16 Pokémon We Didn’t Know Had Mythical Origins
![16 Pokémon We Didn’t Know Had Mythical Origins](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/4/794224_320x180.jpg)
They are famous for being pocket monsters that kids (and even some adults) collect. They train them to become the best they can be in order to battle it out against their friends' Pokémon. But what else is there to know about these little creatures? For starters, did you know that the name 'Pokémon' is actually a combination of two Japanese words – 'pock' meaning 'pocket', and 'mon' meaning 'monster'? Pokémon originally started out as a video game for the Nintendo Game Boy before branching out into an anime series, movies, merchandise, and much more. With over 800 different species of Pokémon now identified, there is sure to be one (or more!) that you can't help but love. So why not learn a little more about these fascinating creatures? You might just be surprised at what you find.
You may look at the simple designs of Pokémon, especially in the first generation, and come to the conclusion that the developers were just lazy. Mean, a Pokéball with eyes? Come on! However, many designs are pulled straight from Japanese mythology that is unfamiliar to western fans. Here's why a "Pokéball with eyes" is actually valid and why Lickitung is a vile creature from the depths of Hell.
![RAICHU IS A RAIJU CRACKED CON The Raiju, or thunder beast, is a legendary creature in Japanese mythology. Though their bodies are made of lightning, they take the form of a variety of woodland mammals like rabbits and badgers. They might also curl up for a nap in your bellybutton if you sleep outside during bad weather.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/2/794242.jpg)
Source: Yokai
![LICKITUNG IS AN AKANAME CRACKEDO .COM With its acidic saliva, the akaname, or filth licker, 'tongue-massages dirty bathrooms clean, making sure to slop over every grimey corner. It's said to have been invented as a story to incentivize children to keep a tidy bathroom, assumedly because a tedious chore is nothing compared to a visit from the toilet demon.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/1/794241.jpg)
Source: CBR
![FROSLASS IS A YUKI-ONNA YOKAI CRACKED.CO As a ghost, Froslass has some dark Pokedex entries, and an even darker inspiration. The legend of the yuki-onna yokai, which Froslass comes from, tells of ghostly women who make their home on the snowy mountaintops, known for stealing children and feeding on their life-force.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/9/794239.jpg)
Source: The Gamer
![MAWILE IS A FUTAKUCHI ONNA CRACKED. CONT The Futakuchi Onna are cursed women that have turned into supernatural creatures with a second mouth on the back of their head, covered by hair-like tentacles. In folklore, this can happen when the spirit of a deceased child possesses their step-mother, who starved them in favor of their biological children, to consume the food they were denied in life.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/0/794240.jpg)
Source: CBR
![VOLTORB IS A TSUKUMOGAMI CRACKED.CO Some tools and other inanimate objects in Japanese folklore may acquire a spirit if enough time has passed, becoming a tsukumogami, or tool kami. In the games, Voltorb is said to have a connection to the introduction of Poke Balls, and if it were a tool kami that would mean it couldn't exist before the devices were invented.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/8/794238.jpg)
Source: Screenrant
![NINETAILS IS A KITSUNE CRACKED COM In Japanese folklore, kitsune are foxes with many tails, which are the source of their power. When a kitsune gets its ninth tail, its fur turns white or gold. They are also shapeshifters, being able to take the form of a human after 100 years.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/7/794237.jpg)
Source: Gamerant
![JYNX IS A YAMA-UBA GRACKED.COM Another mountain dwelling, people-eating demon, the Yama-uba are crones that live alone and try to lure hapless travelers to their cabins, where the people-eating occurs. Although Jynx doesn't look like it would be able to lure anyone anywhere, the rhythm by which it shakes its hips is stated to be so alluring that people are compelled to sashay along with it.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/8/794228.jpg)
Source: CBR
![MISDREAVUS IS A NUKEKUBI of 2 CRACKEDO The nukekubi are shrieking, floating heads in Japanese mythology, usually from a woman that was publicly shamed. The legend states that if you are inflicted with the nukekubi curse, your head will detach in the night and fly off in search of blood.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/7/794227.jpg)
Source: CBR
![SLOWKING IS A SAZAE-ONI CRACKEDGO COME The Sazae- or shellfish ogre, is a transitory stage of the turban snail when they reach 30 years of age, gaining the ability to shapeshift. As an alternate evolution to Slowpoke, Slowking goes through a tremendous metamorphosis, with the Shelder attached to his head unlocking his psychic potential.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/9/794229.jpg)
Source: The Gamer
![DROWZEE IS A BAKU 155 J it's city GRACKED.COM Said to have been cobbled together with leftover pieces of animals made by the gods, the baku is a mythical chimera that devours the nightmares of children. Like the baku, Drowzee uses the Dream Eater move to restore itself from sleeping opponents.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/6/794236.jpg)
Source: CBR
![SNORUNT IS A YUKINKO GRACKEDO COM Snorunt is an ice type Pokemon shown shivering under what appears to be a straw cloak. In Japanese mythology, the yukinko are the children of Yuki-onna, wearing a traditional straw coat made into a cone shape, that appear when it snows.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/0/794230.jpg)
Source: Big Straw Magazine
![LUDICOLO IS A KAPPA 13 is 1 F CRACKEDO A semi-aquatic imp, the kappa is most known for the dish-like basin on their heads that collect water. Taking the water out of their basins results in harming and weakening the kappa. The Pokemon Ludicolo is a large, amphibious creature with a basin on its head, which it uses in-battle to fill with water during rain to restore health](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/5/794235.jpg)
Source: CBR
![WHISCASH IS NAMAZU CRACKEDo COM The giant, subterranean catfish Namazu is said to live under the islands of Japan, guarded by a god. When the god lets down his guard, Namazu thrashes around and causes earthquakes. Whiscash has a similar legend in the games, being known to cause massive tremors when they go on a rampage](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/4/794234.jpg)
Source: The Gamer
![SNEASEL IS A KAMAITACHI .CRACKED.CO COM Sickle clawed, dust-devil riding weasels called kamaitachi are said to be the work of an evil god, delivering swift but painless wounds with their sharpened appendages. Looking at Sneasel, it's not hard to see the connection, as they are known for their speed and slashing abilities.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/1/794231.jpg)
Source: CBR
![EXEGGUTOR IS A JINMENSHI CRACKED.CO The coconut-like heads of the Exeggutor are similar to the jinmenshi, which are fruit that resemble smiling, human heads. The legend states that when the fruit laughs too much, they fall. Maybe the human qualities of the fruit contribute to the psychic typing of Exeggutor's line.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/2/794232.jpg)
Source: Geek And Sundry
![MEOWTH IS A MANEKI-NEKO in the CRACKED.co The beckoning cat, maneki-neko, is a good luck figurine that is often placed at the entrance of an establishment. Like with most of Meowth's official artwork and sprites, the maneki-neko is depicted with one paw raised. The good fortune that maneki-neko are said to provide is illustrated to great effect with Meowth's signature move, Pay Day.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/3/794233.jpg)
Source: Bulbagarden