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On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspiration

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On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspirations behind ...

In another column exploring the likely cultural and zoological origins of Pokémon species, we take a look at the Turtwig family.

Read more on Bulbanews
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

The first Origin Story I already knew. Phew. Don't have to learn anything today.

But a good article. I loved the opening.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

So the development of the Turtwig family isn't as lazy as I thought it was.

Just imagine this infinite stack of increasing large turtles. As untrue as it is, the mere thought of it is mind-blowing.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

I don't have time to read this now, but looks like a good read.

So the development of the Turtwig family isn't as lazy as I thought it was.

If you look at most pokemon, you'll see this, pokemon designs are not as simple as we think some are, take Dunsparce, most think its stupid, but reading bulbapedia, aside from its name, what what its based on is quite interesting:

Dunsparce is based on the mythical tsuchinoko. Similar to Bigfoot or the Chupacabra, sightings and reports appear in the Japanese media, however hard evidence is always lacking. Tsuchinoko are 30 cm to 80 cm long, with a large head and poisonous fangs. Its body is thicker than its head and tail. The noises it makes resemble squeaks, chirps and snores. Unlike real snakes, which slither from side to side, a tsuchinoko wiggles ahead in a straight line. The tsuchinoko curls its body to leap through the air. Moreover, the fact that Dunsparce, a snake-like creature, has wings also brings to mind the motif of the Feathered Serpent, a prominent deity or supernatural being in many Mesoamerican religions. In addition, Dunsparce shares some traits with bumblebees, including their stripes, tiny wings, stinger-like tail, and the fact that they burrow into the ground.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Oh my god Game Freak have actually got good inspiration.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Wow, this one I actually already knew =)

Wasnt there a boss in KH2 based of the same thing?
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

This one should have been obvious, considering Torterra's HGSS entry.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Wow, this one I actually already knew =)

Wasnt there a boss in KH2 based of the same thing?

Ground Shaker Heartless formed by multiples of Scar's Ghost in the Pride Lands? I think so.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

I remember someone saying that the new pokemon look "uninspired." but after I found this site I found that Game Freak actually does some work in creating these pokemon. I kind of figured the Turtwig family would be based on the concept of the world turtle.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Ground Shaker Heartless formed by multiples of Scar's Ghost in the Pride Lands? I think so.

Oh christ, don't remind me of that guy.

I always thought anatomically that the Turtwig family were based off of snapping turtles.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the turtle from avatar the last airbender
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

This is why I fell in love with Torterra after first seeing it: I instantly knew what its origin was and what it was based off. Such an idea occured to me in designing some fake Pokemon. It was one of those ideas in an ocean of miscellaneous concepts and thoughts that I had created just out of random brainstorming prior to Torterra's creation from which I wished there would actually be a design for. So BAM, here's Torterra, and I'm very glad they chose a starter as the base AND to make it Grass/Ground (a perfect fit).

Of course, they added a nice touch by turning Torterra into a small variation on the dinosaur ankylosaurus (or closely related relative). He's not ALL turtle thankfully, like Turtwig and (arguably) Grotle. Just seeing this powerful creature makes you think, "damn, he must have a great defense."
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Instantly when I saw Torterra I thought he was based off of Genbu, the northern holy beast of Kyoto. Mostly because of Digimon depicting his digimon version as a giant two headed tortoise with a giant tree on the back of his shell. And now I'm trying to imagine torterra with an Irish brogue...
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

I only thought of Discworld, but it is cool to know that that was from somewhere to.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Wow, this one I actually already knew =)

Wasnt there a boss in KH2 based of the same thing?

200px-Groundshaker.png
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

I remember first seeing Torterra and remembering some of the Native American myths about turtles forming islands. It's cool how so many different cultures have variations on the same story.
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

ThisPleasesGaga.jpg
]Mother monster loves the article.
I love the article, since I really like Torterra.
 
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Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

Ebonwumon from Digimon was the first incarnation of the Gaia Tortoise that I ever knew, Digimon made roughly 2000 character designs while pokemon only did a little more than 151 at the start.
What puzzles me is that I know they are both in Japanese culture, but Ebonwumon has 2 trees, 2 heads. While Torterra has a tree and some mountains, but neither has any water on them.

And I guess Torterra comepletes the 4 gods too...Ho-oh, Raikou (argueable), Rayquaza, and Torterra.

PS-I named my first Torterra Gamera :D
 
Re: On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra: Investigating the inspira

So the development of the Turtwig family isn't as lazy as I thought it was.

Uh... Not to be a dick or anything, but aren't all these a
Origin articles just fan-wank? Admittedly, they offer up some interesting and surprising theories as to the inspiration of certain odd-looking Pokemon, but do any of them actually cite any actual sources, like articles or something where someone from GF actually confirms that this was the idea behind a certain Pokemon? Who's to say that GF really wasn't just strapped for a new Grass starter back during the early days of GenIV production (and honestly, I think this every time I've seen a Grass starter, even back in GenI), and Sugimori didn't just say "Fuck it. Here's a turtle with a tree on it's back. Go nuts."
 
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