#kyonpan

There's so much to speculate on! Why were they scrapped? Some even answer questions we've wondered for decades! (Marowak Evolution, MissingNo. mons, etc.)

Wind/Waves won't be out until 2027. That's actually a cause for celebration! Rushing pokemon games hasn't gone too well, so hopefully we'll get much more complete games. While we wait, let's revive the conversation around scrapped pokemon! I'll start with my favorite! From the 1997 Gold/Silver Spaceworld Demo, Kyonpan!

Kyonpan is an adorable panda based off the Jiangshi, a Chinese mythical creature which is similar to both zombies and vampires! They wear Qing Dynasty robes and hop to get around - albeit because of rigor mortis. They often are depicted with spell tags on them that keep them under control. Kyonpan's got one too! I just think Kyonpan is neat! Spooky Lil panda teddy bear!

Kyonpan is actually fairly complete, with proper stats and a preevo, the straw doll Norowara. One of the most iconic ghost-type moves - Curse, was originally the signature move of this line directly inspired by Norowara. Kyonpan evolved incredibly fast but you'd have to delay the evolution until level 99 to get the move Curse! Like staking a vampire! Neat symbolism albeit a bit impractical gameplay wise.

Most agree that Norowara was scrapped as it was considered too brutal. Fair enough. It's got a giant nail like a voodoo doll right through it! I don't blame them. I can only imagine the outcry that thing would have caused in the 90s, so think it's for the best that the preevolution was left behind.

But I truly believe that Kyonpan has so much potential, and with a design update could stand on its own as a really cool Pokémon. Gamefreak's gotten really good at cultural references in recent games - (just look at some of the real life fae myths of Galar pokémon) and they're much more appreciated these days than the 90s.

I would speedrun to my local gamestore to buy a Switch 2 if they made Kyonpan a real Pokémon. I fell in love with Kyonpan the moment the Spaceworld Demo was discovered, and learning everything I could find about Kyonpan helped me through many rough days. I've been holding out hope ever since that one day Kyonpan will be real.

Please reblog for larger sample size :)

Stromen eventually evolves into today's Beta Pokemon of the Day, Phandarin!

NOROWARA and KYONPAN

A norowara person is prone to obsessing over people and things, often in a negative way. They simply cannot let things go, and stew in their dark thoughts and grudges. They are the sort to carefully plan out their enemies’ downfall well in advance, or wait months or years for just the right moment to shame them. They are very petty, willing to harm themselves to avenge insults. They have a long memory and an undeterrable will, and often present a falsely cheery countenance. 

Everytime I see a jiangshi I remember the best Pokemon that Gamefreak ever made and then decided “oh nah, let’s cut that one”.

Kyonpan!