Why is Suicune a Dinosaur?
Suicune, the Legendary Pokémon of the Johto region, is not inherently a dinosaur. However, Walking Wake, a Paradox Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, is designed with distinct dinosaurian features. Walking Wake is presented as an ancient relative of Suicune, sparking much debate and discussion among Pokémon fans due to the temporal and evolutionary inconsistencies it presents. It’s a design choice, ultimately, driven by a desire to introduce novel and exciting variations on beloved characters, even if it strains the established lore.
The Paradoxical Nature of Walking Wake
The core issue lies in the term “Paradox Pokémon.” These creatures are supposedly from either the distant past or far future, brought to the present through the machinations surrounding Area Zero in the Paldea region. Walking Wake, specifically, is a member of the “ancient” Paradox Pokémon, implying it’s an ancestor of Suicune. However, this raises several questions:
- Suicune’s Origin: According to established lore, Suicune, alongside Raikou and Entei, was created by the legendary Ho-Oh after the burning of the Brass Tower. They weren’t naturally occurring Pokémon that evolved over time.
- Evolutionary Implausibility: For Walking Wake, a theropod-like dinosaur, to evolve into the lithe, wolf-like Suicune in any conventional evolutionary sense stretches the bounds of believability, even within the context of Pokémon.
- The Paradox: The very existence of both Walking Wake and Suicune in the same timeline creates a logical paradox. How can an artificially created legendary Pokémon have a dinosaur ancestor?
Design Choices and Lore Considerations
So why did Game Freak, the developers of the Pokémon games, make this design choice? Several factors likely contributed:
- Visual Appeal and Novelty: Dinosaurs are undeniably popular. Introducing a dinosaur version of a known Pokémon is a guaranteed way to generate excitement and draw players to the game.
- Merchandise Potential: New Pokémon forms almost invariably lead to new merchandise opportunities. A cool dinosaur Suicune is highly marketable.
- Loosening Lore Constraints: While the Pokémon lore is rich and detailed, Game Freak has shown a willingness to bend or even break established rules to introduce compelling new concepts.
- Area Zero’s Influence: Area Zero’s mysterious powers can bring past and future creatures into the present, regardless of how impossible.
In essence, Walking Wake isn’t meant to be a biologically accurate ancestor of Suicune in the traditional evolutionary sense. Instead, it’s a temporal anomaly, a creature from a different time period brought to the present by the strange energies of Area Zero. It provides a thrilling new perspective on Suicune while simultaneously challenging established lore.
The team behind the Games Learning Society might argue that the dissonance caused by paradox Pokemon introduces a unique challenge for players: navigating inconsistencies to explore the underlying narrative. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore this idea further!
Is it really a raptor?
The design of Walking Wake does resemble that of a raptor (a dromaeosaurid). The upright posture, prominent claws, and overall body shape are all reminiscent of velociraptors and other similar dinosaurs. The similarities are undeniable. So, it is safe to say that Walking Wake is a raptor-like dinosaur.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What animal is Suicune based on?
Suicune’s design takes inspiration from a variety of sources. The most common references include jungle cats like leopards and panthers, combined with elements of mythical creatures. Notably, Suicune borrows inspiration from Raiju and Chinese guardian lions, incorporating the grace and power of these entities into its elegant design. It is also believed to be based on the Kirin, which is a legendary beast composed of traits from dragons, deer, big cats, and unicorns.
What were the legendary beasts before they died?
While there’s no definitive answer in the official lore, a popular fan theory suggests that the Legendary Beasts (Suicune, Raikou, and Entei) were originally the three Eeveelutions: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. This theory is based on their elemental associations (water, electricity, fire), their proximity to the Brass Tower, and the idea that Ho-Oh used its resurrection powers to grant them new life as the powerful Legendary Beasts.
Is Suicune genderless?
Yes, Suicune is a genderless species. This is a common trait among many legendary Pokémon, further emphasizing their unique and often divine nature within the Pokémon world.
What does Suicune mean in Japanese?
The name “Suicune” in Japanese, remains essentially the same (スイクン), but it’s etymology has meaning. The “Sui” in “Suicune” (スイクン) means water. This directly reflects Suicune’s association with water and its power to purify it.
What dinosaur will Entei be?
Speculation suggests that Paradox Entei, similar to Walking Wake, may be inspired by a dinosaur. The most common theory proposes design elements taken from the Triceratops, with bony frills, horns, and a stockier build to evoke its imposing strength and resilience.
Why is Walking Wake a raptor?
Walking Wake’s raptor-like appearance, as discussed above, stems from design choices aimed at making it visually distinct and appealing as an ancient Paradox Pokémon. Combining the recognizable features of a theropod dinosaur with elements of Suicune’s design creates a captivating and unique creature.
How did T-Rex get up after falling?
Tyrannosaurs had strong legs and a powerful tail that acted as a counterbalance. The tail would help the animal reposition itself by lowering its center of gravity, and pushing itself up off the ground.
Why did T-Rex walk on two legs?
Early dinosaurs evolved to walk on two legs. The tails of the proto-dinosaurs had big, leg-powering muscles, which provided the strength and power required for early dinosaurs to stand on and move with their two back feet.
Could T. rex see you if you stood still?
Yes, T. rex likely had good eyesight and could detect movement. Standing still wouldn’t have made you invisible to it. The T-rex most likely had the ability to see you whether you stood still or moved.
Who was T. rex afraid of?
While a dominant predator, T. rex may have been cautious around Triceratops. These herbivorous dinosaurs were heavily armored and had sharp horns, making them a potentially dangerous prey item.
Are scientists trying to revive the T. rex?
Currently, it is not scientifically possible to bring back a dinosaur. The DNA needed to clone a dinosaur is too degraded to be used for such purposes.
What was the T. rex weakness?
T. rex had relatively small arms compared to its massive body. The limbs were too short to be used for grasping or eating.
Why did Suicune disappear?
Suicune does not disappear from the main timeline or story. However, in the anime, after being caught by Goh, Suicune flees after being attacked by hunters. After Goh heals its wounds, the two form a bond. Although Suicune disappears, it remains Goh’s Pokémon.
Why is Suicune so special?
Suicune is revered for its ability to instantly purify even the filthiest water. It is said to be the reincarnation of the northern wind, bringing cleansing breezes wherever it appears. It has the ability to use Aurora Beam, which it focuses into a beam.
Why is Suicune on the cover of Crystal?
Suicune was chosen as the mascot for Pokémon Crystal due to the crystal-like crest on its head. This resonated with the game’s title and theme, aligning with the trend of using legendary Pokémon with gemstone-related features for the covers of Gold and Silver games.
Hopefully, this comprehensive overview clarifies the situation surrounding Suicune and its dinosaurian counterpart, Walking Wake. While the lore implications may be complex, it’s clear that the design choices were made to create compelling new experiences for Pokémon fans. The Games Learning Society might find this an interesting case study in how creative liberties impact audience perception and engagement.