On the Origin of Species: Pokémon

[Johans Nidorino]

George Hutcheon, biologist and member of the news section at Bulbagarden (also known as Bulbanews) is publishing a column about the origin of certain Pokémon species and how their peculiarities mirror those of real-life beings, things or legends.

Last week it was about Wooper and the axólotl, the anphibian it's based on, also explaining why Wooper evolves into a different-looking salamander.



This week, the article is about Castform, the weather Pokémon introduced in the third generation, and why it is and looks the way we know it.



I know you people are interested in this stuff!

[TV Eye]

Indeed, finding out where Pokemon come from is a pretty cool experience.

[Fryguy64]

While it sometimes seems obvious where some Pokemon come from, I'm also interested in how their Types and Pokedex entries are usually related to Japanese myths or things specific to Japan.

And you're right... I am interested... and it extends into series other than Pokemon too

[The Qu]

Reminds me of a feature I did for another site, called PokeOrigins. I only got two articles done before the site went on hiatus, though. And the second one was dedicated to Kaiju based Pokemon at that.

didn't cover any of these Pokemon though. Shoulda covered Wooper, since I knew the Axolotl thing, and most people don't.

[Shrikeswind]

Apr 26, 2010 8:44:11 GMT -5 Fryguy64 said:

And you're right... I am interested... and it extends into series other than Pokemon too

Big time. Everything from Koopas to Ganon to Kirby have some ties to myth. And not even just in Nintendo, mythical ties are pretty common in all video game companies, though it seems to me that the Japanese companies do it more often.

[Flip]

There used to be a site that was devoted to this. ScytheMantis was the guy, I believe. I'm usually pretty good at placing these things since I talk about it with a friend all the time, but some of this shit is incredibly insightful and clever. Bravo!

[Johans Nidorino]

This week's article is about Mawile, the Deceiver Pokémon and its links to the futakuchi-onna.



I agree this Pokémon deserves an evolved form! And Sableye too, for that matter.

[Koopaul]

I bet people don't know that Shroomish is based off of the Earth Star mushroom. Go ahead and look that up. Tell me I'm wrong!

I have a big book of fungi... Yes I'm a lord among dorks.

[The Qu]

Nope, I didn't know that. You learn something everyday.

Hm... Would you guys mind if I re-started the PokeOrigins feature on this board? I think it would be an interesting feature for here, especially if I still did five a week and took requests.

[Fryguy64]

I would be especially interested if we could do something very much like that, but possibly include things from other series (rather than just Pokemon)?

[Johans Nidorino]

^ That'd be a good idea for a new feature on the site.

This week's article features mirage Pokémon Manaphy and Phione, some background on the clione (the gastropod they're based on), and a possible reasoning behind their names.

[Johans Nidorino]

Last week's column featured Sandshrew and Sandslash, and the biology of the pangolin.




This week's article is about Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra, and various myths around the world that have to do with giant turtles.



Even though the turtle myth is not new to me, I'll remark the last time I saw a related comical picture was in one of Windows 7's default wallpapers.

May 5, 2010 4:06:13 GMT -5 Fryguy64 said:

I would be especially interested if we could do something very much like that, but possibly include things from other series (rather than just Pokemon)?

Maybe you could open a board just for threads about individual Nintendo characters and their inspirations like Qu and you mention? In a way, they would be like real-life-to-game "cameos".

[The Qu]

If we did do a feature like this, honestly, I see Pokemon being a mainstay of it. To many Pokemon are based on real life concepts that nevertheless go over many folks' heads for it not to be.

Other ideas could be the early Mario series- quite a bit of things in SMB1 are puns or allusions. For instance, the Fire Flower is an elaborate Japanese pun. How so, I'm not quite sure ATM.

Also, I am totally getting me a Turtwig and naming it Great A'Tuin.

[8bitretroshit]

Thanks for the constant updates Johans. I like reading these, but I never bother going to that Bulbadia site myself.

May 23, 2010 16:53:48 GMT -5 The Qu said:

Also, I am totally getting me a Turtwig and naming it Great A'Tuin.

That's how I named mine my first playthrough. I always try to nickname 'em as something more badass, like Audrey II (Carnivine) or Enola Gay (a Noctowl..).

Also my trainer's usually named Stalin. No reason.

[Fryguy64]

I second 8bit's comments. I love these updates, but can't be bothered to go to the site and find them myself, so keep 'em up Johans! ;D

I don't think I'd create a separate forum for it. On the site, such distinctions would simply be a part of the character descriptions. For example:

Goomba
The Japanese name "Kuribo" means literally "chestnut person", despite being mushrooms rejected from the Mushroom Kingdom. Their colouring and shape is based on the Japanese chestnut Castanea Crenata, and their relationship to the nut has been referred to several times. The "Goomnut" is simply a chestnut, and in NSMBWii Goombas even jump out of spiked green shells in some stages, much like those that drop from a chestnut tree.

Despite this, the Goomba is a mushroom, and it would appear to be a Shiitake Mushroom or (to push the comparison further) a brown cap chestnut mushroom (although because this name isn't widely used internationally, it's less likely than it sounds).

There, a description for a Mario enemy