Saturday, June 11, 2016

Eeveelutions

When we last were here, I gave some interesting facts about the Starter Pokemon. Well with Pokemon: Sun & Moon coming out this November, I wanted to give you my countdown list of Eeveelutions that I want to see.
           What are Eeveelutions you ask? Well these are the evolutions of the evolution Pokemon, Eevee.
This little fox like Pokemon, is know as the evolution Pokemon because it's got several evolutions all of which are a different Pokemon type.
Eevee was introduced way back in Generation I along with it's first three evolutions: Flareon, Jolteon, & Vaporeon (Fire/Electric/Water). In Generation II two new Eeveelutions were introduced: Espeon and Umbreo (Psychic/Dark). Glaceon and Leafeon (Ice/Grass) were introduced in Generation IV. Lastly, along with the introduction of the new Pokemon type in Generation VI we also got a Eeveelution for that type: Sylveon (Fairy). Along with all of these came a different way of evolving Eevee via various methods: Stones (Flareon/Jolteon/Vaporeon), time & friendship (Espeon/Umbreon), location (Glaceon/Leafeon), and attack (Sylveon). As of Generation VI we have 18 known Pokemon types and Eeevee has eight evolutions leaving these following types: Bug, Dragon, Fighting, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Normal, Poison, Rock, & Steel.
While I'm working on my own set of Eeveelutions for a pokemon set, I thought it would be fun to put these remaining types in the order that I would like to see them released working up to the type I want to see the most. Now onto my countdown:

#10. Normal Type:

Out of all of the ones left, this one looks to be the most boring of all to create. I would basically think this would evolve via normal leveling up, maybe something like 30-ish. And basically would look like a mature/adult looking Eevee.


#9. Rock Type: 
I'm not big on this type overall, so this one might be a bulky fox made out of rocks maybe? As for evolution method: Location around a particular rock in the mountains like Leafeon & Glaceon (Moss Rock/Icy Rock). Or maybe this one would be the first to need a held item like the lagging tail, and level up? Or the last idea is that this could be the first type that uses trade with an item, King's Rock.

#8. Ground Type:
Overall I'm not one to use many of these type Pokemon. But I just might use a ground eeveelution, based off a Fennec Fox with large ears to emphasize that it lives in the desert/savannah areas. This one's hard to figure out the evolution method, yet I was thinking for mine that it would be a weather condition one, like leveling up in a sandstorm.

#7. Fighting Type:
This one I thought I would want to see more than just 6th place, but it's a bit meh. This one would be along the lines of Riolu & Lucario for looks maybe? I was thinking of doing something like three different styles based off stats like Tyrogue evolves into Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, & Hitmontop. Or would you evolve it by Leveling up Eevee while it's holding the black belt item?

#6. Ghost Type:
This one is hard to figure out what to do with the evolution condition for this one, do you do something like Shedninja? Where you have to have an open spot in your team then, while trying for the normal type evolution you have to let eevee faint then revive and evolve and the ghost type will appear into the empty spot? That would make this one really hard to get I would say. You could do location evolution, like evolving it in the haunted ruins, or add that Eevee needs to know a ghost type move. Or trade evolution while holding the reaper cloth like Dusknoir? Maybe location and item evolution? I'm not sure, I just hope an official design for this eeveelution doesn't look like a mummy.

#5. Bug Type:
I'm actually surprised that this type got so high on my list. But I've seen a great deal of fanart for a bug type eeveelution that I like. Out of all of these designs I seem to like the ones with features of bees and butterflies. My design is going to be based off of the Brimstone butterfly, which is considered to be the one that gave the butterfly its name, and have an ability to take on the color scheme of the bug type near it if the bug type is a cocoon type Pokemon (Metapod, Kakuna, Silcoon, etc.). Now for mine, Brimeon, Eevee has to hold a shed shell and be right next to a bug type in order to evolve. Like I said it's going to be able via camouflage to take on the colors scheme of the cocoon type Pokemon's evolutions so it's going to be similar to Vivillon for having many various. Other evolution conditions could include leveling up with high friendship while holding silverpowder, leveling up in a swarm battle of Bug type Pokemon, or some have suggested bringing back the bug catching contest and using Eevee a number of times in it in order to evolve it to it's Bug type evolution.

#4. Flying Type:
 I don't know why, Flying of all types is in my top three but I've always been intrested in the idea of a flying fox Pokemon. This one might look like a Pegifox (bird wings on a fox) or similar to a flying squirrel? Or maybe a big fluffy fox cloud. And who wouldn't like the idea of flying around on a cloud, have you ever seen Dragonball? As for evolution conditions? I would use a evolution stone for this one like the dawn or shiny stone or maybe trade evolution but you have to trade with a Flying type. Or you could do something like trade evolution while holding a Prism Scale item. 

    Just to note, on my Top Three these were chosen by the Gen VI Eeveelution, Sylveon, which is a Fairy type so these three go with that type. And now *drumroll* The Top Three!

#3. Steel Type:
This one could have been tied with my number two pick. Steel makes a ton of sense to be in the Generation VII line up because you have two Legendaries who have Steel as their type and a steel type would be super effective to Sylveon's Fairy type. As for the evolution conditions, this one should be straight forward. Like most steel type evolutions it would be trade evolution while holding the Metal Coat item.

#2. Poison Type:
Like Steel, Poison would fit nicely with the new Fairy type as it's the only other type that is super effective. But it doesn't seem to fit with Generation VII's region. I do like the idea of a toxic fox dripping with poison. As for evolution conditions: Level up while holding the Toxic orb, use Eevee in battle so many times while holding the Toxic orb item, trade while being Poison, or maybe Trade with a Poison type while holding the Poison Barb item? 

#1. Dragon Type:
No surprise there, most people have been waiting for a dragon type Eeveelution since Generation II. And it would totally fit in with Sylveon as Fairy types are super effective to Dragon types and Dragon types do no damage to Fairy types. And who wouldn't want a dragon fox? Would it look like an Eastern Dragon or a Wyven of European Dragon of legend? As for evolution, just like Steel, trade evolution while holding a Dragon Scale item.

Feel free to check out my Facebook page @Digifoxcat for updates on my own Eeveelution designs.
-FoxCat ya later

Friday, June 3, 2016

Pokie facts: Choose Your Starter

Konichiwa,
     With the upcoming 7th generation of Pokemon game release, I wanted to have some fun sharing some Pokemon facts. Let's start things of with the greatest choice of your Pokemon life, the Starter Pokemon:

 Each Generation has one grass type, one fire type, and one water type. The only exception is first generation game, Yellow where you start off with a Pikachu, only. Whichever type you choose your "rival" character will choose the opposite type, example if you choose fire your rival will take water, choose water rival takes grass, choose grass rival takes fire. Again Yellow version is the exception with your rival having a Eevee to counter your Pikachu. And now here's the break down of what we've got in the starters:
Generation I (Blue/Red/Green (Japan only)/Yellow/FireRed/LeafGreen): Bulbasuar, Charmander, Squirtle, & Pikachu
Generation II (Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver): Chikorita, Cyndaquil, & Totodile
Generation III (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/OmegaRuby/AlphaSapphire): Treecko, Torchic, & Mudkip
Generation IV (Pearl/Diamond/Platinum): Turtwig, Chimchar, & Piplup
Generation V (Black/White/Black 2/White 2): Snivy, Tepig, & Oshawott
Generation VI (X & Y): Chespin, Fennekin, & Froakie
Generation VII (Sun & Moon): Rowlet, Litten, & Popplio

Now each starter type has a Pokemon based on a bird: Torchic-Fire, Piplup-Water, Rowlet-Grass. Also all starters have a common color too: Fire starters-red, Water starters-blue, and Grass starters-green. Only Generations I and III starters have Mega forms for their final evolutions, while Generation II starters are the only ones to stay true types (they don't gain a secondary type). Bulbasaur and Rowlet are the only two starters to be dual-type: Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison type & Rowlett is a Grass/Flying type. The final evolutions of Gen IV starters Turtwig and Piplup have a super effective dual typing: Grass/Ground and Water/Steel. In Gen VI the starters gain a greater advantage over its rival type with it's secondary type: Grass gains Fighting, Fire gains Psychic, and Water gains Dark. Gen V's starters are the only starters to evolve at an odd numbered level, 17.

All grass type starters are based on prehistoric creatures: Venusaur has legs that lift it off the ground which is a characteristic of dinosaurs hence the -saur at the end of the first gen names. Chikorita's evolution line is based off of Apatosaurus. Treecko's evolution line is based off of Dilophaosaurus. Turtwig's evolution line is based off of the ankylosaur. Snivy's evolution line represents backwards evolution losing it's legs as it evolves. Chespin's evolution line is based off of the first mammal Megazostrodon. And Rowlet is speculated to be based off of Ornimegalonyx an extinct type of owl.

The fire type starters represent the animals of the Chinese Zodiac:
Dragon-Charmander
Rat-Cyndaquil
Rooster-Torchic
Monkey-Chimchar
Pig/Boar-Tepig
Dog-Fennekin
Tiger-Litten

Lastly, the water type starters are based off of semi-aquatic creatures: Turtle, Crocodile, Axolotl (Salamander), Penguin, Otter, Frog, & Seal.

Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Mudkip, Turtwig, Tepig, Fennekin, and Litten are the only starters that stand on four legs, and only Bulbasaur's, Chikorita's, Mudkip's and Turtwig's evolution lines are the only ones that continue to be on all fours. Of course we don't know about Litten's evoluton line yet. Also Yellow version's starter Pikachu cannot evolve in the game. Squirtle's color has changed noticeably over the years in the games: Gen I it's light blue, Gen II is was a darker shade of blue, Gen III to Gen Gen V it's teal/turquoise, & in Gen VI its a bright blue.


Generation I Starters: Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venusaur

Bulbasaur is the first Pokemon in the National Pokedex with its dex number being 001. If a player chooses Charmander as a starter in Red/Blue/Green/FireRed/LeafGreen it's impossible to get Venusaur registered in the Pokedex without trading since no NPC in the games uses a Venusaur. Bulbasuar, and his evolution line, is said to be based primarily on some form of mammal like reptile know as Dicyonodot from the Permian period, which is the last period of the Paleozoic era. The bulb on its back resembles that of a lily or onion, Ivysaur's resembles the bud of a parasitic flowering plant know as Rafflesia, and Venusaur's back resember the fully blossomed Rafflesia arnoldii. Oddly enough, Venusaur is the same size as an other fellow grass type Pokemon, Tropius, both are 6'7'' tall and weight 220.5 lbs! When Venusaur mega evolves it doesn't change types.

Generation I Starters: Charmander-Charmeleon-Charizard

The Chinese Zodiac Dragon Pokemon, Charmander seems to have been based more off of salamanders such as the Chinese Fire Falamander and the Spotted Salamander, which as the first known photosynthetic vertebrate animal capable of converting energy from sunlight (2010). This might have led to Charmander's later hidden ability, Solar Power. Charmeleon resembles more of a small dinosaur keeping a similar body style of its previous form. Some say that Charmeleon gained its English name due to the fact that when Charmander evolves into Charmeleon it becomes red instead of a reddish orange color. Finally in it's final form, Charizard this starter becomes a dragon, in looks rather than type, it gains a secondary type of flying rather than dragon like it's design and name suggests. Its design is based off of the European Dragon, certainly one of many forms told and rendered in legends, this leads into it Mega evolutions. That's right, Charizard is one of two Pokemon who have two mega evolutions, Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y (Mewtwo is the other). Finally through Mega Evolution with the Charizardnite X, Charizard has finally gained its rightful secondary type of dragon.

Generation I Starters: Squirtle-Wartortle-Blastiose

These three are based off of a turtle. Wartortle's feathery tail is a reference to the Japanese legend of the Minogame, a turtle which lived for 10,000 years and grew a tail of seaweed. The use of its tail is to store oxygen seems to be a reference to turtles who breathe through their cloaca, which is near the tail. Blastoise on the other hand seems to have been fused with a tank, however many suggest that Blastoise's cannons are based off of functioning tubes found in mussels and other shellfish.

Generation I Starter: Pikachu
Who doesn't like Pikachu? No really it's okay not to love this official mascot of the game, I personally don't, set aside the fact that he's in every single episode of the anime, Pikachu doesn't have very good stats. That note aside, Pikachu is the only starter in Pokemon: Yellow Version, which was created solely on the popularity and success of the Pokemon anime. Everyone wanted to be Ash Ketchum and have their very own Pikachu, which would never evolve into a Raichu. Likewise to the anime, your rival in the game has an Eevee just like Gary Oak ends up with in the anime, which beats Pikachu in a battle. In Pokemon: Yellow, X, Y, OmegaRuby, & AlphaSapphire, along with Pokemon Stadium I & II, Pikachu's cry is the same from the anime voiced by the anime's voice actor, Ikue Ohtani, this marks Pikachu as the only Pokemon that uses its anime voice over it's original. Pikachu is based off of a rodent, suggestively a mouse hence the Pika of its name, however it's long ears resemble those of other members of the Lagomorpha family.

Generation II Starter: Chikorita-Bayleef-Meganium

 The Chikorita family is the only evolution line of starters that don't change names in the English games, and they're based off of a group of dinosaurs called sauropods, specifically the Apatosaurus. Chikorita's shape and appearance suggests a pear or a Belgian endive, a type of chicory. Bayleef's "vegetable" part is based on the leaves of the bay laurel, which the oil is used for healing and as a stimulant in aromatherapy. It's necklace of leaves is consistently described as having a spicy arome while real bay leaves have a bitter, herbal taste. Meganium's flower might be designed off of a geranium, hibiscus, titan arum, or the hippeastrum. Chikorita is the tallest of the unevolved starter Pokemon at 2'11''.
Generation II Starter: Cyndaquil-Quilava-Typhlosion
These three happen to be my favorite starters out of all of them. Cyndaquil's evolution line happens to be the first starter Pokemon  based on a mammal. Since the fire starters have been said to be based off of the Chinese Zodiac animals, Cydaquil's line represents the Rat. Their appearance is based on the echinda. Cyndaquil's closed eyes are a reference to baby echindas, while Quilava takes on more of a weasel like body, and Typhlosion seems to be a combination of both an echinda and a weasel.

Generation II Starter: Totodile-Croconaw-Feraligatr

Totadile and its evolution line are based off of Crocodilia family, which of course includes Crocodiles and Alligator. Totodile, like Cyndaquil, is a baby crocodilian. It's also the tallest and heaviest unevolved water type starter pokemon. Visually this line resembles an alligator, despite Totodile and Croconaw's names have references to crocodiles while Feraligatr's name is a combination of feral, or ferocious, and alligator. The shortening of "gator" to gatr is a result of the ten-character limit on English Pokemon names in Gen II games. Croconaw's head spikes and chest pattern seems to be based on the wild hair and animal-skin cloth worn by cavemen. Feraligatr is the tallest final form of a water type starter Pokemon at 7'7''.

Generation III Starter: Treecko-Grovyle-Sceptile



 Like, Bulbasaur's and Chikorita's evolution lines, Treecko's evolution line is based off of the dinosaur know as Dilophpsaurus. Grovyle's design also suggests it to be based on a Protarchaeopteryx. The leaves along with the orbs on Sceptile's back create a strong resemblance to both the yew tree and various members of the podocarpus family. Treecko's line appearance and mannerisms also show strong influences of a leaf-tailed gecko. Lastly, no other Pokemon has the same type combination as Mega Sceptile: Grass/Dragon.

Generation III Starter: Torchic-Combusken-Blaziken
Like Charmander's and Cyndaquil's evolution lines, Torchic and its evolutions are based off of the Chinese Zodiac animal, the Rooster. Combusken's and Blaziken's secondary type of Fighting is based off of the Japanese Shamo breed of cockfighting chicken, which is known for its mane and upright posture. Torichic's evolution line also has references to the Basan, a fire breathing chicken. Combusken and Blaziken have references to Karura, a divine creature with a human torso and a bird like head from Japanese Hindu-Buddhist mythology. There's also inspiration references from the Taimatsumaru, a Japanese Yokai monster, which looks like a flaming bird. Torchic is the lightest fire type Pokemon weighing only 5.5 lbs. Combusken begins a tradition of Fire/Fighting starter evolutions that would continue through Generation IV and V. Lastly Mega Blaziken is the Mega Evolution that was officially introduced in Pokemon X and Y that isn't native to the Kalos region.
Generation III Starter: Mudkip-Marshtomp-Swampert
  
Despite it's name Mudkip is not based off of a mudskipper, it's based off of an Axolotl a type of salamander, which is strange considering that Mudkip is the mud fish Pokemon and it's later evolutios gain a secondary type of Ground. Mudkip is also the subject of a popular internet meme know as "So i herd u liek mudkipz?". Marshtomp is the only middle evolution water starter with a dual type. And the single fin on its head is reminiscet of the Murmillo helmet worn by murmillo-class Roman Gladiators or the Corinthian helmet worn by Greek Hoplites. "Murmillo" is also a Greek word for a type of saltwater fish. Lastly, Swampert has the fewest weaknesses of any starter Pokemon.

Generation IV Starter: Turtwig-Grotle-Torterra


Like the previous grass starters, Turtwig and it's evolutions are yet again based off of a creature of old, the Ankylosaur with aspects of a snapping turtle. Turtwig is the heaviest of all the basic form starters at 22.5 lbs, which causes it to have the lowest base speed out of all of them too. Grotle and Torterra seem to have design influences from the World Turtle or the Black Tortoise of legends. No other Pokemon as of now has the same type combination as Torterra, grass/ground. 

Generation IV Starter: Chimchar-Monferno-Infernape
The Chinese Zodiac Monkey Pokemon, Chimchar, who seems to be based off of a young chimpanzee. Following suit with Combusken and Blaziken, Monferno and Infernape gain a secondary type of fighting, this is a direct reference to Monkey Kung Fu, a type of martial arts. Monferno's appearance seems to be a mix of a golden snub-nosed monkey with a mandrill. Infernape is the shortest fully evolved starter at only 3'11''. Infernape has references to Dragonball character, Son Goku, who is the Japanese interpretation of the character Sun Wukong, who is the main character of the Chinese epic journey to the West and is a monkey with powerful abilities.

Generation IV Starter: Piplup-Prinplup-Empoleon


 The penguin Pokemon, these three are based off of various types of penguins. Piplup is based on a young penguin or possibly a miniature type of penguin. The light blue crown shaped marking above it's beak might be foreshadowing on it's final evolution and a nod to the Emperor Penguins. Prinplup's crest suggest it has influences of a species of crested penguin. Empoleon is based on an Emperor Penguin. It's crown has the appearance of a trident, the favored weapon of the Greek god, Poseidon. Empoleon is also roughly the same height as its namesake Napoleon Bonaparte.

Generation V Starter: Snivy-Servine-Serperior
 Snivy is the only grass type starter Pokemon not listed as the first Pokemon in its regional Pokedex, this is due to the fact that this generation of Pokemon actually has a #000 Pokemon, Victini, this also makes this the only generation in the National Pokedex that doesn't start with a grass type. Unlike the previous grass starters, Snivy's evolution line is not based off of a dinosaur, but the idea of evoluton, well backwards evolution. As Snivy evolves it looses it's legs and arms. Snivy's evolution line are based on French royalty, specifically the French royalty in the anime The Rose of Versailles as stated by Ken Sugimori. They're also based on a variety of green vine snake species with a pointed snout, including Oxybelis Fulgidus, Ahaetulla nasuta, and Ahaetulla Prasina. Snivy's snake and lizard like features are also similar to that of the Florida Sand Skink. The shape of these Pokemon's head, body, and the protrusions on it's shoulders might be based off the bird of paradise or false bird of paradise flowers. Serperior is the tallest grass type Pokemon at 10'10''. Serperior has aspects of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, and it also shows off the French royalty with it's chest symbol looking like a fleur-de-lis, the French insignia used on the noble family's coat of arms. Serperior's size seems to be also be a reference to the basilisk, the king of serpents in European legend.

Generation V Starter: Tepig-Pignite-Emboar
 While Tepig, Pignte, and Emboar are based off of the British Saddleback Pig, since the fire type starters are based off of the Chinese Zodiac they were designed in a Chinese style. Because of this they may have been based slightly on Zhu Bajie, a pig demon from the Chinese tale Journey to the West, which is the same tale that Infernape has taken influence from as well. Like many of its fellow starters, Tepig is based off of the Saddleback Piglet. And despite the horrible criticism that Tepig got when the Unova starters were released, it was preferred over its fellow water starter, Oshawott with things like "at least my bacon that can cook itself doesn't look like a panda in a wet suit." etc. Emboar is the only fully evolved Unova starter that gains a secondary type, Fighting. It's also the heaviest fully evolved fire starter at 330.7 lbs. 

Generation V Starter: Oshawott-Dewott-Samurott
Originally Oshawott design was not well received until his evolutions were revealed. Oshawott is based off of a sea otter pup and a samurai. The way Oshawott's scalchop rest on its belly resembles the way otters hold shellfish in order to crack them open to eat, and the way it uses it as a weapon is similar to Japanese war fans, which were often used by samurai for defensive purposes. Dewott is just like it's previous form Oshawott, based on a sea otter and a samurai. Its trait of fighting with its two shell might be a reference to Tessenjutsu, a type of martial arts involving the Japanese war fan. Samurott sea lion appearance was chosen after a trip to an aquarium, and it's "armor" is characteristic of the armor a samurai or shogun wears. It's tail maybe based on the Japanese war fan that the shells of its previous evolutions have. And the helmet over its head appears to be referencing the rare spined murex shell, while the markings on its chest make it reminiscent of a giant otter. Ken Sugimori said that Oshawott and its evolutions were the hardest for the team to design during production of Pokemon Black and White, as conceptualizing its evolutions were difficult.

Generation VI Starter: Chespin-Quiladin-Chesnaught
Chespin's evolution line is based off of the first mammal Megazostrodon. The plant aspect of these three is a chestnut. They are also the only starter family with a signature ability, Bulletproof. Chespin's plant aspect is based off of a chestnut shoot. Quilladin is the only Pokemon whose name begins with Q that wasn't introduced in Generation II. Its bulky, round appearance is possibly a reference to the calybium and cupule that protect the nuts of chestnut trees. Quilladin also draws inspiration from armored mammals such as pangolins, armadillos, and glyptodonts, an extincted larger armored mamal similar to an armadillo. Chesnaught is the only secondary Fighting type starter that is not a fire type. Its also a matured chestnut referring to it being the final stage of Chepin. Chesnaught's bulky armor could be a reference to the split apart calybium and cupule, which split apart when the chestnut is sufficiently ripened. It's also based on knights and various types of body armor including brigandines and barbutes.

Generation VI Starter: Fennekin-Braixen-Delphox


Keeping with tradition, these fire starters are the dog from the Chinese Zodiac. Fennekin's evolution line is based off of the Fennec Fox, and they share the same Pokemon category with Vulpix and Ninetales, the Fox Pokemon. Fennekin is the only Pokemon with a base stat total of 307 making it the only unevolved starter with a unique base stat total, this is also the lowest base stat total of any starter Pokemon. Braixen starts to bring in influences of the Japanese Kitsune of legend, which has magical powers. It uses its twig as a magic medium, like a wand. Prior to Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby, Delphox was the only known Pokemon capable of learning Mystical Fire. It has the highest Special Attack out of all of the fully evolved starter Pokemon, not counting Mega Evolutions. Delphox is also the lightest fully evolved starter Pokemon at 86 lbs. Delph- of its name could be for Delphic oracle.
     
Generation VI Starter: Froakie-Frogadier-Greninja
Like its fellow previous water starters, Froakie and it's evolution line are based off of a semi aquatic animal this time a frog. Froakie is the smallest of the unevolved starters at a height on 1'00'' and it also has the highest base Speed of all of them as well. Froakie's bubbling white foam is a refernce to frog foam nests created by some species such as the Tungara frog and grey foam-nest tree frog to protect eggs. This foam resembles a backpack of sorts, and has been used in the anime as a makeshift hood, which references the ninja elements of it's final evolution. This could also be a reference to dorobo, burglars or thieves, in Japanese folklore and culture dorobo use furoshiki cloth bags to hold stolen goods and mask their identity. Frogadier shows more aspects of it's ninja influnces with its crouched pose, dark blue hooded face, and its foam, which is more scarf-like now. The spiked protrusions above Frogadier's eyes seemed to be inspired by horned frogs from the genera Megophrys and Ceratophrys. In the anime, Frogadier has been shown to be able to run on the surface of water much like the common basilisk. Greninja has the highest base speed of all of the water type Pokemon and all of the fully evolved starters. It also shares its category with Ninjask, both are know as the Ninja Pokemon. Greninja's coloration and body shape is similar to the splendid leaf frog. The bubble like protrusions on its body maybe based on a toad's parotoid glands, thought they're probably a left over remnants of Froakie's and Frogadier's frog foam. Greninja's "ninja" is a reference to the Japanese folk story "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya", which is about a ninja who can shape shift into a large toad. Its name is a combination of grenouille, which is the French for frog, and ninja.
 
 Generation VII Starters: Rowlet, Litten, & Popplio
Since the Generation VII games, Sun and Moon, aren't out yet not much is known about these three starters. Rowlet is the second non evolved starter Pokemon to have a secondary type, Flying. Its also the same size as Froakie, and it has beat Torchic as the lightest starter Pokemon weighing only 3.3 lbs. Rowlet is speculated to be based off of Ornimegalonyx an extinct type of owl. Litten is following suit with the other fire starters with being based off of the Tiger animal of the Chinese Zodiac. And it's attacks look like "atomic fire hairballs"! Popplio is based off of a sea lion with its visible ears. Its appearance and playfulness with its water "balloons" seem to have a heavy influence of circus or performance sea lions. Popplio might be a combination of sea lion pup, pop, popo (Hawaiian for ball) and 'ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (Hawaiian for the Hawaiian monk seal I want to see this in Popplio's evolutions since the Alola region is based off of Hawaii; meaning "dog that runs in rough water").

I can't wait for the rest of the Alola starters, and the many more new Pokemon that awaits us in Pokemon Sun and Moon coming out this November. Look for more Pokie facts coming soon.
-FoxCat ya later

Friday, April 15, 2016

Inspiration Sparks Flames


Inspiration: the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Every artist has their own form of inspiration, but none can compare to the heart of my inspiration God and everything He's created. A few years ago, roughly six years ago, I found this thing called a "moodboard" and what it was a grid to show off our inspiration at that current time. I do believe that inspiration just like art and time is constantly changing.
Now keep in mind that this is about 6 years old. At the end of high school, I had a friend teach me how to draw an anime style eye after he saw my notebook (binder), which had some of my Digimon drawings on it. This launched me into my art style. As you can see there's a few different anime/manga series here: Bleach, Naruto, FairyTail, and Getbackers. On top of that there's a few video game series that had their own anime and manga too: Digimon, Pokemon, and .Hack// well I've only played a few Digimon and Pokemon games, since these were big at the end of my childhood. Other things include color pencils, a Kimono (traditional Japanese dress), pink hair, the kanji for fire, a fox, and the icon for MS Paint (which was the first digital art program that I played around with).

    In my other blog FoxCat's Art Block, which was an assignment for my Painting class in college, I showed off my inspiration in the form of other artist. Most of these were the pros of the manga world, one pro of the anime world, and a few other artists. Now this is still 5 years old, so as you can gather my inspiration has still changed. Yet somethings remain: music, British stuff, Japanese stuff, and a handful of geeky things.



 Music: This inspiration has been around since I started my life as a Band Geek in 6th grade. I've always had a sense of enjoyment from it and I guess it just started to blossom. When I started to draw in college, music was my go to. I could just pop in my headphones and tune out the world. Now one wouldn't normally think that I listen to the music I do. As a quite person, you might go towards oldies (50's-early 70's) or pop music, but that's not always the case as I'm more of a rock person. My main go to music genres: Rock, Christian Rock, and some J-Rock/Pop. As for bands & musicians? Well, the Beatles is the top of the list, I got into them at the end of middle school and it's carried on through high school earning my nickname, or rather chat name, BeatleFan64. Others include but not limited to: Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet, Flow, Maroon 5, Stereo Pony, Newsboys, Rolling Stones, Red, and Disciple.


 This is one of my music inspired pieces, it's a anime style drawing of the lyrics and idea of the song "Monster" by Skillet.




From my love of the Beatles came a love for the British culture. I still feel this inspires me as I created a Union Jack flag curtain for my old room. Likewise, my love for anime and manga gave me a love for the Japanese culture too. These two places have found a way onto the top of my bucket list of places to visit someday. Various things have come out into my art, including food in my challenge making humanized versions of various food and drinks. 



Geeky Stuff: Wow were do I start with my geekiness. Let's see you have anime, manga, cartoons, comics, video games, sci-fi stuff, etc. I would say the start of my art style really began with Digimon and Pokemon, as I stated in some of my other blogs I used to pull out my cards of both of these and start drawing. After college, I got involved in the anime club where I fell in love with various anime/manga series: Naruto, Getbackers, Bleach, FairyTail, Full Metal Alchemist, etc. This wasn't my first dive into anime or manga for that matter, I started watching anime with a few Saturday morning "cartoons" which I didn't know at first were anime and with Toonami on Cartoon Network. In my freshman year of high school, my best friend left on a month long trip to her home land. During this time I really needed to step out of my comfort zone, in order to find myself and some new friends, since I felt that I didn't really fit with my old friends from middle school. I spotted a fellow classmate sitting alone reading comic books, and now while I hadn't read any myself at that point I did have a small knowledge of some superheroes from watching cartoons with my oldest sister. So I joined him and we started talking and became friends. This friendship sparked a liking for comics, which didn't grow until I started dating my husband. Video games sparked inspiration in me when Pokemon came around, this really was the video game of my generation. As for sci-fi, my family has watched various shows that sparked life into my art with the strongest being Star Wars.



Now I started creating characters to role play with, and these helped me to create friendships. These characters show my top inspiration from my geeky things since I only created characters for things that I'm familiar enough with that I could place them into a storyline/alternate universe to the original canon story: Kimiko Haruno (Naruto), Kimiko Shizuka (Digimon), Kat Fullbuster (FairyTail), Hikari "Kari" Okami (Bleach), Pyro (Pokemon), Xenestra Zara (Star Wars), and BlackRose (my superhero character).






As you can see many things spark my creative flames. Till next time
-FoxCat ya later


Sunday, April 3, 2016

Are you a Fan or a Fandom?

I'm not talking about a fan to keep you cool, I'm talking about a fanatic: a person with an obsessive interest in and enthusiasm for something or a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal for something. But how can you define a fan? 





Is it the person who just wears a superhero shirt and calls themselves a fan of that superhero, but doesn't know much about that character other than what's on their shirt and maybe who played them in a movie or TV show? 






Or calling yourself a fan of Captain America just because you've watched his movies only because you think Chris Evans is hot, which is the same thing as going to the Lord of the Rings movies just because Orlando Bloom is in it.





 Most things have what are called a fandom: the state or condition of being a fan of someone or something or fans of a particular person, team, fictional series, etc. regarded collectively as a community or subculture. Most fandoms have a particular name to define them, the most common one would be Trekkie (fans of the TV show Star Trek), yet many "Trekkies" prefer the term Trekker despite Trekkie being added to the Miriam Webster dictionary. 

 -Even music groups and artists have fandoms: Beliebers (Justin Beiber), Directioners (One Direction), Swifties (Taylor Swift), Panheads (Skillet), Beatlemanics/Beatlenuts (The Beatles), Metallibangers/Metallicats (Metallica), etc. 
 And let's not forget those sports people: Cheeseheads/Packer-Backers (Green Bay Packers), Raider Nation (Oakland Raiders), The Lake Show (LA Lakers), Rainbow Warriors (Jeff Gordon), Derbyverse (Roller Derby), Cubbies (Chicago Cubs), etc.
Though when talking about fandom this usually refers to the group of fans of a TV show, movie, fictional character, book series, cartoon, anime/manga, or video game. Most people might not even realize that even comic books have a fandom name. Some of these fandoms can be quite ridiculous and some are huge for something that didn't last all that long.

Bronies or Pegasisters are the two names that refer to the fandom of My Little Pony. And I'm not talking about the toys or the cartoon from the 80's, this is the 2010 reboot more commonly known as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Overall the term Bronies was used for all of them, however male fans of this show took over the term Brony, female fans adopted the name Pegasisters, which comes from the term of fans of the older ponies PegaSis. While I understand being a fan of a cartoon show, this one I cannot understand. I used to watch the old show and played with the old style of ponies. But how can this reboot that is a pale image of the original have such a large following? I may never know, but it does.



Original Cartoon had humans that followed the ponies on their adventures. And often had creatures who were asking for help or helped out along the way. It ran for 2 seasons and had a spin off called, My Little Pony Tales, which only ran for one season.




 Friendship is Magic might have a large following solely on the fact that it's created by animator/writer, Lauren Faust, who is well known for The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, which are two of Cartoon Network's most popular shows. And for some reason this show is 6 seasons strong ans still going... 


And it's spun off a movie series called My Little Pony: Equestria Girls where the ponies are humanized.....Um okay, I've never seen a blue, purple, or orange skinned human. Friendship is Magic also has a few video games and a comic book series. 



Along with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic other Western Animations have developed their own fandoms: Avatards (Avatar: the Last Airbender), Darklings (Darkwing Duck), Fallers (Gravity Falls), Transfans (Transformers), Steventhusiasts (Steven Universe), Slackers (Regular Show), Ooovians (Adventure Time), etc.
And while the fandom of Spongebob Squarepants have no name, Spongetards has been coined to describe the less intelligent part of the fandom. 

Japanese anime and manga fans have an overall term, Otaku. This term has had a negative connotation to refer to a person who seems to have no life outside of their anime and manga, this is also true for comic book geeks and gamers. Like with all fandoms you have those who seem to have some sort of social disorder, however there are a strong amount of members who are able to live in the real world. With the Otakus there's small fractions that are for certain anime/manga series:
Narutards (Naruto), Troops (Attack on Titan), Black Knights (Code Geass), DigiFans/Digidestined (Digimon), Fairies (FairyTail), Dragonballers (Dragonball series), Hetalians (Hetalia series), Moonies (Sailor Moon), etc.

Some of the American voice actors have their own fandom for example: Risembool Rangers (Vic Mignogna) and the Miniskirt Army (Travis Willingham).

Also Toonami the anime block of Cartoon Network has a name for it's fans used often by the host TOM, Toonami Faithful. These fans are the reason for the revival of the block in 2012 as apart of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Saturdays.


As I stated earlier, even comic books have fandoms too. Marvel Comics fans are called "True Believers" by Stan Lee himself, before that people called them Marvel Zombies which doesn't work now that there is a comic series by that name, and many call fans of DC comics, DCers. Several series/characters have their own name for their fans:
 Batfans/Batmaniacs (Batman), Wingnuts (Nightwing), Birdboys/Birdgirls (Robin), Titans (Teen Titans, All New Teen Titans, Titans, and Nightwing's Outsider series), Arrowheads (Green Arrow and his TV show, Arrow), Flash Mob/Zoomers (The Flash and his 2014 TV show), Ringheads (Green Lantern and off shoot series), Leaguers/Be-Leaguers (Justice League and off shoots), Shellheads (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Boomers (Sonic the Hedgehog comic), Webheads (Spiderman and other Marvel spider heroes), The Carol Corps/The Kamala Corps (Ms. Marvel & Captain Marvel), Poolheads (Deadpool), Hornheads (Daredevil), Assemblers/Avengers (Avengers), etc.




 And as a result of Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Marvel's Loki in Marvel Studio's Thor and Avengers films, a fandom around Loki has formed known simply as Loki's Army. And is army is mostly made up of female fans.












Many TV shows have fandoms, yet the most noted are the Sci-Fi (Science Fiction) and Fantasy Shows, such as the Browncoats (Firefly) pictured above. While Trekkie might be the most well known overall, there is another such fandom that has been added to the Miriam Webster dictionary, Whovian.


Yes, Whovian is the term for someone inside the fandom world of Doctor Who (BBC) which has been running since 1964, a British show that has been as popular as Star Trek due to it's modern reboot in 2005. Like Trekker, Whovians have another term that they like almost as well as the dictionary term, Wholigans, though it's most commonly used in the UK.
-Other BBC show fandoms include: Smithies (The Sarah Jane Adventures), Clone Club (Orphan Black), Downtonians (Downton Abby), Merliners/Merkers/Merkiners (Merlin), Woodies (Torchwood), and Sherlockians (Sherlock)
-Other popular Sci-Fi show fandoms include: X-Philes (X-Files), Scaper (Farscape), Gaters (Stargate franchise), Leapers (Quantum Leap), Sidekicks (Heroes), and Babblers/Fivers (Babylon 5)
-Popular fantasy show fandoms include: Scoobies/Buffistas/Buffonia (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Oncers (Once Upon a Time), Gothamites (Gotham), Saltgunners (Supernatural), and Xenites (Xena: Warrior Princess)
Surprisingly enough Game of Throne fandom as a whole doesn't have a name, they've been split into two groups Unsullied (those who haven't read the books) and Bookwalkers (those who have read the books)
-Kid show fandoms include: Mouseketeers (Mickey Mouse Club), Power Force (Power Rangers franchise), iCarlies (iCarly), and Flynatics (ANT Farm)
-Other show fandoms include: Gleeks (Glee), Lostralians/Lostaways/Lostie (Lost), Psych-Os (Psych), Whosers (Whose Line is it Anway?), Wheel Watchers (Wheel of Fortune), etc.
-The popularity of Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Supernatural has spun a few crossover fandoms: SuperWhoLockians, Wholockians, and Superwhovians. 

-Movie fandoms include: Backies (Back to the Future), Ghostheads (Ghostbusters), Warsies/Jeheads/501st Legion (Star Wars), Rum Runners (Pirates of the Caribbean), Programers (Tron), Insiders (Inside Out), Frozenites/Ice Troopers (Frozen), Rappers (Tangled), 9-tards (9), etc.

-Movie/Book series fandoms include: Demigods (Percy Jackson series), Potterheads (Harry Potter series), Twihards (Twilight series), Tributes/Mockingjays (Hunger Games series), Ringers/Tolkinites (Lord of the Rings series), Narnians (Chronicle of Narnia series), Hitchhikers (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series), etc.
Gamer, like Otaku, has had a bad vibe over the years, but it has gained a more positive light as video games are become more popular as a "cheap" escape to the world. Gamer is the term for the video game fandom as a whole, like Otaku there are sub fandoms for individual games:
Pokemonfanatics/Pokefans/Pokemon Trainers (Pokemon series) pictured above, Sonicfags/Sonicfans/Boomers (Sonic the Hedgehog series), Assassins (Assassin's Creed), Minecrafters/Mincraftians (Minecraft), SPARTANs/ODSTs (Halo series), Smashers (Super Smash Bros. series), Drainpipers/Muchroomheads (Super Mario Bros. series), Flocks (Angry Birds), Undertale Trash/Trash (Undertale), RuneScapers/Gielinorians (RuneScape), etc.


 Cosplayers are those who love to dress up as characters from various fandoms, most of which they're members of them as well. While Halloween is a nice time to cosplay, the best way to show off your cosplay skills is at a Con, or convention. These are like big parties for the geeks and nerds of these fandoms. Almost every place has a Con or two for various things, and some are for a little of everything such as, WonderCon and it's larger sister Con, ComicCon (every geeks' dream is to go to this one either in San Diego or New York City).

Till next time,
FoxCat ya later.