The Royal Sword Pokémon, Aegislash, is one of the most iconic additions to the Gen 6 Pokédex.
Yes, it’s another one of those hotly debated inanimate object species, but this Steel/Ghost type (and others in this category) are derived from the Japanese folktale of Tsukumogami,. Tsukumogami is a concept that implies that objects come alive after 100 years. That’s why the OG inanimate object Pokémon, Voltorb (just a PokéBall, duh), is #100 in the Pokédex!
Anyway, Aegislash is undoubtedly among the cooler critters in this aspect. I mean, a possessed sword that can also adopt a shield form? Bring it on!
So, let’s take a stab (hehe) at this popular Pokémon and see all the inspirations behind it.
For starters, possessed swords aren’t an alien concept. In fact, many popular media such as League of Legends, Castlevania, Zelda, Dust, Dungeons & Dragons, Dragon Age, Skyrim, Samosek (to name a few) have wielded a possessed sword!
Japanese Swordsmith Masamune
One of the most well-known cursed swords serves as a basis for Aegislash. Masamune is widely considered to be the greatest swordsmith to have ever lived. His swords were so fine that many suspected them of being magical or even possessed by demons.
His blades were of pristine quality and were deemed the most powerful. Later, Masamune and his apprentice, Muramasa made dual swords, with each excelling in a different aspect.
One was extremely offensive, and it could slice through anything and anyone. It was a demon blade that would slowly drain the wielder of their humanity or even life force. The other blade was a more righteous one, and while it could still slice through things easily, it would still avoid striking the innocent. It was more about justice, honor, and defense.
This is Aegislash’s schtick!
Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga is known as the great unifier of Japan and a demon king. He was very evil (and that’s an understatement), and oh… he owned a Masamune sword. So, that’s presumably how he lost his humanity and turned ruthless.
This is important as Aegislash’s dex entries state the following:
Generations of kings were attended by these Pokémon, which used their spectral power to manipulate and control people and Pokémon.
Apparently, it can detect the innate qualities of leadership. According to legend, whoever it recognizes is destined to become king.
Yikes!
Now, even though the notions stated above inspired the lore of Aegislash, you take one look at this line and it’s clear that they are not Japanese swords! So, what are they? Let’s explore further!
While Honedge and Doublade are essentially bone-spirit-French-Viking swords, Aegislash is something different entirely. And Aegislash has a lot more going for it than its pre-evolutions.
First of all, Aegislash is not a simple straight sword… rather, it’s a leaf-bladed sword. The blade profile flares out before coming to the tip. These were widely used by the Celtics, and they used them to fight the Romans.
However, the credit for this style of swords goes to… the Greeks!
Aegis
Adding on to the Greek inspiration, Aegislash was the legendary shield used by none other than Zeus himself!
The most powerful form of Aegislash looked like this:
You see that? It has Medusa’s head on it.
That’s why Aegislash’s slitted pupil is serpentine:
That’s not all as when Aegislash holds both its hands in the shield form, the tassels look like thick, snaky hair coming from the shield.
But there’s another Greek god, specifically, goddess who’s associated with Aegis: Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy, especially in politics and warfare. This is pretty much like Aegislash helping its wielder make a kingdom.
In the Illiad (a great Greek epic like Odyssey), Aegis is described as having a hundred tassels made up of pure gold, hung fluttering from it.
Targe
The circular elements on Aegislash’s shield are rivets, making it a sort of targe, a strapped round shield with a rivet in it.
Trage was prominent in France (Kalos, that is, Aegislash’s region and the Pokémon world’s France), and this word is the basis of ‘target.’
Durendal
We’re clear about the shield part, but what about the sword? Well, France has its own legendary sword: the Durendal, a holy blade supposedly infused with magical powers.
It was bestowed upon Roland the Paladin (a top-notch and trusted military leader) by an angel. Just like Aegislash, the Durendal also has a golden hilt.
If you want to read lore, design, and origin articles of some more popular Pokémon, then be sure to check these out:
Dragapult | Kommo-o | Darkrai | Cresselia | Applin | Mega Salamence | Dialga & Palkia Origin | Giratina | Rillaboom, Cinderace & Inteleon | Garchomp | Baxcalibur | Hydreigon | Skeledirge | Annihilape | Zygarde | Tinkaton | Gardevoir | Druddigon | Hisuian Zoroark | Naganadel | Drampa | Enamorus | Wooloo & Dubwool | Hatterene | Morpeko |
