You all seemed to like hearing about what certain pokemon and characters are based on so I’m translating what was recently printed in the newest edition of Nintendo Dream. It’s rather LONG so please read it inside the spoiler :3
[spoiler]
- The fighting trio is based on the three muskateers
- Cobalion‘s based on Athos and is meant to have a thorny look
- Terrakion is based off of Porthos and has some angles reminiscent of a hatchet. Supposed to look like a formidable opponent who can stop a pokemon in its tracks.
- Virizion is based on Aramis and was modeled to be nimble and have sharp angles
- Larvesta is partially based on Taiyou No Tou (specifically the red adornments jutting out of its head)
- Volcarona originally had only 4 wings and the black spots represent dark spots on the sun
- Cottonee and Whimsicott were based on sheep
- Petilil and Lilligant were actually slated to have another pokemon in their evolutionary family, but that plan was scrapped. Lilligant is like a pretty daughter who’s always too late.
- Haxorus was one of the first designs to be finished and they were fairly proud of it. It can attack simply by shaking its head.
- Darumaka and Darmanitan were inspired after the designer saw dharma dolls being burned at a festival. They kind of resembled a gorilla so that’s how the fire/monkey parts came into the pokemon.
- Stunfisk was originally designed with an Angler Fish in mind, but obviously turned out a bit different. It was also a water/electric type but they ended up making it a ground/electric to balance out the type spread of pokemon.
- Frillish and Jellicent had the ghost type added on at the end for the sake of adjusting what types Unova had which disappointed the designer.
- Sawsbuck was already an idea for a pokemon before seasons had been added into the game
- Litwick, Lampent, and Chandelure were originally designed when they wanted an evolutionary line based on an open flame -> candle -> lanturn, but obviously it ended up out of order.
- Seismitoad was designed before Tympole and Palpitoad. The protrusions are one of this evolutionary line’s features.
- Klink, Klang, Klinklang were sort of inspired by Dugtrio
- Dwebble and Krustle were sort of inspired by kiln-fired pottery
- Scraggy and Scrafty obviously owe their existence to the low and baggy jean trend and also are reminiscent of a snake with its shed skin
- Yamask and Cofagrigus were meant to look scary, but also have a certain charm
- Pawniard and Bisharp are urban pokemon. Bisharp commands Pawniard who clings to its foes and cuts them with the blades on its stomach.
Now it goes into some of the character designs~
- Iris and Drayden were designed as opposites. Drayden is the oldest gym leader, while Iris is the youngest with a lot of potential. She came from the forest and seems to be raised by dragons, while he studied abroad to better understand his favorite type. Drayden is also meant to be a gentleman who is both smart and strong.
- Brycen used to be a movie star who got into a slump after he was done making films. Alder told him to use his time to master pokemon so Brycen went alone into an icy cave and trained in silence to gain the most knowledge he could. He also feels it is important to conceal his identity.
- Alder ended up having the appearance of a drifter and you can see with his clothes they are somewhat torn and ragged. Original design had a somewhat Christ-like image.
- Emmet and Ingo are twins who are supposed to invoke a clown-ish image. Their jackets represent the mix of a subway track-like design with that of a clown’s outfit. (I’m not seeing it)[/spoiler]
Next issue is supposed to reveal the ‘Elite 4’s Secrets’. Ooooooh. Phew this took a long time to write. zZzZzZ Full Japanese can be found over at Shell Spider~
<3 pokejungle
ps- New info: Battle Subway (kept its name in English) twins are named Emmet and Ingo. PokeShifter also keeps its name~