Who's that Pokémon?

[Shrikeswind]

I point out, however, that astuteness isn't evil, as Zorua's species bio not only implies but explicitly states, being the Evil Fox Pokémon.

[Johans Nidorino]

That's another story. I was explaining it could be a possible ethymology within the subject of the name. Unless Zor- is some other word meaning evil.

[Shrikeswind]

It's not. If Zoroark's a Romanization, it's direct translation is possibly Zoroaku, which would mean Evil Fox, but Zorua's name remains mostly a mystery, only having Zorro to explain any part of the name.

[wanderingshadow]

I think this pokemon might be based on the real-life black fox. They were originally from the U.K., but they were hunted to extinction there. We still have them in America, though.

Here's the interesting bit. A Connecticut legend tells of a local tribe of Native Americans. They reported that their hunters tried to kill the black fox, but the arrows went through them. Not only that, the fox lead the hunters on lengthy chases. A fair amount of the hunters never returned. This legend was recorded in a poem called "The Black Fox of Salmon River."

[Johans Nidorino]

When its true shape hadn't been revealed, the wendigo was mentioned by fans as a possible influence for the Pokémon.


Not like I'm any familiar with the wendigo's myth.

[Shrikeswind]

It's an Inuit legend (if I'm not mistaken, but I know it's a legend from way the hell up north.) It's a man-eating wolf spirit. Basically, it's a bipedal white wolf. I make the distinction of "Bipedal" to point out biological differences rather than simply being a furry, since, if I'm not mistaken, the wendigo is also a cryptid. I would like to think that the wendigo would be made part Ice if it were a Pokemon, but I'm certain Ghost would be a part of its typing.

[Arcadenik]

Zorua and Zoroark look pretty cool and interesting to me, though Zoroark looks more like a furry's wet dream.

[Flip]

Zoroark is just "zorro" and "dark." (too lazy to read back and see if we answered this already)

It's an ACTUAL kitsune. While Vulpix/Ninetales are kitsunes by design, this is a kitsune by nature. The name "Illusory Fox" implies it can create illusions, which is pretty much a kitsune.

I like it being pure-Dark, honestly. The only other pure Dark-types all SUCK competitively. With Lucario-esque stats, which are heavily implied here, this is going to be a VERY popular Pokemon.

[Koopaul]

I don't like the clown paint on his face.

[The Qu]

I don't either, really, but it seems to me that they are going for a kid friendly Glasgow Smile- which, if true, is creepy.

[Shrikeswind]

Feb 11, 2010 21:27:38 GMT -5 Flip said:

Zoroark is just "zorro" and "dark." (too lazy to read back and see if we answered this already)

Technically, it hasn't been answered. That thought crossed my mind at first, but I didn't like it since it seemed like a Romanization. That Romanization would likely be directly transliterated into Zoroaku, which, as I said, would mean "Evil Fox."

It's an ACTUAL kitsune. While Vulpix/Ninetales are kitsunes by design, this is a kitsune by nature. The name "Illusory Fox" implies it can create illusions, which is pretty much a kitsune.

Vulpix and Ninetales are kitsune by nature and ability as well. Kitsune are spirit foxes with many tails and the ability to cause illusions. The Vulpix family learn Ghost moves such as Confuse Ray (which causes confusion, a status effect that causes attacks to sometimes hurt oneself, possibly through illusions.) Quick Attack also features illusory potential, see Fox Illusion in SSBM/SSBB. Physically, of course, they're kitsune no doubt. Knowing only that Zoroark is a Dark-type fox monster, we can't make any calls on Z's kitsune origins (if there's something implying that Z's got illusion powers in this thread, I missed it, if not in the thread I request proof.)

I like it being pure-Dark, honestly. The only other pure Dark-types all SUCK competitively. With Lucario-esque stats, which are heavily implied here, this is going to be a VERY popular Pokemon.

Again, where are those stats implied?

[Johans Nidorino]

Feb 11, 2010 22:55:23 GMT -5 Shrikeswind said:

Vulpix and Ninetales are kitsune by nature and ability as well. Kitsune are spirit foxes with many tails and the ability to cause illusions. The Vulpix family learn Ghost moves such as Confuse Ray (which causes confusion, a status effect that causes attacks to sometimes hurt oneself, possibly through illusions.) Quick Attack also features illusory potential, see Fox Illusion in SSBM/SSBB. Physically, of course, they're kitsune no doubt. Knowing only that Zoroark is a Dark-type fox monster, we can't make any calls on Z's kitsune origins (if there's something implying that Z's got illusion powers in this thread, I missed it, if not in the thread I request proof.)

Alternative translations for the movie are "Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark" and "Phantom Champion: Zoroark".

Bulbagarden is using the name "Illusory Fox" instead of "Monster Fox" (another translation being cited as "Corrupt Fox"). None of the three are definitive in English and the official one could as well be different than them when they announce it later this year.

Zorua is assumed "Dark Fox" at Bulbapedia; count on the official English one not becoming "Evil Fox", either (though for purposes of discussing origins, you could use Evil Fox).

Quick Attack being so universal is unlikely to be associated with illusions and has never been in the case of Ninetales as far as I know.

[Shrikeswind]

I maintain skepticism, but take note of the alternatives. I do request Romaji, as well, for a personal translation.

To ensure I'm not mistaken, I point out that I hesitated before mentioning Quick Attack.

[Koopaul]

Feb 11, 2010 22:09:41 GMT -5 The Qu said:

I don't either, really, but it seems to me that they are going for a kid friendly Glasgow Smile- which, if true, is creepy.

I just think they're making Pokemon too complex looking these days. Remember the first generation with Diglet? Diglet was such a simple design and yet very lovable.

Now they're just so obsessed with adding poka-dots and swirls and spikes all over. Especially in the 3rd generation. The Pokemon would have been so much better if they made them more simple and more cartoony look:



Don't they look a little better now?

[The Qu]

I think the trend reversed itself quite well in Generation 4- as a whole, I love the designs of that gen, save those putrid sacks of shit they passed off as Electabuzz and Magmar evolutions.

And, honestly? That Lunatone looks terrible. The poor thing looks depressed now. The Seviper is ok, though.