Anyone who follows PokéJungle and other Pokémon based sources via Twitter or Facebook will know that the results of the Pokémon Election in Japan have been announced.
Fans around the world have been voicing their opinions about Japan’s least popular Pokémon. Who else, but poor, old Simisear. Here’s the thing about the Ember Pokémon; I’m on the fence whether I like or dislike him. I do find Simisear strangely cute in a bizarre way, but he won’t be making my Top Ten favourite Pokémon list anytime soon.
However if you do like Simisear, I can respect that!
Now before we get onto the subject of why I (and many others) believe Simisear got the least amount of votes; let me just say that I will be looking at the Pokémon from two viewpoints: design and battle potential. After all, it’s sort of important for a Pokémon to have potential in competitive battle. Let’s get started!
Origins & Design
First thing’s first, let’s take a look at Simisear’s origins. According to Bulbapedia, Simisear, Simisage and Simipour are inspired by the ‘Elemental Monkeys’ (or ‘Three Wise Monkeys’). The trio made their first appearance in the Unova Region in Pokémon Black and White. Now while their pre-evolutions are adorable, Simisear and his brothers are a different story. Now I’m not saying that they are ugly, (I can think of other Pokemon that can take that title), but they could be better. Afterall, you can’t expect every Pokémon to be perfect. However, for the sake of argument, let’s compare the trio to Sinnoh’s very own Fire Monkey, Infernape. For one thing, Infernape’s design is majestic; something that I believe the ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ are severely lacking design-wise. I’m sure many agree that the trio’s designs are rather underwhelming compared to their Sinnoh cousin. A missed opportunity methinks.
It’s worth mentioning that Simisear has only had a few appearances in the Pokemon Black and White anime. In fact from doing my research, Simisear only featured in five episodes overall, with only one major appearance. Yes, you read that correctly; only one. The poor guy hasn’t even had enough exposure in the anime to build up some popularity.
Competitive Pokémon Battle
Now to look at an important factor of any Pokémon; competitive battle. Luckily for Simisear, it does have a small saving grace in Smogon’s PU Tier. With a reputation as a threatening special attacking sweeper and wallbreaker due to its high-speed, good attack and decent coverage in the PU Tier, you’d think that’s great. But that’s where Simisear’s potential falls short. Sadly, this Pokémon is outclassed by the likes of Ninetales and Rapidash, and to make matters worse, it can easily be revenge killed by Zebstrika and Floatzel. It makes me sad. I always like to route for the underdog in battles.
For more info on Simisear’s movesets, please check out Smogon’s page on Simisear!
Following his loss at the Pokémon Election, Pokémon Centres across Japan will be releasing Simisear as an event, along with (and I’m not kidding when I say this) Simisear PR Business Cards, offering encouraging words about the Ember Pokémon. Although this is an admirable attempt by The Pokémon Company, not everyone is feeling the love for Simisear. Although, I’m willing to give poor Simisear the benefit of the doubt; so long as its event has some decent moves that could give it some usefulness. However, that remains to be seen.
With that said PokéJungle readers, I would like to know your thoughts on Simisear!
- Do you think the Ember Pokémon deserves the title of ‘Japan’s Least Popular Pokémon’?
- Which Pokémon do you think deserves distribution at Pokémon Centers in the near future?
- Where did your favourite Pokemon end up in the Pokémon Election?
Let me know in the comments section below and don’t forget to rate using those adorable Sewaddles!
– Lowri
PJ’s Note: Lowri is one of our new contributors, please give her a great Jungle welcome!
I think Elemental Monkeys have very good designs and they are not basically based on one thing. I like the inspiration coming from culinary, cooking, using them to prepare a dish (or tea). On the other hand subtle “hear, see, speak no evil” reference is very good. There was also an idea about Simisage being based on Elvis, Simipour being based on Bob Marley and Simisear being based on Bob Dylan. I don’t know it might seem like reaching.
By the way, I have seen a Fakemon idea about the fourth elemental monkey with electric typing. It has diamond shaped tail and represents “Do no evil” fulfilling both concepts:
http://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1422897042i/13560475._SY540_.jpg
Pansurge and Simisurge
I have a legit not necessarily Pokemon related question. Why do publishers give out review copies? People largely don’t give a shit about reviews anymore because we know reviews are bullshit. For reviewers they get an early free copy of the game plus ad revenue for their article or video, and sometimes publisher even stupidly buy reviews. But what is in it for the publishers? In the past it might have been awareness but with how the internet works the fans spread awareness better than a review does. So I have to know what is in it for publishers to keep reviews alive. This could also be aimed at movies or other forms of media/entertainment where reviews exist if that makes it any easier to grasp and explain for people.
A lot of people still rely on game reviewers on whether or not to get a game. If a reviewer gets a game and it’s a broken piece of shit (Sonic Boom) then it’s much better to have them warn the Internet than someone buying it, and getting a broken product. On the other hand, it can reassure consumers that the product is worth investing money into. Honestly, video games are pretty expensive. Usually ranging from 45-60$ so getting as many fans confident in the game is important
A lot of people don’t care about reviews though anymore because they are so stupid and bullshit, but I suppose there might still be a significant amount of people there that do somehow care what others think. And I mean sure there are certain cases where it is useful for the end consumer though that’s not all that often. And that’s still not a benefit for the publisher which was my real question more than why they still exist. Like what is the reason a publisher allows this, like what do they get from it.
Publishers put up their reviews day 1 so when people want to know how the game is that they want to buy, then obviously there is a huge amount of traffic to sites wondering how it plays. Plus no one wants to sift through GameFAQs shitposts to get a decent opinion
Publishers are the people that put out the game Paul. Like Nintendo or Aksys. Not the review site. And I still say that most reviews aren’t “decent” opinions either. But yeah. My question was more about what a publisher gets out of it that they keep doing it when less and less people care about reviews and awareness can easily be spread through fans. Like they are losing a potential sale by offering somebody a free copy of their game.
Publishers still give review copies because good reviews have a high potential of increasing their sales. Many people still trust reviews for their gaming opinion, especially younger children. Also, it gives a general idea of how their game will play for everyone. As PJ said, nobody wants to search for a opinion about their game. Though some people might not like reviews, they are necessary in the gaming industry.
I don’t really think reviews help that much anymore. But if that is the reason publishers still do it then ok.
okay guys this might be a little off topic: I was wondering since Alola is based on four Islands,how many Pokemon types will definitely represent on each island?
What? I’m rather confused by your comment. Alola will contain every single type of Pokemon. If your taking about the number of Pokemon, Alola will have about 300 Pokemon.
Let’s just hope Alola give us 300 Pokemon because kalos only give us a small 72 Pokemon.
Alola is not going to give us 300 Pokemon. It’s amount of new Pokemon will be under 175. I’m taking about the PokeDex in general. I expect to see 300 Pokemon or more, which is a combination of new and old Pokemon.
Pokémon Sun & Moon will be featured on next week episode of Pokénchi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gdr6cvgYck
Yup with old news as always.
I think this is the best fan made evolution for Yungoos. http://img02.deviantart.net/6c2a/i/2016/176/a/5/yungoos_evolution_by_changchung-da7lslm.png
Yes, definitely… Except the dark type isn’t the best idea….
I was not talking about the type I was talking about the design.
I would actually prefer it’s design stays more skinny and aggressive than bigger built and aggressive. That evolution is too much like Zangoose. Mongooses that are found in Hawaii have the kind of body that Yungoos has, and I want them to stick with that type of design.
#IstandwithSimisear
Also, welcome to PJ, Lowrie!
We started preorders at work for Sun and Moon and tbh I’ll probably switch my preorder from Gamestop TO Toys R Us. Maybe they’ll let me have my copy early ;;;;;;;;;;)))))))))
HELP i have an issue
Last year, I had pokebank before and poketransporter – i deleted them both because i didn’t use it. I’m using it now so i redownloaded pokebank. I tried to download poketransporter on the main menu of pokebank but it says i’ve already downloaded it. But of course since i’ve deleted the app it’s not on my ds – and also not on the eshop.
HELP
Did you check your previously downloaded section of the eShop?
its only pokebank there – poketransporter isnt on the eshop 🙁
Hmmm. Idk 🙁 try deleting it and trying it again or contacting Nintendo. They might be able to reset it for you
I just thought about it but I hope they bring type gems back.
That would be nice. I’m more ready to see what Pokemon get buffed up this Gen though
Like big in gen 5? I’m hoping its ice this gen!
Ice seriously needs help….
It’s my favorite type and yet, using a Beartic would still make me nervous competitively. Heck even an avalugg is a risk. Abomasnow is doomed against fire and walrein might be your best bet to hold out multiple turns. Frosslass atleast is a pretty good destiny bond user to be taken down quick and take one with it. Come on game freak, ice needs the help!
I hope it’s dark type. They really have trouble holding their own anymore. Damn Fairies!
Dark types don’t need a buff. Fairies need a nerf. They’re worse than dragons in Gen 5 now
Ice becomes super effective to fairies. Boom. Ice gets a well needed buff and fairies a well needed nerf.
Ice needs more resistances
Seriously why isn’t it resistant to grass? Things don’t grow well in winter and frost kills plants all the time. It just doesn’t seem right that it only resists itself.
I agree.
Ice should resist
Grass
Bug
Water
Dragon
Also make it Supereffective against fairies.
Fairy needs to be weak to bug. Or at least not resistant to it.
ALL BUG POKEMON PLEASE
Promote Volcarona to pseudo status!! >:)
Becoming a pseudo isn’t something that can be promoted, you either always are or never are. A pseudo is a Pokemon that has evolved twice and has a BST of 600, and no detrimental ability. Volcarona has only evolved once, and it’s BST is short of 600.
Well if they gave it a BST of 600 then it would be a pseudo. The evolving twice thing can be broken, the important thing is the stats.
Except Heracross
What are type gems?
The consumable items that buffed a move of the same type when it was used (rock gem buffing a rock type move)
Why did they get rid of them after the 5th gen anyway?
Insanely op
So uhh… No footage? Did Masuda just not play the game? What happened?
Guess no one took OR if they did hasn’t surfaced
He played the game yesterday, but like what was shown of the gameplay before, it was only of the first route I think. Nothing exciting, except he encountered a wild Grubbin (which has 2 evos, while Yungoos has one)
so guys any news in the world hobby fair today?
It’s 19:34 in Japan now, which means its over, and theres no news
Perfect -_-;
No new info was promised as far as I’m aware. Just that Masuda was there doing a playthrough
Gotta wait until the 1st
All this irrelevant chatting about hobby fairs are bollocks. Kalos League starts in 4 days, all that matters.
Yes Kalos League Hype
I don’t see most of mine on this list knowing my favorites are (excluding Popplio)
1. Dedenne
2. Weavile
3. Ambipom
4. Porygon 2
5. Flygon
6. Goodra
7. Feraligtr
8. Umbreon
9. Heracross
10. Armaldo
And only two got on the top fifty some
Anyone notice that Porygon is not shown on these lists which either means it’s in the top 100 Or they forgot one
Porygon was #96
Oh well that’s good
Both Woobat and Swoobat are pretty low on the list. Ouch…. 🙁
Wow my friend and I just realized we know of 22 new Pokemon we haven’t seen all but out of evos we know they’re there: starters 9, Pikipek and evos 3, Grubbin and evos 3, Yungoos and evo 2, Iwanko, Nekkoala, Magearna, Solgaleo and Lunala
Make that 26, as we know about tapu koko and the other three guardians of the alola islands
Dont assume they’re pokemon. right?
They’re yokai. S/M is a cross-over title.
LOLOL I was meaning that they could be people right? Or do we have confirmation that they are pokemon?
Hala stated in the demo that each island has a guardian Pokemon, but it was never specified that Tapu Koko was one (I think).
That’s true but what if they’re like the starters final evos I mean corocoro did state the the starters and Iwanko had something special and its 4 Pokemon by my count
It cant be the starter’s final as when hala introduces you before the battle at the festival he says “the one who has met with tapu koko” while someone in the crowd responds “wow what a curious fella tapu koko is” or something like that
I’m not saying you’re wrong but I was thinking what if you see Solgaleo or Lunala before you encounter them at the end
Yes it was specified that tapu koko was melemele’s guardian by hala himself
You mean that a random person would be the guardian deity of an island? Do you expect gf to pull an AZ-esque character on us? I sure hope not
I am pretty sure they hinted at it being a pokemon and really what else would it be in the Pokemon world.
Was it confirmed all islands have guardians?
Yes, Hala mentioned it, but what we don’t know is if they are special Legendaries, or others.
Ok I thought it was mentioned but I couldn’t remember. I am sure they are legendaries.
I agree, they likely are. I just don’t see them justifying non-legends being guardian deities.
I mean if they aren’t then they are all pseudo-legendaries which at that point I mean… really the only difference is that pseudo can breed usually and are usually more than one per game and aren’t necessarily the last couple Pokemon in the dex. So they kind of have to be legendaries.
So with Alola having battle festivals, theoretically there has to some sort of showmanship involved. That makes it feasible that Pokeball seals could return. That would be neat.
From what i understood there is only one festival, the one that was made so that hau and you can start their journey, but idk maybe i understood wrong lel
I dunno if there are multiple but the one that we participate in with Hau is to honor and please the island’s deity.
Oh ok gotcha i thought that it was to kick start their journeys
I’m honestly amazed that something like Finneon or Heatmore isn’t at the bottom.
Here’s the Rowlet evolutions that I made. I need help on the names.
Hmmmm the Grass/Flying to Pure Grass to Grass/Dark is causing some mental hemorrhaging
Buuuut
Duskowl and Shadowl is all I got
Oh! Crap! I forgot about the grass/flying. Sorry.
Tell that to my bleeding grey matter
Great artwork, but the most intriguing part of this is that the starter evolves at lv 37.
Isn’t it usually 36, 37 or 38?
If I remember correctly, most are 36, with a few exceptions evolving at 32 (i.e many grass types such as Venasaur, Meganium, and Torterra.)
Oh.
Oh, do Grubbin next!
That’s what I was thinking. Grubbin is my favorite, so I should do it.
Weird evolution level. And why does he lose his Flying type?
Poor writing
Poor writing?
Poor writing
This sin can only be cleansed with righteous hellfire
I’ll get some kerosene you get some rags,
What are you even referring to when you say that.
Well I like to burn things…
No I mean like what exactly are you referring to as “poor writing”.
The “poor writing” was that the evolution loses grass type, which was a mistake.
Gotcha. And gaining dark type is still weird.
Poorly planned
Ah… mmn.
Well, I was confused on the evolution level thing, and I suppose I could of made the 3rd Stage a Grass/Flying type that can still learn Dark moves.
Mmn no worries.
This is not Pokemon related, but I’ve decided to play through (replay for some) all of the 3D Zelda games. Excluding OOT, which I’m playing right now (having way more trouble with the water temple in his time around), which 3D Zelda is your favorite and you would reccomend playing next? I’m leaning towards TP, because I’ve never played it, but it’s still open.
The water and shadow temples gave me the most trouble.
My favourite is Skyward Sword. I recommend playing Majora’s Mask 3D!
I have played *part* of all of them, though the only one I’ve ever finished in OOT. Though I enjoy the games, my attention span is awful. This is a problem for me because I like to play the games start to finish if I want to play it the game at all. I’ve played through Snowhead temple 2 times already in MM, and I really don’t want to again. While I love the game, I’ll likely play it near the end of the 3D Zeldas.
My personal favourites are Majoras Mask and Skyward Sword so I would definitely recommend those. If you do happen to play TP I would recommend the HD version, the fog in the original makes it kinda hard to see at times
Yeah, that’s the version that I own. I’ve gotten to the first temple, but really really disliked the graphics and brightness of the game, so eventually stopped playing it, though eventually I will.
Earthen is a firm player of Skyward Sword
But Twilight Princess is still gangbusters good
I really enjoyed what I’ve played of SS, and it seems many others here have as well. I really don’t understand all the hate it gets, though I haven’t finished the game.
This is totally off-topic but I would like to know your favourite 3DS game soundtrack! My favourite is Shin Megami Tensei IV, I just love the mixed vibes of music that game brings. Some honourable mentions are FE: Fates & Awakening, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, X/Y, and A Link Between Worlds.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D :^)
I’m with Omega on this one, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. As for non-ported games, I’d say FE Fates.
>SMTIV
*narrows eyes*
<— What do you think of him and his game.
Speaking of 3D
Yay or Nay
3D Minish Cap remake
I’d take it. Though it might be hard to do.
Nonsense all they would have to do is use a Link between worlds engine and kinda play around with it
But I do want better Minish areas
Mmn… I suppose that would work.
Sure, why not.