B
BeneKecleon
Tsutaja does show signs of western culture. The smug attitude.
He was talking about their designs, not the way they act. The design clearly looks like a Chinese dragon.
First Scan:
Sugimori: This time we really put a lot of effort into the Water type.
Oomura: We were saying "Wouldn't an otter be good for the water type?" But there was a big argument over what an otter would become when it evolved. Eventually, it was decided that we'd make it become something totally different.
Sugimori: Because we, of course, want to make the starters into Pokemon that are always going to be with the players, I think we should make their evolutions ones that give a surprise [to the players]. Each time we're working hard to try to make the third evolutions ones that have an impact.
Oomura: Also, this time there was also this suggestion that we should divide the 3 starters into Japanese, Western, and Chinese design styles. Because Tsutarja was Western and Pokabu was Chinese, it was said "Let's make Mijumaru in a Japanese style." There was also a discusion that said "I wonder if we couldn't make an otter into a warrior/samurai." (Laughs)
Second scan:
Together: Hahaha
Oomura: We were quite stressed and went to see otters in an aquarium. While we were there [we/I] saw the Sea Lion Show, and when we did, [we/I] realized the powerfulness of the sea lion. And [we/I] thought "Let's try and mix a otter with a sea lion." We thought of making the shell on it's stomach into a Katana and having it fight with it [NOTE: Unclear which stage(s) of Mijumaru's line he refers to. It could be just Mijumaru] and [with that in mind] Mijumaru and its evolutions were completed.
Interviewer: In order to design a Pokemon there's even times when you go to an Aquarium. Do you often go out to collect information [like that]?
Sugimori: In the first stages of development we all went out to a Zoo. This time it was the Tama Zoo. Everyone got a chance to have a look at animals freely. ...
Tarazuma said:Also, Charmeleon gainiing wings IS NOT A DRASTIC CHANGE! It keeps the same basic form (bipedal, claws, flame tail) and gains wings because it's based off a dragon, and Charmeleon already looked slightly draconic to begin with! A DRASTIC change would be Remoraid to Octillery and Dragonaire to Dragonite, both of which I still think are ridiculous.