666)
* Glaceon - dog
* Glalie - Icecube
* Glameow - Cat
* Gligar - Gargoyle / Bat
* Gliscor - Gargoyle / Bat
* Gloom - Rafflesia (plant with a horrid stench)
* Golbat - Bat
* Goldeen - Goldfish
* Golduck - duck
* Golem - Rock
* Gorebyss - Sea Snake
* Granbull - Bull / Dog
* Graveler - Rock
* Grimer - Sludge
* Grotle - Tortoise
* Groudon - Dinosaur
* Grovyle - Lizard
* Growlithe - Dog
* Grumpig - Pig
* Gulpin - Blob of Goop
* Gyarados - Sea monster

H

* Happiny - Egg
* Hariyama - Sumo Wrestler
* Haunter - Ghost
* Heatran - Tortoise
* Heracross - Beetle
* Hippopotas - Hippopotamus
* Hippowdon - Hippopotamus
* Hitmonchan - Human
* Hitmonlee - Human
* Hitmontop - Top (toy) / Human
* Honchkrow - Crow
* Hoothoot - Owl
* Hoppip - Berry
* Horsea - Seahorse
* Houndoom - Dog
* Houndour - Dog
* Huntail - Sea Serpent
* Hypno - Anteater

I

* Igglybuff - Balloon
* Illumise - Firefly
* Infernape - Monkey
* Ivysaur - Dinosaur

J

* Jigglypuff - Balloon
* Jirachi - Star (shooting star grants wishes)
* Jolteon - Cat
* Jumpluff - Cotton
* Jynx - Human

K

* Kabuto - Crab
* Kabutops - Crab
* Kadabra - Cat / Fox
* Kakuna - Cocoon
* Kangaskhan - Kangaroo
* Kecleon - Chameleon
* Kingdra - Seahorse
* Kingler - Crab
* Kirlia - Human
* Koffing - Gas Cloud
* Krabby - Crab
* Kricketot - Cricket
* Kricketune - Cricket
* Kyogre - Dolphin / Whale

L

* Lairon - Lizard
* Lanturn - Angler / Lantern
* Lapras - Plesiosaur (water dinosaur)
* Larvitar - Reptile
* Latias - Dragon
* Latios - Dragon
* Leafeon - Dog
* Ledian - Ladybug
* Ledyba - Ladybug
* Lickilicky - Tongue
* Lickitung - Tongue
* Lileep - Lily
* Linoone - Racoon
* Lombre - Lilypad / Lotus
* Lopunny - Bunny
* Lotad - Lilypad / Lotus
* Loudred - Monster
* Lucario - Wolf / Human
* Ludicolo - Lilypad / Lotus
* Lugia - Bird
* Lumineon - Neon Tetra (a type of fish)
* Lunatone - Moon
* Luvdisc - Heart / Fish
* Luxio - Lion
* Luxray - Lion

M

* Machamp - Human
* Machoke - Human
* Machop - Human
* Magby - Salamander
* Magcargo - Snail
* Magikarp - Carp / Fish
* Magmar - Salamander
* Magmortar - Salamander
* Magnemite - Magnet
* Magneton - Magnet
* Magnezone - Magnet
* Makuhita - Sumo Wrestler
* Mamoswine - Mammoth
* Manaphy - Baby
* Manectric - Dog
* Mankey - Monkey
* Mantine - Manta Ray
* Mantyke - Manta Ray
* Mareep - Sheep
* Marill - Mouse
* Marowak - Dinosaur
* Marshtomp - Mudskipper
* Masquerain - Mosquito
* Mawile - Jaw
* Medicham - Human
* Meditite - Human
* Meganium - Dinosaur
* Meowth - Cat
* Mesprit - Sprite
* Metagross - Possibly Spider
* Metang - Magnet
* Metapod - Cocoon
* Mew - Cat / Mouse
* Mewtwo - Cat / Mouse
* Mightyena - Dog
* Milotic - Sea Serpent
* Miltank - Cow
* Mime Jr. - Mime
* Minun - Mouse
* Misdreavus - Witch
* Mismagius - Witch
* Moltres - Bird
* Monferno - Monkey
* Mothim - Moth
* Mr. Mime - Mime
* Mudkip - Mudskipper
* Muk - Sludge
* Munchlax - Possibly Panda
* Murkrow - Crow

N

* Natu - Bird
* Nidoking - Lizard
* Nidoqueen - Lizard
* Nidoran (f) - Lizard
* Nidoran (m) - Lizard
* Nidorina - Lizard
* Nidorino - Lizard
* Nincada - Cicada
* Ninetales - Fox / Kitsune
* Ninjask - Cicada
* Noctowl - Owl
* Nosepass - Nose
* Numel - Camel
* Nuzleaf - Human

O

* Octillery - Octopus
* Oddish - Raddish
* Omanyte - Ammonite (extinct snail like animal)
* Omastar - Ammonite (extinct snail like animal)
* Onix - Snake

P

* Pachirisu - Squirrel
* Palkia - Dragon
* Paras - Mushroom / Crab
* Parasect - Mushroom / Crab
* Pelipper - Pelican
* Persian - Cat
* Phanpy - Elephant
* Phione - Baby
* Pichu - Mouse
* Pidgeot - Pigeon
* Pidgeotto - Pigeon
* Pidgey - Pigeon
* Pikachu - Mouse
* Piloswine - Mammoth
* Pineco - Pinecone
* Pinsir - Beetle
* Piplup - Penguin
* Plusle - Mouse
* Politoed - Frog
* Poliwag - Tadpole
* Poliwhirl - Human / Tadpole
* Poliwrath - Human / Tadpole
* Ponyta - Horse
* Poochyena - dog
* Porygon - Shapes
* Porygon-Z - Shapes
* Porygon2 - Shapes
* Primeape - Monkey
* Prinplup - Penguin
* Probopass - Nose
* Psyduck - Duck
* Pupitar - Cocoon
* Purugly - Cat / Tiger

Q

* Quagsire - Salamander
* Quilava - Dog
* Qwilfish - Pufferfish

R

* Raichu - Mouse
* Raikou - Dog
* Ralts - Human
* Rampardos - Dinosaur
* Rapidash - Horse
* Raticate - Rat
* Rattata - Rat
* Rayquaza - Serpent / Dragon
* Regice - Statue
* Regigigas - Statue
* Regirock - Statue
* Registeel - Statue
* Relicanth - Coelacanth (fish that was once thought to be extinct but rediscovered)
* Remoraid - Remora (fish that attatches to sharkfin, etc)
* Rhydon - Rhinoceros
* Rhyhorn - Rhinoceros
* Rhyperior - Rhinoceros
* Riolu - Wolf / Human
* Roselia - Rose / Human
* Roserade - Rose / Human
* Rotom - Raindrop

S

* Sableye - Human
* Salamence - Lizard / Dragon
* Sandshrew - Shrew
* Sandslash - Shrew
* Sceptile - Lizard
* Scizor - Mantis
* Scyther - Mantis
* Seadra - Sea horse
* Seaking - Goldfish
* Sealeo - Seal / Sea Lion
* Seedot - Acorn
* Seel - Seal
* Sentret - Racoon / Ferret
* Seviper - Snake
* Sharpedo - Shark
* Shaymin - Porcupine
* Shedinja - Insect's exoskeleton
* Shelgon - Shell / Ball
* Shellder - Oyster
* Shellos - Slug
* Shieldon - Dinosaur
* Shiftry - Human / Tree (willow tree)
* Shinx - Lion
* Shroomish - Mushroom
* Shuckle - Turtle
* Shuppet - Puppet
* Silcoon - Cocoon
* Skarmory - Bird
* Skiploom - Lily
* Skitty - Cat
* Skorupi - Scorpion
* Skuntank - Skunk
* Slaking - Gorilla
* Slakoth - Sloth
* Slowbro - Hermit Crab
* Slowking - Hermit Crab
* Slowpoke - Salamander / Hippopotamus
* Slugma - Slug
* Smeargle - Dog
* Smoochum - Human
* Sneasel - Weasel
* Snorlax - Possibly Panda
* Snorunt - Hat
* Snover - Abominable Snowman / Tree
* Snubbull - Bull / Dog
* Solrock - Sun
* Spearow - Sparrow
* Spheal - Seal
* Spinarak - Spider
* Spinda - Panda
* Spiritomb - Looks like a portal of some sort
* Spoink - Pig
* Squirtle - Turtle
* Stantler - Deer
* Staraptor - Bird
* Staravia - Bird
* Starly - Bird
* Starmie - Starfish
* Staryu - Starfish
* Steelix - Snake
* Stunky - Skunk
* Sudowoodo - Tree
* Suicune - Dog
* Sunflora - Sunflower
* Sunkern - Bud / Kernel
* Surskit - Water Spider
* Swablu - Bird
* Swalot - Blob of Goop
* Swampert - Mudskipper
* Swellow - Swallow
* Swinub - Pig

T

* Taillow - Swallow
* Tangela - Worm Ball
* Tangrowth - Worm Ball
* Tauros - Bull
* Teddiursa - Bear
* Tentacool - Jellyfish
* Tentacruel - Jellyfish
* Togekiss - Bird / Fairy
* Togepi - Egg
* Togetic - Fairy
* Torchic - Chicken
* Torkoal - Tortoise
* Torterra - Tortoise
* Totodile - Crocodile
* Toxicroak - Toad
* Trapinch - Insect
* Treecko - Gecko
* Tropius - Dinosaur
* Turtwig - Turtle
* Typhlosion - Bear / Dog
* Tyranitar - Reptile
* Tyrogue - Human

U

* Umbreon - Dog
* Unown - Alphabet Letters
* Ursaring - Bear
* Uxie - Pixie

V

* Vaporeon - Mermaid / Dog
* Venomoth - Moth
* Venonat - Hairball
* Venusaur - Dinosaur
* Vespiquen - Wasp
* Vibrava - Dragonfly
* Victreebel - Venus Flytrap
* Vigoroth - Sloth / Monkey
* Vileplume - Flower
* Volbeat - Firefly
* Voltorb - PokeBall
* Vulpix - Fox

W

* Wailmer - Whale / Ball
* Wailord - Whale
* Walrein - Walrus
* Wartortle - Turtle
* Weavile - Weasel
* Weedle - Worm
* Weepinbell - Venus Flytrap
* Weezing - Gas Cloud
* Whiscash - Catfish
* Whismur - Monster / Bear
* Wigglytuff - Balloon
* Wingull - Seagull
* Wobbuffet - Punching Bag
* Wooper - Salamander
* Wormadam - Possibly Berry
* Wurmple - Worm
* Wynaut - Baby

X

* Xatu - Bird

Y

* Yanma - Dragonfly
* Yanmega - Dragonfly

Z

* Zangoose - Mongoose
* Zapdos - Bird
* Zigzagoon - Raccoon
* Zubat - Bat
-------------------
Anything else I missed? :D

 

[Wulf]

Here's another:

Infernape = Sun Wukong (aka, The Monkey King)

Search for ref pictures, I'm sure Infernape was based on him. (Now if only Infernapes could use Wukong's weapon. :D)

That's an interesting find I never know. While we're at refencence like that, it's easily true that Mewtwo was inspired by Giegue.

 

[Sunflorazumarill]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but what you say Sunkarill

and Sunflorazumarill

are based upon?

 

[BigIce17]

lol a half plant-mammal thing lol

 

[ToraSushii]

That's an interesting find I never know. While we're at refencence like that, it's easily true that Mewtwo was inspired by Giegue.

Entirely. Which came first? Giegue. (1989)

 

[DDD'SSCEPTILE]

While most of the Pokemon are indeed based off of animals, some are based off of legends, not retaining to only Legendary Pokemon.

My example will be Gastly.

It's not just merely gas, it's most likely based off of this thing/guy, Sogen-bi.

Interesting that you're playing with a gassy monk's head lol....?


I've found a lot of Japanese (and maybe some Chinese?) legends that some Pokemon are probably based off of.

One simpler, less creepier legend is Magikarp and Gyarados.

The reason why a fish changes into a dragon is because of a legend of an actual place in Japan. It's like a shrine and waterfall, I forget what it's called.
But the legend states if a carp can climb that waterfall, it will change into a legendary dragon. Climbing a waterfall is no easy feat and seems like I read that it only happened like "once every 100 years" or something.

But really, training Magikarp at the beginning is an arduous effort just the same, but once over that waterfall, you are benefited greatly.

 

[Brien]

Here I go with an epic post.

#1:bulbasaur- Baby DinoSaur
#2:ivysaur- Dinosaur
#3:venusaur- BIG dinosaur (all herbovaurs, kindof like a triceratops, minus the horns.

#4:charmander- Salamander
#5:charmeleon- Chameleon.
#6:charizard- Large Lizard

#7:squirtle- Small Turtle
#8:wartortle- Turtle
#9:blastoise- Turtoise? SP?

#10:caterpie- Caterpillar
#11:metapod- Sticky cacoon, ussually on the ground/ attached to a tree.
#12:butterfree- Butterflu

#13:weedle- Larva,
#14:kakuna- Hanging Caccoon, such as a bee.
#15:beedrill- Bee.

#16:pidgey- Small Bird.
#17:pidgeotto- Bird
#18:pideot- Bird of Prey

#19:rattata- Small Rat
#20:raticate- large Rat.

#21:spearow- Sparrow,
#22:fearow- A large herrin perhaps? aka a bird who feeds off fish.

#23:ekans- Snake.
#24:arbok- Cobra.

#25:pikachu- Mouse
#26:raichu- Rat

#27:sandshrew- Shrew
#28:sandslash- Hedgehog/Porcupine.

#:29:nidoran- Kindof like a dinosaur to be honest, or a small vermin...
#30:nidorina- Dinosaur/Vermin
#31:nidoqueen- Large Vermin/Small DInosaur.
#32:nidoran SAME
#33:nidorino AS
#34:nidoking QUEEN

#35:clefairy- Fairy.
#36:clefable- Fairy

#37:vulpix- Wolf
#38:ninetales- Wolf

#39:jigglypuff- Basically, a lung/fairy tbh. Inflates like a lung, to sing. but it is fairy-like.
#40:wigglytuff- Big Puffy Fairy

#41:zubat- BAT
#42:golbat- Bat

#43:oddish- a seed.
#44:gloom- a "Bloom" flower, it is commonly called a "Corpse Flower" due to its smell like that of rotting flesh.

#45:vileplume- A vile smelling bloom, aka same as gloom's "Corpse Flower"

#46:paras- Hermit Crab, because the face that it puts Growths on it's back, but also a parasite because it feeds off a massive organism (CAVE)

#47:parasect- Same as Paras.

#48:venonat- a Nat, aka a small fly.
#49:venomoth- A Moth

#50:diglett- 1 mole, a burrowing animal.
#51:digtrio- a group of 3 moles.

#52:meowth- Cat
#53:persian- Cat.

#54:psyduck- Duck
#55:golduck- Duck

#56:mankey- Monkey
#57:primeape- Ape

#58:growlithe- Puppy
#59:arcanine- Canine

#60:poliwag- Tadpole
#61:poliwhirl- premature frog.
#62:poliwrath- A frog, kindof...

#63:abra- Human-like psy.
#64:kadabra- Human-Like Psy.
#65:alakazam- DOT DOT DOT

#66:machop- Young fighter.
#67:machoke- Experienced Fighter
#68:machamp- Champion fighter

#69:bellsprout- Weed/Sprout
#70:weepinbell- Hanging flower.
#71:victreebel- A carnivorous plant, relative of venus fly-traps.

#72:tentacool- Jelly Fish.
#73:tentacruel- Jelly Fish

#74:geodude- Rock
#75:graveler- Boulder
#76:golem- A golem, aka a statue brought to life, even though he looks like a turtle made of stone.

#77:ponyta- Pony.
#78:rapidash- Stallion

#79:slowpoke- kindof like a pig, but not really.
#80:slowbro- A really pissed off pig.

#81:magnemite- Magnets,
#82:magneton- Magnets.

#83:farfetchd- Bird.

#84:dodou- Ostrich?
#85:dodrio- ''

#86:seel- Seal.
#87:dewgong- Seal

#88:grimer- Pile of Grime.
#89:muk- Pile of... Muk.

#90:shellder- Shellfish, like a clam.
#91:cloyster- oyster.

#92:gastly- a gas/ghost.
#93:haunter- A haunting ghost.
#94:gengar- a ghost with a massive tounge.

#95:onix- Rock Snake.

#96:drowzee- Ant-Eater tbh?
#97:hypno- Same a little, but more human.

#98:krabby- ITS A JACKAL! A JACKAL! A JACKAL!... jkjk, a crab.
#99:kingler- King Crab.

#100:voltorb- an orb of electricty,
#101:electrode- Representation of an ion, or a positively charged atom.

#102:exeggcute- Egg.
#103:exeggutor- Tropical Tree. (WTF @ That relationship..

#104:cubone- Small Lizard.
#105:marowak-Lizard thing

#106:hitmonlee- Freaky kicking guy.
#107:hitmonchan- Freaky punching guy.

#108:lickitung- Lizard, like a chameleon; massive toungue.

#109:koffing- A ball of gas.
#110:weezing- A ball of gas, plus it's deformed siamese twin.

#111:rhyorn- Rhino
#112:rhydon- Rhino

#113:chansey- Marsupial, like a koala.

#114:tangela- Growth of Vines.

#115:kangaskhan- Kangarooo.

#116:horsea- SeaHorse
#117:seadra- Seahorse.

#118:goldeen- Koi Fish?
#119:seaking- Koi Fish?

#120:staryu- Star Fish.
#121:starmie- Star Fish

#122:mr.mime- Scary Mime

#123:scyther- Praying Mantis, humanoid.. Thing.

#124:jynx- Oprah Singer pl0x?

#125:electabuzz- kindof like an electric lion.

#126:magmar- Duck.

#127:pinsir- Stag Beatle.

#128:tauros- Bull.

#129:magikarp- Fish.
#130:gyarados- Sea Monster.

#131:lapras- Dinosaur of which's name I forget.

#132:ditto- Clay

#133:eevee- Dog?

#134:vaporeon- Water Dog?

#135:jolteon- Electric Dog?

#136:flareon- Abused Dog.

#137:porygon- Duck.

#138:omanyte- Prehstoric Shellfish.
#139:omastar- ''

#140:kabuto- ''
#141:kabutops- basically a prehistor scyther.

#142:aerodactyl- pterydactyl?

#143:snorlax- FAT CAT!

#144:arcticuno- Bird of Ice.

#145:zapdos- Bird of Thunder.

#146:moltres-Bird of Fire.

#147:dratini- Snake.
#148:dragonair- Snake.
#149:dragonite- Dragon.

#150:mew- Cat.

#151:mewtwo- Freaky Humanoid Cat.

Wow , Long post.

 

[GKS]

politoad -- toad
mew - cat
ratatta - mouse
combusken - tall chicken
blaziken - really tall chicken
treecko - gecko
miltank - cow

 

[Wulf]

Entirely. Which came first? Giegue. (1989)

I believe so, I have to check Pokemon Green's date. But I'm pretty sure.

 

[Azonic]

While most of the Pokemon are indeed based off of animals, some are based off of legends, not retaining to only Legendary Pokemon.

My example will be Gastly.

It's not just merely gas, it's most likely based off of this thing/guy, Sogen-bi.

Interesting that you're playing with a gassy monk's head lol....?


I've found a lot of Japanese (and maybe some Chinese?) legends that some Pokemon are probably based off of.

One simpler, less creepier legend is Magikarp and Gyarados.

The reason why a fish changes into a dragon is because of a legend of an actual place in Japan. It's like a shrine and waterfall, I forget what it's called.
But the legend states if a carp can climb that waterfall, it will change into a legendary dragon. Climbing a waterfall is no easy feat and seems like I read that it only happened like "once every 100 years" or something.

But really, training Magikarp at the beginning is an arduous effort just the same, but once over that waterfall, you are benefited greatly.

Of course there are many other legends that Pokemon are based on. Ninetales, for example, is based off of the legendary Japanese nine-taled fox called the kitsune. Only when the kitsune is old and wise enough, will it grow a ninth tail. It will grow another tail after it has lived 1000 years, or as so the folktales state. After nine tails are grown out of a kitsune, the kitsune will turn from the standard fox coloration (orange) to a golden or white coloring. This is incredibly accurate from the evolutionary chain of Vulpix (orange) and Ninetales (golden white). They will also get the ability to see or hear anything that is going on in the world, which definitely is a major hint to Ninetale's role in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. We can relate Ninetales to Arcanine with many similar traits (Flash Fire, Ground Egg Type, Fire Stone evolution, and Ninetales has a 75% chance of being female while Arcanine has a 75% chance of being male, etc.). Arcanine would be based off a creature in the Chinese legend, koma-inu or shisha. It's popularly seen on statues that resemble a canine creature.

There are many more; Articuno is based on the Arabic Anka myth; Zapdos is based on the Native American legend of the thunderbird; Moltres is based on the Japanese Suzaku or the Arabic Anka myth of the phoenix; etc, etc, etc.