Who does not know these illustrious combat creatures who have been conquering the media for twenty years?
Pokémon are little monsters with supernatural powers., taken directly from video games, manga, anime and other derivative products. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, the founder of Game Freak, these critters have captivated many fans around the world.
Did you know that these funny beasts are directly inspired by japanese spirits ? You remember ? Yokai are little demons from Japanese folklore who possess extraordinary powers.…
In fact, the Pokémon seem to share some common ground with them. Let’s see the similarities together. pokemon vs yokai !
1. ? Goupix vs. Kitsune
In the famous video game, goupix It is a six-tailed fox that handles fire perfectly. this is a reminiscence the famous kitsune or fox from Japanese mythology. A polymorphic creature, this cunning spirit is capable of transforming, producing fire or even illusions to manipulate humans. Japanese legends say that the Kitsune is born with the appearance of a fox. It is only after the age of one hundred that the yokai begin to distinguish themselves and develop their powers. When you have a lot of experience, your hair turns white or gold. The number of tails the creature has indicates its age and his power. In addition, the Pokemon Vulpix evolves into feunarda light-haired fox with nine tails and exceptional longevity.
2. ? Nenupiot vs. Kappa
Like Kappariver monster, water lily hides in troubled waters. It is protected by a hollow, bowl-shaped water lily that also serves as its shell. this kind of pokemon Water ” Y ” Plant » can become Shade : A mixture of a boy and a turtle. When it rains, his basin fills up and Nénupiot regains his strength. Instead, if he loses his lily pad, he becomes weak. In Japanese folklore, the villain Kappa has been known to drown humans. With its hollow head, this yokai accumulates water and grows stronger. Otherwise, he runs out. This is why the best way to escape from a Kappa is to greet it so that it bows and drains the water from it.
3. ? Mentali vs Bakeneko
Mental It is a cat-like Pokémon with a tail that splits in two. does not refer to you Bakken, the ghost cat that terrorizes your home? Do you know that monster that shoots fireballs and transforms into a human ? Luckily Mentali is a bit friendlier. Intelligent and sensitive to his surroundings, Mentali can predict the weather or determine the movements of his opponents. Unlike the evil yokai, the Pokémon is extremely loyal to its master and therefore does not seek to devour it 😉 Depending on the relationship it has with the latter, Mentali can develop divinatory powers.
4. ? Feuforêve vs. Nukekubi
without legs or arms, Feuforêve is a ghost who loves to scare people. the nukekubi meanwhile, he is an ugly yokai whose neck sticks out. It is often confused with the long-necked monster called rokurokubi, she is often depicted as a woman with long black hair, dressed in a kimono. During the day, she is an ordinary person except that she has marks on her neck. At night, her head separates from her body and floats to better attack her victims. The yokai feeds on blood and emits terrifying screams. What are their common points? Feuforêve, like her cousin Nukekubi, also wears a flowing robe and has long hair. Her neck is covered in red stones that absorb the fear of her victims. Finally, these two creatures wake up at night to play tricks on humans.
5. ? Lippoutou vs. Yama-Uba
Did you know stop uba, the fearsome mountain witch who lives in the forest? This old lady who transformed into a pretty woman to lure wandering walkers to eat them raw? Her Pokémon counterpart would certainly be Lippoutoua humanoid monster that looks like a Opera singer. With its bleached hair and purple skin, the creature alludes to the Japanese Yamamba fashion, itself inspired by yokai. On the other hand, the red dress is reminiscent of the kimono of the old witch of the mountain. Yama Uba is said to have had the power to move her hair. As for Lipoutou, she irresistibly leads humans to dance.
6. ? Soporific vs Baku
Soporific It is a Pokémon with a small trunk, which feeds on dreams. It seems that this character is related to Baku. In Japanese mythology, Baku is a benevolent and legendary creature that feeds on thoughts, devouring the dreams and nightmares of humans.. This chimera with elephant and tiger attributes is also depicted as a tapir just like its cousin Pokémon Soporifik.
7. ? Tengalice vs. Tengu
With its beak, yellow eyes, white mane, and geta legs, Tengalice resembles the tengu. Do you remember… that red-faced, long-nosed demon halfway between man and bird? Formerly, this yokai was represented in the guise of a kite (a kind of bird of prey). He is credited with the power to fly, to watch over nature, to cause violent wind storms thanks to his fan. Havelice he himself has leafy hands which he waves like a fan to blow in the wind. He is also considered as the guardian of the forest. Finally, in the Pokémon game, the creature evolves into Pifeuil, a kind of wooden puppet with a long nose.
8. ? Fantominus vs. Onibi
In Japan it is said that certain souls transform into Place of birth after death. They are small flames that levitate above the ground and appear in cemeteries as will-o’-the-wisps. Composed of 95% gas, Fantominus can take various forms, cross surfaces or transform into hands. The Pokémon amuses itself by scaring humans by creating illusions or stealthily intoxicating them.
9. ? Mysdibule vs. Futakuchi-onna
What is the common point between Misdibulo et futakuchi onna ? Well… it’s about your second mouth or rather jaw for the Pokemon. Indeed, this monster from Japanese folklore has another mouth behind her head, like the adorable and fearsome Mysdibule, this girl with a large quilt behind her head that articulates into two crocodile jaws.
10. ? Barbicha vs Namazu
spread is a legendary creature that lives underground in Japan. The huge catfish from Japanese legends directly inspired barbach. Under its appearance as a blue fish with large whiskers, the Pokémon is capable of cause terrible earthquakes. Legend has it that only the god Takemikazuchi is able to control Namazu to prevent him from causing other earthquakes. However, it happens that the creature escapes from time to time. This is why the earth shakes regularly in the Land of the Rising Sun.
11. ? Flagadoss vs Sazae-Oni
marked et Sazae-Onni both are inspired by the hermit crab, you know… that crustacean that steals the shells of other marine molluscs? Like the decapod, Flagadoss is a lazy mollusk that stands upright thanks to a shell attached to its tail. And Sazae-onni? He is a soft-bodied aquatic demon that mainly preys on sailors to steal their gold. They say that the sea monster transforms into a young woman about to drown to attract its prey.
12. ? Magicarpe vs koi carp
An emblematic animal of Japan, the koi carp is the origin of the pokemon magicarpe. According to Yellow River legend, this particularly hardy fish manages to swim upstream to transform into a majestic dragon. If the koi carp is considered more of a brave and strong-willed animal in Japanese culture, the link to Magicapre is not immediately obvious. In fact, the Pokémon is known for its great weakness, especially with its attack ” Dressing “. It appears as a glassy-eyed goldfish, to no avail. However, he is incredibly resilient in dirty water and ends up as a koi carp, transforming into Leviator, a serpentine dragon.
And you, have you noticed any other similarities between the yokai and our friends the Pokémon? Tell us in comments…
