Top 10 Pokemon Based on Mythology
They had to get inspiration from somewhere! Join Ashley as we look over the Pokemon that were directly influenced by mythological figures
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Pokémon that are inspired
00:13 by real-life mythology and folklore.
00:16 If you like this, check out our other video, "Top 10 Pokémon Inspired By Mythical Creatures."
00:22 10.
00:30 Grievord & Houndstone With a simple spooky promo for Halloween in
00:35 2022, Pokémon made Grievord a must-get pup, as well as its evolution, Houndstone.
00:52 For this creature is more than a dancing, candle-hosting ghost dog.
00:56 Grievord and Houndstone are believed to be inspired by several Catalan and Iberia fables.
01:01 For starters, dip the vampiric hellhound.
01:04 Then there's Pisanta, usually a large dog-like creature that sits on a person's chest when
01:10 they sleep, making breathing difficult.
01:19 Both beasts drain energy from a human, just like their Pokémon counterparts.
01:24 Houndstone, in particular, is praised for its loyalty.
01:27 One mythological figure that is similar is the White Cadejo, from Central America.
01:33 Its eyes change colours as the shaggy hound protects people from the vicious Black Cadejo.
01:41 9.
01:44 Indeedee Even gods can serve humans happily.
01:48 Indeedee are depicted as helpful Pokémon that willingly help trainers and people.
01:59 And they draw inspiration from the Roman deities, the Lairies.
02:03 These gods come in a variety of specialties, but the ones closest to Indeedee are the Lairie's
02:08 familiars.
02:10 They protected families and cared for their well-being, but if they weren't respected,
02:15 they wouldn't help.
02:18 Similarly, Indeedee are strengthened by positive emotions.
02:22 Another creature that's believed to be an inspiration is the Brownie.
02:26 In Scottish mythology, as long as a family leaves out a food offering at night, like
02:31 milk or cream, the goblin-esque being will come out and do chores as the people sleep.
02:39 8.
02:43 Hydrapple On the surface, it seems like Hydrapple's
02:47 inspiration is the classic "worm in an apple" situation, but with dragons.
02:56 Yet, once you scratch the top layer, there's a lot more to it.
03:03 For starters, the being within the apple is believed to be taken from various multi-headed
03:08 mythological creatures.
03:10 For example, the Greek Hydra that Hercules famously defeated in his labours.
03:15 Plus, the name "Hydrapple" is seemingly a reference to it.
03:22 Hydrapple's "apple" has been credited to Christianity's original sin tale when
03:29 Eve plucked the fruit in the Garden of Eden after a snake persuaded her.
03:34 But if we take into account Hydrapple's shiny golden form, the Greek mythological
03:39 beast, Ladon, is alike.
03:41 After all, the serpent guarded golden apples until Hercules once again arrived.
03:51 7.
03:56 Hissuian Typhlosion
03:58 Pokemon Legends' Arceus was a surprising smash hit that introduced new Hissuian versions
04:04 of classic Pokés.
04:06 One of which was Typhlosion.
04:14 Beyond looking like it's higher than the stars, this remake of the Gen 2 starter is
04:18 believed to be connected to the Psychobomp with its Fire Ghost typing.
04:23 These creatures are depicted in many mythologies around the world, and are shown to escort
04:28 human souls to the afterlife.
04:30 For example, the Valkyrie in Norse mythology.
04:33 Yet, with Pokemon Legends' Arceus inspired by the Ezo region, one deity that closely
04:38 resembles Hissuian Typhlosion is the Kamui-Huchi from Ainu mythology.
04:51 After all, as a goddess of the hearth, she's closely connected with fire, as well as being
04:57 a gatekeeper to the afterlife.
05:04 6.
05:09 Annihilate
05:10 When you get a Primeape angry enough, it perishes and is remade into the ghost-fighting type
05:15 Annihilate.
05:16 While that's disturbing enough, it's also steeped in creepy mythology.
05:20 One of its inspirations is believed to be the Onryo from Japanese mythology, which are
05:26 vengeful spirits that can harm humans.
05:28 To connect Annihilate to the Iberian Peninsula that Pardia is inspired by, its design might
05:34 draw reference from the Basque mythological creature, the Basahorn.
05:39 Known as the "Lord of the Woods", these hairy, ape-esque humanoids are often depicted
05:44 as helpful protectors for farmers and shepherds.
05:47 However, they can appear as terrifying beasts, just like Annihilate.
05:56 5.
05:58 Hydreigon
06:00 As the name and the multiple heads suggest, the mythological Greek Hydra does play a role
06:05 in creating the dark dragon menace, Hydreigon.
06:17 However a stronger resemblance, especially with Hydreigon's red eyes, is to the Japanese
06:23 legend of the Yamata no Orochi.
06:25 The only issue is that the iconic dragon is described as having eight heads, to Hydreigon's
06:31 three.
06:41 As such, the pocket monster continues borrowing from more sources.
06:45 It's been connected to the Zeme from Russian folktales, as it often has three heads and
06:51 has been described as green-scaled, perhaps inspiring Hydreigon's shiny form.
06:57 The beasts involved in Hydreigon's beginnings are said to be the Persian mythological serpent,
07:03 Zahhak, and the Siberian Turkic tale of Yelbigen.
07:11 4.
07:13 Skeledouge
07:14 As one of Paldia's starters, many trainers got attached to the Calavera-designed Skeledouge.
07:20 Yet, this creature also has legendary origins.
07:31 According to a folktale from Girona, Spain, the Cocolona was a nun who was mistreated
07:37 and became a crocodile-esque ghost creature.
07:41 Another resource is the Lizard of La Molena, a massive mythical reptile from Cheyenne and
07:47 Majorca's Draconecocca, a crocodile with an exposed skeleton.
07:53 Plus, the ghost tales of Coco, whose face resembles a skull and punishes naughty children.
08:02 Another Paldia starter dipped in myth is Quackavile.
08:05 It's believed to be inspired by the Basque creature of La Maya, who is said to be a river-dwelling
08:11 woman with webbed duck feet who loves combing her hair.
08:20 3.
08:23 The Loyal Three
08:25 As the first part of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's DLC, the Teal Mask introduced us
08:30 to new legendary Pokémon with the Loyal Three, formed of the interestingly named Okidoki,
08:37 Monkeydory and Pheasendipity.
08:46 And their tale, while a bait-and-switch, does reference a real-life myth, Japan's Momotaro.
08:52 The story speaks of a hero boy, born of a giant peach, who befriends a talking dog,
08:58 monkey and pheasant as he tackles an Oni in that area.
09:08 The Oni we mentioned is played by Ogrepon.
09:12 Oni are often compared to ogres as well, which is seemingly connected to the Pokémon's
09:17 name.
09:18 Ogrepon's appearance is also inspired by Namahage, demon-like beings that people in
09:22 parts of Japan dress up as for rituals today.
09:32 2.
09:37 Lucario
09:38 If you were to ask people who their favourite Pokémon is, a hefty portion would select
09:43 Lucario.
09:45 The steel fighting machine from Gen 4 was featured in Palia.
09:58 Based on appearance alone, Lucario is seemingly inspired by the ancient Egyptian god, Anubis.
10:04 After all, both have a jackal-esque face.
10:07 But it goes further than that.
10:09 The Pokémon can read the aura of living things, and has been depicted with a relationship
10:14 to the afterlife, such as in its debut film, 2005's Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
10:26 While Anubis is known to help take souls to the underworld and judge them, Lucario's
10:31 shiny is said to be a reference to the Golden Jackal, which Anubis has a resemblance to
10:49 as well.
10:58 1.
11:01 Pteropagos
11:02 As a legendary Pokémon with three different forms, Pteropagos is inspired by a couple
11:07 of mythological tales.
11:11 For starters, in Japanese folklore, the Minogami is a species of turtle that has lived for
11:23 over a thousand years, and has algae or seaweed growing from it that resembles a tail.
11:30 Pteropagos' terrestrial form is shown as hairy, seemingly referring to the legend.
11:39 But when it goes all out and adorns its stellar form after terrestrialization, Pteropagos
11:45 appears to nod to the world turtle.
11:47 This creature appears in several myths across the world, including India and China, and
11:53 speaks of the Earth being carried on the back of a ginormous turtle.
11:57 Pteropagos' Pokédex entry even states it resembles the world as the ancient sword.
12:07 What's your favorite Gen 9 Pokémon to be introduced?
12:10 Tinkerton?
12:11 Pormat?
12:12 One of those mentioned in the video?
12:13 Or something else?
12:15 Let us know in those comments below.
12:32 Thanks for watching!
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