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- Pokémon’s object-inspired designs have their roots in Japanese folklore, with many Pokémon taking inspiration from Tsukumogami yokai.
- Though they’re met with mixed reviews among fans, object monsters like Qin Ling and Bronzor are some of the most creative creatures in the series.
- Ghost-type Pokémon are often based on Tsukumogami, with designs like Poltegist and Rotom embodying the concept of spirits possessing objects.
Creature Design Pokemon The franchise represents a wide variety of concepts and draws inspiration from a variety of sources. Pokemon While the series likely has design elements that draw on favorite monsters, not all design choices have been universally praised by fans. While some monsters are clearly inspired by various animals and mythical creatures, one design trend has been controversial among fans. Pokemon In the community, some in the fanbase have lamented the existence of these creatures.
By now, it’s almost a meme that Pokémon based on objects simply “have eyes” for said objects. Gen 9’s Valkyrie and Revam were the latest targets of this criticism, but past Pokémon like Clefairy, Chansey, and Chikorita have also endured similar sentiments from some members of the community. However, there’s a good reason why Game Freak continues to make Pokémon inspired by objects: this design trend is rooted in the folklore that shapes the franchise as a whole.
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Many of the object-inspired Pokémon designs are inspired by Japanese tsukumogami spirits.
generally, Pokemon The franchise is heavily influenced by Japanese Yokai mythology, and many of its mythical creatures exist in Game Freak’s universe. Obvious examples of this design inspiration can be seen in monsters like Nine Tails, who is based on the nine-tailed fox, and Shifter, who is based on the tengu. However, there are many monsters that incorporate aspects of different Yokai in their designs, many of which are object monsters that are very polarizing among fans. Pokemon fan.
In Japanese, “Kumiho no Kitsune” translates to “nine-tailed fox,” making it the most literal interpretation of the origins of the nine-tailed fox design.
In Yokai mythology, there is a subset of creatures called Tsukumogami that gain souls and become sentient. Inanimate objects such as tools or furniture that have existed for 100 years are said to gain souls and become sentient as a reward for existing for so long. These objects become Tsukumogami and form the basis of many Pokémon that appear to be simply living versions of various objects, showing that there is more to the concept behind Object Monsters than just objects.
Object Monsters are some of the most creative Pokemon designs.
While it’s easy to dismiss certain monsters like Bronzaw or Chingling as nothing more than sentient metal discs or living bells, many of these monsters are inspired by folklore and are celebrated as some of the most creatively and uniquely designed creatures. Pokemon franchise. For example, Chin Rin is based on Suzuhikohime, or Princess Bell, a tsukumogami spirit who holds Shinto ritual bells and dances wildly, jingling them for passers-by to hear. Similarly, Bronzo is based on Ungaikyou, a cursed mirror with the power to control viewers and make them see what they want to see.
Many ghost-type Pokémon are inspired by tsukumogami. In real-world folklore, these spirits are said to be spirits that possess objects. Poltergeist is an interesting object-inspired Pokémon that takes inspiration from the Western concept of poltergeists, but also features elements of the Morinji no Okama, a tsukumogami that is basically a living teapot. To further solidify the connection between ghost-types and tsukumogami, Rotom plays directly into the concept of spirits possessing inanimate objects, as it has the gimmick of being able to change shape depending on the appliance it possesses.
Not all players will necessarily be fans of these object monsters, even knowing about their folklore-inspired designs, but it’s important to appreciate the considered design choices that went into creating these monsters and realize that these monsters are far from shoddy designs or simply objects with eyes.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the main entries in the series’ ninth generation, introducing over 100 new Pokémon and bringing players to the Paldea region.
- release
- November 18, 2022
- ESRB
- Suitable for everyone due to mild fantasy violence.
- How much time can you beat it?
- 31 hrs
- Metascore
- 72
