Talk:Misdreavus (Pokémon)
Edit Request
Pokedex entry anime Mischivous - mischivous, plz! Littlmiget123 14:09, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
- Another edit request- under name origin it says "Its Japanese name, Muma, is probably a corruption of of"... can someone remove one of the "of"s? →Tinā ♫δ 19:16, 12 November 2009 (UTC)
On origin section...
It is likely that Misdreavus is based off an okubi[1] rather than a nukebuki. Its necklace also looks remarkably like a Buddhist prayer beads [2] which are sometimes colored bright red. Trainer Yusuf (talk) 22:08, 14 February 2016 (UTC)
Trivia
In generation II, Misdreavus can learn learn Dream Eater, but no moves that inflict sleep (except by event). Is this notable? LavaringX (talk) 03:33, 18 June 2018 (UTC)
- No, because the Abra, Slowpoke, Lickitung, and several other Generation II evolution lines can also learn Dream Eater but not moves like Hypnosis or Sweet Kiss. Frozen Fennec 03:44, 18 June 2018 (UTC)
Pronunciation
I've heard it pronounced Ms. Drev-iss and Ms. Dree-viss FireLizard (talk) 20:02, 19 February 2019 (UTC)
Another origin theory
The mare note is sooo close.
Given that its Japanese name derives from nightmare and it looks like floating hair (complete with a hair tie and literally the meaning of its Paradox form's name), I think it Misdreavus is most likely based on the Polish spirit zmora, described as the wandering soul of a witch (hence Misdreavus' evolution into Mismagius) that can take the form of a strand or lock of hair. The Germanic mare has similar night terror-inducing abilities, but the zmora has a more succubus-like nature (hence Misdreavus' feminine appearance and absorbing nutrients via fear). Its pranksterish nature MIGHT pull inspiration from the hair-pulling ushirogami for a little bit of Japanese flair and I feel that the beads could be hinting at more, but zmora seems like the core inspiration.
Also, sticking to Polish mythos, could the pterosaur-like Flutter Mane be based on the strzyga? It, like the zmora, had a feminine appearance and vampiric tendencies but was more bird-like. https://brendan-noble.com/the-strzyga-striga-in-polish-mythology/ Icycatelf (talk) 07:04, 27 October 2025 (UTC)
- I suspect the banshee connection coming from its Japanese category (よなき crying/wailing), but there's another banshee-like spirit more closely related to the zmora. The Russian kikimora, as far as I can find, doesn't transform into hair like her Polish counterpart, but her sobbing at your gate/doorstep is considered an omen of death. Icycatelf (talk) 07:59, 27 October 2025 (UTC)
- Sorry but on what grounds did you delete the origin section only to write your own theory? I'm bringing the old version back. MarshiyanMisutaa (talk) 00:20, 1 April 2026 (UTC)
- I rewrote it because there's just far too much that lines up imo. Icycatelf (talk)
- Sorry but on what grounds did you delete the origin section only to write your own theory? I'm bringing the old version back. MarshiyanMisutaa (talk) 00:20, 1 April 2026 (UTC)