Summary

Part of what get to thePokémonseries such a timeless franchise is its connexion to myths from around the world . The succeeder of the serial has helped pass down some of the most well - known legends to new generations . The connection that some of these Pokémon share with their respective myth can be obvious , while others are far more obscure . Nevertheless , Pokémonowes some of its success to its ability to take a authoritative parable and blend it with the plot ’s own mythology . Some of these myths are far better known than others , and many of them are unknown and terrific .

Many of these myths take the air the assembly line between deities and demons . SomePokémon discover inspiration in the kind of monstersthat are the stuff of nightmare , while others are ambivalent or even benevolent . The traditional knowledge spans the orb — from Japan , Scotland , North America , and beyond . They immix the bank line between ancient legend and modern phantasy , introducing a unique dimension to thePokémonuniverse . Much like the Pokémon themselves , the series constantly evolve , with no signs of decelerate down . These are 10 Pokémon based on real - life monster myth .

The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is an gratifying improver , but it ’s bogged down by the same problem as the base games .

A female protagonist in her Blueberry Academy attire in front of Raging Bolt and Iron Crown.

10Sableye Is Based On the Creatures Of The Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter

Dark/Ghost-Type

Sableye is one of the few Pokémon based on an American devil legend . The Dark / Ghost - case Pokémonhas a design and personality based on the creature of the Kelly - Hopkinsville encounter . In the summer of 1955 , a Kentucky family unit ascertain a strange light descend from the sky not far from their home . For several hr after , they claimed they were under attack by a group of pocket-size hob - alike entities trying to enter their plate .

While the animate being are often link with UFOs , many believe they may have come from the cave systems running throughout the area . Sableye often lives in caves and other dour , secluded areas . Its prankster personality is similar to the Kentucky goblins , as the creatures that terrorized the family seemed more mischievous than malicious . Everything from Sableye ’s net claws to its round glowing oculus is borrow from the witness ' verbal description of the creatures .

The date , location , and venue of the Pokémon World Championships 2024 are all now known . Here ’s what to carry from the annual Pokémon event .

Pikachu

9Mimikyu Is Based On The Dreaded Mimic

Ghost/Fairy-Type

Few Pokémon have traditional knowledge as coloured and melancholicas Mimikyu . No one is certain what Mimikyu actually looks like , as legend maintains that anyone who fancy the real entity under its Pikachu costume will go down gravely ominous and possibly die . More than anything , Mimikyu desires fellowship but is deprive of it because of its honest manakin . It wears the Pikachu costume , as Pikachu is generally care by most . Mimikyu ’s Disguise Ability aligns it with the mimic , a fauna consider across many cultures .

While Mimikyu is finally benevolent , mimics are anything but . With the ability to disguise themselves as almost anyone or anything , they are able-bodied to pin their prey with a imitation horse sense of security . There are other Pokémon who can take on the chassis of other fauna and thing , but being disguised is core to who Mimikyu is . It may be a misunderstood , friendly Pokémon , but mimics are not .

8Golurk Is Based On The Famous “Golem Of Prague”

Ground/Ghost-Type

Golurk was inspired by the legend of the Golem , a fascinating wight from Judaic folklore . More specifically , Golurk took direct inspiration from the most famous of Golem myth , " The Golem of Prague . " These entities were say to be crafted from mud or clay and brought to life in human - like contour . Like the folkloric Golem , Golurk is an robot , made to act out the will of its Divine . While that may seem idealistic , Golems are said to take their fiat literally , often to their Lord ’s detriment .

Golurk is a Ground / trace - type Pokémon , and its monolithic , car - comparable appearance is an homage to the legendary Golem . The original intent of Golurk was to protect communities and other Pokémon , much as the Golem was also stand for to do . Its fierce allegiance to its owner is unfaltering , and given its size and strength , Golurk can try difficult to stop once it has been break orders .

7Mawile Pays Homage To The Futakuchi-onna

Steel/Fairy-Type

Mawile may seem lovely , but if an enemy ’s safety gadget is down , it can be quite deadly . dichotomy is core to the nature of this Steel / Fairy - case Pokémon , and the compounding of both its Fake Tears and Bite move embody this duality . Mawile ’s innocent , forward - facing features encourage unsuspicious foes to lower their defenses . That ’s when Mawile onslaught , biting down with the massive sword jaws protruding from the back of its headspring . Its Mega signifier is even more dangerous , as the beast ’s jaws are said to be capable of chewing through blade and stone .

Mawile takes its inspiration from one of the most terrifying entities of Japanese folklore , the Futakuchi - onna . One of many Yokai , the Futakuchi - onna represents duality in much the same way as Mawile . The myth has many variation , but the core idea is that the Futakuchi - onna preys on evil men — usually malicious married man . These entities took the form of a shy , timid woman — but on the back of their heads was another lip full of razor - sharp teeth . Like enemy of Mawile , mischievous hands soon conform to their close when the Futakuchi - onna reveal its dependable nature .

6Keldeo Is Inspired By The Kelpies Of Scottish Lore

Water/Fighting-Type

Keldeo is a Water / Fighting - case Pokémon inclose in Generation 5 . Being a piddle character , Keldeo is capable of running across vast surfaces of water and lust the thrill of struggle . It ’s no surprisal that facial expression of Keldeo were designed after the dire fable of the Kelpie . Like many Pokémon on this lean , Keldeo may appear innocent enough , but it can be a redoubtable opponent . The Kelpie is a far more sinister entity .

A grim type of Scots traditional knowledge , the Kelpie was an vicious entity that would often appear to its prey in the form of a beautiful black horse . The creature may manifest near the ocean , a lake , or other body of water . For any inauspicious individual foolish enough to depend on the phantom gymnastic horse , they would soon realize the creature was no of this macrocosm . victim of the Kelpie would be carried off into the sea to be swim . While not malign like the Kelpie , Keldeo is a clear nod to the myth .

5Zapados Has Connections To The Thunderbird

Electric/Flying-Type

Zapdos is a legendary Electric / flight - character Pokémonthat has been a buff favorite sincePokémon : Red & Blue . An veneration - exalt avian brute that descends from the sky , with command over weather and electricity . Its bright scandalmongering color and spiked trunk represent the great power of the ingredient it wields . Its Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt moves are powerful attacks with high base power and equally high truth rates .

Zapdos partake in an evident connector to the Thunderbird of Native American traditional knowledge , a majestic entity capable of let out scag and lightning with the flap of its wings . Not only does the brute appeal a sense of powerfulness and aegis , but many cultures also see the Thunderbird as a bringer of the rain that are indispensable to life and the health of crops . While there are variations in the myth across tribe and culture , Zapdos reflects elements of this consecrated entity .

4Tangela Is Based On A Notable Greek Myth

Grass-Type

Tangela is an instantly recognizable Gen-1 Pokémon with ties to one of the most famed monster myth . TheGrass - case Pokémonhides its face in a peck of blue vines , with only its eyes seeable from within . Vine Whip and Sleep Powder are synonymous with Tangela , a on-key nostalgic basic of the original 151 . Its Ancient Power attack is a fitting one , seeing as this Pokémon is base on a terrifying ancient fable .

Medusa is one of the most recognizable scoundrel of Greek lore , and her horrifying head of snake ispaid homage to by Tangela ’s design . It ’s fitting that Tangela ’s Ancient Power attack is a Rock - based flak , as the bare sight of Medusa was said to turn one to lapidate . While Tangela is a mostly unassuming Pokémon , the foundational myth it ’s based on is quite the opposite .

Most Pokémon become good or based on how they are trained . However , some Pokémon may actually be malign .

Sabeleye, Tangela And Lapras From Pokemon Over A Purple And Blue Background

Original Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

3Houndoom Is A Nod To The Infamous Hellhound

Dark/Fire-Type

Houndoom is a Dark / flame - type Pokémon that is adequate part bark and bite . Other Pokémon cower when they hear its phantasmal howl , as it was once believed that find out Houndoom ’s call was an Muscat and Oman of expiry . The Gen-2 Pokémon emits fire from its hellish maw , and anyone sting by it is aver to feel the pain for timeless existence . " infinity " is an liable news to practice , asHoundoom is inspired by the myth of a creature from hell itself .

The Hellhound is a fearsome creature found in many cultural myth , most famously in British and Grecian lore . In many iterations , the Hellhound was a massive eye tooth entity that come to Earth to collect the souls of the maledict . To hear the howl of the Hellhound was a grim foretelling of someone ’s approaching fate . Both Houndoom ’s invention and name are an obvious tip - of - the - hat to the deadly dog-iron .

2Drowzee Is Based On The Dream-Eating Baku

Psychic-Type

Drowzee is a Psychic Pokémon , instantly recognizable as one of the Gen-1 archetype . It ’s most known for its insatiable hunger for dreams , often eat those of the foes it puts to catch some Z’s . Adding to its creep gene is Drowzee ’s penchant for the dream of children . If friendly with a Drowzee , it can run through away any incubus that might bother its trainer . It can also show the darkest of nightmares to those it wish to appall .

Drowzee is free-base on the Nipponese legend of the Baku . While the description of its appearance varies , it ’s often shown as having the body of a bear , with the snout of an elephant . Drowzee showcases these features , as well as the Baku ’s appetence for dreams . Many who suffer nightmare can ascertain a friend in the Baku , as it has a protective nature . Like Drowzee , the Baku is neither good nor evil -just hope you ’re on its good side .

1Toterra Borrows From The Cosmic World Turtle

Grass/Ground-Type

Torterra is a Grass / Ground - type Pokémon , and view the myth it ’s ground on , it literally bear thePokémonuniverse on its back . Introduced in Gen-4 , Torterra can be described as an armored tortoise , with a landscape growing on its back . Often , it will even take other Pokémon on its racing shell , showcasing its strength and staying power . It ’s no surprise that inPokémonlore , many experience the ground beneath them was actually a Torterra .

Torterra is based on the myth of the World Turtle , an entity that is partake across many finish with their own variations . As the fable goes , this cosmic animate being is consider to carry the entire major planet on its back , symbolizing liveliness ’s connexion to nature . Torterra ’s connector to the World Turtle are obvious - the creatures and landscape it carry on its back , its immense strength , and connectedness to nature . What the World Turtle symbolizes in human cultivation , so does Torterra for the cosmos ofPokémon .

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