#they run into wild wooloo and rookidee/corviknight?

[postwick-palace]

So...Pokémon Journeys episode 100, huh. As a Leon fan, I’m delighted - they characterized him brilliantly! It’s great to see the complexities of his character - that contrast between his public image and his real personality - both demonstrated and spelled out directly, for the people who didn’t catch on to that in the games. I’m also really happy that they addressed how he felt about losing to Eternatus fifty episodes later and why it hasn’t affected his self-confidence.

But, as a Hop fan...I’m a little bummed. As happy as I am to see the anime writers at least acknowledge his existence, I’m not very optimistic about his prospects of getting to actually appear at this point. When I made that post a year and a half ago about what Hop’s arc in the anime could look like, I figured there were two main things he could contribute to the story: one was being a rival to Ash, which seems really unlikely to happen at this point considering he’s already up to rank 15 and we just got Marnie introduced as a potential second rival last episode. The other thing he could contribute was humanizing Leon - giving Ash, Goh, and the audience the chance to see Leon’s private life, away from the cameras, through his interactions with his little brother. But this episode just did that without needing Hop at all. So, if the anime writers did introduce him, what would they even do with him? 

We didn’t see Hop in the show, we didn’t see Hop in the opening, and as for that reference...it’s Sonia who mentions him, not Leon. And she’s not even talking about him in the present - she’s referencing how Leon had to help take care of Hop when he was a kid. So while we know that Hop exists, we have no idea where he is, what he’s doing, or even how close he and Leon are in the present day. He could be taking the Gym Challenge and trying to challenge Leon that way - or he could have absolutely no interest in overtaking his brother at all, and already be dreaming of becoming a professor. But if he’s trying to become a professor, wouldn’t it make sense for him to be working with Sonia? And that’s clearly not the case.

I think I’m most disappointed that Leon didn’t mention him because last episode, we got some really sweet sibling interactions between Piers and Marnie. That got me hopeful that we could get sweet sibling interactions between Leon and Hop, too. But, in an episode where we’re supposed to be seeing Leon’s “true personality”, while also reminding us of their roles as competitors in the World Coronation series, the fact that Leon doesn’t think about his little brother at all... It doesn’t give me any hope for Hop being a part of it, nor Hop getting to show off having a close relationship with his brother. So, even if he does show up in a random episode in the future, I don’t know that I’m even going to be able to enjoy it when all I can see is the missed opportunities to do something truly memorable with him.

[mrauthor3ds]

Likely concepts of the Gen-8 Pokémon

-= Gigantamax Butterfree =- - Some believe that it’s inspired by the kaiju Mothra, but this may be a stretch.

-= Gigantamax Pikachu =- - Many will say that this is a callback to Pikachu’s old chubby design. Well...Pikachu’s modern design hasn’t really made it slimmer, so much as its neck is defined (in the front, at least). But this Pikachu is definitely a chubby boy/gal.

-= Gigantamax Meowth =- - This goes to town with the old “Longcat“ meme. That’s obvious enough. - Its head charm, though, changes from a general Koban into an Ōban, which in Tokugawa currency is worth ten Koban. It even bears a kanji "大", which can mean “large“.

-= Gigantamax Gengar =- - The main feature is that it’s rising out of the shadows, its mouth VERY wide open with rings lining the inside. This may likely be a reference to a Hellmouth, an entrance to Hell usually depicted as a giant monster’s gaping mouth. Hellmouths were often featured in art done as early as the Anglo-Saxon era.

-= Gigantamax Kingler =- - Its limbs' new appearance make it look even more like a red king crab. The “beard“ of mouth foam gives it an even “kinglier“ look.

-= Gigantamax Lapras =- - Its shell is bigger and lined with grooves. This could be inspired by a phonograph cylinder, the earliest commercially-available sound recording medium. Sounds were recorded into these cylinders in similar grooves.

-= Gigantamax Snorlax =- - It looks almost exactly like a simple hill. The parts on its belly not covered in grass could be mistaken for a plain dirt path.

-= Gigantamax Garbodor =- - Toxin formations resembling old toys appear in its body. This gives it quite a genuine garbage dump look.

-= Galarian Meowth & Perrserker =- - (purr + berserker) - Short-tailed cats - possibly the Manx cat, which was first found in the Isle of Man. - The cartoonish stereotype of Viking warriors, with horned helmets. - Norse berserkers were claimed to be impervious to swords, which may be why these are Steel-type.

-= Galarian Ponyta & Galarian Rapidash =- - Unicorns. Closer to modern interpretations of unicorns, especially from franchises like My Little Pony.

-= Galarian Farfetch’d & Sirfetch’d =- - (sir + Farfetch’d) - Mainly the Lancelot leek, which is generally bigger and thicker than the usual leek. This may also take the “Lancelot“ part a bit further by making this into a knight of sorts.

-= Galarian Weezing =- - Mainly inspired by the Industrial Revolution, which was also prevalent in the United Kingdom. This is prominently featured in the tall smokestacks (though these spew purified air instead of smoke). - The appearance also takes after a classic image of British gentlemen - top hats, bushy eyebrows, trim goatees, and handlebar mustaches.

-= Galarian Mr. Mime & Mr. Rime =- - (Mr. Mime + rime (a type of frost)) - Tap dancing - possibly Broadway tap, which has roots in English theater. It could be Ice-type simply to make its feet hard enough to produce the tapping sounds, or it could be a reference to its ability to form invisible solid barriers. - Mr. Rime is associated with comedians - most closely Charlie Chaplin, who was considered one of the greatest icons of the history of film. It bears the classic Chaplin image with a bowler hat, mustache, and cane.

-= Galarian Corsola & Cursola =- - (curse + Corsola) - Bleached coral - essentially what remains of coral that is rendered dead. One of the usual causes is pollution from factories.

-= Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Linoone, & Obstagoon =- - (obstacle + goon/Zigzagoon) - Glam rock or punk rock styles, which have been popular in the UK. Their white/black appearance with waggling tongues may be a nod to KISS, but that is an American band with some UK rock inspirations. - Also inspired by the coloration of European badgers, which is easiest to see on Linoone and Obstagoon.

-= Galarian Darumaka & Galarian Darmanitan =- - Possibly abominable snowmen, AKA yetis, which are actually associated with Himalayan countries like India. Then again, there was a time when Britain owned Asian countries like India. - Actually, Galarian Darmanitan’s head-snowball and snow-beard give it the appearance of a turban-wearing Indian sage. - Galarian Darmanitan’s Zen Mode ironically reshapes it into an angry beast, with its head-snowball resembling the head of a snowman (with a flare in place of the carrot nose).

-= Galarian Yamask & Runerigus =- - (rune + Cofagrigus) - Inspired by Nordic runestones, which have also been found across the United Kingdom and other western European countries. - Quite a lot of these runestones were bordered by some sort of serpent, which serves as the design for Runerigus.

-= Galarian Stunfisk =- - Based on a mantrap, a spring-locked device that clamps one with jagged metal teeth. In England, ever since 1827, these are only legal inside houses at nighttime. - Most interestingly, this Stunfisk’s mouth is red and white - much like a Poké Ball. I haven’t run into one yet myself, but this could make it an “item mimic“ Pokémon, much like Voltorb and Foongus.

-= Grookey, Thwackey, & Rillaboom =- - (groove + monkey) - (thwack + monkey) - (gorilla + boom) - All three stages are associated with drumming. Grookey has a single stick, Thwackey wields two sticks, and Rillaboom adds a stump drum. This may be related to how primates often use things like sticks as tools. - Grookey is much like small monkeys, like squirrel monkeys and marmosets. - Thwackey’s body shape takes more after chimpanzees or short-tailed primates. - Rillaboom is clearly a gorilla, with a bush and vines acting as a wild hairstyle often associated with rock band drummers.

-= Scorbunny, Raboot, & Cinderace =- - (scorch/score + bunny) - (rabbit + boot) - (cinder + ace) - These are all rabbits, of course. - Scorbunny’s facial mark is akin to the nose bandage associated with the rambunctious child archetype. - Raboot’s body is covered in a fur much like a tracksuit, and its head mark resembles a headband. It even uses the fluff on its belly like jacket pockets for its hands. Its habit of juggling things on its feet is similar to playing with a foot bag (AKA a hacky-sack). - Cinderace is a straight-up association football player (AKA football or soccer to everybody). It even has a unique Hidden Ability (Libero) and two signature moves (Pyro Ball and Court Change) related to football/soccer.

-= Sobble, Drizzile, & Inteleon =- - (sob + dribble) - (drizzle + reptile) - (intelligence + chameleon) - Chameleons. Ones associated with water, using the power of water to appear invisible. - While Sobble is a crybaby, Drizzile is comparatively cold-mooded. Drizzile’s habit of fending off others (by laying traps) and the way its fin hangs over its face may be based on the emo archetype, or even of a troublemaking delinquent. - Inteleon is inspired by spies - namely ones depicted in action movies. This could be based on how a “chameleon“ person is adaptable to many guises. Its slender build is also similar to a basilisk, a lizard that can run on water. The membrane on its back, used for gliding, it similar to the flying lizard. - Inteleon is said to have a nictitating membrane - common among reptiles - to discern enemies’ weak points. It also fires water shots from its fingertips at Mach 3 - a typical speed for bullets fired by rifles. So it could possibly take inspiration from snipers as well.

-= Skwovet & Greedent =- - (squirrel + covet) - (greed + rodent) - They are based on squirrels - most likely the eastern grey squirrel and the red squirrel. They’re also based on the hoarding instinct of squirrels, though to a gluttonous degree.

-= Rookidee, Corvisquire, & Corviknight =- - (rookie + chickadee) - (corvid + squire) - (corvid + knight) - Rookidee is based on a Eurasian blue tit. Tits like this are known as chickadees in North America. - Corvisquire and Corviknight are based on ravens and eastern jackdaws, as well as squires and knights.

-= Blipbug, Dottler, & Orbeetle =- - (blip (radar) + bug) - (dot + Doppler radar) - (orb + beetle + orbital) - The line is mainly based on ladybugs, or lady beetles. They all also have themes of radar or related sensory mechanisms, which is connected to their psychic powers. - Dottler is called the Radome Pokémon. A radome is a shell used to cover and protect a radar device, much like how Dottler is protected by its dome-like shell. - Orbeetle may be associated with sensory devices in space, like satellites. It could also be related to flying saucers - this is especially prominent in its Gigantamax form, which even has a tractor beam shining down from its back.

-= Nickit & Thievul =- - (knick + kit) - (thief/thieving + vulpine) - Based on red foxes, but also on thieves. - Nickit’s face is covered in black and white markings, almost resembling an ornate Japanese fox mask. Its tail is brush-like, specifically to sweep away its own footprints. - Thievul’s eyes are lined with black fur flaring out to the sides like a domino mask, its leg fur resembles boots, and its whiskers look like a small fancy mustache. This could give it an appearance akin to Zorro, a famous vigilante and phantom thief in Spanish California (created by American pulp fiction writer Johnston McCulley). As a bonus, “zorro“ is Spanish for “fox“. - ...Of course, Nickit and Thievul could also have roots in Reynard the Fox, a popular trickster figure in medieval European folktales.

-= Gossifleur & Eldegoss =- - (Gossypium + fleur (FR: flower)) - (elder + Gossypium) - Both are based on the Gossypium flower of cotton plants. Eldegoss in particular looks much like a little old lady in a flower “shawl“. - Their presence in Galar may be for the industrial aspect - as the cotton industry was quite big in Britain around the era of World War I. However, this industry did decline hard, starting when Japan introduced its 24-hour cotton production method.

-= Wooloo & Dubwool =- - (wool) - (double + wool) - Wooloo is...simply a white-fleeced sheep. - Dubwool, however, seems to take after the Jacob sheep, which tends to have patchy white and black wool, and sometimes four horns.

-= Chewtle & Drednaw =- - (chew + turtle) - (dreadnought + gnaw) - Based on alligator snapping turtles. Their craggy appearance may be the reason that Drednaw was made Rock-type. - Drednaw becomes bipedal in its Gigantamax form. Many believe that it’s a nod to the kaiju Gamera.

-= Yamper & Boltund =- - (yapper + amp) - (bolt + hund/hound) - Yamper is based on the Welsh corgi, a breed popular for its cute-looking build. - Boltund may be based on a greyhound - possibly the stockier Italian greyhound. Whatever the case, it’s most certainly some kind of hound, AKA hunting dog - its Dex entries back this up by identifying it as the enemy of Thievul. Hounds have often been used in the UK region to hunt foxes.

-= Rolycoly, Carkol, & Coalossal =- - (roly-poly + coal) - (car + coal/charcoal) - (coal + colossal) - All three of these are based on coal, a high-carbon mineral that can be used as fuel for heat. - Rolycoly’s build has a single wheel and a lit-up red eye, resembling a small moped. - Carkol’s build is much like a mine cart, with a pile of generated coal heating up in its back. - Coalossal is more like a golem (an automaton made of clay or stone) with a giant pile of coal in its back. Gigantamax Coalossal reshapes its body with a constant glow within, more resembling a coal furnace.

-= Applin, Flapple, & Appletun =- - (apple + in) - (flap + apple) - (apple + turnover/ton) - Applin is essentially a worm in an apple - though in this case, it means “worm“ as “wyrm“, a draconic serpent. - Flapple is very visibly a worm, but with apple pieces serving as wings, it’s more closely a wyvern (a draconic creature with two wings and no forelegs). - Appletun is more of a drake (a wingless dragon), with a back resembling an apple pie. - Interestingly, the Gigantamax forms of Flapple and Appletun both look like a giant Applin coming out of a nectar-spewing apple. The apple itself could also be interpreted as a caramel or candied apple.

-= Silicobra & Sandaconda =- - (silicon + cobra) - (sand + anaconda) - They are based on snakes - desert-dwelling snakes, most likely. - Silicobra is, of course, a small cobra, and Sandaconda is clearly an anaconda, the largest python in the world. - Sandaconda’s prominent nostrils, however, may bear some closeness to the Eastern hog-nosed snake, which also puffs itself up to “hiss“. This could relate to Sandaconda’s ability to fill its body with sand. - The diamond-like markings on Sandaconda’s body may be akin to snakes like the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. - In Gigantamax form, Sandaconda stands on its tail. Its coiled body and swirling sand sac give it the appearance of a dust devil (a tornado that picks up a lot of dust and sand).

-= Cramorant =- - (cram + cormorant) - A cormorant, duh. It’s likely based on the great cormorant, which is common among the British Isles. - Its Gulp Missile Ability tends to get Pokémon like Arrokuda or Pikachu stuck in its mouth. This could be based on the practice of cormorant fishing - a special snare is tied around the base of the cormorant’s throat, so fairly big fish will instead get caught in its throat.

-= Arrokuda & Barraskewda =- - (arrow + barracuda) - (barracuda + skew) - These are...of course, barracudas - a slender fish that aggressively charges at anything that could be perceived as either prey or a threat. Their jaws are extremely strong, though Arrokuda and Barraskewda are more into ramming and spearing into their foes. - Arrokuda’s body looks a lot like a throwing dart - the kind used on dartboards. - Barraskewda more resembles a torpedo, especially with its spinning propeller-like tail fins.

-= Toxel & Toxtricity =- - (toxic + electric) - (toxic + electricity) - Possibly based on salamanders - maybe the Italian crested newt, which has adapted to live in polluted ponds. - Toxtricity’s spiky electric mane and pickup-like bumps on its underbelly are likely based on electric guitars, which are commonly used in rock music. - Actually, the Amped-Up form and Low-Key forms have different formations with their horns and pickups. Amped-Up has six pickups, making it more like the bolder electric guitar. Low-Key, meanwhile, has four, like the fittingly subdued bass guitar. - In Gigantamax, its tail spikes out into an antenna-like shape. It can also generate a guitar-like weapon out of pure electricity.

-= Sizzlipede & Centiskorch =- - (sizzling + millipede/centipede) - (centipede + scorch) - Based on centipedes. Of course. - Interestingly, Centiskorch’s tail has fire telsons similar to the “eyebrows“ and “whiskers“ on its face. It’s quite common for centipedes to have a tail end that looks similar to its head. - For most attacks in its Gigantamax form, Centiskorch repositions its body into a vertical squiggle, much like the fluorescent tubes in many heaters.

-= Clobbopus & Grapploct =- - (clobber + octopus) - (grapple + octopus + locked) - These are octopi, with themes of clubbing and jiujitsu. - Clobbopus is difficult to find a matching specific octopus, but it does sort of resemble the short-tentacled dumbo octopus. - No specific octopus has been nailed down for Grapploct, either. However, it seems to wrap one tentacle around its “waist“ like a champion’s belt. - The jiujitsu concept is actually apt for Grapploct, as its signature move Octolock not only keeps the target in the field, but it constantly reduces its defenses. Brazilian jiujitsu in particular focuses greatly on forcing even tougher opponents into submission.

-= Sinistea & Polteageist =- - (sinister + tea) - (poltergeist + tea) - Based on the concept of ghosts like poltergeists possessing objects in households, like tableware - teacups and teapots in this case. - Their true bodies are made of black tea, a kind of tea that keeps for years and years. Black tea is also particularly strong in flavor. - Interestingly, most Sinistea and Polteageist inhabit forgeries of antique teacups/teapots (ones in the genuine articles are very rare). This could be a nod to the fact that many forgeries of classical teaware exist to this day.

-= Hatenna, Hattrem, & Hatterene =- - (hat + antenna) - (hatter + tremble) - (hatter + serene) - These Psychic-type Pokémon don’t react well to loudness or strong emotion. It’s very likely that they’re themed after seclusive witches. - Hatenna’s protrustion resembles a party hat or a nightcap. - Hattrem’s “hat“ looks even more like a witch’s hat. Hatterene’s, moreso. - Gigantamax Hatterene seems to show its true body within its “hair“.

-= Impidimp, Morgrem, & Grimmsnarl =- - (impudent + imp) - (morbid + gremlin) - (grim/Brothers Grimm + snarl) - Imps, gremlins, goblins, ogres, trolls - these take after quite a lot of demonic creatures especially prominent in Europeon folklore.

-= Milcery & Alcremie =- - (milk + sorcery) - (alchemy + créme/creamy) - Milcery takes after a small ball of milk or cream. Its head frays into a splash effect. - Alcremie is based on cream - notably whipped cream. This is fitting, as you must spin to make Milcery evolve into Alcremie. - There are several flavors that Alcremie can take on, depending on how and when you do the evolving spin - Vanilla, Ruby, Matcha, Mint, Lemon, Salted, Ruby Swirl, Caramel Swirl, and Rainbow Swirl. - The Ruby Cream variety may be based on ruby chocolate, which has a sweet and tart taste (just as Ruby Cream Alcremie’s entry describes it as sweet and tart). - While matcha (a ground powder from green tea leaves) is traditionally used for tea, there’s been a rise of other uses for it, especially in sweets. - There are also seven different Sweets that are needed to evolve Milcery. This Sweet will become the Alcremie’s head decorations. There are Strawberry Sweets (red), Berry Sweets (blue), Love Sweets (pink), Star Sweets (yellow), Clover Sweets (green), Flower Sweets (orange), and Ribbon Sweets (purple). While these aren’t recorded into the Pokédex with flavors, this can still technically yield 63 different kinds of Alcremie. - Gigantamax Alcremie resembles a tall layer cake. All seven Sweets appear on its body.

-= Falinks =- - (phalanx + links) - These are essentially a small group of Ancient Greek soldiers, which have shield-like arms and spear-like horns - shields and spears are often key elements in a hoplite phalanx formation. The shields would be held out to brace against any attacks while the spears are held overhead.

-= Pincurchin =- - (pincushion + urchin) - It’s a sea urchin. - Apparently, its spines contain a lot of electricity, even when detached. This could be a nod to how some sea urchins have venom in their spines.

-= Snom & Frosmoth =- - (snow + nom) - (frost + moth) - Snom looks like a jewel caterpillar, whose body is covered in similar translucent bumps. - Frosmoth looks a lot like many white moths - notably the white slant-line moth and the Venezuelan poodle moth.

-= Stonjourner =- - (stone + sojourner) - Clearly based on one of the structures of Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument near Wiltshire, England. This ring of structures is surrounded with mystery even to this day.

-= Eiscue =- - (ice cube) - Eiscue is a penguin - possibly akin to the Adélie penguin, given its solid-colored head.

-= Indeedee =- - (indeed) - This was tricky, but they seem to be themed after servants of large households - male Indeedee based on butlers and valets, and female Indeedee based on maids and nannies. The female Indeedee’s white body markings even resemble a maid’s apron.

-= Morpeko =- - (morumato (guinea pig) + harapeko (JP: hungry)) - A Pikachu-related Pokémon based on a guinea pig, which can tend to be moody when they’re hungry.

-= Cufant + Copperajah =- - (cute/Cu (periodic symbol for Copper) + elephant) - (copper + maharaja) - Based on Indian elephants, with copper hides. Copper has been mined in India for over 2000 years. - With copper-mining in mind, Cufant and Copperajah seem to have excavating implements on their trunks. While Cufant has a small spoon-like scoop, Copperajah’s trunk has teeth much like on a shovel truck. - When copper rusts, it takes on a turquoise color. This is the best answer on Copperajah’s color. - Gigantamax Copperajah strangely looks like a big bipedal slab...? If anyone can tell me what this could be based on, please tell me.

-= Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, & Arctovish =- - (draco- + jolt) - (arctic + jolt) - (draco- + fish) - (arctic + fish) - The fossil Pokémon of this generation are...a little unorthodox. For one thing, they’re mismatched chimerae - the heads and bodies never match up. But there’s actually a story behind that. The first dinosaur bones to be officially classified were in the UK. Unfortunately, these bones were initially put together wrong - on the wrong species, and even in the wrong places. - ...Worse, some purposefully mix-and-matched bones to claim that they discovered some fantastical new species. This may explain a few things about Cara Liss, the person "resurrecting” these hodgepodges... - As for what dinosaurs each part was... - The “Draco“ part is likely the rear end of some stegosaurus-like specie. - The “Arcto“ part might be an Acrophoca, a prehistoric ancestor to seals. - The “Zolt“ part may be the head of some prehistoric bird or velociraptor. - The “Vish“ part is most certainly the Dunkleosteus, a jagged-mouthed fish.

-= Duraludon =- - (duralumin + -don (suffix used for dinosaurs)) - While likely not based on any real creature, its body is likely based on duralumin, an aluminum-copper alloy that’s both lightweight and strong. - Of course, the main site comments that it has a rivalry with Tyranitar, which may draw a parallel between the kaiju Godzilla and the robotic counterpart, Mechagodzilla. - Its Gigantamax form greatly resembles a skyscraper - most possibly the Shard, the tallest building in the UK.

-= Dreepy, Drakloak, & Dragapult =- - (dragon + creepy) - (drake + cloak) - (dragon + catapult) - Based on the boomerang salamander, an extinct amphibian with a notable crescent-shaped skull. - Drakloak and Dragapult notably have their heads resembling the B-2 Spirit, AKA the Stealth Bomber. Drakloak has a Dreepy on its back, supposedly acting as a pilot. Dragapult has two Dreepy which act as “missiles“ from Dragapult’s head cannons.

-= Zacian & Zamazenta =- - (the cyan) - (the magenta) - Wolves. ‘Nuff said. - ...Well, okay, there’s more. Zacian and Zamazenta, at base, look like old battle-worn wolves, but they have the power to draw in metal particles to form their armor and weapons (their Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield forms). - With its sword, Zacian is believed to be able to cut through anything. Zamazenta’s shield-like mane is believed to repel any attack. This could literally make them an unstoppable force and an immovable object - the extremes of offense and defense. - It’s possible that Zacian and Zamazenta are based on Geri and Freki, the two wolves that accompany Odin, the god who leads the Aesir.

-= Eternatus =- - (aeternatus (LAT: immortalized)) OR (eternal + Thanatus) - A bizarre Pokémon with a mostly-skeletal appearance. It’s Dragon-type, and it’s said to leech off the unique energy of Galar (probably Dynamax power), so I believe it could be based on Nidhoggr, the dragon that gnaws on the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. - Its boss-only Eternamax form turns it into a big spiral with only a large hand-like appendage. It could be a nod to how Nidhoggr coils itself around Yggdrasil’s roots, or even how the serpent Jormungandr coils itself around Earth/Midgard, or even just the serpent of Ouroboros (a symbol of the infinite).