The Bidoof line is known throughout the Pokémon community as the ideal "HM slave", especially in the Sinnoh region. While Bidoof can only learn Cut (HM01) and Rock Smash (HM06), Bibarel can learn Cut (HM01), Surf (HM03), Strength (HM04), Whirlpool (HM05), Rock Smash (HM06), Waterfall (HM07) and Rock Climb (HM08), as well as Dive on some occasion, thanks to the change from a pure Normal-type to a dual Normal- and Water-types. These cute yet versatile Pokémon abound in Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola - but what are their real-world inspirations?

This week we’ll look at the last of the starters from Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Originally discovered in the Johto Region, Cyndaquil and its relatives are notable for having the exact same stat spread as Charmander’s. Its movepool consists mostly of Fire and Normal-type moves that don’t work off its higher Special Attack, but it’s one of the more unique Fire-type starters that’s based off an equally unique animal.

Sometimes a Pokémon’s inspiration is straightforward. One glance at Pidove, for example, easily shows it’s meant to be a pigeon. Others are slightly obtuse: Mightyena seems like it’s a wolf, but it’s based off a hyena. Then you have Pokémon where their origins aren’t very clear. Today’s subjects, Remoraid and Octillery, have baffled a good majority of Pokémon fans since their introduction in 1999.

People end up liking a Pokémon for a variety of reasons. It could be due to how well the Pokémon performs in battle, particularly what types it has or what moves it learns. Generally, though, Pokémon become popular because of their design. A Pokémon’s physical appearance is the very first noticeable attribute, and how loved the Pokémon is strongly dependent on first impressions. Luckily for today’s subject, they flew – or, rather, rolled – straight into people’s hearts. It’s fair to say that the Alolan Starters are all popular, but Rowlet is likely the most popular of all.

Few creatures maintain a hold on impressionable imaginations as the dinosaurs. Yet despite the clear popularity of dinosaurs – both in Japan and worldwide — Pokémon did not introduce dinosaur-based Fossils until Diamond & Pearl. It wasn’t until X & Y that creatures of the stereotypical dinosaur body plans were introduced. The inspiration for Tyrunt] & Tyrantrum are somewhat obvious at first glance: they’re based on the carnivorous dinosaur. The star of Jurassic Park and every other piece of dinosaur media. The most famous predator to ever roam the planet, waiting to devour any hapless animal that got too close. I am talking, of course, about Tyrannosaurus rex[/I].

I’ve enjoyed every main series Pokémon game I’ve played, but if I had to choose, Pokémon Black & White[ would be my absolute favorites. I also love the Pokémon introduced in Generation V. I think every single design fits perfectly and each one is special. A lot of my favorite Pokémon come from Gen V: Haxorus, Krookodile, Vanilluxe, Klinklang, Galvantula… and my favorite starter of all. The one people mocked when it was first unveiled: the Water-type, Oshawott.

Some of the most iconic Pokémon are the ones you receive from the Professor at the beginning of the game. Known as “Starter Pokémon”, they are a beginning Trainer’s first partner that often sticks with them throughout their journey. Each generation’s starters are marketed intensely during that generation’s life span, but most fans would argue that Kanto’s starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – are the most well-known of all (outside of Pikachu, anyways). For 2021’s Pokémon Day, the series’ 25th anniversary, we’ll take a look at the very first Pokémon listed in the National Pokédex. Some would say this guy’s the most underrated Kanto Starter, but for Bulbagarden, Bulbasaur is always number one.

After almost exactly seven years, Bulbagarden's "On the Origin of Species" has returned! In this series, I will be diving deep into the real life inspirations the concept and design of a different Pokémon or evolutionary line with each installment. Today, I wanted to start off this revival with one of the newest additions to our starter lineup, the Sobble family. I've always been fascinated by reptiles. It's a fantastically diverse group of animals, coming in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Many even change colors based on environmental factors or their life stage. The most famous example of this is of course the chameleon, which is actually an entire family of lizards scientifically known as Chamaeleonidae. Sobble and its relatives clearly take inspiration from these lizards, most closely resembling the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Chameleons change their colors for a variety of reasons. Camouflage plays a role, but typically their relaxed, mottled or...