Are Pokemon based on real animals?

Answer 1

Most of them are, but some are based on myth (Ho-Oh the phoenix, etc) and some are even based on humans (Smeargle).

Pokemon and even Pokemon names are based losely on existing animals, but sometimes include extinct creatures and myths and legends. One single Pokemon can be drawn from both myth and reality. Most Pokemon are based on animals while legendary Pokemon are based more on myth. Let's take a look at Espeon, a Psychic-type Pokemon.

Espeon; a purple cat-like Pokemon with a forked tail and a red jewel on its forehead. This Pokemon is based on Nekomata (or Bakeneko), which is a mythical cat with a forked tail. It is said to have supernatural powers in Japanese folklore. It's English name derives from ESP - extra-sensory perception (ie. psychic ability).

You will see that many Pokemon take their form from Japanese culture.

Mewoth is simply a cat with a large coin on it's head. It is based on the Japanese Maneki-Neko, a typical coloured house cat holding a large coin that has the number Sen (one thousand) painted on it. It is said to bring fortune and luck to its owner. The coin on its head correlates with Meowth's nature - that of a fasination with coins and shiny objects.

Another example is Anorith, which is actually based on an extinct animal. Anorith closely resembles the Anomalocaris - an ancient creature that used to swim in the seas, propelled by the apendages on the side of its body.

As you can see, Pokemon are based on creatures and myth, with some degree of imagination. You should note that almost every Pokemon has some degree of myth, mostly relating to Japanese folklaw, while the rest is simply of an animal.

Also, their names change. for example, arbok and ekans spelled backwards is lobra and snake.

It is important to remember, however, that there are many inorganic Pokemon which have taken their form from objects. Pokemon such as Porygon, Magneton, Nosepass and Regice do not derrive from species of animals. Instead they are personifications of otherwise inatamite objects. They generally have few animal-like qualities. Thus not all Pokemon are based on real animals.

Some of them are but not all of them. Raikou, Entei, and Suicune are based on dpgs. Espeon, Persian, and others are based on cats. Articuno,Zapdos, and Moltres are based on birds. Mantine is based on a stringray. There is more like fish and whales. Skuntank is a skunk. Pikachu is a pika which is an animal that is a very cute rodent. Some of them are mythical creatures. Pokemons that are not animals are Darkrai, Celebi, Giratina so almost all the legendaries but they can be mythical creatures.