Talk – Focus On: Genesect

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There has been a lot of speculation about Genesect’s real life inspiration, most conclude that the Pokémon is just an imaginary generalisation of prehistoric arthropods but is there a possibility that he is actually based on a creature that once existed? I believe there is. First of all I want to say that some of the speculations I’m about to share may have already been mentioned somewhere else though I really doubt it. Now lets start with a theory that has long been a splinter in my eyes…

The theory suggests that there is some connection between him and Kabutops, going as far as presuming that they may be the same creature.

GenesectKabutops
I’m not going to go into details how the body structure of both Pokémon is very different, in fact the only similarities between them is the flat head, number of limbs and body posture. There is however something else that puts Kabutops into a completely different category from Genesect, something that most people have overlooked. Kabutops has a well developed endoskeleton under his exoskeleton!
kabutops sprite
Arthropods only have an exoskeleton, so maybe this is one of the reasons why Kabuto and Kabutops are not bug typed even though they are clearly inspired and based on ancient arthropods. There is no evidence if Kabuto also has an endoskeleton or perhaps this adaptation is only present in it’s evolved form (maybe as additional support). How does this concern Genesect? First of all Genesect is a bug type Pokémon, meaning he is supposed to be an invertebrate like all the other bug type Pokémon, indeed even his name suggests he is closer to insects than any other arthropods.

There is a possibility that Kabuto is a relative to Genesect, even maybe a distant ancestor (the same way crustaceans evolved into insects millions of years ago) but considering they appeared at the same time in the past that is highly unlikely. What is Genesect based on then?My personal theory is that he is based on blattoptera (proto-cockroaches), the ancestors of mantises, termites and modern cockroaches, who happen to live in the same period as Genesect. From these proto-cockroaches evolves a species of cockroaches (Raphidiomimula burmitica) that have the same forelegs as mantises and Genesect seems to have similar.

So to sum it up Genesect is the missing link between the proto-cockroaches who lived during the Paleozoic and the distant mantises ancestor Raphidiomimula burmitica, which makes him more closely related to Scyther.

Indeed when you compare the two you can notice the similarities:
GenesectScytherAfter the latest Pokémon movie Genesect and the Legend Awakened we are finally able to see the fossil from which Genesect has been revived.

Genesect_fossil

Please notice how the tip of the arm is still segmented which further proves that the original Genesect didn’t posses a truly raptorial forearms like Scyther or Kabutops, although it seems that he has began evolving them just like the proto-cockroaches that I mentioned.

It also seems that Genesect’s exoskeleton and body type have not been changed that much after he was turned into a cyborg meaning he might have already been a part steel type or that the only modifications have been turning the outer layer of the exoskeleton into a steel armor and the tip of the arms into a single piece for stabbing attack as seen in Pokémon XY.

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The above content was submitted by Ivan Bug (aka LovableMaggot), please discuss and comment with your views and opinions! Please excuse some of the formatting issues, the site is being completely uncooperative and I can’t quite get it fixed!

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538 thoughts on “Talk – Focus On: Genesect”

  2. Hey moving. The link for this page on Facebook just goes to an error page… And I can’t get the photos to load (might be an issue on my end though).

    Reply

  9. This is good. I hate that stupid theory and people believing Kabutops and Genesect are the same when they’re totally different. Ever since Genesect’s sprite was first seen, I noticed how similar it looked to Scizor…

    Reply

  23. So i’ve never played Time Darkness or Sky
    I’m tempted to Download a Rom for either with but do not know which
    Either Time or Darkness since Sky is like the sequel right?

    Reply

  31. Ive been wonder is the natures for the starters in mystery dungeon like there ideal nature or good nature for that pokemon?

    Reply

  50. There’s a rom hack that replaces pokemon with gijinka’s. pretty interesting. It’s called Moemon Emerald. I think goomy might like it!

    Reply

  72. @IntimidatingWurmple:disqus
    I want to join the hurrnn adventure but i guess making a hurrnn team in Pokemon X will suffice. I got a 6 iv numel this morning and i’m breeding for wailren 😀

    Reply

  174. How do I have wifi on my phone but not my laptop. That makes no sense. Anyway, hello everone! Please forgive me if I don’t respond right away.

    Reply

  203. Why can’t we have Gba Virtual console on the 3ds and port Pokemon games exclusively to the 3ds virtual console?

    Reply

  237. It’s alright Hoenn, I know you just need to take your time no matter how badly I want to play you I will be patient just know I will always love you <3333 and when the day comes that you are revealed once again I will make sure to throw every single dime I own at the screen now if you excuse me while I play emerald and cry over the wonderfulness that is this game

    Reply

  244. My opinion is that although they did not announce it….im sure it will be their intention to release RSE to the Virtual Console. The reason most prominent to suggest they won’t is that RBY and GSC have not been released already but what you forget is that RBY are (in Nintendo’s eyes) outdated by FRLG therefore it makes sense to release them instead along with RSE. As for GSC i think the same applies here in that HGSS re-made those games but are still playable even on the 3DS therefore do not require a re-release.

    Reply

  250. I don’t know how likely you are to see this now, Ivan Bug, but I enjoyed this article a heckuva lot 🙂 It works from some strong evidence and draws some connections I would’ve never known with my non-biology background. Although IMO the only explanation for kabutops’ skeleton is that the artists know zero science ;3

    Reply

    • Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I also posted the theory on the
      forum (as LovableMaggot) some time ago but when I found out about the fossil picture (which
      finally proved that Genesect is not Kabutops) I had to redo it 😉

      Reply

  253. okay so this is pretty good evidence that kabutops is not a genesect thanks to the picture of the fossil but wait and this is a real trophy form super smash bros brawl 3ds see the little frog like thing in the corner it is none other than KABUTO if you think it is part of his head you are wrong since it is charging to fire it cannon so maybe just maybe it was a mutated kabuto fossil and had a cannon installed but what I don’t get is that something that futuristic looking came from a fossil I mean for god sake Nintendo what where you thinking…. uhh well shiny purple is uhh futuristic looking so im uhh im gonna make it a fossil because uhh fossils are here and will be in the future well news flash fossils are gonna be the same no matter how long there around and not mutated gosh the brains of some people now just one thing more you should follow [email protected]

    Reply

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