Pokémon is one of the most successful series of all time, with more than 30 mainline games and countless spinoffs. While the gameplay is fairly basic when compared to other big franchises, the wide variety of creatures that inhabit the games' world really help to set them apart. The series is full of wonderfully designed Pokémon, with each new game further expanding the roster.
Many of the creatures take their inspiration from animals or inanimate objects. There are others, however, whose origins can be traced back to ancient myths and folktales from all over the globe. Real world legends have provided the inspiration for some of the series' best Pokémon, but there's plenty more that mythology could offer the series.
10 Whiscash Is Based On The Namazu
In Japanese mythology, the Namazu is a giant catfish with the power to trigger earthquakes. It lives beneath the Japanese islands and is restrained by the Japanese God of Thunder, Takemikazuchi. It's said that when the god lets his guard down, the Namazu thrashes which causes tremors across Japan.
Not only does Whiscash look incredibly similar to depictions of the Namazu, but its Pokédex entries and move set also share a connection. Whiscash is able to learn both thrash and earthquake and its Pokédex entries often mention the Pokémon's ability to either predict or cause earthquakes. If all of that isn't enough, Whiscash's Japanese name, Namazun, all but confirms the connection.
9 The Bake-Kujira Would Make A Great Pokémon
Given that Pokémon is designed by a Japanese developer, it makes sense that many of the creatures found in the game are based on Japanese folklore. One myth that hasn't yet found its way into the series however is that of the Bake-kujira. It's an animated whale skeleton that resides in the waters around Japan and is said to have cursed several fishing villages.
After a strong start, some of the more recent Ghost type Pokémon have been a little underwhelming. With that in mind, a Bake-kujira inspired Pokémon would make a great addition to the series as well as provide another option when it comes to Ghost/Water type Pokémon.
8 Ho-oh Is Based On The Phoenix
The Phoenix is a legend that crops up in many cultures, but is typically associated with Asian folklore. According to Chinese mythology, together with the Dragon, the Phoenix represents balance. Many believe it to have the power of rebirth while others consider its tears or feathers to have healing properties. It's influenced many video game franchises, including Final Fantasy.
Just like the Phoenix, Ho-Oh seemingly has the ability to revive the dead having supposedly resurrected Raikou, Entei, and Suicune after their deaths. It bears a striking resemblance to modern interpretations of the Phoenix and shares its name with one as well. The Chinese Phoenix, Fenghuang, is known as the Ho-oh in Japan.
7 The Centaur Would Make A Great Pokémon
Centaurs often feature in modern pop-culture, but their origins can be traced back to Ancient Greece. According to folklore, they were creatures with the lower body of a horse and the upper body of a man. They inhabited the forests of Thessaly and could not be tamed by the laws of man.
While having a Pokémon that is in part based on humans may be out of keeping with the series, there's no reason that the team at Game Freak couldn't use the idea of a horse hybrid. Whether drawing inspiration from something like the Minotaur or putting their own spin on the concept, it would make for a visually stunning Pokémon.
6 Ninetails Is Based On The Kumiho
Foxes with more than one tail are incredibly common in Asian mythology, particularly in Korea, China and Japan. In Korean folktales, a Kumiho is a nine-tailed fox that is able to take any form and typically uses this to seduce young men before eating their liver or heart. In Japanese folklore, Kitsune, or foxes, can have as many as nine tails. The more they have, the older and wiser they are said to be.
Ninetails may not eat Ash's liver, but the appearance of its unevolved form Vulpix certainly captured plenty of hearts with its cuteness. As well as literally being a nine-tailed fox, some of its Pokédex entries also align with folklore. Many of them talk about them living unnaturally long lives, while the entry for Pokémon Ruby explains that it can control Pokémon with its red eyes, which is in keeping with the myth of the Kitsune.
5 Fenrir Would Make A Great Pokémon
In Norse mythology, Fenrir is the son of Loki. He is a mighty wolf who, according to prophecy, will kill Odin when Ragnarok begins. He possesses incredible strength, a powerful bite and is sometimes depicted as being able to breathe fire as well.
Although the Kousetsu and Rockruff evolutionary lines provide some representation for wolves in the series, none of the current Pokémon bear much resemblance to Fenrir. Given that he is dark in both color and nature, it would make sense for any Pokémon inspired by him to be a Dark/Fire type.
4 Arcanine Is Based On ShiShi
ShiShi are typically associated with Buddhist temples, where they serve as guardians. In Japan, they are sometimes referred to as Komainu, which translates to 'Lion Dogs'. Although primarily based on the Asiatic lion, Shishi often share visual similarities with both tigers and dogs.
Arcanine's design has a lot in common with the ShiShi lions, most notably its dog-like face, lion-like mane and tiger-like stripes. Its category type being 'legendary' suggests that its origins can be traced back to mythology even though it is not a legendary Pokémon in the traditional sense. Its earlier Pokédex entries support this, referring to Arcanine as a 'legendary Chinese Pokémon'.
3 The Cyclops Would Make A Great Pokémon
Cyclopes can be found primarily in Greek folklore, although appear in Roman mythology as well. They have a single eye and are huge in stature. According to Hesiod's Theogony, it was a trio of Cyclopes who gave Zeus his signature thunderbolt weapon. Perhaps the most famous Cyclops however is Polyphemus, who Odysseus encounters in Homer's Odyssey.
The Pokémon series does have a few one-eyed Pokémon, although none of them really come close to matching descriptions of the cyclops. Given Cyclopes' affinity with stone, a Pokémon version would likely be Rock type, with Fighting possibly serving as its secondary type.
2 Torterra Is Based On The World Turtle
The World Turtle appears in Chinese, Hindu and Native American mythology. Although there are some variations, it is typically depicted as a giant sea turtle that carries the world upon its back. In some Hindu folktales, the World Turtle carries four elephants that carry the world, but, ultimately, the idea remains the same.
Although its size may not be quite large enough for it to carry the world on its back, the rocks and trees on Torterra's back are very similar to some depictions of the World Turtle. Some of its Pokédex entries also seem to allude to the World Turtle legend, claiming that Ancient people believed themselves to be living on top of a Torterra.
1 Medusa Would Make A Great Pokémon
Greek mythology is full of fantastic beasts, but perhaps none are as wonderful as the Gorgons. Their hair is made up of venomous snakes and their glare is so powerful that it can petrify anyone who makes eye contact. The most famous Gorgon is undoubtedly Medusa, who was slain by Perseus.
Tangela is probably the closest that the Pokémon series has come to replicating a Gorgon, but the similarities are quite stark. Although left out of many depictions, many Greek writings state that the Gorgons had wings and so a Gorgon-based Pokémon would likely be some combination of Rock, Poison and Flying types.