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!
Simisear doesn’t deserve it that belongs to the disgusting Binacle and Barbarbacle. Also literal trash Garbador and Trubbish.
I don’t believe Simisear deserves that title. Drowzee, Hypno, Qwilfish, Tympole, Palpitoad, Stunfisk, Binacle…all way less likable. I don’t really like its hand positions in the official art though, they should be in fists or something. It seems confused.
Also, welcome, Lowri.
Hi Ultron,
Thank you for the welcome 🙂 Yes, I can certainly agree that Stunfisk and Binacle needed to be lower on the list. There’s just something about them that puts me off.
TheOracleXatu? Have I been dethroned? ;(
In all seriousness, welcome. There’s room for more than one clairvoyant in our family. It should be said that I don’t hate Simisear at all! My vote for least favorite would probably go to Sunkern, since its existence rarely phases me.
Nobody could replace your third eye. It’s wisdom is beyond all others!
Haha, I did raise this issue. I think we’re working it out…
Hello ShinyXatu!
Thank you for the welcome! There’s no need to worry 🙂 You are the original Xatu around these parts 😉
You won’t be dethroned and I don’t see how Simisear was last my least favorite probably would be Maractus because it’s annoying in the wild and too rare to find unless you look its anime appearance was awful and it is terrible in competitive!
1.No i dont think it deserves the title, there are way worst and sort of useless pokemon like unown
2.i dont get this question very well but i guess that the pokemon that got 700th-721st place in the poll should be distributed so that they gain a little popularity
3.Serperior, my favorite pokemon got 136th which is pretty good comsidering he is more popular than 585 other pokemon (or more popular than 80% of the pokemons if u wanna get all technical) so yeah im pretty happy with that ;p
How is Volcarona less liked than unown, tepig and fricken STUNFISK?! Japan has no taste. NO. TASTE.
Ikr! Volcarona should at least be on the top 100
While I thinking it is nothing special, it doesn’t deserve all the hate. Some Pokemon deserve it much more than Simisear.
-I can’t really say if it deserves the title as Japan’s Least Popular because I’m not Japanese, but I can definitely say I was surprised.
-I don’t really know about distributions, but I like what the last poster said about a mix of the least popular.
-As for my favorite, Banette? 152? Not too shabby. 🙂
Also, I really enjoyed the way this article was written. I hope Lowri stays to write some more!
Hi Wes,
Thank you for your kind words! I’ll be sure to stick around for as long as I can with PokeJungle!
Yes it deserves it. I mean look at it. Not to mention it’s useless. It’s also the most forgettable.
Majority of people used Darmanitan instead. It’s truly a useless Fire-Type.
Simisear might make a comeback if they do my idea of giving them corresponding mega’s for triple battle
feh the ape is truly the worst
Simisage is the true monkey
Great Article, and I don’t think its deserves the hate, I don’t think any pokemon deserves hate other than mr. mime, but I personally really like Simisear 🙂
Thank you, The Lavender Swirlix 🙂 Glad you like the article. While I’m still on the fence about Simisear, I personally think that the likes of Garbador, Stunfisk etc. should have been much lower down on the list. Especially Stunfisk.
But it’s the Japanese public’s choice at the end of the day of course 🙂
Bleh. I dislike the elemental monkeys. I kinda enjoy Simisage’s design. Anyways, my body is reggie for this World Hobby Fair gameplay.
Do you know what time that will be?
Yeah, Simisear’s design is strangely cute!
I can’t quite make out the number on mobile, but my favorite Pokemon, Togepi, is on the first page, so that’s a good sign.
I often hear people praising the story of the first gen 5 games, but why? Is it because of the whole “should Pokemon be in pokeballs” thing? Any insight into why the story was progressive over other Pokemon games would be appreciated.
I like it because of the truth/ideals thing going on
I think it deserves praise because it balances a lot of characters and makes the gym leaders meaningful for once, carries the evil team right up to the elite four, doesn’t lose momentum at any point, and brings up some interesting points about pokemon and enslavement.
Aw, Gallade. So close to cracking the top 100.
Eh, I still dont like it much. But it is the best out of the 3 monkeys IMO
Hi StarStorm,
I’m still on the fence about Simisear but I find him strangely cute.
OOOOH BASTIODON MADE THE TOP 600
Though maybe it should’ve been better off last place instead, so it becomes a meme like Simisear is now…
My top 3 made it very far… Charizard, greninja and skarmory!
Skarmory for the win!
well guys the date is today the day of the world hobby Fair!,I can’t wait to see some new information on Pokemon Sun and Pokemon moon,this is going to be so cool let’s get that hype train ready because there’s going to be a Great Gaming party today! 😀
world hobby Fair has begun ……unfortunately I can’t smell any new info about the game. http://i.4cdn.org/vp/1466831234954.jpg
Magearna does look cute with the bows. ^v^
Actually I can’t understand anything but Joe talking about playthrough by Masuda, Grubbin evolves twice and Yungoos once. source: https://twitter.com/JoeMerrick/status/746556044575399936
Can anybody know if this show over or not ?
It’s only 4:36pm in Japan. And there’s also more of that fair tomorrow. (But not necessarily Pokemon.)
Where r u ppl ? another pic from the trailer. https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13524384_511622442363104_2842596066767459441_n.png?oh=1f3ac5a66e3068fdc493e44339a812d1&oe=57F3F905
Well many of them are living in the USA and likely to be sleeping. 😉
Omg ? Is that a shiny Magearna?!?
It’s s hideous and poorly designed Pokemon. The others are just as bad
Who’s… the “others”? All the other 720 Pokemon?
Simipour and Simisage?
Thats like, your opinion man.
I really don’t think you can ever call a pokemon poorly designed, GF goes through a lot of design choices for pokemon before they choose the right one, and the monkeys are not poorly designed just because you don’t like them.
Welcome Lowri! I’m actually quite fond of Simisear and it’s hooligan-like design.
Hello Kriffix!
As I mentioned in the article, I find Simisear cute in a bizarre way, but I wish he had more viability in battles. Here’s hoping the event redeems him 🙂
alright guys the world hobby Fair starts at 9 a.m.
which time or how much our left ? ……if u know it was beginning or this is another show ?
its 2:05 we have 7 hours left until the world hobby Fair starts.
You realise it’s in Japan right? As in it’s already started/the first day is nearly over?
oh.
Yes! Vaporeon my all time favourite is the 109th most popular in Japan. Not too bad.
Hey Lowri! Nice article 🙂
My favorite Pokemon are actually pretty high on the list!
Haxorus: 137
Empoleon: 121
Samurott: 123
Arcanine: 126
Dragalge (not so much: 440
Thank you for the welcome Haxford!
Although I can’t make it out on my phone, Skarmory & Houndoom are fairly high up on the list, which makes me happy!