Nick Felker

I'm an engineer at Google. In my spare time, I've been an avid Pokemon fan since Gold & Silver, and have spent many long hours walking around New York City with Pokemon Go open on my phone.
The origins of Cramorant's design

Cramorant – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.  Cramorant is a single-stage Water/Flying-type bird that is based on a cormorant. Its name is a combination of cormorant and “cram”, which refers to its signature ability. Cormorants are large birds which live in many … Read more

Gossifleur and Eldegoss – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture. In this article, we’ll take a look at Gossifleur and Eldegoss. Both Pokémon were revealed in an early Nintendo Direct, but many fans wondered if Eldegoss would evolve further. Gossifleur Gossifleur’s name origin is likely … Read more

Origin of the design of Kubfu and Urshifu

Kubfu and Urshifu – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.  This article will discuss the origins of Kubfu and Urshifu, legendary Pokémon that appear in the Isle of Armor DLC. Kubfu Kubfu is a Fighting-type Pokémon and is described as the “Wushu Pokémon”. This classification … Read more

Nickit and Thievul – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.  Today we will be analyzing the regional fox Pokémon Nickit and its evolution. Nickit Nickit is classified as a “Fox Pokémon”, sharing that classification with the Vulpix and Fennekin lines. Unlike them however, it is … Read more

Inspiration behind Blipbug, Dottler and Orbeetle

Blipbug, Dottler, and Orbeetle – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture. Today we’ll be studying the early bug line that you will encounter early in the game. Its origins may seem generic, but it has a great deal of relation to British history. Blipbug Blipbug, whose … Read more

Rookidee, Corvisquire, Corviknight – Origin of Species

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In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs, their culture, and their historical allusions to British culture.  As with every region before it, Galar has a common bird Pokémon which is found on many routes. This evolutionary line does have a distinctive British theme which makes it well-suited as the design for … Read more