Translated by Sabonea Masukippa from Serebii Forums from this blog.
Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion
Designer: Umino (Unno?) [Note: I think this may be the designer who did Oshawott's line and the first evos of the Monkey Trio]
Basically based on the Three Musketeers
Athos is Cobalion, Porthos is Terrakion and Aramis is Virizion
Wise.
Cobalion --> Sharp, pointed horns
Virizion --> Fast movements, cuts opponents with its horn
Terrakion --> Horns like an axe, stops its opponents and forces them back
Larvesta & Volcorona
The motif was a moth.
The red parts of Larvesta are based off the Tower of the Sun.
Volcorona originally had 4 wings.
The black spots on Volcorona's wings are based on sun spots.
Cottonee, Whimsicott, Petilil, and Lilligant
Designer: Atsuko Nishida
They'd designed too many of that specific type, but getting rid of them felt like a waste, so they made them version exclusives.
Cottonee and Whimsicott also look like sheep.
Petilil and Lilligant were originally intended to be a 3-stage evolution line.
Lilligant is a 'Never-on-time rich girl'.
Axew, Fraxure, Haxorus
Designer: At the time, a new female designer (referred to below as 'Newbie')
Haxorus appeared so early [in development] you might as well call him first.
They attack by turning their heads.
Part of their charm is that they don't look like Pokemon.
Axew and Fraxure were created after Haxorus.
Darumaka & Darmanitan
Designer: Newbie
Thought up from the tradition of burning Daruma dolls at festivals and such.
Because Daruma dolls are based on Bodhidharma, who it is said looks like a gorrilla, they made it look like a Daruma doll-like gorilla.
Stunfisk
Designer: Newbie
It was made because [someone] wanted to make the flattest Pokemon.
It was originally a Water/Electric-Type with a blue body based on a goosefish.
But, when they were adjusting the balance [of the Pokedex (colour, type, order, of various Pokemon etc)] they changed its type and made it like a Right-Eye Flounder.
There was a rough sketch of someone stepping on it and it producing an electric shock.
Frillish & Jellicent
Designer: Frillsh was designed by Newbie.
At first, they were based on a Prince and Princess, but during the balance adjustment [see above] they added the Ghost-Type.
The original designer was disappointed because they had the frightening aspects added [like their Pokedex entries].
Deerling & Sawsbuck
They were made to match up with the new Season feature.
As an idea, Sawsbuck came first.
Litwick, Lampent, & Chandelure
The original idea was to go from a bonfire Pokemon to a candle to a lamp.
But, a bonfire evolving into a candle was disputed and the candle became the first stage.
Tympole, Palpitoad, & Seismitoad
Seismitoad was designed first, then Palpitoad and then Tympole.
The shapes above the eyes and the protuding mouth are the 'binding' points in the line.
Klink, Klang, Klinklang
Sugimori says '[It has/They have a] good face.'
It follows the same concept as that behind Magneton, Eggsecute and Dugtrio
Dwebble & Crustle
Originally, the concept was to have its 'house' be an earthenware pot it had fired itself.
Called the 'Furnace Pokemon.'
But, it was too sluggish, so they played it straight.
Scrafty & Scraggy
Based on sagging/pants worn around the bum or upper thigh.
That it was holding its own shed skin was difficult to convey, but thanks to the animations [in BW], it works.
Yamask & Cofagrigus
They tried to convey some appealingess with them on top of the scariness.
Pawniard & Bisharp
Appears in cities and towns.
Bisharp gives orders to Pawniard, who cling to their opponents and takes them down with the blades on their stomachs.
Character Concepts (translated by Pokejungle)(why bother censoring it?)
Iris and Drayden were designed as opposites. Drayden is the oldest gym leader, while Iris is the youngest with a lot of potential. She came from the forest and seems to be raised by dragons, while he studied abroad to better understand his favorite type. Drayden is also meant to be a gentleman who is both smart and strong.
Brycen used to be a movie star who got into a slump after he was done making films. Alder told him to use his time to master pokemon so Brycen went alone into an icy cave and trained in silence to gain the most knowledge he could. He also feels it is important to conceal his identity.
Alder ended up having the appearance of a drifter and you can see with his clothes they are somewhat torn and ragged. Original design had a somewhat Christ-like image.
Emmet and Ingo are twins who are supposed to invoke a clown-ish image. Their jackets represent the mix of a subway track-like design with that of a clown’s outfit.
Overall, really interesting and a good read.
Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion
Designer: Umino (Unno?) [Note: I think this may be the designer who did Oshawott's line and the first evos of the Monkey Trio]
Basically based on the Three Musketeers
Athos is Cobalion, Porthos is Terrakion and Aramis is Virizion
Wise.
Cobalion --> Sharp, pointed horns
Virizion --> Fast movements, cuts opponents with its horn
Terrakion --> Horns like an axe, stops its opponents and forces them back
Larvesta & Volcorona
The motif was a moth.
The red parts of Larvesta are based off the Tower of the Sun.
Volcorona originally had 4 wings.
The black spots on Volcorona's wings are based on sun spots.
Cottonee, Whimsicott, Petilil, and Lilligant
Designer: Atsuko Nishida
They'd designed too many of that specific type, but getting rid of them felt like a waste, so they made them version exclusives.
Cottonee and Whimsicott also look like sheep.
Petilil and Lilligant were originally intended to be a 3-stage evolution line.
Lilligant is a 'Never-on-time rich girl'.
Axew, Fraxure, Haxorus
Designer: At the time, a new female designer (referred to below as 'Newbie')
Haxorus appeared so early [in development] you might as well call him first.
They attack by turning their heads.
Part of their charm is that they don't look like Pokemon.
Axew and Fraxure were created after Haxorus.
Darumaka & Darmanitan
Designer: Newbie
Thought up from the tradition of burning Daruma dolls at festivals and such.
Because Daruma dolls are based on Bodhidharma, who it is said looks like a gorrilla, they made it look like a Daruma doll-like gorilla.
Stunfisk
Designer: Newbie
It was made because [someone] wanted to make the flattest Pokemon.
It was originally a Water/Electric-Type with a blue body based on a goosefish.
But, when they were adjusting the balance [of the Pokedex (colour, type, order, of various Pokemon etc)] they changed its type and made it like a Right-Eye Flounder.
There was a rough sketch of someone stepping on it and it producing an electric shock.
Frillish & Jellicent
Designer: Frillsh was designed by Newbie.
At first, they were based on a Prince and Princess, but during the balance adjustment [see above] they added the Ghost-Type.
The original designer was disappointed because they had the frightening aspects added [like their Pokedex entries].
Deerling & Sawsbuck
They were made to match up with the new Season feature.
As an idea, Sawsbuck came first.
Litwick, Lampent, & Chandelure
The original idea was to go from a bonfire Pokemon to a candle to a lamp.
But, a bonfire evolving into a candle was disputed and the candle became the first stage.
Tympole, Palpitoad, & Seismitoad
Seismitoad was designed first, then Palpitoad and then Tympole.
The shapes above the eyes and the protuding mouth are the 'binding' points in the line.
Klink, Klang, Klinklang
Sugimori says '[It has/They have a] good face.'
It follows the same concept as that behind Magneton, Eggsecute and Dugtrio
Dwebble & Crustle
Originally, the concept was to have its 'house' be an earthenware pot it had fired itself.
Called the 'Furnace Pokemon.'
But, it was too sluggish, so they played it straight.
Scrafty & Scraggy
Based on sagging/pants worn around the bum or upper thigh.
That it was holding its own shed skin was difficult to convey, but thanks to the animations [in BW], it works.
Yamask & Cofagrigus
They tried to convey some appealingess with them on top of the scariness.
Pawniard & Bisharp
Appears in cities and towns.
Bisharp gives orders to Pawniard, who cling to their opponents and takes them down with the blades on their stomachs.
Character Concepts (translated by Pokejungle)(why bother censoring it?)
Iris and Drayden were designed as opposites. Drayden is the oldest gym leader, while Iris is the youngest with a lot of potential. She came from the forest and seems to be raised by dragons, while he studied abroad to better understand his favorite type. Drayden is also meant to be a gentleman who is both smart and strong.
Brycen used to be a movie star who got into a slump after he was done making films. Alder told him to use his time to master pokemon so Brycen went alone into an icy cave and trained in silence to gain the most knowledge he could. He also feels it is important to conceal his identity.
Alder ended up having the appearance of a drifter and you can see with his clothes they are somewhat torn and ragged. Original design had a somewhat Christ-like image.
Emmet and Ingo are twins who are supposed to invoke a clown-ish image. Their jackets represent the mix of a subway track-like design with that of a clown’s outfit.
Overall, really interesting and a good read.
