What concepts inspired *insert Pokémon here*?

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

I thought it might cool to adopt a Pokémon at the Pokémon orphanage. So, yesterday, I went there, and picked myself out an Espeon, as it is my favorite Pokémon. I couldn't decide what to name it, so I went to behindthename.com and looked up meanings for each of Espeon's characteristics. This one name in particular showed up for two categories, "sun", and "cat": Bast

Before I get into that, let me start out with what the Bulbapedia depicts Espeon to be based on. The Bulbapedia says it is based on the nekomata, a Japanese folktale regarding house cats whose tail starts to split in half down the middle after it reaches ten years of age. They have the ability to control the dead, usually to torment the family that abused it, or just for their entertainment.

Anyway, the name "Bast" was the name of an Egyptian goddess of the sun, depicted as a lion or a house cat. Most mummified cats are found at a tomb dedicated to her. Now that I look at Espeon again, I realize that it indeed does look to be somewhat Egyptian or Pharonic. The latter is probably a better word. Its ears especially suggest at a pharoah's head dress in comparison to the rest of its body. Also, the pose it is in looks like middle-eastern style statue of a cat, at least to me it does. See for yourself:

I've yet to find any connection between the nekomata and the sun. So, I came to the conclusion that Espeon was indeed inspired by both concepts. Bast was also depicted to have a jewel of some sort with her, possibly explaining the tiny red orb on Espeon's forehead.

Finding all of this out makes me love Espeon even more. Two deep concepts were merged together to form this magnificent Pokémon. It facinates me that so much work was put into making just one Pokémon. So, I thought I would start this thread, asking you to post anything at all you have found out that was previously unknown about the concept about the creation of any Pokémon. Currently, I'm trying to find out what inspired Umbreon, aside from the fact it may just be based off of a fox or some other animal. Oh, and I updated the Bulbapedia article on Espeon according to what I had found out.

Thanks!

 

[Komedic Konservationist]

Teddiursa and Ursaring are based off of the twin constellations; Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. I also heard somewere that constellations were named after heroes in mythology; I don't really remember, but perhaps the hero after which Ursa Majorr was based was a soldier.
This would explain Ursaring's bizzare epauletes.
And as I've said previously, Shuckle is probably based off of a worm inside an apple, and Milotic is based off of Venus.

 

[Articuno]

Lugia

The name Lugia has been said to have had many meanings. Actually the name comes from the Beluga whale, one of two white whales in the world, it has a flexible neck and small tail fins; much like Lugia. From this it is clear to say that Lugia has whale traits, though very few of them.
Lugia's back and tail fins are very similar to that of stegasorus, therefore reptile or 'dragon traits' is another obvious one in Lugia.
The fact that he can dive, fly, has silver feathers and a beak means he is mainly a bird, which species though we are currently unsure of.. but he poses similarities to albatrosses and swans.

 

[Pieomon]

Doesn't Espeon have wind charastics too? The forked tail and it's pokedex entry involving using wind to predict movements.

 

[Komedic Konservationist]

I have yet another theory, this time based around Blaziken.
I've always thought that Bllziken looked like a powerful, hardcore femenine anthro-bird, which seems to match the description of the harpies of Greek mythology. It might also be a pun of fried chicken.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Espeon uses very suddle movements in the air to help predict the opponent's moves using its boosted psychic senses.

That's a really great observation on Blaziken, I've never thought Blaziken being a harpy, but it makes a ton of sense. I've thought it was based sort of a pun of a "Fire-Fighter" and fried chicken as well. As I look at it some more, it does look like Harpy Lady somewhat in Yu-Gi-Oh! (nerdy, I know). That also is probably it evolves from such a cute little chick, so it can become a harpy-like combat fighter.

 

[Another Fan]

Or a cock-fighter? It's japanese name has the name of a chicken that was breed for cock-fighting.

 

[Nekusagi]

Ninetails and Vulpix, obviously, are based off the kitsune(fox spirit). Most fans are aware of that, though.

Meowth is based on the Japanese maneki neko (beckoning cat). The charm's just been moved to its head. Meowth's pose in the Team Rocket motto in early episodes of the anime (with both paws in the air) is taken from the beckoning cat paw. The maneki neko is placed in shops as a good-luck charm to attract customers, which explains the Pay Day attack.

 

[Komedic Konservationist]

Or a cock-fighter? It's japanese name has the name of a chicken that was breed for cock-fighting.

Yeah, that to. Who says a Pokemon can't have more than one base?
Like Ursaring, Gligar is also based off of a constellation (Scorpio) as seen in it's Pokedex entry. At night, the Scorpio constellation must look as if it is floating in the air.... that's the nearest I can think to a real-life flying scorpion.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

I knew that about Vulpix and Ninetails, but not about Meowth. Very interesting. I'm sure there a lot of Japanese traditions/customs/legends that are the basis for many Pokemon that the West might not know about.

 

[Another Fan]

I don't think Gligar is related to the constelation. But that is an interesting theory.

Ursaring definatly. Hey, I know this is just cause it is my favorite but I am wondering do any of you guys know why wobbuffet was linked to the act of that one comedian? Just the games did not have any mention of such behavior, in sprites or dex entries. Other than the japanese name and the newer sprites and stadium's poses. But that came later. You can easily see that it was based on endurance and a punching bag but how this is related to this act, I do not see.

 

[Komedic Konservationist]

I don't think Gligar is related to the constelation. But that is an interesting theory.

In the Pokedex, it is reffered to as the flyscorpio Pokemon. Notice how it's scorpio, not scorpion. Scorpio is the name of the scorpion constellation.
And now, I churn out another farfetched theory. Vaporeon might actually be based off of a fake mermaid. In olden times, when everyone was obsessed with magical creatures, people would take the body of a cat/monkey and the body of a fish, cut each in half, and sow the cat's front body to the fish's tail. Then,, they'd pretend it was a mermaid in an attempt to earn money.
Edit: I just realised, shouldn't this be in the Pokemon World section?

 

[rossachu]

I would say Latias and Latios are based on origami cranes. (sorry about possible spelling errors)

 

[Another Fan]

Huh, never thought of that but yeah maybe so.

KK, I dunno where you got the scorpio thing but both Bulbapedia and Serebii say it is flyscorpion. Also, yes, it should be.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Quite interesting about Vaporeon. That explains Vaporeon's obvious feline characteristics. Out of the entire "Eeveeloutions", Espeon and Vaporeon look the most like cats.

 

[rossachu]

Jynx is probably inspired by the Yuki-onna, a Japanese ice spirit that resembles an very pretty woman.

Magmar is more of an oni, a Japanese demon.

Qwilfish is definately a puffer fish analog, likely poisonous because of the high risk in eating Fugu (prepared puffer fish-not recomended as people have died from it!)

Kabutops is probably derived from the Triops, or Tadpole Shrimp, a strange, ancient looking arthropod.

Beedrill is not simply wasp/hornet. Remmember, it comes from Weedle, a caterpillar like poke'mon. Wasps do NOT have caterpillar like young (they're more like maggots, really) However, wasps have cousins called horntails that DO have caterpillar like young. While most horntails lay their eggs under bark to eat wood, some leave them more in the open. Those ['open laid'] hatch, crawl about, eat leaves, and live much like caterpillars. They even spin cocoons. However, horntails don't sting, so there the wasp nature takes over. Read up on insects! They are poke'mon waiting to happen!

I wonder if the lack of dolphin poke'mon relates to the belief in Japan that dolphins steal their catch of fish. Why there isn't a cricket like poke'mon still puzzles me. (Nincada is more Cicada)

 

[Komedic Konservationist]

Magmar is more of an oni, a Japanese demon.

Actually, I think Magmar might also be partially based on the balrog from LOTR. Just like the balrog, it's a raging lava inferno in anthro form that dwells inside a mountain. It has growths in it's face, a blazing lizard-tail, bodies made of fire, and all in all, both are extremely similiar.