Why There Will Never Be A 'Light Type'

Started by GhastlyGastly January 24th, 2013 8:18 PM
  • 6138 views
  • 28 replies

GhastlyGastly

Crazy Pokémon Lady

Female
Lumiose City
Seen October 12th, 2015
Posted October 5th, 2015
128 posts
10.3 Years
I was once a Light-type desirer too, like many Pokémon fans out there. Having looked into the origins of the Psychic-, Fighting-, and Dark-types however, I have come to believe that there will never be a 'Light-type'; and that there really shouldn't be one.

First off, we must begin with the addition of the Dark-type in Generation II. It is effectively known that it was done specifically as a foil to the Psychic- and Ghost-types, which had been virtually invincible in Generation I.

However, many have since complained that Dark-types need a Light-type to balance the situation, along with Psychic (which, in most logic, would be effective against 'Light'). I once shared this view. Indeed, the Psychic-Dark relationship can appear rather one-sided and polarized; if one doesn't think of the third type which completes the triad. Fighting-type.

In its original Japanese, the type which is given as 'Fighting' in English (and most translations) is 格闘 (かくとう) (kakutō): which can be translated as approximately 'to fight', 'to grapple', 'to battle'. Thus, 'Fighting' is a fair translation; but how does that make it appropriate as the third member of the Psychic-Dark type trio I hear you ask? I'm getting to it.

In Japan, there is a very long, ancient history of samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan. The martial arts of Japan, as well as war, battle, and fighting in general are typically associated with samurai; as are honor, nobility, chivalry, and righteous. Understanding where I'm going yet? If not, don't worry, I'll explain further.

In some sense, the Fighting-type can be considered a sort of 'Hero-type'.

The Dark-type, in Japan, is called 悪 (あく) (aku): meaning literally 'evil' or 'wicked'. The Dark-type, therefore, could be dubbed a sort of 'Villain-type'. Get it yet?

The Psychic-type is a sort of mind-over-matter, magical, almost wizard-like type; the Fighting-type is a straight battling, martial-arts-wielding, hero-like type; the Dark-type is a brutal, unforgiving, shadowy, malicious, villain-like type. Psychic trumps Fighting because it's brain-over-brawn; Fighting trumps Dark because it's good beating evil; Dark trumps Psychic because it's underhanded tactics and chaos doing a number on restricted, calculated logic and reason. Dark beats Psychic almost the way that the Joker can outwit Batman in most cases, to use a non-Pokémon analogy: the Joker is ruthless, reckless, and completely insane, and thus, calm, calculating, intellectual Batman is unable to predict his moves. But Batman is also a bit of a powerhouse fighter, and so even though he can seldom predict the Joker's underhanded and vicious attacks, good wins against evil, and virtue triumphs over wickedness, etc., etc...

So, in short, there will never be a Light-type. Because there already is one. We just happen to call it the Fighting-type.
Male
Seen July 15th, 2016
Posted July 31st, 2013
87 posts
10.4 Years
Oh my goodness.

This...

This is pure genius, good sir.
Though I still think Physic not even affecting Dark is still conversational in the Physic-Dark-Fighting complex, it looks as if you did your research, and it all adds up.

...I have nothing else I can really say; great job on figuring this out!
Age 29
Seen January 5th, 2021
Posted October 24th, 2013
549 posts
16.2 Years
And what about Bug types? They beat both Psychic and Dark.
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Male
United States
Seen October 1st, 2017
Posted October 1st, 2017
849 posts
10.3 Years
If there was a Light-type, what kind of Pokémon would that type represent...angels or fairies or what? I could see it being a nice secondary type to Cleffa's evolutionary line or other benevolent ones. Light would probably be the only type to be super effective and weak against Dark. Not only Dark, but Light could also beat Psychic and Ghosts types too. These are all typical strengths and weaknesses in real life.
Age 32
Male
Seen December 27th, 2016
Posted December 27th, 2016
165 posts
12.1 Years
What annoyed me the most is that the title Black and White just screams "Light type." But Game Freak didn't announce it. Black and White is a misleading title IMO.

I still consider it a theory even though I do agree that there won't be Light type. If there is gonna be one, I can imagine it being super effective against Ghost and Dark types which completely eliminates "no weakness," but doesn't deal as much damage as Fire, and Dragon type. It can resist Psychic, Fighting, and Bug types, and become immune to Ghost types, but is weak to Dark type moves.

Other than that, Game Freak shouldn't have bothered naming 5th Generation main stream games "Black and White" in a first place. That's my main gripe about the decision making in 5th Generation.

Captain Gizmo

Monkey King

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted 2 Weeks Ago
4,842 posts
10.6 Years
You sir deserve a round of applause. I never really liked the idea of a light type anyways. I think the typing right now is just good as it is. Balanced all the way.

Except for Dark/ghost type.
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Age 32
Male
Seen December 27th, 2016
Posted December 27th, 2016
165 posts
12.1 Years
Except for Dark/ghost type.
This! Except if you use moves like Foresight and Odor Sleuth on that Pokemon. Miracle Eye is dead useless thanks to Wonder Guard. I'd be angry if they announce that type....
Seen February 26th, 2015
Posted February 8th, 2015
1,908 posts
10.3 Years
Wow. Whatta great discovery. I read this up, and now I can't believe it. I thank you for making this discovery. I also wanted the 'Light Type' since long, and right now I've found the truth. More reasons why Fighting is the 'Hero':

★It has only two weaknesses
★It has FIVE advantages (WTF)

★'Aura Sphere' is a Light concerned move, and would certainly be the 'Light' type
~

Satoshi Ookami

Memento Mori

Age 30
Male
Abyss of Time, Great Seal
Seen August 5th, 2018
Posted July 3rd, 2018
14,253 posts
14.8 Years
All I'll say is this: "FINALLY SOMEONE ACTUALLY READ THE JAPANESE "DARK" TYPE".
That is the most important aspect why there will never be a light type.
We have seen too many misstranslations but this one is probably my most hated as this always makes people wonder "why is there no light type?!?!?" when there was never "Yami" (dark) type to begin with.
And what's light without darkness...?
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Yazzo

Bad Egg

Male
Norway!
Seen March 22nd, 2013
Posted March 3rd, 2013
7 posts
10.2 Years
The Light type COULD exist as an equal to dark type-ish type, if it was effective/non-effective to the same types as light except that pokemon that are for example psychic and light got different moves than pokemon with psyichic and dark, so it would open up possibilities for more cool pokemon. I would think that was pretty cool ,since very many ghost, poison & psychic pokemon are dark, evil creatures :p

What about some light, good-hearted creatures that's still ghosts? :)

skyluigi2

Male
United Kingdom
Seen October 4th, 2022
Posted July 21st, 2019
988 posts
13.6 Years
I'm thankful that, after reading this, people will see the light (ahem) and stop asking for a Light-type.
This late in the series, a new type would throw old concepts out of the window so to speak, and I don't think that's something Game Freak are willing to do
.