List of references to popular culture in Pokémon

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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

GOTCHA!

  • The animated short opens with a scene of the four protagonists of Stand by Me walking along a railroad, a reference to the film which played on the television in the Generation I games.

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

References

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


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