Nick Felker 
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Wattrel Wattrel is an Electric/Flying-type bird whose name is a combination of “watt” and “petrel“. The European Storm Petrel lives in the Mediterranean. It will dive into the water to catch fish. To … Read more
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Wiglett Wiglett is a long, narrow Pokémon who appears out of a pile of wet sand. Its name is a combination of “Water” and “Diglett”. It is a Water-type Pokémon that vaguely resembles … Read more
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Flittle This cute Psychic-type chick Pokémon has a name that combines “flitter” and “little”. It is covered in several layers of frills that sway back and forth while it floats in the air. … Read more
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Rellor Rellor is a Bug-type Pokémon whose name is “Roller” backwards. This name lends itself well to its basis on a dung beetle. There are many kinds of dung beetle species but the … Read more
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Capsakid Capsakid is a Grass-type Pokémon based on a spicy pepper. Its name is a combination of “Capsaicin” and “Kid”. Capsaicin is the component of peppers that give it a burning sensation when … Read more
In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. This colorful bird’s name is a combination of “squawk” and “rockabilly“, a musical genre that was the precursor to rock-and-roll. Squawkabilly is a parrot based on the rockers, also known as greasers, … Read more