In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Today we’re looking at Varoom and its evolution Revavroom, two unique Pokémon that have a previously unseen type combination.
Varoom
Varoom is the first Steel/Poison-type Pokémon. It is known as the Single-Cyl Pokémon and its name is based on the sound of a revving engine.
A single-cylinder engine is one type of an internal combustion engine. It uses pistons which convert the explosive force of ignited gas into some sort of propulsive force. As the name implies, it has only a single cylinder where this propulsion takes place, so there is only a small amount of thrust that can be generated. It’s mainly used for small vehicles such as motorcycles or lawnmowers. These engines are made of a metal such as iron or aluminum.
Varoom’s Poison-typing might be a reference to exhaust gas. Internal combustion engines combines a small amount of fuel and oxygen in a small chamber and ignites it to produce a controlled explosion. The first engines were designed as experiments in the late 1700s from inventors in Europe and the US. During this period, steam was the most common way to power machines and fuels were difficult to get.
In the late 1800s, German engineers developed new designs that were more reliable and compact including Nicolaus Otto, Karl Benz, and Rudolf Diesel whose names are still used in mobility today. From this point cars and other petroleum devices became increasingly common.
The exhaust gas that can be toxic to breathe but also acts as a greenhouse gas and fuels climate damage. Children who live near highways and other major roadways, where car exhaust is common, have a higher likelihood of developing asthma. Transportation accounts for 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and 45% of those emissions come from passenger cars.
It is said that this Pokémon was born when an unknown poison Pokémon entered and inspirited an engine left at a scrap-processing factory.
The steel section is Varoom’s actual body. This Pokémon clings to rocks and converts the minerals within into energy to fuel its activities.
Pokédex
Varoom is a combination of a metal body with round rocks around which resemble wheels. It harnesses the minerals within these rocks. It’s not specified what minerals are in these rocks, but it might try to seek out the petroleum and other fossil fuels which might be smashed within the rocks from long ago.
The concept of a physical item being inspirited is a reference to the Japanese concept of tsukumogami. Throughout Japanese folklore, there have been stories of a tool developing a soul after it’s existed for a hundred years.
Revavroom
After reaching a particular level, it evolves into Revavroom. This is the Multi-Cyl Pokémon. Its name combines the sound “vroom” with the concept of “revving” an engine.
It’s evolved into an eight cylinder engine. A V8 is one kind of engine with eight cylinders which is used for many internal combustion cars.
It creates a gas out of poison and minerals from rocks. It then detonates the gas in its cylinders—now numbering eight—to generate energy.
Revavroom viciously threatens others with the sound of its exhaust. It sticks its tongue out from its cylindrical mouth and sprays toxic fluids.
Pokédex
Revavroom features prominently in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as the aces of Team Star squad bosses. Each boss attached their Revavroom to a Starmobile which it is able to drive around and use in battle. Each Revavroom gains access to a different ability than it normally has and each gets its own signature move.
The concept of decorating your vehicle might be a reference to hobbyists who decorate and paint their cars. In the US there have been shows like Pimp My Ride and in Japan, the Japanese hobby of dekotora is the same thing for trucks.
Varoom and Revavroom have the signature move Spin Out, whose name comes from the concept of a driver losing control of a car and spinning. Similarly, this move does a lot of damage but drops the user’s speed.
Conclusion
While a lot of new Pokémon were introduced in Scarlet and Violet, Revavroom stands out as the close partners of Team Star Bosses. Fighting against the Starmobiles provided a memorable gameplay experience and its unique Steel/Poison type makes it a great addition to Paldea.
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