In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Maschiff Maschiff is a Dark-type canine Pokémon whose name mixes “mischief” and “mastiff”. The Spanish Mastiff is a dog breed which dates back to the time of the Romans. They were used by … 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. 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 … 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. 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. 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. 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