List of references to popular culture in Pokémon: Difference between revisions

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m (→‎In the core series: I decided to hide this because there's no further reference than in the name.)
(→‎In the games: the boosted Aeroblast/Sacred Fire in GO has (+) and (++) versions. i don't think there was ever a C+ programming language, so i don't think this counts.)
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'''References to other franchises in the ''Pokémon'' franchise''' are occasionally made.
'''References to other franchises in the ''Pokémon'' franchise''' are occasionally made.
==Multiple media==
* {{p|Snorlax}}'s Japanese name, カビゴン ''Kabigon'', is derived from [[Kōji Nishino]]'s nickname of "Kirby" (Japanese: カービィ ''Kābī''), which in turn is derived from {{wk|Kirby|the video game character of the same name}}. According to an interview by Game Informer, Junichi Masuda stated that Nishino, the main inspiration for Snorlax, used to be called "Kirby" during the development of {{game|Red and Green|s}} because of his large appetite.<ref name=GameInformer>Shea, Brian (October 24, 2019). "[https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/10/24/more-burning-questions-for-the-pokemon-series More Burning Questions For The Pokémon Series]." ''Game Informer''. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220523044442/https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/10/24/more-burning-questions-for-the-pokemon-series archived])</ref>
* {{p|Celesteela}} may be based on Princess Kaguya from ''{{wp|The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter}}'', which was said to have been discovered as a baby inside a bamboo stalk, and was revealed to hail from the Moon. This may be referenced with Celesteela's design, which seems to visually combine bamboo shoots and trunks with elements of a {{wp|space shuttle}}, and a depiction of Princess Kaguya as a woman with long hair wearing a multilayered {{wp|kimono}}. It may also be referenced with the fact that Celesteela is exclusive to {{pkmn|Sun and Moon|Pokémon Moon}} and {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Moon}}.
* {{p|Mr. Rime}}'s design seems to reference silent film actor {{wp|Charlie Chaplin}}'s iconic {{wp|The Tramp|Tramp}} character. Like the Tramp, Mr. Rime seems to wear a bowler hat, a black suit jacket, baggy trousers, and large dress shoes, along with carrying a cane and sporting a mustache. Mr. Rime is native to the [[Galar]] region, which is inspired by Charlie Chaplin's home country, the {{wp|United Kingdom}}.


==In the games==
==In the games==
===In the core series===
===In the core series===
* In the [[Generation I]] games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, in the {{OBP|Copycat|character}}'s room there is a [[television]] connected to a [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] running "''A game with <sc>{{smw|Mario}}</sc> wearing a bucket on his head!''", referring to the Japan-exclusive game ''{{smw|Mario & Wario}}'', also developed by [[Game Freak]].
* In the [[Generation I]] games, the television in the {{player}}'s house says, "''There's a movie on TV. Four boys are walking on railroad tracks.'' …I'd better go, too.", which is a reference to the film ''{{wp|Stand by Me (film)|Stand by Me}}''. This carries over to {{g|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} if the player chose male for their character's [[gender]]. If the player chose female, the TV says, "''There's a movie on TV. A girl in pigtails is walking down a yellow brick road.'' …I'd better go, too.", which is a reference to the film ''{{wp|The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz}}''.
* In the [[Generation I]] games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, {{tc|Hiker}} Eric in the [[Rock Tunnel]] makes a reference to the song ''{{wp|Hit Me with Your Best Shot}}'' by {{wp|Pat Benatar}}, saying "''Hit me with your best shot!''" prior to battle, and "''Fired away!''" after being defeated.
** In Pokémon Sun and Moon, upon player interaction with the television in the player's house, it will say "''They are showing a movie on TV. The scene is showing four boys walking down a set of railroad tracks…'' But it's time you get going!" Just as in FireRed and LeafGreen and Generation I, this is a reference to the movie ''Stand by Me'' and a callback to those earlier games.
* In the [[Generation I]] games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, {{tc|Poké Maniac|PokéManiac}} Ashton in the [[Rock Tunnel]] makes a reference to ''{{wp|Mobile Fighter G Gundam}}'', saying "''Pokémon Fight! Ready, Go!''" prior to battle. Official Gundam Fights in the series began with both participants declaring "Gundam Fight! Ready, Go!"
* In the [[Generation I]] games and FireRed and LeafGreen, in the {{OBP|Copycat|character}}'s room there is a [[television]] connected to a [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] running "''A game with <sc>{{smw|Mario}}</sc> wearing a bucket on his head!''", referring to the Japan-exclusive game ''{{smw|Mario & Wario}}'', also developed by [[Game Freak]].
* In the Generation I games and FireRed and LeafGreen, {{tc|Hiker}} Eric in the [[Rock Tunnel]] makes a reference to the song ''{{wp|Hit Me with Your Best Shot}}'' by {{wp|Pat Benatar}}, saying "''Hit me with your best shot!''" prior to battle, and "''Fired away!''" after being defeated.
* In the Generation I games and FireRed and LeafGreen, {{tc|Poké Maniac|PokéManiac}} Ashton in the [[Rock Tunnel]] makes a reference to ''{{wp|Mobile Fighter G Gundam}}'', saying "''Pokémon Fight! Ready, Go!''" prior to battle. Official Gundam Fights in the series began with both participants declaring "Gundam Fight! Ready, Go!"
* In the [[Generation II]] games, the television in the player's house says "''There's a movie on TV: Stars dot the sky as two boys ride on a train...'' I'd better get rolling too!", which is a reference to the 1985 anime film ''{{wp|Night on the Galactic Railroad (film)|Night on the Galactic Railroad}}'', which was based on the 1927 Japanese novel {{wp|Night on the Galactic Railroad|with the same name}}.
* In the [[Generation II]] games, the television in the player's house says "''There's a movie on TV: Stars dot the sky as two boys ride on a train...'' I'd better get rolling too!", which is a reference to the 1985 anime film ''{{wp|Night on the Galactic Railroad (film)|Night on the Galactic Railroad}}'', which was based on the 1927 Japanese novel {{wp|Night on the Galactic Railroad|with the same name}}.
* In the {{pmin|France|French localization}} of {{game|Crystal}}, the {{tc|Sage|Wise Trio}} are named {{wp|Kenshiro|Ken}}, {{wp|List of Fist of the North Star characters#Shu|Shuu}} and {{wp|Raoh}}, referencing the manga ''{{wp|Fist of the North Star}}''.
* In the {{pmin|France|French localization}} of {{game|Crystal}}, the {{tc|Sage|Wise Trio}} are named {{wp|Kenshiro|Ken}}, {{wp|List of Fist of the North Star characters#Shu|Shuu}} and {{wp|Raoh}}, referencing the manga ''{{wp|Fist of the North Star}}''.
* In {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, upon {{player}} interaction, the television in the player's house says "''There is a movie on TV. Two men are dancing on a big piano keyboard.'' Better get going!", which is a reference to the movie ''{{wp|Big (film)|Big}}''.
* In {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, upon {{player}} interaction, the television in the player's house says "''There is a movie on TV. Two men are dancing on a big piano keyboard.'' Better get going!", which is a reference to the movie ''{{wp|Big (film)|Big}}''.
* In {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, the television in the player's house produces one of two messages upon player interaction, with the reference being dependent on which [[gender]] the {{player}} chose. If the player chose male, the TV says, "''There's a movie on TV. Four boys are walking on railroad tracks.'' …I'd better go, too.", which is a reference to the film ''{{wp|Stand by Me (film)|Stand by Me}}''. This was also in the [[Generation I]] games. If the player chose female, the TV says, "''There's a movie on TV. A girl in pigtails is walking down a yellow brick road.'' …I'd better go, too.", which is a reference to the film ''{{wp|The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz}}''.
* During the Gym battle in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, [[Fantina]] exclaims "Never give up, never surrender!", the catchphrase from the 1999 science fiction comedy movie ''{{wp|Galaxy Quest}}''.
* During the Gym battle in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, [[Fantina]] exclaims "Never give up, never surrender!", the catchphrase from the 1999 science fiction comedy movie ''{{wp|Galaxy Quest}}''.
* In {{game|Platinum}} at {{si|Victory Road}}, {{tc|Ace Trainer}} Omar says, "One day, people will run to the other side of the road when I walk by 'em." This may be a reference to {{wp|Omar Little}} from the series ''{{wp|The Wire}}'' where people often run away when they see him walking down the street.  
* In {{game|Platinum}} at {{si|Victory Road}}, {{tc|Ace Trainer}} Omar says, "One day, people will run to the other side of the road when I walk by 'em." This may be a reference to {{wp|Omar Little}} from the series ''{{wp|The Wire}}'' where people often run away when they see him walking down the street.  
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* In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, there is a {{tc|Young Couple}} in [[Sea Mauville]] named Lois and Hal, a reference to ''Malcolm in the Middle''.
* In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, there is a {{tc|Young Couple}} in [[Sea Mauville]] named Lois and Hal, a reference to ''Malcolm in the Middle''.
* In [[Pokémon Sun and Moon]], [[Samson Oak]] tells the player to follow the "black brick road" to find him, a reference to the {{wp|yellow brick road}} in ''{{wp|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz}}''.
* In [[Pokémon Sun and Moon]], [[Samson Oak]] tells the player to follow the "black brick road" to find him, a reference to the {{wp|yellow brick road}} in ''{{wp|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz}}''.
* In Pokémon Sun and Moon, upon player interaction with the television in the player's house, it will say "''They are showing a movie on TV. The scene is showing four boys walking down a set of railroad tracks…'' But it's time you get going!" Just as in FireRed and LeafGreen and Generation I, this is a reference to the movie ''Stand by Me'' and a callback to those earlier games.
* In Pokémon Sun and Moon, if the player takes a picture of water while using the {{DL|Rotom Pokédex|Poké Finder}}, one of the possible comments is "7.8/10 Too much water ¯\_('-- ')_/¯", a reference to the meme spawned by {{wp|IGN}}'s [https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/18/pokemon-alpha-sapphire-and-omega-ruby-review infamous review] of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
* In Pokémon Sun and Moon, if the player takes a picture of water while using the {{DL|Rotom Pokédex|Poké Finder}}, one of the possible comments is "7.8/10 Too much water ¯\_('-- ')_/¯", a reference to the meme spawned by {{wp|IGN}}'s [https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/18/pokemon-alpha-sapphire-and-omega-ruby-review infamous review] of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
* In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a man riding a {{p|Mudsdale}} on {{rt|13|Alola}} says, "''Hi-yo, Mudsdale! Away!''", telling the player that he's pretending to be a hero he loved as a child. This is a reference to the ''{{wp|Lone Ranger}}''.
* In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a man riding a {{p|Mudsdale}} on {{rt|13|Alola}} says, "''Hi-yo, Mudsdale! Away!''", telling the player that he's pretending to be a hero he loved as a child. This is a reference to the ''{{wp|Lone Ranger}}''.
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* In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, all [[Meowth Theater]] dungeons are named after real life movies: [[Meowth in Black]] is a reference to ''{{wp|Men in Black (film)|Men in Black}}'', [[My Fair Misdreavus]] is a reference to ''{{wp|My Fair Lady (film)|My Fair Lady}}'', [[For a Few Boldores More]] is a reference to ''{{wp|For a Few Dollars More}}'', [[Casameownca]] is a reference to ''{{wp|Casablanca (film)|Casablanca}}'', and [[It's a Meownderful Life]] is a reference to ''{{wp|It's a Wonderful Life}}''.
* In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, all [[Meowth Theater]] dungeons are named after real life movies: [[Meowth in Black]] is a reference to ''{{wp|Men in Black (film)|Men in Black}}'', [[My Fair Misdreavus]] is a reference to ''{{wp|My Fair Lady (film)|My Fair Lady}}'', [[For a Few Boldores More]] is a reference to ''{{wp|For a Few Dollars More}}'', [[Casameownca]] is a reference to ''{{wp|Casablanca (film)|Casablanca}}'', and [[It's a Meownderful Life]] is a reference to ''{{wp|It's a Wonderful Life}}''.
* In {{ga|Detective Pikachu}}, the names of the [[Baker Detective Agency]] and its director, [[Mike Baker]], are references to {{wp|Baker Street}}, where the fictional detective {{wp|Sherlock Holmes}}'s home is located.
* In {{ga|Detective Pikachu}}, the names of the [[Baker Detective Agency]] and its director, [[Mike Baker]], are references to {{wp|Baker Street}}, where the fictional detective {{wp|Sherlock Holmes}}'s home is located.
* In [[Pokémon GO]], the way boosted versions of {{m|Aeroblast}} and {{m|Sacred Fire}} are named is a reference to the names of {{wp|C (programming language)|C}} and {{wp|C++}}, two programming languages (C++ is a successor to C).


==In the anime==
==In the anime==

Revision as of 06:44, 4 September 2022

References to other franchises in the Pokémon franchise are occasionally made.

Multiple media

  • Snorlax's Japanese name, カビゴン Kabigon, is derived from Kōji Nishino's nickname of "Kirby" (Japanese: カービィ Kābī), which in turn is derived from the video game character of the same name. According to an interview by Game Informer, Junichi Masuda stated that Nishino, the main inspiration for Snorlax, used to be called "Kirby" during the development of Pokémon Red and Green because of his large appetite.[1]
  • Celesteela may be based on Princess Kaguya from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, which was said to have been discovered as a baby inside a bamboo stalk, and was revealed to hail from the Moon. This may be referenced with Celesteela's design, which seems to visually combine bamboo shoots and trunks with elements of a space shuttle, and a depiction of Princess Kaguya as a woman with long hair wearing a multilayered kimono. It may also be referenced with the fact that Celesteela is exclusive to Pokémon Moon and Ultra Moon.
  • Mr. Rime's design seems to reference silent film actor Charlie Chaplin's iconic Tramp character. Like the Tramp, Mr. Rime seems to wear a bowler hat, a black suit jacket, baggy trousers, and large dress shoes, along with carrying a cane and sporting a mustache. Mr. Rime is native to the Galar region, which is inspired by Charlie Chaplin's home country, the United Kingdom.

In the games

In the core series

In the side series

In spin-off games

In the anime

Original series

The Team Rocket trio in their Morning Musume-inspired disguises in EP243

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Zorua mimicking MGM's logo

Pokémon the Series: XY

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Pokémon Adventures

  • Dahlia's catchphrase is "Que Sera, Sera", a reference to a popular song by the same name.
  • Jet, a competitor in the Pokéathlon, is based on Jet Link (or Cyborg 002) from Cyborg 009, having a near identical resemblance and his reputation for being fast.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In the TCG

In the books

See also


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  1. Shea, Brian (October 24, 2019). "More Burning Questions For The Pokémon Series." Game Informer. (archived)