Gen IV Thematic Motif?

[RebornRocks]

From Bulbapedia,

Kanto thematic motif
The first generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards Genetics & Engineering. The three starters, Bulbasaur (dinosaur-plant hybrid,) Charmander (salamander) and Squirtle (turtle) are all reptillian in nature, and take some elements from the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are reptiles, and were one of the most sucessful groups of animals to exist. Bulbasaur, the most similar to dinosaurs of the three, is the first listed in the Pokédex. Other Pokémon in the generation continue this theme. Eevee is capable of evolving into multiple forms due to its unstable DNA; Voltorb is the result of a Poké Ball experiment gone awry; Porygon is a virtual reality Pokémon. These games also introduce three fossils, the most introduced of any generation, which can be resurrected into prehistoric Pokémon: Aerodactyl, Kabuto and Omanyte. Finally, out of the five Legendaries that appeared, the most powerful was man-made through genetic engineering: Mewtwo. It remains the only legendary Pokémon created through artificial means. The uncatchable legendary, Mew, also has the DNA of every Pokémon in existence.

Bill himself invented the sophisticated PC used in most regions, and accidentally turned himself into a Pokémon. Ditto could also mimic the abilities and structure of any Pokémon it encountered, making it capable of breeding with any other gendered Pokémon in Generation II and onwards. The Master Ball is the most powerful Poké Ball in the franchise, and was first engineered by Kanto scientists as well. With this generation the very foundation of the Pokémon franchise, most successors have only expanded upon Kanto's basics such as trading, leveling-up and stone evolution.

From Bulbapedia,

Johto thematic motif
The second generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards Mythology and Tradition. The three starters were all "pure" element types, fitting the classic Water > Grass > Fire cycle all starters adhere to. Unlike two of the fully-evolved starter Pokémon in Generation I, the fully-evolved Johto starters maintain their single typing.

This was the first installment that put emphasis on Legendary Pokémon being actual Legends in-game, a stark contrast to Mewtwo and the Legendary Birds. Ecruteak City fleshed out the legends of Ho-Oh and the three beasts, their relationship with one another and the story behind their departure (the Burned Tower). Suicune was, unlike Raikou and Entei, unavoidable in Crystal Version if the player wanted to beat the game; the remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver give the same treatment to Ho-Oh and Lugia respectively. Lugia was also glimpsed by an elderly man in Ecruteak City, and others, who stated it looked like a dragon in the sky. Even the uncatchable Celebi was mentioned as the "Forest's Protector" at the shrine in Ilex Forest.

The Kimono Girls upheld ancient tradition in both battling Pokémon and dancing. The buildings in both Ecruteak City and Violet City have an older structure to them as well. The player must navigate Johto and Kanto, beating the new Elite Four, sixteen Gym Leaders and the original Pokémon Champion Red. This is after defeating the newly revitalized Team Rocket, searching for the fallen Giovanni. The second generation expanded upon trading through use of held items evolution through the addition of happiness, and breeding to attain pre-evolution or baby Pokémon. Kurt offered a more traditional means of creating Poké Balls via Apricorns which proved variably superior to manufactured Poké Balls. Johto is physically connected to Kanto and these games added depth to both regions.

From Bulbapedia,

Hoenn thematic motif
The third generation of Pokémon games were more directed towards Nature & Relationships. The three starters were collectively more symbolic to their elements than previous starters: Mudkip is based on a fish which thrives only in Water, Torchic is a chick (which, in the real world, needs warmth in order to hatch) holding its Fire internally, and Treecko is a gecko that lives only in forests with Grass. The main antagonists were either Team Magma or Team Aqua who want to expand the land or sea respectively. Once they awaken one of the legendary Pokémon Kyogre or Groudon, the world is flooded by rain or dried by drought. It's up to the player to set nature back on course by defeating their version's mascot or capturing it. Hoenn's people are far more attuned to nature than previous regions: Fortree City is built alongside Pokémon in the trees, while Pacifidlog Town is built on wooden rafts in the sea atop a Corsola colony.

There are far more Pokémon that share relationships with other Pokémon in this generation of games, especially the legendaries. The legendary golems are more obvious of this; however, the version mascots all share a relationship with Rayquaza as the weather trio. Latios and Latias are both Eon Pokémon that must be chased around the region, while standard Pokémon such as Lunatone, Illumise, Plusle and Wailord are related to the other Pokémon: Solrock, Volbeat, Minun and Relicanth ranging from explicit to loose symbiosis. Zangoose is rivaled by Seviper. With Secret Power a player can make a Secret base out of trees, caves or clumps of grass. Hoenn was meant to establish Pokémon far more so into nature and symbiosis than previous installments.

So as you see, every generation has had a thematic motif. Now a thematic motif is, in Pokemon, several recurring elements and motifs, which generally have no direct effect on the plot itself, but expand the generations philosophical meaning. I've been searching the internet now, and I have seen no sign for a generation IV thematical motif. I want some of us users to think of a thematical motif for generation IV.

 

[Der_Neuevenmenschen]

Generation IV's motif is Emotions and Reality.

Just look, the legends control time, space, and antimatter. There's a whole trio devoted to the human mind (Lake Trio), and there is a Pokemon that is supposedly God. The villains want to destroy reality to create a world without emotions. The characters this time around are deeper too, and actually become different as the story goes along, such as Barry, who becomes more serious after being assaulted by Jupiter at Lake Acucity, or Cyrus, who quite definitely dies after being defeated in the Distortion World. Reality is often questioned, too, as the Distortion World (where reality and physics no longer apply) and Giratina show. I don't know much else to say, really.

 

[PsychoArmor]

...Distortion World (where reality and physics no longer apply)

I think the Distortion World is more turning your puny human idea of physics on its head than no physics applying at all. It has its own logic, it just isn't earth logic.

 

[Oblivion]

I think the Distortion World is more turning your puny human idea of physics on its head than no physics applying at all. It has its own logic, it just isn't earth logic.

I second that. And I'm going with The Noob's idea on this one. Although that may be because I honestly can't think of anything better.

 

[GopherPhase]

The thematic motif is about "The Big Question". If you want me to elaborate, then that's alright with me. believe me, I put a ton of though into this. Who here want to read my theory?

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

I would.^

Anyway, Emotions seemed pretty important in Gen IV.

 

[GopherPhase]

Let's start with the legendaries. Dialga personifies Time, Palkia personifies Space, Giratina personifies Antimatter, and the Lake Trio personify emotion. We all know that. however, Arceus is unique. He represents "God". However, what people fail to realize is that the term is much more figurative than it is literal. Arceus is called the Alpha Poke'mon for a reason. He is the living personification of the beginning, the ultimate moment when reality began to shape itself. In short, Arceus is a living mystery. Also, it symbolizes something much more interesting. When Arceus was introduced into the series, its presence, along with the six aforementioned Poke'mon, contradicted Mew as the beginning, and demoted it severely. This symbolized how sometimes, further scientific findings and/or discovieries can contradict previously established theories and beliefs, and turn them into fiction. That's what happened to Mew, and for all I'm aware of, it could also happen to Arceus as well, though that would be just plain goofy.

This is just part one of three sections of my theory. I'll tell the rest later when I get some reactions.

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

Interesting. But Mew was never a god. Nor is it said that Arceus created every Pokemon. Just the Dragon and Lake trios.

 

[GopherPhase]

Interesting. But Mew was never a god. Nor is it said that Arceus created every Pokemon. Just the Dragon and Lake trios.

But it does contradict all Poke'mon coming from Mew. In this case, Dialga, Palkia, and the others all came before him, when, back in previous games, Mew was said to be the first Poke'mon.

Now for art two. This has to do with the starters. The starters each have something to do with how life came into existence. In the case of Turtwig, it possibly references two things: the Giant Turtle belief, and the belief in Nature Spirits, which a lot of very ancient civilizations and various tribes believed in back in the day. Also, Chimchar, who is modeled after a chimpanzee, our closest living relative, references evolution, which is mainly through its evolved forms. Chimchar starts off as this tiny, seemingly monkey-like creature, but as it evolves, it gains the ability to stand upright and move more like an almost human-like ape. Piplup, when it evolves into its last stage, references theism. Why? Because of its appearance, its name, and its dual typing. The name Empoleon comes partially from Emperor, which more or less means that you're the head honcho, and its appearance looks like a godly king, referencing how, back in the day, some rulers were viewed as living gods. The dual typing of Water and Steel has meaning as well. Water nurtures, heals, and helps take care of the land and Steel offers protection. However, Water can flood places and wipe out everything in sight, and Steel is cold and unfeeling. This is a nod toward the judgmental nature of some higher powers.

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

You're new but you certainly have a lot to contribute. That's great. You put a lot of thought in your post. Very interesting.

 

[Azure Butterfly]

Gen IV seemed to be more of an Emotions and Creation thing.

 

[GopherPhase]

You're new but you certainly have a lot to contribute. That's great. You put a lot of thought in your post. Very interesting.

Thank you, thank you very much. but I'm not done just yet. There's still Team Galactic to cover. They have a TON of symbolism.

Team Galactic is like the personification of Man's progress scientifically and as a species, but warped and distorted. In this case, in science, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty in order to complete an experiment. 'Nuff said.

Now, Cyrus is interesting, as his character represents something both dark and deep. He represents the cold indifference of reality and science, due to him having no emotion and not caring about others, and the need to perfect oneself, as he is trying to do, but on a grander scale, which is what Man is doing even as we speak. His "death" is the most symbolic thing in the entire game. It represents the ambiguity of the future, and the mystery as to whether or not Man will, or will not, understand or control the universe to the fullest. Will we, as a species, evolve to the point where we know every nook and cranny of the very fabric of existence, or will we die off before seeing the Big Picture? That is the question posed by his seemingly ambiguous "death".

And there you have it, that's my theory. So, what do you think?

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

That is theory gold right there.

 

[GopherPhase]

That is theory gold right there.

Thank you, thank you very much. I'm glad you like it. I had to put some serious amount of thought into this in order to come up with my theory. It's probably wrong for all I'm aware of, but judging from your reaction, it must be good.

 

[Oblivion]

...That was brilliant. Absolute brilliance. So Sinnoh's Thematic Motif is The Beginning. It makes a lot of sense, especially considering that the game references Sinnoh as the first region created by Arceus and his group.

 

[NeoKING]

Gen IV's motif? "The Universe and Everything." I'm serious, and I know that a name such as that sounds silly but I think it works.

 

[Oblivion]

Eh, I like GopherPhase's theory more, but that is another good one, probably relating to the wide variety of Pokemon in Generation IV, and relating to how some Pokemon could be considered alien in appearance...*coughcoughpropobassandmagnezonecoughcough*

 

[InsomniaticSpriter]

Let's start with the legendaries. Dialga personifies Time, Palkia personifies Space, Giratina personifies Antimatter, and the Lake Trio personify emotion. We all know that. however, Arceus is unique. He represents "God". However, what people fail to realize is that the term is much more figurative than it is literal. Arceus is called the Alpha Poke'mon for a reason. He is the living personification of the beginning, the ultimate moment when reality began to shape itself. In short, Arceus is a living mystery. Also, it symbolizes something much more interesting. When Arceus was introduced into the series, its presence, along with the six aforementioned Poke'mon, contradicted Mew as the beginning, and demoted it severely. This symbolized how sometimes, further scientific findings and/or discovieries can contradict previously established theories and beliefs, and turn them into fiction. That's what happened to Mew, and for all I'm aware of, it could also happen to Arceus as well, though that would be just plain goofy.

This is just part one of three sections of my theory. I'll tell the rest later when I get some reactions.

But it does contradict all Poke'mon coming from Mew. In this case, Dialga, Palkia, and the others all came before him, when, back in previous games, Mew was said to be the first Poke'mon.

Now for art two. This has to do with the starters. The starters each have something to do with how life came into existence. In the case of Turtwig, it possibly references two things: the Giant Turtle belief, and the belief in Nature Spirits, which a lot of very ancient civilizations and various tribes believed in back in the day. Also, Chimchar, who is modeled after a chimpanzee, our closest living relative, references evolution, which is mainly through its evolved forms. Chimchar starts off as this tiny, seemingly monkey-like creature, but as it evolves, it gains the ability to stand upright and move more like an almost human-like ape. Piplup, when it evolves into its last stage, references theism. Why? Because of its appearance, its name, and its dual typing. The name Empoleon comes partially from Emperor, which more or less means that you're the head honcho, and its appearance looks like a godly king, referencing how, back in the day, some rulers were viewed as living gods. The dual typing of Water and Steel has meaning as well. Water nurtures, heals, and helps take care of the land and Steel offers protection. However, Water can flood places and wipe out everything in sight, and Steel is cold and unfeeling. This is a nod toward the judgmental nature of some higher powers.

Thank you, thank you very much. but I'm not done just yet. There's still Team Galactic to cover. They have a TON of symbolism.

Team Galactic is like the personification of Man's progress scientifically and as a species, but warped and distorted. In this case, in science, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty in order to complete an experiment. 'Nuff said.

Now, Cyrus is interesting, as his character represents something both dark and deep. He represents the cold indifference of reality and science, due to him having no emotion and not caring about others, and the need to perfect oneself, as he is trying to do, but on a grander scale, which is what Man is doing even as we speak. His "death" is the most symbolic thing in the entire game. It represents the ambiguity of the future, and the mystery as to whether or not Man will, or will not, understand or control the universe to the fullest. Will we, as a species, evolve to the point where we know every nook and cranny of the very fabric of existence, or will we die off before seeing the Big Picture? That is the question posed by his seemingly ambiguous "death".

And there you have it, that's my theory. So, what do you think?

Your theory is definately well thought out.

I generally never put that much thought into pokemon though.
For me it's generally just 'catch/raise my perfect team' 'beat gym leaders/elite four/champion' and 'make the villains go away so I can advance'
XD
Yes, I am a very deep thinker.

However, if put on the spot and forced to actually consider some sort of theme or deeper meaning behind it all, I would probably agree with you.

Not 100% but that stems more from the fact that no two people can truly, honestly, agree about everything (we can think we can, but we can't due to different social standings, upbringings, religious (or lack-there-of) beliefs, and various biased opinions that (sometimes obviously, sometimes merely subconciously) effect us to the very core and not just in the way we consider things but the way we act, react, thinks, etc.).

But your theory is, as I said, well thought out, and you highlight and outline all the most important parts.
And you've even gone as far as to consider what the starters mean.

So bravo to you. ^_^

 

[RebornRocks]

I would likely name it "Creation and History".

 

[GopherPhase]

Your theory is definately well thought out.

I generally never put that much thought into pokemon though.
For me it's generally just 'catch/raise my perfect team' 'beat gym leaders/elite four/champion' and 'make the villains go away so I can advance'
XD
Yes, I am a very deep thinker.

However, if put on the spot and forced to actually consider some sort of theme or deeper meaning behind it all, I would probably agree with you.

Not 100% but that stems more from the fact that no two people can truly, honestly, agree about everything (we can think we can, but we can't due to different social standings, upbringings, religious (or lack-there-of) beliefs, and various biased opinions that (sometimes obviously, sometimes merely subconciously) effect us to the very core and not just in the way we consider things but the way we act, react, thinks, etc.).

But your theory is, as I said, well thought out, and you highlight and outline all the most important parts.
And you've even gone as far as to consider what the starters mean.

So bravo to you. ^_^

Thank you very much, buddy. I really appreciate your opinion.