In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Bramblin
Bramblin is a Grass/Ghost-type Pokémon whose name is a combination of “bramble” and “rambling”. It’s based on a tumbleweed, which is made up of the branches of a dead bush.
This can happen in many places. In a flat, arid location, a gust of wind can cause it to roll for long distances. When these weeds tumble, they may still contain seeds. As they get pushed across the landscape, their seeds will disperse. Bramblin seems to have eyes formed out of seeds in-between its branches.
A soul unable to move on to the afterlife was blown around by the wind until it got tangled up with dried grass and became a Pokémon.
Not even Bramblin knows where it is headed as it tumbles across the wilderness, blown by the wind. It loathes getting wet.
Pokédex
In popular culture, tumbleweeds are often associated with barren areas and ghost towns. Tumbleweeds could probably be found in the Tabernas Desert, located in the Southeast of Spain and likely the inspiration for the Asado Desert in Paldea.
Like a real tumbleweed, it might be helpful to send it out to roll along with you on your adventures.
Brambleghast
After walking with Bramblin as your buddy, it will suddenly evolve into Brambleghast. Its name in a combination of “bramble” and “ghast”. Its evolved form appears to have collected more branches and grown more thorns.
It will open the branches of its head to envelop its prey. Once it absorbs all the life energy it needs, it expels the prey and discards it.
Brambleghast wanders around arid regions. On rare occasions, mass outbreaks of these Pokémon will bury an entire town.
Pokédex
The way it eats is similar to a pitcher plant, which is the inspiration for Carnivine. When a bug lands on the pitcher plant’s leaves, the leaves will close and begin digesting the bug. For a Ghost-type Pokémon, it will drain its life force rather than use something like acid.
Although the concept of burying a town in Brambleghast may sound funny, it is based on real things that can happen with tumbleweeds. A town in South Jordan, Utah was overwhelmed by thousands one morning. Since they are brought along by the wind, they can very easily be led along in a single direction.
It is one of the few Pokémon to have the new ability Wind Rider, which protects it from Wind-type attacks and boosts its attack instead. Since tumbleweeds only grow faster with wind, it is a sensible ability to have.
Conclusion
The concept of a tumbleweed is very iconic in many western movies, and stand out due to their carefree “go with the wind” nature. It lends itself to a very laid back pair of Pokémon designs. The incorporation of seeds and branches to form a face is a neat design characteristic. Overall, they are a great pair of Pokémon.
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