What Pokemons Are Based Off Of? Unveiling the Real-World Inspiration
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The world of Pokémon is a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of nature, mythology, and Japanese folklore. These fantastical creatures are primarily based on a diverse range of inspirations including: woodland animals, insects, sea creatures, plant life, mythological figures, Japanese folklore, and even real-world people. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, drew heavily from his childhood hobby of insect collecting, aiming to recreate the joy of discovery and taxonomy in a virtual realm. This initial spark ignited a creative fire, resulting in a rich and imaginative bestiary that continues to captivate generations. Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating origins behind some of our favorite Pokémon.
Animal Inspirations
Many Pokémon are readily identifiable as being inspired by specific animals. Here are some prime examples:
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Articuno and the Kagu: The elegant Articuno, with its graceful appearance, draws inspiration from the Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus), a flightless bird native to New Caledonia.
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Bulbasaur and Bullock’s False Toad: Bulbasaur’s design incorporates elements of the Bullock’s False Toad (Telmatobufo bullocki), a species of frog native to Chile.
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Chansey and the Olm: Chansey, known for its nurturing nature, takes inspiration from the Olm (Proteus anguinus), a blind salamander found in underground aquatic habitats in Europe.
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Charmander and the Chinese Giant Salamander: Charmander’s fiery tail and overall amphibian appearance are reminiscent of the Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus), one of the largest salamanders in the world.
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Dewgong and the Dugong: Dewgong’s sleek and graceful design is directly inspired by the dugong (Dugong dugon), a marine mammal similar to a manatee.
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Psyduck and the Platypus: Psyduck’s design, particularly its bill, draws inspiration from the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).
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Sandshrew and the Pangolin: While classified as a mouse Pokémon, Sandshrew closely resembles a pangolin, an animal known for its scaled armor and ability to curl into a ball.
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Wooper and the Axolotl: Wooper borrows its appearance from the Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), an aquatic salamander known for retaining its larval features throughout its life.
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Snorlax and Bears: Snorlax is meant to be like a bear more than anything else.
Mythological & Folklore Inspirations
Beyond the animal kingdom, Pokémon also find inspiration in mythology and folklore:
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Lucario and Anubis: Lucario’s design is heavily influenced by Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, who is often depicted with a canine-like head.
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Charizard and European Dragons: Unlike its pre-evolutions, Charizard draws inspiration from European dragons.
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Dunsparce and Tsuchinoko: Dunsparce is based on Tsuchinoko, mythical snakes from Japanese folklore.
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Altaria and the Peng: Altaria is based off of the Peng (or P’eng), which derives from Chinese mythology.
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Many Pokémon draw inspiration from Yokai, supernatural spirits or monsters from Japanese folklore.
Human Inspiration
Interestingly, some Pokémon designs have been linked to real people:
- Kadabra and Uri Geller: Kadabra’s design, featuring a spoon and psychic abilities, is widely believed to be based on Uri Geller, an illusionist known for bending spoons.
Regional Inspiration
- The Unova Region in Pokémon Black and White is based on New York City.
FAQs About Pokemon Inspirations
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the creative origins of Pokémon:
1. What inspired the creation of Pokémon in the first place?
Satoshi Tajiri’s childhood hobby of insect collecting served as the primary inspiration. He wanted to recreate the joy of catching and collecting creatures in a virtual environment, much like he did as a child.
2. Who designed Pikachu, and what was its inspiration?
Atsuko Nishida designed Pikachu. Initially, the concept was based on a squirrel.
3. Which Pokémon was the first one ever created?
According to Ken Sugimori, Rhydon was the first Pokémon ever created.
4. Are there any Pokémon based on real people?
Yes, Kadabra is famously believed to be based on Uri Geller, the illusionist.
5. What animal is Jigglypuff based on?
Jigglypuff is known as the Balloon Pokémon and is shaped like a round ball with pink skin.
6. What is Charizard based on?
Charizard’s design is inspired by European dragons.
7. What is Blastoise based on?
The main two inspirations were turtles and tanks.
8. What animal is Squirtle based off of?
Squirtle is clearly based on an aquatic turtle, though there don’t seem to be any in nature that are actually blue.
9. What animal is Dragonite based on?
Dragonite is a draconic, bipedal reptilian Pokémon with light orange skin.
10. What is the Unova region in Pokémon Black and White based on?
The Unova region is based on New York City.
11. What are some Pokémon that are based on Yokai and Japanese Folklore?
Many Pokémon, especially Psychic and Dark types, are inspired by Japanese Yokai.
12. Is Jigglypuff male or female?
Like the other playable Pokémon in the game, Jigglypuff can be either male or female.
13. What is Pokémon Black based on?
Pokémon Black and White takes place in the Unova region, which is based on New York City.
14. What Pokémon is based on a god?
Lucario is one of the most recognizable Pokemon of all time, so it only makes sense that it be based on the most recognized god on this list: Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead.
15. Are Pokémon based on mythology?
Yes, some Pokémon are directly inspired by folkloric creatures and mythological figures like unicorns, sea dragons, phoenixes, and yokai.
The Enduring Legacy of Inspiration
The depth and breadth of Pokémon’s inspiration are a testament to the creativity and vision of its creators. By drawing from the natural world, mythology, and folklore, they’ve crafted a universe that resonates with audiences worldwide. Understanding the origins of these creatures allows us to appreciate the intricate layers of design and the connection between the virtual world of Pokémon and the real world that surrounds us. For those interested in the intersection of games and education, organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explore how games can foster learning and creativity. The legacy of Pokémon, with its rich tapestry of inspirations, continues to inspire and educate generations of players.