What was Pokémon Inspired By?
Pokémon, one of the most popular franchises in the world, has a rich history that dates back to the 1990s. The brainchild of Satoshi Tajiri, a Japanese video game designer, Pokémon was inspired by his childhood hobby of insect collecting. But the franchise’s inspiration doesn’t stop there. Pokémon has been influenced by various cultures, animals, and even other video games. In this article, we’ll explore the various inspirations behind the beloved franchise.
Insect Collecting
As mentioned earlier, Satoshi Tajiri’s childhood hobby of insect collecting was a significant inspiration for Pokémon. Tajiri wanted to create a game that would allow children to experience the joy of collecting and battling creatures, just like he did as a child. The concept of catching and collecting creatures, known as "Pokémon," was born.
Real-Life Animals
Many Pokémon species are inspired by real-life animals. For example, Bulbasaur, a grass/poison-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Bullock’s False Toad. Charmander, a fire-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Chinese Giant Salamander. These are just a few examples of the many Pokémon species inspired by real-life animals.
Mythology and Folklore
Pokémon has also been influenced by mythology and folklore from around the world. Articuno, a bird/flying-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Kagu, a mythical bird from Japanese folklore. Gengar, a ghost/poison-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Gashadokuro, a mythical creature from Japanese folklore.
Video Games
Pokémon has also been influenced by other video games. Super Mario Bros., a popular platformer game, inspired the concept of traversing different environments to catch Pokémon. Digimon, a rival franchise to Pokémon, inspired the concept of digital creatures.
Geography and Culture
Pokémon has also been influenced by geography and culture. The Paldea region, the setting of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, is inspired by the Iberian Peninsula. The region’s diverse landscapes, including lakes, wastelands, and mountain ranges, are inspired by the geography of the Iberian Peninsula.
Kiwi and Armadillo
Two Pokémon species, Weedle and Sandshrew, are inspired by real-life animals. Weedle, a bug-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Kiwi, a small flightless bird from New Zealand. Sandshrew, a ground-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Armadillo, a small mammal from the Americas.
Viking Runestones
The Runerigus, a ghost/ground-type Pokémon, is inspired by Viking runestones. These ancient stones, carved with runes, are a significant part of Viking culture.
Butterflies and Moths
Some Pokémon species are inspired by butterflies and moths. Butterfree, a bug/flying-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Monarch Butterfly. Mothim, a bug/flying-type Pokémon, is inspired by the Luna Moth.
In Conclusion
Pokémon is a franchise that has been inspired by a wide range of sources, including insect collecting, real-life animals, mythology and folklore, video games, geography and culture, and even other Pokémon species. The franchise’s diverse inspirations have helped to create a unique and engaging world that has captivated audiences around the world.