In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.

Regieleki

Known as the Electron Pokémon, Regieleki adds itself to the collection of legendary titans that debuted in the third generation: Regice, Regirock, and Registeel. It debuted in The Crown Tundra DLC, where the players could encounter it or its counterpart.

In the lore, Regigigas was said to be the one who pulled the continents into their current place and then created these giants in its image based on various elements.

Each of these titans are based on a different period of human history. Regice represents the Ice Age, Regirock represents the Stone Age, and Registeel represents the Bronze Age.

Regieleki represents the Modern Age, the period starting in the early 1800s. At this point inventors were able to isolate and control electricity, which led to an ongoing process of electrification. Regieleki seems to be the embodiment of an electron, a small fast particle which represents a small amount of energy. By controlling the flow of these electrons, you can convert this energy into light, heat, or mechanical work.

Its body appears to be primarily in a lightbulb shape, with inductors as rings around its arms and torso. Its arms are electrical arcs, which it can redirect as it wants. Like the other titans, it has seven colored dots on its face.

This Pokémon is a cluster of electrical energy. It’s said that removing the rings on Regieleki’s body will unleash the Pokémon’s latent power.

Its entire body is made up of a single organ that generates electrical energy. Regieleki is capable of creating all Galar’s electricity.

Inventors from Great Britain were among the first to study electricity and its applications. Michael Faraday built the first electromagnetic generator. Sir Humphrey Davey invented the carbon arc lamp, allowing electricity to generate light. From there, developments in building a power grid started in isolated communities and grew to a national system. In the period between World War I and World War II, many nations began to intensely focus on delivering electricity throughout the entire country in a coordinated effort.

We continue to live in the modern age, with electrification and battery development continuing to make a difference around the world.

Regieleki has the signature ability Transistor, named after the core circuit component, which boosts the power of its Electric-type moves. It also has the signature move Thunder Cage, which traps the target and damages them over several turns. It is probably based on the concept of a Faraday Cage.

Regidrago

Known as the Dragon Orb Pokémon, it looks like a red pearl that sits in the mouth of a dragon. In particular it seems to share the whiskers and the horns of a Chinese dragon. Like the other titans, it has seven colored dots on its face.

An academic theory proposes that Regidrago’s arms were once the head of an ancient dragon Pokémon. The theory remains unproven.

Its body is composed of crystallized dragon energy. Regidrago is said to have the powers of every dragon Pokémon.

Many chinese dragons are depicted by a flaming pearl, which is associated with spiritual energy and power.

Regidrago is a representation of the Middle Ages a period of European history roughly between the fifth to the fifteenth century. It is when a lot of traditional European folklore was developed, including stories about King Arthur, his father King Ulther Pendragon, and dragons.

Regidrago has the signature ability Dragon’s Maw, which refers to its own mouth. This ability boosts the power of its Dragon-type moves. It also has the signature move Dragon Energy, which does more damage the more HP it has.

Conclusion

Ahead of the release of the Crowned Tundra, these two new Regis were teased. It led to a lot of speculation about what they were and what they could do. Human history is rich and easy to break apart into segments of time based on geography. The Middle Ages and the Modern Age are two periods important to European societal development and, in my opinion, an important part of the design of these Pokémon.

The introduction of two new Regis was surprising but welcome. But it does make you wonder what may come in future generations. Will there be an early agricultural Grass-type Regi? A Poison-type pollution Regi?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to join in discussions happening in Discord!