In the world Pokemon, the beginners of each region have the potential to become incredibly powerful, but there is a special trio that makes the definition of the god level really accurate. Fans have different opinions on which regional snacks are the strongest, but in Sinnoh they are literally gods.
The Shino region and its Pokémon are heavily influenced by mythology from around the world. Chimchar, Piplap and Turtvig take this theme to a new level. Although they look humble and sweet, each of the newcomers is based on deities who play an important role in their respective cultures. Chimchar is based on the Chinese monkey king Sun Wukong; Turtwig is on the world turtle, and Piplup represents Poseidon, god of the seas.
Sinnoh’s starter Pokemon are gods from various myths
The influence of the newcomers’ mythic origins varies with each one, becoming more clear as they develop, but the callbacks to their respective legends are still easy to find. For Turtwig, his connections to the World Turtle are physical, found in his final form, Torterra. In addition to the general turtle/tortoise silhouette, the small land formation and tree on Torter’s shell represent the Earth settling from the shell of the world turtle. Piplup and his final evolution, Empoleon, have more than just physical characteristics than their deity. Aside from their trident-shaped crest, Empoleons are known for their arrogance and pride, easily angered by those who disrespect them, reminiscent of Poseidon’s pride and wrath.
Chimchar is perhaps most closely associated with its mystical origins. It shares a design with Sun Wukong, who inspired the most famous manga, the legendary Monkey King, which physically closely resembles Infernape. Pokemon also reflect the personality of the legend, especially Chimchar Ash. Sun Wukong is a trickster god with immeasurable power. During all his travels in Journey to the West, he works to control his powers and chaotic personality with the help of Tang Sanzang. In the Pokémon anime, Chimchar fights his trauma and unbridled rage by using Blaze. With Ash’s help, he learns to control himself as he evolves and eventually becomes one of Ash’s strongest Pokemon.
Beginners are often overlooked as the humble beginnings of their often stronger development, but they have their strengths. Sinoch Pokémon take this concept to the next level, embracing gifts derived from their mythological inspiration. Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplap are all mini-gods just waiting to unleash their potential. Although most of them are inspired by cosmetics, their character traits also go back to their divine roots. Fans can debate which one is their favorite Pokemon are the strongest, but when it comes to the Sinnoh region, even their rookie backgrounds prove that they are literally god-level.
