Pokemon Scarlet & Violetis the latest installment of thePokemonfranchise and the first one to implement a true open-world system. While this decision was met with mixed reviews from critics and fans, the region itself has been largely praised for its vibrant, colorful design and rich culture.
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Paldea, the region the games are set in, is based on Spain; and Paldean culture is largely based on Spain and Latin American culture. There are many smart nods to Spain in the game, frombuildings and towns based on real locations, the Spanish language being integrated into dialogue, to the Pokemon themselves. Here are ten of those Pokemon lines with ties to Spanish culture, language, and food!
10Sprigatito, Floragato, & Meowscarada
Sprigatito is the Grass-type Paldean starter, so it makes sense that its evolutionary line would have strong ties to Spanish culture. ‘Sprig’ refers to a small stem with leaves or flowers, fitting for this pure Grass-type, and ‘gatito’ is Spanish for cat!
Floragato (Spanish for ‘flower cat’) is likely based on Puss in Boots - the Spanish-speaking sidekick based onThe Mask of Zorrofrom theShrekmovies that just received a second spin-off! The final evolution, Meowscarada, continues the Zorro theme by keeping the mask, and its name is likely a combination of ‘meow’ and ‘mascarada’, which means masquerade in Spanish.
9Fuecoco, Crocalor, & Skeledirge
Fuecoco is the Gen 9 Fire-type starter, an adorable round crocodilethat evolves into the powerful Skeledirge. Fuecoco’s name is a combination of ‘fuego’, fire, and ‘coco’, coconut - which perfectly suits its round, goofy appearance.
Crocalor’s name is a combination of ‘croc’ and ‘calor,’ Spanish for ‘heat.’ It may be inspired by the tale of crocodiles keeping birds as ‘pets’ to help clean their teeth; explaining the egg on its head and the Sombrero-like nest solidifies the Spanish inspiration! As for Skeledirge, the final evolution, a ‘dirge’ is a Catholic song for the dead, a nod to the Catholic influence in Spain.
8Fidough & Dachsbun
Fidough and Dachsbun are Fairy-type dog Pokemon themed around baked goods. There are countless bakeries in Spain, many of them filled with delicious breads and pastries!
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This may seem like a tangential link, but Fidough and Dachsbun’s circular ears closely resemble braided breads, most likelyPan de Cruz de Ciudad Real, a traditional type of bread made in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real. Daschsbun especially resembles the delicious bread, fresh out of the oven!
7Smoliv, Dolliv, & Arboliva
The Smoliv line is one of the more obvious nods to Spanish culture, producing three adorable Pokemon:Smoliv, Dolliv, and Arbolivia. Olives are a staple of Spanish cuisine and common across the Mediterranean. The line is based on the green olive, and the shiny is cleverly based on a black olive.
Arboliva’s stature might also be based on Christ the Redeemer, a famous statue of Jesus based in Brazil, that stands with its arms outstretched similarly.
6Lechonk & Oinkologne
Lechonk and Oinkologneare two adorable Normal-type pig Pokemon introduced early on in the game and one of the first Pokemon revealed to the public when the game was announced.
In Filipino and Latin American cuisine, a ‘lechon’ is a roasted suckling pig and a dish that has been imported to Spain’s many colonies. Lechonk and Oinkologne’s black coloring, on the other hand, is likely a reference to the Cerdo Ibérico, a black pig that has a long historical lineage in Spain.
5Wattrel & Killowattrel
Spain has a variety of coastal birds, but it’s likely that Wattrel and Kilowattrel were specifically influenced in part by the European storm petrel. Like Wattrel and Killowattrel, the storm petrel feeds by hovering above the ocean’s surface.
It’s also likely that the design of Wattrel is based on the Western yellow wagtail, which is often found in areas like Spain, France, and North Africa. Kilowattrel, on the other hand, seems to resemble a frigatebird - given that it dwells around the ocean and has a throat sac similar to the species.
4Maschiff & Mabosstiff
Maschiff and Mabosstiff are two more Gen 9 dog Pokemon, and Mabosstiffplays a huge role in the storyofPokemon Scarlet & Violet. As one of the player’s companions, Arven’s quest to recover the Herba Mystica is related to healing his sick dog, Mabosstiff, which in turn helps the player recover Koraidon/Miraidon.
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The dog most representative of Spain is undoubtedly the Spanish Mastiff, which is a gentle dog that both Maschiff and its evolutionary form embody.
3Capsakid & Scovillian
Capscakid and Scovillain,while generally disappointing fans as the first Grass/Fire-type Pokemon, have an interesting tie to Spanish culture. Capscakid’s Pokedex entry states that ‘traditional Paldean dishes can be extremely spicy because they include the shed front teeth of Capsakid among their ingredients.’
This is a reference to the Capsicum, the genus for all chili peppers. Spain is known for its incredibly spicy dishes, and Scovillian is a reference to the Scoville Scale, which ranks how hot a chili pepper is.
2Gimmighoul & Gholdengo
Gimmighoul and Gholdengo, Pokemon’s 999th and 1000th Pokedex entries, are twofold in their representation of Spanish culture. On the one hand, their treasure theme is likely a nod to Spanish conquistadors, who pillaged countries and brought many treasures back to Spain.
As well as being based on a mimic, Gimmighoul takes inspiration from Patufet, the main character of a number of Spanish folk tales. Like Gimmighoul, he is ‘as small as a garbonzo bean,’ very friendly, and always carrying a coin. This is referenced by the multiple Gimmighouls hidden appearances around Paldea, which, when found, give the player several coins!
1Ceruledge & Armarouge
Ceruledge and Armarouge areScarletandVioletexclusives, each evolving from Charcadet when the Auspicious Armor item is used. Armarouge’s name is a combination of ‘arma’ (Spanish for weapon), ‘armadura’ (armor), and ‘rouge’ (French for red). Ceruledge appears to be a combination of ‘cerulean’ and ‘edge,’ referring to its color and sharp blade.
It’s also likely that the two were inspired by the Spanish legend and national hero El Cid, a knight that fought in the medieval period of Spain.
