Pokémon Head-Canon: Typing

Remember how back in the day, the dragon master Lance had three dragon-type Pokemon and two non-dragons? You know how people have always wondered how people have questioned how Goomy is a dragon-type but Charizard still isn’t? There are many examples throughout the 1000+ Pokemon roster whose thing doesn’t seem to make sense. Memes about them consistently spread across social media. 

I don’t remember when this head-canon started but a lightbulb went off when one of those Pokemon type memes came across my feed: Typing as little to do with appearance; it’s about the Pokemon’s characteristics and interactions with the elements. 

If that doesn’t make sense, let me break down what I mean. In the world of Pokemon, it’s not like each creature comes with a label of their type. And as we know, obviously not every Pokemon type is determined by appearance and/or real world animal comparisons. However, what we know objectively is that there have been many Pokemon researchers across various regions and over the course of AT LEAST 10-15 years (that’s just the main series games). We also know that old man Oak has been studying Pokemon his whole life. That’s decades of research. 

I’m postulating that before the first Pokédex was invented to assess Pokemon, researchers used a Pokémon’s environmental adaptations and reactions to categorize their types. If they discovered that a Pokemon was resistant to electricity but susceptible to water, ice, and grass moves, the Pokemon would be categorized as a ground-type.

Example A: Researchers observed that Charizard was weak to water and super weak against rock, that would indicate that it wasn’t a dragon-type but flying-type instead. 

Example B: Lucario is weak to psychic types, indicating fighting type characteristics. That much was obvious to researchers. However, it was not immediately clear why it was weak to fire-type moves and other fighting types. The conclusion: Steel type, even though there’s no prominent steel features on Lucario. 

Example C: Noctowl is known to have some extra sensory abilities. However, it’s not greatly affected by dark-type moves and it’s completely unaffected by ghost-types. Conclusion? Normal and flying. 

As technology improved and the first Pokedex was invented, I expect it was able to analyze new Pokemon and determine their type electronically. What do you think? Is this a plausible head-canon or can you disprove it? I doubt we’ll ever know for sure (which is what makes it head-canon instead of fan theory I suppose).

Pokemon Binge List: Orange Islands

While I work my way through the fourth, seventh, and eighth generations of Pokemon anime, I guess that wasn’t enough, so I decided to watch the Orange Island arc in preparation for this blog post. We left off these adventures at the end of the Kanto Pokemon League. Really there are only a handful of true filler episodes since it's such a short arc. As of the end of my last Binge List, here's where our main characters' team rosters stood. 

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle   

Misty’s Team: Staryu, Goldeen, Psyduck, Togepi

Brock’s Team: Onix, Geodude, Zubat, Vulpix

Jessie’s Team: Arbok, Lickitung

James’s Team: Weezing, Victreebel

Season 2, Episode 27: "Pallet Party Panic"
Click here to watch

On the heels of the Pokemon League, Ash and company are tasked with a trip to the Orange Islands. On the way out, Ash's Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot and gets left behind to protect the Pidgey and Pidgeotto.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle

Season 2, Episode 28: "A Scare in the Air"
Click here to watch

After leaving behind Pidgeot, the crew leaves for an island vacation/mission. And what could go wrong with boarding an old blimp?

Season 2, Episode 29: "Pokeball Peril"
Click here to watch

Finally arriving at Valencia Island, Brock falls head over heels for the lady professor and feels compelled to stay behind to take care of her and her team... romantic?

Season 2, Episode 30: "The Lost Lapras"
Click here to watch

After leaving Brock and boarding another sketchy blimp, Ash catches a lost baby Lapras and he and Misty meet Tracey. As a Professor Oak superfan, Tracey has to join the crew.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Lapras 

Tracey’s Team: Marill, Venonat

Season 2, Episode 31: "Fit to be Tide"
Click here to watch

And here begins the Orange League. The gyms are a bit different than what we've experienced previously. This one involves water sports. Kind of fun.

Ash’s Badge Count: 1

Season 2, Episode 38: "Navel Maneuvers"
Click here to watch

Another gym challenge. Half the battle is getting up to the top of the mountain. The other half is making their way down the fastest. 

Ash’s Badge Count: 2

Season 2, Episode 39: "Snack Attack"
Click here to watch

In an attempt to liberate an island from the gluttonous Snorlax, the crew tries to utilize Jigglypuff. In the end, Ash just catches it.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Lapras, Snorlax

Season 2, Episode 42: "Tracey Gets Bugged"
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While Misty tries to face her fear of bug Pokemon, Ash tries to catch a Scyther... but Tracey catches it instead. Sorry, Ash.

Tracey’s Team: Marill, Venonat, Scyther

Season 2, Episode 47: "Misty Meets Her Match"
Click here to watch

Another gym challenge. Unlike the previous gyms, this one was more of a traditional gym battle. And Squirtle learned Hydro Pump!

Ash’s Badge Count: 3

Season 2, Episode 49: "Charizard Chills"

Click here to watch

After what has felt like forever, Ash finally gains the respect of Charizard and they work together for the first time since he was Charmander.

Season 2, Episode 52: "Pokemon Double Trouble"

Click here to watch

Ash's final Orange Island gym challenge is a double battle. Possibly the first legal double battle of the series. 

Ash’s Badge Count: 4

Season 2, Episode 54: "The Stun Spore Detour"
Click here to watch

It's been a while since Misty's roster changed, so while the others were incapacitated, she caught a Poliwag.

Misty’s Team: Staryu, Goldeen, Psyduck, Togepi, Poliwag

Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of One

A Pokemon collector comes after the three legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in an attempt to lure out Lugia. It's a powerful piece illustrating the effects of "small and simple things" (because that's what Ash is). Unfortunately, I didn't find somewhere to stream it.

Season 2, Episode 55: "Hello Pummelo"
Click here to watch

The final challenge of the Orange League is a battle against the Supreme Gym Leader: Drake. To round off his team, Ash swaps Snorlax for his Tauros (one of thirty). Here we go!

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Lapras, Tauros

Season 2, Episode 56: "Enter the Dragonite"
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Ash vs. Dragonite. It all comes down to this. This is Ash's first league win and his last until the Alola Pokemon League.

Season 2, Episode 57: "Viva Las Lapras"
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With the Orange League over and this story arc wrapping up, Ash and friends find Lapras's lost family and leave it with them. Sad.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Tauros

Season 2, Episode 59: "A Tent Situation"
Click here to watch

Ash, Misty, and Tracey return to Pallet Town, only to find Brock back in Kanto and at Ash's house (I guess he got dumped). Ash reverts his team to the core four and the episode ends with a challenge to battle Gary. 

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle   
Brock’s Team: Onix, Geodude, Zubat, Vulpix

Season 2, Episode 60: "A Rivalry Revival"
Click here to watch

Following Gary's lead, Ash and his friends head to the Johto region for their next journey. Tracey opts to stay behind as Professor Oak's research assistant.

It's a whole new world next time with Johto. The Pokemon TV YouTube channel has nearly the third generation of the series (just missing the Battle Frontier). Gotta watch ‘em all!

LDS Geeks Podcast #64: Pokemon Kanto Region

Michael and I decided to start another podcast series. This time it's about Pokemon and the various regions around the world. Naturally we chose to start with the Kanto region, where it all began. I hope you enjoy it!

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 64 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent content: click here

Check out Michael's recent content: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:21 - Spencer's Recommendation: The IT Crowd
        Available for streaming on Britbox
02:17 - Michael's Recommendation: Milo Murphy's Law
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
03:51 - Kanto video games
04:29 - Professor Oak
06:43 - Starter Pokemn
        Michael's favorite: Charmander
        Spencer's favorite: Squirtle
11:21 - Kanto's geography
12:40 - Kanto's Pokemon League
        *Fuschia City's second gym leader is Janine*
18:20 - Kanto Legendary Pokemon
        Ditto theory: "Pokemon Theories" by Spencer
22:05 - Team Rocket
        Team Rocket theory: "Pokemon Theories" by Spencer
24:50 - Favorite Kanto Pokemon
        Michael: Growlithe, Mankey, Vulpix
        Spencer: Sandshrew, Growlithe, Nidoran (M)
27:54 - Game Freak trivia
29:15 - Conclusion

Pokemon Nicknames: Animorphs

Russell and I are about two-thirds of the way through the Animorphs series. It's been an exciting ride and I've been keeping notes on more than just our reading--I've been keeping notes on some ideas for more Pokemon nicknames. Technically speaking I suppose you could name any iconic morph based on the Animorphs (Jake for dog, Rachel for elephant, etc.) but I tried to make these nicknames go beyond morphs (for the most part).

Ursaring as Rachel

Arcanine as Homer

Purrloin as Fluffer

Skuntank as Cassie

Garchomp as Dak Hamee

Wailord as Aftran

Houndoom as Champ

Rapidash as Max

Arbok as Spawn

Pokemon Nicknames: Marvel

A few weeks ago, my daughters were watching Spidey and His Amazing Friends (a great cheesy way to introduce kids to classic superheroes). I’m minding my own business and sn adorable and unfamiliar character appeared: Jeff the Shark. I had to look up the character and see if there was a comic book basis for the cute land fish. The resemblance to Gible is uncanny so immediately went into Pokemon Go and nicknamed my Garchomp “Jeff”. Naturally that led me to more Marvel-inspired nicknames—lots of them based off heroic pets. So here are some of my first favorites:

Trevenant as Groot

Ariados as Man-Spider

Golduck as Howard

Obstagoon as Rocket

(Shiny) Growlithe as Lucky

Gallade as Dr. Strange

Tyrunt as Old Lace

Granbull as Lockjaw

Gible as Jeff

Rhyperior as Rhino

My Favorite Purple Pokemon

Purple Pokemon might seem like a random topic (and it is) but it's my birthday weekend and purple is my color (along with Hufflepuff yellow), so I thought I'd just do something fun today. By no means is this exhaustive list of awesome purple Pokemon pals, but just a few of my favorites.

Nidoking

For whatever reason, I’ve never played through a Pokemon reason with Nidoking on my main team—maybe because I usually have the three starter Pokemon clogging my party on Yellow. But Nidoking is a tank! I feel like I need one with Surf and Earthquake to make my current play through of Yellow worth it  

Gengar

A friend got into Pokemon (finally) last year and one of his favorites immediately was Gengar. Who could blame him? Those Gen I ghost-types are iconic. Unfortunately Gengar has never been prominent on my team… because that would involve the hassle of trading with someone. 

Ditto

Ever since the Ditto-centric episode of Pokemon, it has been pretty iconic. And after Gen II came out, it became the unofficial breeding Pokemon. What would the Pokemon Daycare be without Ditto? Also, there’s that theory that it’s a failed clone of Mew.

Mewtwo

The antagonist of the first movie and supposedly the most powerful Pokemon (at least while psychic type was broken). Unfortunately this power house has been outdone plenty of times since by other legendary Pokemon. At least Mewtwo got a place in the world of Super Smash Bros Melee.  

Crobat

For whatever reason, as much as I like Crobat and how plentiful Zubat are, I haven’t played through with Crobat. Unlike Gengar, Golbat doesn’t need trading to evolve. Just patience. With the speed of Crobat, I really would be using this one more frequently.

Espeon

I’ve had an affinity for psychic-type Pokemon pretty much since day one. So when Gen II gave us a psychic Eeveelution (that happens to be my favorite color) it’s perfect. It’s a frequent addition to my Johto team.

Palkia

When Gen IV came out, I had Diamond, so my experience with Palkia is somewhat limited. That being said, I love the combination of water and dragon. It's a powerful type combination. Plus, I landed a combo on Pokemon TCG Pocket with Palkia Ex and Misty that won me a match on the first turn--The computer didn't even get a turn. 

I know there are plenty of other purple Pokemon past Gen II, but these are a few of my favorites. I definitely need to give a shoutout to Poipole, since its English name is literally meant to sound like "purple". Some other honorable mentions are Sabeleye, Grumpig, and Genesect. Also, there's shiny Swampert. That one's pretty cool.

Pokemon Nicknames: The Kane Chronicles

Imagine if, instead of magicians, the House of Life was filled with Pokemon trainers. Picture Carter and Sadie coming to fight Apophis with Pokeballs instead of wands. I’m pretty sure I said on the podcast that The Kane Chronicles wasn’t my favorite. However, with how excited I was to finish reading Demigods and Magicians, I think I liked it more than I realized. Finishing up the Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles crossover made me extra excited about this Riordanverse/Pokemon crossover blog post. 

Giratina as Apophis

Totodile as Ammit

 

Meowscarada as Bast

Fearow as Freak

Blaziken as Carter

Houndoom as Walt

Piplup as Felix

Passimian as Khufu

Alolan as Muffin

Krookodile as Philip