In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.
Cramorant is a single-stage Water/Flying-type bird that is based on a cormorant. Its name is a combination of cormorant and “cram”, which refers to its signature ability.
Cormorants are large birds which live in many coastal areas, including two species in the British Isles. The two are the common shag and the great cormorant.
The cormorants have a diet primarily of fish, but that may also include water snakes and small eels. They dive from the surface to get a fish. Once they do, they swallow the fish whole.
They can also be trained to return fish to their owners. Cormorant fishing is a practice in eastern Asia, where the fisher will tie a snare around the bird’s throat to prevent them from swallowing larger fish. Instead, the fisher pulls it out of their mouth. It’s not surprising that Cramorant is classified as the Gulp Pokemon.
The Pokédex states:
It’s so strong that it can knock out some opponents in a single hit, but it also may forget what it’s battling midfight.
This hungry Pokémon swallows Arrokuda whole. Occasionally, it makes a mistake and tries to swallow a Pokémon other than its preferred prey.
The ability for cormorants to swallow big fish also ties into Cramorant’s unique ability Gulp Missile. When using the moves Surf or Dive, it will catch something in its mouth. When it is then hit next by a move, it spits out the fish and deal some damage to whoever struck it.
Its regular catch are Arrokuda, who are common to the region, but it also seems to be able to find Pikachu underwater. What are those Pikachu doing down there?! Even Surfing Pikachu uses a surfboard to stay above the waves…
In conclusion, Cramorant is a bird Pokemon similar to many water fowls in the series. The base of a cormorant is one that ties the Pokemon closely with the British environment and provides a unique ability that reflects the uniqueness of the bird.
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