>Gen 1: ???
>Gen 2: ???
>Gen 3: ???
>Gen 4: ???
>Gen 5: Warriors of Japan, Europe, & China
>Gen 6: RPG classes
>Gen 7: Circus
Gen 2: Traditions
They don't get a second typing, the designs just get bigger when they evolve. All of which implies that they stay true to their roots, essentially traditions. It also makes sense if you think about the fact that they the starters from Johto which is a region that puts great value on traditions.
>>26353937
Straight from Bulbapedia;
Empoleon: Empoleon is based on an emperor penguin and an emperor in reference to its crown and royal appearance. Also, the crown has the appearance of a trident, a fishing tool and supposed weapon of choice for the Greek god Poseidon.
Torterra: In concept, it may be based on the World Turtles in various mythologies that carry worlds upon their backs, or perhaps the Black Tortoise of Asian legend.
Infernape: The gold elements in its design as well as its Japanese name are most likely linked to Son Goku, the Japanese interpretation of the character Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong is the main character in the Chinese epic Journey to the West and is a monkey with powerful abilities.
Gen 4 might as well be based on mythology and legends?
>>26353937
Gen 1
>>26353937
Gen 3 is based on fighting game archetypes
>Sceptile - zoner (trapper) eg. Strider from Marvel vs Capcom
>Blaziken - rushdown, with a bias towards kicks eg. Ken from SF, Law from Tekken
>Swampert - grappler eg. King from Tekken, Zangief from SF
This would also explain why, unlike most other starter lines, they're all bipedal (Swampert is 50/50 but still)
I don't think they really had themes in mind until Gen IV.
>>26354592
Of all the characters from MvC to call a zoner, you pick fucking Strider
>>26354636
I pulled it from this guide since I don't play Mahvel
http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/156294/list-of-fighting-game-archetypes
>>26354592
Oh, that's actually pretty interesting idea
I doubt it was intentional, but I like it a lot
>>26354592
>>26354830
Another interesting thing to note is that (internationally or not) their Megas expand upon the fighter archetype idea. Mega Sceptile grows more seeds on his back, which (if the anime is to be belived) he can shoot at the opponent like missles, and he gains a tail-torpedo projectile. Mega Blaziken gains a cooler appearance and the Speed Boost ability (can't get any more rushdown than that). Finally, Mega Swampert becomes buff as fuck compared to its base form, especially the upper part of his body, which obviously helps with grabs and throws.
Whether it's true or not, the theory can be defended in more ways than one.
>>26353998
God, I want to punch you
>>26353937
Starter themes didn't start until Gen V.
>>26355786
Why are children on /vp/ so edgy?
>>26355786
If you can come up with a better explanation, be my guest.
>>26353937
I made this exact same thread with the Circus thing and it got 404'd with 0 replies.
I never considerd the Gen 5 starters as warriors of the East, sounds fitting I guess.
>>26355910
There's no damn pattern, that's your better explanation. They didn't start until Gen V, and Gen V's isn't "warriors".
>>26355816
Honestly, I think gen 4 does have a mythology theme, I don't really see anything that says against it
Is nobody in this thread gonna talk about how OP's pic has all the starters drawn do cutesy shit with pokeballs, except Froakie? It's literally just its stock art pasted there...
>>26356015
The original pic only goes to Gen 5, the rest was added by someone else
>>26355929
But it is fun to speculate, even if they didn't plan something with a specific idea in mind it's interesting to see how the starters fit together in the end. In my opinion it's plausible for the gen 2 starters to be based on the idea of traditions, if you don't think that, that's fine but don't be dick about it.
>Gen 4: ???
It's mythology, that one's been well-known for a while.
That being said, concrete starter themes didn't actually exist until Gen IV.
Gen 1: Anal Satan Defection Rape, they wanted to convert little children to HELL
Gen 2: Kaiju
Gen 3: The Wonders of God
Gen 4: Animals.
Gen 4 could be Journey to the West?
>>26356114
no it's johnny test
>Gen 1: Dinosaurs/Big Reptiles
>Gen 2: Minimalism/Purity/Simplicity
>Gen 3: I dunno, looking really bad ass?
>Gen 4: Royalty but Torterra throws wrench in that idea
Is there even a background behind Torterra?
>>26356478
>Is there even a background behind Torterra?
No, but there is a lot of background ON it
>>26355929
He's so smug while also being wrong
>>26356940
heh
>>26353937
G4 is mythology
>>26357744
I get that Sinnoh as a whole is very based on mythology but 2/3 starters fit.
>Infernape is Sun Wukong
>Torterra is inspired by the Chinese Black Tortoise myth like Ebonwumon in pic related
>Empoleon is is Napoleon
He aint very mythical.
>>26358100
he's Poseidon.
>>26358124
Ah shit the trident. How'd I miss that. But then what about Gen 3. They have this unique aesthetic about them but their theme is hard to identify. All that comes to mind is Lean and Mean.
>>26355992
Would also make sense since Gen 4 literally introduced the God of Pokemon
>>26356478
>background
Yeah you fucking idiot, Torterra is based on the World Turtle. You know, the giant tortoise myth that holds up the world?
Infernape is probably based on Sun Wukong and Empoleon is based on Poseidon.
They're Gods/Myths
>>26358100
Torterra could also be the world tortoise of Native American Legend. So they did three different mythologies from different cultures.
>>26358207
I realized as much when I actually gave it legitimate thought and came to the conclusion here >>26358100
>>26358159
They could represent the path of evolution up to modern birds. From amphibians to reptiles to birds.
>>26358159
I like this explanation.
Might not be the actual design philosophy behind the, but certainly makes sense. >>26354592
Personally, I've always seen them as different Asian fighting styles, with Blaziken being Muay Thai, Swampert being Sumo, and Sceptile using Okinawan kobudo tonfa. Bit of a stretch, I know.
>>26353937
The only one I can guess is that Gen 4 is based on mythology such as Sun Wunkong, Poseidon and the World Turtle.
With the Circus theme. Rowlet is the Ringmaster/Knife Thrower, Litten is the Beast who jumps through the hoops. and Popplio is the ball seal.
>>26358258
>Gen 3 represents actual evolution.
Wow
>>26358264
Martial arts seems rather viable. They all have such distinct body types and stances that accentuate their power set. Evolution and Martial Arts. That's pretty fucking cool.
I also think that Gen 1 represents the three periods of the Age of Reptiles.
Bulbasaur is an ancient mammal-like reptile from the Triassic period, Charmander one of the early salamanders of the late Jurassic, and Squirtle (or more specifically, Blastoise), resembling the Archelon of the Cretaceous period. It helps that these Pokemon go in the same order as these periods, too.
