So What's It Based On Anyway?

[.Ozymandias]

I always thought Paras was a combination of a scorpion, a crab and some mushrooms. This scorpion, the Centruroides sp. or Hairy Scorpion, seems the closest in colour:-

(in spoilers because I know they squick people out, sorry Haza)

Spoiler:

And for Ariados, something like this Sun Scorpion could work, too. In spoilers for the same reason, but picture can be accessed here

Spoiler:

 

[Kai Lee Reddtail]

Lucario is somewhat like the Egyptian God Anubis, who has the head of a jackal. Observe:

Here is a jackal:

And here is Anubis:

Anubis isn't usually drawn with wings, I think. This is what I believe he's based on.

Arcanine,

along with his canine/tiger influences also probably take characteristics from:

The japanese guardian lion/dog/foo dog/I'm not 100% sure what these things are really called...

Snubbull/Granbull

is probably based off of the english bulldog or other similar bulldogs:

Houndoom

Is probably based off a dobermann pinscher:

Mightyena:

=

Striped Hyena


Typhlosion:

=

Weasel

And Ninetales:

is based on a japanese fox demon called a kyuubi or kitsune:

(I'm having a hard time finding general non-Naruto pics...)

 

[Limey-chan]

Horsea/Seadra:
Based off the idea of a seahorse, though the ability to shoot ink could originate from fellow sea-dweller, the squid.

Kingdra:
Is based off an actual water dragon called Phyllopteryx. It's related to seahorses.

 

[Rein]

Hah, awesome thread! XD Not something ya think about much. It's interesting to see the real-life counterparts to some Pokemon :P

 

[KattoTang]

I can't provide pictures and links since I haven't made 15 posts on the forums yet, but I'd like to share anyway. :3


Drapion seems to be based off of a vinegarroon, an arachnid related to and resembling scorpions.

Nidoking is probably based off of the kaiju Baragon. The rest of the Nidos are likely a mix of Baragon and some other animal (Nidorin is Baragon + a rhino, etc.)

Bulbasaur and its evolutions look like they're based off of the moschops, or some other prehistoric mammal-like reptile, except having an amphibian-influenced head/face.

I agree about Lucario being based off of Anubis. It might also be based off of an Egyptian boxer, as it's believed that's where boxing originated. It could also have a bit of influence from kangaroos, since the cartoony stereotype portrays kangaroos as boxers and Lucario has huge feet like a kangaroo does.

Shinx/Luxio/Luxray are lions in a style similar to that of Kimba the White Lion.

 

[SocialD]

Hotmontop:

Lady Gaga: https://www.contactmusic.com/pics/md/lady_gaga_polaroid_3_100110/lady_gaga_2707359.jpg

 

[Serene Grace]

I really think people should start looking at last post dates of threads as this one was last posted in 2009, KattoTang. That isn't allowed - one month maximum, please.