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. Last month Pokémon was celebrating “Water Type Month“, so we took a look at the designs of some water types to celebrate. It seems Pokémon GO isn’t done with the aquatic festivities though. As this month starts strong with the “Aquatic Paradise Event“. So let’s keep the train going by looking at some more water types!
Franchise History
Source: Official Pokémon GO Banner
As mentioned in the previous article, Water is a type that has existed since the inception of the franchise. Which is to say, since 1996. And it has been a prevalent type in the franchise since. Making it the type shared by the most number of Pokémon species. Though interestingly, in recent generations there have been Pokémon that are aquatic in nature but not Water types such as Dhelmise. This is an exciting new direction to take. But to get back on topic, we’re here to look at Water types. So let’s get right into it!
Etymology and Design
Ducklett and Swanna
Ducklett
Swanna
Let’s start off with the star of the aquatic paradise event, Ducklett. Ducklett and Swanna might initially seem pretty simple. They’re waterfowl. A small duck and a swan going by their names and designs. But there is actually a bit more going on.
The fact that Ducklett is a duck evolving into a swan might be a reference to “The Ugly Duckling”. As in, the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. In this story, a duck finds out that it’s actually a swan. But this is only the first layer. To go further, I want to divert your attention to old Western cartoons.
Source: Official Pokémon GO Fest New York Banner
Many such cartoons were either adaptations of or inspired by classic fairy tales. Such as those found in the works of Hans Christian Andersen or The Brothers Grimm. Most of Disney’s early works take heavily from them. And of course, “The Ugly Duckling” has also had animated adaptations. This leads me to believe that Ducklett is inspired by old cartoon designs (and ducks!) specifically.
The reasoning for this theory is that Ducklett was introduced in Generation Five. Where the games took place in Unova. The region that was inspired by New York and the first not to be inspired by a Japanese location. So I think there’s reason to believe Ducklett is meant to represent those old cartoons somewhat. Especially if you look at the gen five game sprites.
Mantyke, Mantine, and Remoraid
Mantyke
Mantine
Remoraid
Remoraid isn’t part of the Mantine line. But it is worth talking about together as a Remoraid is required to evolve Mantyke into Mantine. Not only that, Remoraids are often a part of official art for Mantine. So what’s up with that?
Source: Official Site
Let’s start with Mantine first. It’s inspired by a Manta Ray. A sort of flat-shaped aquatic creature that can leap out of the water. This behavior is perhaps why it’s also a type and incorporates kites into its design. But considering how its fins look like and its overall shape it also very likely takes inspiration from Aeroplanes.
And that is where Remoraid comes in. Remoraid is based on Remora. A type of fish that have suction cup-like parts on its body and can latch onto things. So that’s why Remoraid is attached to Matine. But if you remember that leaked Pokémon Gold and Silver beta that showed a lot of early designs, you might remember that Remoraid is also inspired by, well, a gun! So when a remoraid is attached to a Mantine it could be that the combination is meant to be similar to a fighter plane. This theory is only bolstered by the Pokémon Adventures manga:
Source: Pokémon Adventures Manga (Vs. Lugia Pt. 2). Collected from Bulbapedia
Horsea, Seadra, and Kingdra
Horsea
Seadra
Kingdra
Much like the Ducklett line, the Horsea line might initially seem self-explanatory. They are seahorses. But something is going on just beneath the surface. For example, have you noticed that all three of the Pokémon are referred to as the “Dragon Pokémon”. Kingdra just straight up gets the Dragon type too. So again, why?
Well honestly, it’s quite simple. The truth lies in the name. After all, why are seahorses called seahorses anyway? They have no relationship with actual horses. Yet we have decided to call them sea “horses” in English. Perhaps someone merely looked at them, found that their head and neck shape looked like a horse, and named it that.
Source: Uploaded by GOHub Member kittypokemonsalot
But it seems the Japanese had a different idea. As seahorses are called Tatsu-No-Otoshigo in Japanese. Literally meaning “A dragon’s illegitimate Child”. So you see, from a Japanese context, it makes perfect sense for the Horsea line to be a dragon!
Arrokuda, and Barraskewda
Arrokuda
Barraskewda
Niantic’s recent behaviors seem to suggest more Generation Eight Pokémon incoming and perhaps even that generation’s main new mechanic as well could be coming soon. So I think it’s only fair that we end with a newer, gen eight Pokémon.
If the name and design didn’t immediately give it away Arrokuda and Barraskewda are inspired by Barracuda fish. But as has been a common theme for today’s analyses, something a bit more is going on with the design. Both Arrokuda and Barraskewda’s tail fins seem to be shaped like propellers. They even spin like propellers too. That, along with their sharp, pointed heads gives Arrokuda and Barraskewda the impression of missiles. Or to be more accurate, torpedos.
Barraskewda. Source: Official Site
But as usual, why though? One simple reason could just be that Barracudas already sort of look like torpedoes. With the long figure, and triangular heads. Another reason could be the WW2 torpedo career plane Fairey Barracuda.
But to be fair, that’s a connection others made way before me. So I want to talk about something else of interest in Arrokuda and Barraskewda’s design. You see how they have fishbone patterns on their body? Well, while Barracudas aren’t translucent, they do have patterns on their bodies. And sometimes those patterns can look like bones!
Barracudas with Skeletal Patterns. Source: Dlloyd at English Wikipedia
Conclusion
And there we go! We are knee-deep into summer. And over here the monsoon has hit. Bringing with it some much-needed soothing precipitation. Perfect for our aquatic friends over here. As with Pokémon of any types, it has been quite fun to see how a lot of the simpler Water types have more going on than what is immediately evident just beneath the surface. And this is why, the designs of water-type Pokémon, are quite dashing!
Goodbye for now, Pokémon trainers. Priom-out!
