Konichiwa,
With the upcoming 7th generation of Pokemon
game release, I wanted to have some fun sharing some Pokemon facts.
Let's start things of with the greatest choice of your Pokemon life, the
Starter Pokemon:
Each
Generation has one grass type, one fire type, and one water type. The
only exception is first generation game, Yellow where you start off with
a Pikachu, only. Whichever type you choose your "rival" character will
choose the opposite type, example if you choose fire your rival will
take water, choose water rival takes grass, choose grass rival takes
fire. Again Yellow version is the exception with your rival having a
Eevee to counter your Pikachu. And now here's the break down of what
we've got in the starters:
Generation I (Blue/Red/Green (Japan only)/Yellow/FireRed/LeafGreen): Bulbasuar, Charmander, Squirtle, & Pikachu
Generation II (Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver): Chikorita, Cyndaquil, & Totodile
Generation III (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/OmegaRuby/AlphaSapphire): Treecko, Torchic, & Mudkip
Generation IV (Pearl/Diamond/Platinum): Turtwig, Chimchar, & Piplup
Generation V (Black/White/Black 2/White 2): Snivy, Tepig, & Oshawott
Generation VI (X & Y): Chespin, Fennekin, & Froakie
Generation VII (Sun & Moon): Rowlet, Litten, & Popplio
Now
each starter type has a Pokemon based on a bird: Torchic-Fire,
Piplup-Water, Rowlet-Grass. Also all starters have a common color too:
Fire starters-red, Water starters-blue, and Grass starters-green. Only
Generations I and III starters have Mega forms for their final
evolutions, while Generation II starters are the only ones to stay true
types (they don't gain a secondary type). Bulbasaur and Rowlet are the
only two starters to be dual-type: Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison type
& Rowlett is a Grass/Flying type. The final evolutions of Gen IV
starters Turtwig and Piplup have a super effective dual typing:
Grass/Ground and Water/Steel. In Gen VI the starters gain a greater
advantage over its rival type with it's secondary type: Grass gains
Fighting, Fire gains Psychic, and Water gains Dark. Gen V's starters are
the only starters to evolve at an odd numbered level, 17.
All
grass type starters are based on prehistoric creatures: Venusaur has
legs that lift it off the ground which is a characteristic of dinosaurs
hence the -saur at the end of the first gen names. Chikorita's evolution
line is based off of Apatosaurus. Treecko's evolution line is based off
of Dilophaosaurus. Turtwig's evolution line is based off of the
ankylosaur. Snivy's evolution line represents backwards evolution losing
it's legs as it evolves. Chespin's evolution line is based off of the
first mammal Megazostrodon. And Rowlet is speculated to be based off of
Ornimegalonyx an extinct type of owl.
The fire type starters represent the animals of the Chinese Zodiac:
Dragon-Charmander
Rat-Cyndaquil
Rooster-Torchic
Monkey-Chimchar
Pig/Boar-Tepig
Dog-Fennekin
Tiger-Litten
Lastly,
the water type starters are based off of semi-aquatic creatures:
Turtle, Crocodile, Axolotl (Salamander), Penguin, Otter, Frog, &
Seal.
Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Mudkip, Turtwig, Tepig,
Fennekin, and Litten are the only starters that stand on four legs, and
only Bulbasaur's, Chikorita's, Mudkip's and Turtwig's evolution lines
are the only ones that continue to be on all fours. Of course we don't
know about Litten's evoluton line yet. Also Yellow version's starter
Pikachu cannot evolve in the game. Squirtle's color has changed
noticeably over the years in the games: Gen I it's light blue, Gen II is
was a darker shade of blue, Gen III to Gen Gen V it's teal/turquoise,
& in Gen VI its a bright blue.
Generation I Starters: Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venusaur
Bulbasaur
is the first Pokemon in the National Pokedex with its dex number being
001. If a player chooses Charmander as a starter in
Red/Blue/Green/FireRed/LeafGreen it's impossible to get Venusaur
registered in the Pokedex without trading since no NPC in the games uses
a Venusaur. Bulbasuar, and his evolution line, is said to be based
primarily on some form of mammal like reptile know as Dicyonodot from
the Permian period, which is the last period of the Paleozoic era. The
bulb on its back resembles that of a lily or onion, Ivysaur's resembles
the bud of a parasitic flowering plant know as Rafflesia, and Venusaur's
back resember the fully blossomed Rafflesia arnoldii. Oddly enough,
Venusaur is the same size as an other fellow grass type Pokemon,
Tropius, both are 6'7'' tall and weight 220.5 lbs! When Venusaur mega
evolves it doesn't change types.
Generation I Starters: Charmander-Charmeleon-Charizard
The
Chinese Zodiac Dragon Pokemon, Charmander seems to have been based more
off of salamanders such as the Chinese Fire Falamander and the Spotted
Salamander, which as the first known photosynthetic vertebrate animal
capable of converting energy from sunlight (2010). This might have led
to Charmander's later hidden ability, Solar Power. Charmeleon resembles
more of a small dinosaur keeping a similar body style of its previous
form. Some say that Charmeleon gained its English name due to the fact
that when Charmander evolves into Charmeleon it becomes red instead of a
reddish orange color. Finally in it's final form, Charizard this
starter becomes a dragon, in looks rather than type, it gains a
secondary type of flying rather than dragon like it's design and name
suggests. Its design is based off of the European Dragon, certainly one
of many forms told and rendered in legends, this leads into it Mega
evolutions. That's right, Charizard is one of two Pokemon who have two
mega evolutions, Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y (Mewtwo is the
other). Finally through Mega Evolution with the Charizardnite X,
Charizard has finally gained its rightful secondary type of dragon.
Generation I Starters: Squirtle-Wartortle-Blastiose
These
three are based off of a turtle. Wartortle's feathery tail is a
reference to the Japanese legend of the Minogame, a turtle which lived
for 10,000 years and grew a tail of seaweed. The use of its tail is to
store oxygen seems to be a reference to turtles who breathe through
their cloaca, which is near the tail. Blastoise on the other hand seems
to have been fused with a tank, however many suggest that Blastoise's
cannons are based off of functioning tubes found in mussels and other
shellfish.
Generation I Starter: Pikachu
Who
doesn't like Pikachu? No really it's okay not to love this official
mascot of the game, I personally don't, set aside the fact that he's in
every single episode of the anime, Pikachu doesn't have very good stats.
That note aside, Pikachu is the only starter in Pokemon: Yellow
Version, which was created solely on the popularity and success of the
Pokemon anime. Everyone wanted to be Ash Ketchum and have their very own
Pikachu, which would never evolve into a Raichu. Likewise to the anime,
your rival in the game has an Eevee just like Gary Oak ends up with in
the anime, which beats Pikachu in a battle. In Pokemon: Yellow, X, Y,
OmegaRuby, & AlphaSapphire, along with Pokemon Stadium I & II,
Pikachu's cry is the same from the anime voiced by the anime's voice
actor, Ikue Ohtani, this marks Pikachu as the only Pokemon that uses its
anime voice over it's original. Pikachu is based off of a rodent,
suggestively a mouse hence the Pika of its name, however it's long ears
resemble those of other members of the Lagomorpha family.
Generation II Starter: Chikorita-Bayleef-Meganium
The
Chikorita family is the only evolution line of starters that don't
change names in the English games, and they're based off of a group of
dinosaurs called sauropods, specifically the Apatosaurus. Chikorita's
shape and appearance suggests a pear or a Belgian endive, a type of
chicory. Bayleef's "vegetable" part is based on the leaves of the bay
laurel, which the oil is used for healing and as a stimulant in
aromatherapy. It's necklace of leaves is consistently described as
having a spicy arome while real bay leaves have a bitter, herbal taste.
Meganium's flower might be designed off of a geranium, hibiscus, titan
arum, or the hippeastrum. Chikorita is the tallest of the unevolved
starter Pokemon at 2'11''.
Generation II Starter: Cyndaquil-Quilava-Typhlosion
These
three happen to be my favorite starters out of all of them. Cyndaquil's
evolution line happens to be the first starter Pokemon based on a
mammal. Since the fire starters have been said to be based off of the
Chinese Zodiac animals, Cydaquil's line represents the Rat. Their
appearance is based on the echinda. Cyndaquil's closed eyes are a
reference to baby echindas, while Quilava takes on more of a weasel like
body, and Typhlosion seems to be a combination of both an echinda and a
weasel.
Generation II Starter: Totodile-Croconaw-Feraligatr
Totadile
and its evolution line are based off of Crocodilia family, which of
course includes Crocodiles and Alligator. Totodile, like Cyndaquil, is a
baby crocodilian. It's also the tallest and heaviest unevolved water
type starter pokemon. Visually this line resembles an alligator, despite
Totodile and Croconaw's names have references to crocodiles while
Feraligatr's name is a combination of feral, or ferocious, and
alligator. The shortening of "gator" to gatr is a result of the
ten-character limit on English Pokemon names in Gen II games. Croconaw's
head spikes and chest pattern seems to be based on the wild hair and
animal-skin cloth worn by cavemen. Feraligatr is the tallest final form
of a water type starter Pokemon at 7'7''.
Generation III Starter: Treecko-Grovyle-Sceptile
Like,
Bulbasaur's and Chikorita's evolution lines, Treecko's evolution line
is based off of the dinosaur know as Dilophpsaurus. Grovyle's design
also suggests it to be based on a Protarchaeopteryx. The leaves along
with the orbs on Sceptile's back create a strong resemblance to both the
yew tree and various members of the podocarpus family. Treecko's line
appearance and mannerisms also show strong influences of a leaf-tailed
gecko. Lastly, no other Pokemon has the same type combination as Mega
Sceptile: Grass/Dragon.
Generation III Starter: Torchic-Combusken-Blaziken
Like
Charmander's and Cyndaquil's evolution lines, Torchic and its
evolutions are based off of the Chinese Zodiac animal, the Rooster.
Combusken's and Blaziken's secondary type of Fighting is based off of
the Japanese Shamo breed of cockfighting chicken, which is known for its
mane and upright posture. Torichic's evolution line also has references
to the Basan, a fire breathing chicken. Combusken and Blaziken have
references to Karura, a divine creature with a human torso and a bird
like head from Japanese Hindu-Buddhist mythology.
There's also inspiration references from the Taimatsumaru, a Japanese
Yokai monster, which looks like a flaming bird. Torchic is the lightest
fire type Pokemon weighing only 5.5 lbs. Combusken begins a tradition of
Fire/Fighting starter evolutions that would continue through Generation
IV and V. Lastly Mega Blaziken is the Mega Evolution that was
officially introduced in Pokemon X and Y that isn't native to the Kalos
region.
Generation III Starter: Mudkip-Marshtomp-Swampert
Despite
it's name Mudkip is not based off of a mudskipper, it's based off of an
Axolotl a type of salamander, which is strange considering that Mudkip
is the mud fish Pokemon and it's later evolutios gain a secondary type
of Ground. Mudkip is also the subject of a popular internet meme know as
"So i herd u liek mudkipz?". Marshtomp is the only middle evolution
water starter with a dual type. And the single fin on its head is
reminiscet of the Murmillo helmet worn by murmillo-class Roman
Gladiators or the Corinthian helmet worn by Greek Hoplites. "Murmillo"
is also a Greek word for a type of saltwater fish. Lastly, Swampert has the fewest weaknesses of any starter Pokemon.
Generation IV Starter: Turtwig-Grotle-Torterra
Like
the previous grass starters, Turtwig and it's evolutions are yet again
based off of a creature of old, the Ankylosaur with aspects of a
snapping turtle. Turtwig is the heaviest of all the basic form starters
at 22.5 lbs, which causes it to have the lowest base speed out of all of
them too. Grotle and Torterra seem to have design influences from the
World Turtle or the Black Tortoise of legends. No other Pokemon as of
now has the same type combination as Torterra, grass/ground.
Generation IV Starter: Chimchar-Monferno-Infernape
The
Chinese Zodiac Monkey Pokemon, Chimchar, who seems to be based off of a
young chimpanzee. Following suit with Combusken and Blaziken, Monferno
and Infernape gain a secondary type of fighting, this is a direct
reference to Monkey Kung Fu, a type of martial arts. Monferno's
appearance seems to be a mix of a golden snub-nosed monkey with a
mandrill. Infernape is the shortest fully evolved starter at only
3'11''. Infernape has references to
Dragonball character, Son
Goku, who is the Japanese interpretation of the character Sun Wukong,
who is the main character of the Chinese epic journey to the West and is
a monkey with powerful abilities.
Generation IV Starter: Piplup-Prinplup-Empoleon
The
penguin Pokemon, these three are based off of various types of
penguins. Piplup is based on a young penguin or possibly a miniature
type of penguin. The light blue crown shaped marking above it's beak
might be foreshadowing on it's final evolution and a nod to the Emperor
Penguins. Prinplup's crest suggest it has influences of a species of
crested penguin. Empoleon is based on an Emperor Penguin. It's crown has
the appearance of a trident, the favored weapon of the Greek god,
Poseidon. Empoleon is also roughly the same height as its namesake
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Generation V Starter: Snivy-Servine-Serperior
Snivy
is the only grass type starter Pokemon not listed as the first Pokemon
in its regional Pokedex, this is due to the fact that this generation of
Pokemon actually has a #000 Pokemon, Victini, this also makes this the
only generation in the National Pokedex that doesn't start with a grass
type. Unlike the previous grass starters, Snivy's evolution line is not
based off of a dinosaur, but the idea of evoluton, well backwards
evolution. As Snivy evolves it looses it's legs and arms. Snivy's
evolution line are based on French royalty, specifically the French
royalty in the anime The Rose of Versailles as stated by Ken
Sugimori. They're also based on a variety of green vine snake species
with a pointed snout, including Oxybelis Fulgidus, Ahaetulla nasuta, and
Ahaetulla Prasina. Snivy's snake and lizard like features are also
similar to that of the Florida Sand Skink. The shape of these Pokemon's
head, body, and the protrusions on it's shoulders might be based off the
bird of paradise or false bird of paradise flowers. Serperior is the
tallest grass type Pokemon at 10'10''. Serperior has aspects of the
Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, and it also shows off the French royalty with
it's chest symbol looking like a fleur-de-lis, the French insignia used
on the noble family's coat of arms. Serperior's size seems to be also be
a reference to the basilisk, the king of serpents in European legend.
Generation V Starter: Tepig-Pignite-Emboar
While
Tepig, Pignte, and Emboar are based off of the British Saddleback Pig,
since the fire type starters are based off of the Chinese Zodiac they
were designed in a Chinese style. Because of this they may have been
based slightly on Zhu Bajie, a pig demon from the Chinese tale Journey
to the West, which is the same tale that Infernape has taken influence
from as well. Like many of its fellow starters, Tepig is based off of
the Saddleback Piglet. And despite the horrible criticism that Tepig got
when the Unova starters were released, it was preferred over its fellow
water starter, Oshawott with things like "at least my bacon that can
cook itself doesn't look like a panda in a wet suit." etc. Emboar is the
only fully evolved Unova starter that gains a secondary type, Fighting.
It's also the heaviest fully evolved fire starter at 330.7 lbs.
Generation V Starter: Oshawott-Dewott-Samurott
Originally
Oshawott design was not well received until his evolutions were
revealed. Oshawott is based off of a sea otter pup and a samurai. The
way Oshawott's scalchop rest on its belly resembles the way otters hold
shellfish in order to crack them open to eat, and the way it uses it as a
weapon is similar to Japanese war fans, which were often used by
samurai for defensive purposes. Dewott is just like it's previous form
Oshawott, based on a sea otter and a samurai. Its trait of fighting with
its two shell might be a reference to Tessenjutsu, a type of martial
arts involving the Japanese war fan. Samurott sea lion appearance was
chosen after a trip to an aquarium, and it's "armor" is characteristic
of the armor a samurai or shogun wears. It's tail maybe based on the
Japanese war fan that the shells of its previous evolutions have. And
the helmet over its head appears to be referencing the rare spined murex
shell, while the markings on its chest make it reminiscent of a giant
otter. Ken Sugimori said that Oshawott and its evolutions were the
hardest for the team to design during production of Pokemon Black and
White, as conceptualizing its evolutions were difficult.
Generation VI Starter: Chespin-Quiladin-Chesnaught
Chespin's
evolution line is based off of the first mammal Megazostrodon. The
plant aspect of these three is a chestnut. They are also the only
starter family with a signature ability, Bulletproof. Chespin's plant
aspect is based off of a chestnut shoot. Quilladin is the only Pokemon
whose name begins with Q that wasn't introduced in Generation II. Its
bulky, round appearance is possibly a reference to the calybium and
cupule that protect the nuts of chestnut trees. Quilladin also draws
inspiration from armored mammals such as pangolins, armadillos, and
glyptodonts, an extincted larger armored mamal similar to an armadillo.
Chesnaught is the only secondary Fighting type starter that is not a
fire type. Its also a matured chestnut referring to it being the final
stage of Chepin. Chesnaught's bulky armor could be a reference to the
split apart calybium and cupule, which split apart when the chestnut is
sufficiently ripened. It's also based on knights and various types of
body armor including brigandines and barbutes.
Generation VI Starter: Fennekin-Braixen-Delphox
Keeping
with tradition, these fire starters are the dog from the Chinese
Zodiac. Fennekin's evolution line is based off of the Fennec Fox, and
they share the same Pokemon category with Vulpix and Ninetales, the Fox
Pokemon. Fennekin is the only Pokemon with a base stat total of 307
making it the only unevolved starter with a unique base stat total, this
is also the lowest base stat total of any starter Pokemon. Braixen
starts to bring in influences of the Japanese Kitsune of legend, which
has magical powers. It uses its twig as a magic medium, like a wand.
Prior to Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby, Delphox was the only known Pokemon
capable of learning Mystical Fire. It has the highest Special Attack out
of all of the fully evolved starter Pokemon, not counting Mega
Evolutions. Delphox is also the lightest fully evolved starter Pokemon
at 86 lbs. Delph- of its name could be for Delphic oracle.
Generation VI Starter: Froakie-Frogadier-Greninja
Like
its fellow previous water starters, Froakie and it's evolution line are
based off of a semi aquatic animal this time a frog. Froakie is the
smallest of the unevolved starters at a height on 1'00'' and it also has
the highest base Speed of all of them as well. Froakie's bubbling white
foam is a refernce to frog foam nests created by some species such as
the Tungara frog and grey foam-nest tree frog to protect eggs. This foam
resembles a backpack of sorts, and has been used in the anime as a
makeshift hood, which references the ninja elements of it's final
evolution. This could also be a reference to dorobo, burglars or
thieves, in Japanese folklore and culture dorobo use furoshiki cloth
bags to hold stolen goods and mask their identity. Frogadier shows more
aspects of it's ninja influnces with its crouched pose, dark blue hooded
face, and its foam, which is more scarf-like now. The spiked
protrusions above Frogadier's eyes seemed to be inspired by horned frogs
from the genera Megophrys and Ceratophrys. In the anime, Frogadier has
been shown to be able to run on the surface of water much like the
common basilisk. Greninja has the highest base speed of all of the water
type Pokemon and all of the fully evolved starters. It also shares its
category with Ninjask, both are know as the Ninja Pokemon. Greninja's
coloration and body shape is similar to the splendid leaf frog. The
bubble like protrusions on its body maybe based on a toad's parotoid
glands, thought they're probably a left over remnants of Froakie's and
Frogadier's frog foam. Greninja's "ninja" is a reference to the Japanese
folk story "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya", which is about a ninja
who can shape shift into a large toad. Its name is a combination of
grenouille, which is the French for frog, and ninja.
Generation VII Starters: Rowlet, Litten, & Popplio
Since
the Generation VII games, Sun and Moon, aren't out yet not much is
known about these three starters. Rowlet is the second non evolved
starter Pokemon to have a secondary type, Flying. Its also the same size
as Froakie, and it has beat Torchic as the lightest starter Pokemon
weighing only 3.3 lbs. Rowlet is speculated to be based off of
Ornimegalonyx an extinct type of owl. Litten is following suit with the
other fire starters with being based off of the Tiger animal of the
Chinese Zodiac. And it's attacks look like "atomic fire hairballs"!
Popplio is based off of a sea lion with its visible ears. Its appearance
and playfulness with its water "balloons" seem to have a heavy
influence of circus or performance sea lions. Popplio might be a
combination of sea lion pup, pop, popo (Hawaiian for ball) and
'ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (Hawaiian for the Hawaiian monk seal I want to see this in Popplio's evolutions since the Alola region is based off of Hawaii; meaning "dog that runs in rough water").
I
can't wait for the rest of the Alola starters, and the many more new
Pokemon that awaits us in Pokemon Sun and Moon coming out this November.
Look for more Pokie facts coming soon.
-FoxCat ya later
