Good day, Pokémon Trainers! Have you ever noticed how certain events in Pokémon GO give special attention to a single Pokémon or the community itself tends to hype a new Pokémon up? Have you ever wondered why this Pokémon specifically and what its origins are?
Well, that’s where the Dashing Design series comes in! I’ll be your guide as we take a look at the franchise history, concept, and potential design inspirations of specific Pokémon. This time we’ll take a look at the fully-evolved form of the star of this month’s community day, Tsareena!
Tsareena
Franchise History
Bounsweet (Left), Tsareena (Middle) And Steenee (Left) Source: Pokémon GO Community Day Banner
It seems we have been talking about the 7th Generation a lot recently. I suppose it cannot be helped considering the theme of this year’s GO Fest and where the World Championship is taking place this year. But anyway, the 7th Generation denotes the Pokémon Sun, Pokémon Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun, Pokémon Ultra Moon, and the Pokémon Let’s GO! lineup of games.
Tsareena and its pre-evolutions, Bounsweet and Steenee debuted at the very start of this generation with Pokémon Sun and Moon, which take place in Alola. And they were definitely a prominent part of that generation. In fact, in the anime series, Bounsweet made its appearance in the very first episode of the Sun and Moon season. And had been a part of that series for pretty much its entire duration as a part of Mallow’s team! The same even applies to the Pokémon Adventures anime!
Bounsweet And Steenee
Bounsweet
Bounsweet
Source: Pokémon GO Community Day Banner
There’s a reason why this Dashing Design’s title is based on the final form. And not the initial form. After all, we haven’t done that since Bellibolt. And there’s a good reason for that. Bounsweet is very simple. It’s called “The Fruit Pokémon” and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a fruit with a face on it. To be more specific, a “Mangosteen” fruit. Just look at it:
Source: Photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash
Though to be fair to Bounsweet. The name being a combination of “Bounce” and “Sweet” reveals more about its character and that bouncing is an important part of it. And instead of a fully intact Mangosteen, it seems to be partly cut from the bottom. Allowing for the white softer fruit inside. Which, for Bounsweet, also acts nicely as leg-wear.
Also as an extra note, Mangosteens are more well known as being native to South East Asia and some parts of South Asia. However, it does also grow in Hawai’i, the real-life inspiration behind Alola. So its presence in Generation Seven still makes sense.
Steenee
Steenee
Source: Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon Ep. 18
Previously we took a look at how the moon and the night are typically associated with femininity. The same applies to nature as well. After all, we do call it “mother nature”. And Pokémon runs with this idea wholesale when it comes to a lot of Grass starters.
The same definitely applies to Steenee as well. After evolving, the outer shell or skin of the mangosteen fruit now acts more like a dress. The inner white fruit on the other hand now extends to be Steenee’s skirt, arms, and head. The “leaves” of the fruit, more commonly referred to as a Sepal or a Calyx, now give the impression of the common twin tails hairstyle.
Steenee’s name also refers to its feminine design. “Steen” obviously refers to the later part of “Mangosteen”. “Teenee” could mean “Tiny” or “Small”. The “ee” or “y” suffix itself is common when referring to something small or common female names. The Japanese name goes even further. “Amamaiko” is very likely a combination of “Amai” (Meaning something sweet) and “Maiko” (Meaning dancing girl, with the “ko” suffix used to refer to young girls in particular).
A Ballerina. Source: Photo by David Hofmann on Unsplash
As for what type of dancing girl, I get the impression of ballet. Steenee’s “skirt” is rather fluffy and extended outward, like a ballerina’s. And in the games and anime, Steenee’s motions are graceful, like a ballerina’s.
Etymology and Design
Etymology
Now we’ve finally reached Bounsweet’s final form and the namesake of this Dashing Design, Tsareena. “Tsareena” is directly inspired by the word “Tsarina” (The term referring to female rulers in Russia). However, it is misspelled with two “ee”s to make it similar to the “een” in “Mangosteen”.
Tsareena’s Japanese name has a pretty similar meaning. It’s Amaijo. A combination of “Amai” (Referring to sweet things as previously mentioned) and “Joō” (Meaning Queen). But what’s with all these references to royalty? For that let’s take a look at Tsareena’s design.
Design
Source: Uploaded by GOHub Member kittypokemonsalot
So there are quite a few significant changes in Tsareena’s design compared to its previous forms. Firstly, its sepal now has the impression of long, flowing hair. As opposed to the twin tails seen on Steenee. Twin tails are often seen as a hairstyle that goes along with youth and young people. So the change to a different hairstyle is perhaps meant to denote that Tsareena is the mature, fully evolved form.
The second thing worth noting is Tsareena’s face. It now has long extended eyelashes, and the eyelids are noticeably different in color from its face. This gives the impression of “beautification” such as wearing makeup. Its “outfit” is also now more exaggerated. With it coming up all the way to its face, covering its mouth.
The Main Source of Inspiration
Speaking of Tsareena’s outfit. It now has some long leggings, and also a small crown on its head. These are arguably its main features. As many of its Pokédex entries mention its ability to kick people. And also the fact that Steenee evolves into Tsareena only if it knows the move “Stomp”.
So what’s up with that? Well, Tsareena seems to take heavily from the “Ojou Sama” archetype. Literally, a formal way to say “lady”, it denotes a common trope in Japanese media such as Anime, Manga, and Video Games. These are usually young women who are part of the upper class. Usually a part of royalty, nobility, or a part of some kind of modern large business conglomerate or mafia family.
Luvia of the Powerful Edelfelt Family from the Type-Moon Franchise. Source: Fair Use Image from the Wiki
The root of this trope is rather obvious. As traditionally upper-class figures, such as monarchs, are often portrayed as being willful, and excessively frivolous. Which definitely fits Ojou-Sama characters as well. Often being haughty, and they either figuratively and or literally walk over other people. Hence the necessary move being “Stomp”.
However, this does not mean they are always antagonistic figures. Quite the opposite in fact. Their haughtiness is often the result of their upbringing. And in some fiction it’s not uncommon for them to have or grow into a more amicable side. Their upbringing could even create the background to give these types of characters an attractive sense of immaturity and innocence. This is actually represented in Tsareena’s Pokémon Scarlet dex entry:
This Pokémon is proud and aggressive. However, it is said that a Tsareena will instantly become calm if someone touches the crown on its calyx.
Other Inspirations
Geisha
Steenee’s Japanese name, as mentioned before, is partly taken from the word “Maiko”. Maiko is also a term used to describe Geisha in training. Geisha refers to a type of traditional, female, Japanese performance artist. Geisha usually make use of heavy makeup. Often painting their entire face white. They also carry around hand fans and sometimes hide their face behind them. This could explain Tsareena’s face in general and why its face is hidden.
Fashion Models and Celebrities.
According to the Pokémon Moon Pokédex:
A Pokémon known for the beauty of its well-shaped legs, it sometimes appears as a mascot in advertisements for beauty salons.
This again makes sense. Remember, the “Ojou Sama” archetype is not limited to the nobility. The modern-day upper class can fall under this trope as well. And modern-day celebrities and models are definitely representatives of a frivolous upper-class lifestyle that is also readily visible to the common populace.
Thus it makes perfect sense for Tsareena to be a beauty icon and model. Further adding to this, the entire Bounsweet-line refers to leg-based activities. Bouncing, dancing, stomping, and kicking. And the catwalk across the walkway is an iconic leg-based activity as well.
Conclusion
And there we go! We’re closing into the 20th Dashing Design. We should have something big in store for that one. I hope you have been enjoying this little series of mine so far! As for Tsareena, its strong and simple design allows for a fun and brief analysis. It’s a noble lady because Mangosteen is called “The Queen of Fruits”. And this is why, Tsareena’s design, is quite dashing!
Goodbye for now, Pokémon trainers. Priom-out!
