In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Cyclizar is a Dragon/Normal-type Pokémon whose name is a combination of “Cycle” and “Lizard”. It is categorized as the Mount Pokémon mainly for its role for Pokémon trainers.
It is a bipedal lizard in a pale green with black accents with a large throat sac resembling a rubber tire. Its black tail with a white accent can also bend to resemble a rubber tire. When a person sits on its back to ride, it vaguely looks like riding a motorcycle. However, these are not wheels that spin. It will run on its front and back legs instead.
Apparently Cyclizar has been allowing people to ride on its back since ancient times. Depictions of this have been found in 10,000-year-old murals.
It can sprint at over 70 mph while carrying a human. The rider’s body heat warms Cyclizar’s back and lifts the Pokémon’s spirit.
Pokédex
Cyclizar have been used throughout Paldean history as riding companions. Similarly, people in Spain have used horses for a long time. There are cave paintings from 25,000 years ago depicting Iberian horses and have been riding horses for centuries. The first horses were likely domesticated in Kazakhstan around 3500 BC and spread west to places like Spain and Portugal roughly a millennium later.
Horses, however, are not as fast as Cyclizar. The fastest horse breeds can reach a top speed of just 55 mph. At the same time, Cyclizar does require a rider’s body heat to stay warm as lizards are cold-blooded.
Cyclizar is likely based on an Anole, a lizard found in Central America known for its green coloring and large throat sac.
Central America is a geographically diverse region of the world, with various small islands and terrains. The Anole is often studied in the context of its adaptations to different habitats and Darwinian evolution similar to finches. One ecomorph might have long legs to jump between trees. Another might have stubby legs and crawl. These ecological changes could be likened to regional forms in the Pokémon context.
It’s also worth noting that there’s a lizard in Australia commonly known as the bicycle dragon.
The legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon are Paradox forms based on Cyclizar. As Anoles are known to change, it does make a good base for changing to other kinds of habitats like the past and future.
In conclusion, Cyclizar is a neat Pokemon that feels underappreciated due to being overshadowed. Its inspiration from Anole and how people ride around on it gives this design a lot of depth. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to Paldea’s legendary Pokemon. Let us know what you think in the comments! You can also join the PokéJungle forums, Mount Moon Community, and Discord server as well.
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