Image derived from Game Art Solgaleo and Lunala Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pokemon Sun and Moon are here! I’ll be honest right now: I lost interest in Pokemon the moment Generation V came out. Why? Because the designs of Pokemon began to not make any sense at all. I mean seriously. Look at Generation III’s Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Groudon Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza (Image via screenshot; Fair Use) And now look at these legendaries from Generation V. Go on. The Tao Trio (Pokemon Game Art; Fair Use) I mean the Tao Trio has booster-like tails, rings, spikes… what the hell!? Talk about too much going on. Anyway, I think Gamefreak is getting back on track with Pokemon Sun and Moon. The legendaries this time around have some surprisingly rich lore. And the best part? They’re not overdone at all. So say hi to Solgaleo and Lunala, and let me try to share why I think they’re actually pretty cool. Solgaleo And Lunala In The Real World Half of the reason I like legendary Pokemon are the real life inspirations for them. Again, I turn to Generation III’s Groudon and Kyogre, who are based on Behemoth and Leviathan. These are massive, primordial beasts that embody the very earth and seas. They feel epic because they embody some cosmic force or structure far greater and more ancient than people can conceive. Solgaleo and Lunala on the other hand, embody day and night. They don’t necessarily embody the physical sun and moon, but they draw power from them. Solgaleo: The Sunne Pokemon Solgaleo resembles a great, white lion. And from early information, it is said to be the “beast that eats the sun.” Its relationship with the sun is suggested by the first syllable of its name: “sol.” The last part of its name on the other hand, is “leo,” which states the obvious fact that it’s a lion. Here’s the catch though. Solgaleo is a Psychic, Steel pokemon. Strange, for a pokemon meant to have a strong connection with the fiery sun. Psychic might make some sense. After all, many legendaries are psychic. But why Steel? Green Lion eating the sun, from Rosarium Philosopharium (Public Domain) Well the answer comes from the pseudoscience of alchemy. A popular image among alchemists is that of a green lion eating the sun. The green lion represented sulfuric acid, which dissolves most metals other than gold. This relationship with metals is where Solgaleo probably gets its Steel type. But why isn’t Solgaleo green? Personally, I think it was just a design choice to make the Sun-Eating Lion actually appear “solar.” Lunala: The Moone Pokemon The Moone Pokemon Lunala on the other hand, is fairly simple to analyze. The word “Luna” is the Roman goddess of the moon. The pokemon Lunala is reminiscent of the ghost bat. The ghost bat has translucent wings, which is a feature Lunala also displays when against the moonlight. Also, the strongest indicator that Lunala is based on this animal is its pokemon type: Psychic Ghost. Image via burningwell.org Again, Lunala doesn’t actually embody the moon so much as it draws its power from the moon. Bats are some of the most recognizable symbols of the night. And while most cultures view bats as evil, which is contrary to what we know of Lunala, many people also believe bats to symbolize the presence of spirits or otherworldly entities. What’s your take on Pokemon Sun and Moon? Personally, I think Gamefreak is back on the right track. Did we miss any information? Do you have anything else to share? Be sure to let us know. Like PilipinasPopcorn on Facebook for more updates. To send feedback or contribute your stories, email editor@pilipinaspopcorn.com. Facebook Comments
The Life-Changing Lessons from “When Life Gives You Tangerines” That Will Make You Appreciate Life More
