Pokémon of the Day

Name: Mantyke

Pronunciation: Mann-Tye-Ck

Etymology: Manta + Tyke (a child)

Type: Water / Flying

Design Origins:

Mantyke is based on a baby manta ray, with its back markings resembling a smiley face.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Mantyke are friendly toward people and will approach boats closely. The patterns on their backs differ depending on their habitat.” - Ultra Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

Name: Lumineon

Pronunciation: Loo-Min-Nee-Yawn

Etymology: Luminous + Neon

Type: Water

Design Origins:

Lumineon is based on a freshwater butterflyfish, while possessing the wings of an actual butterfly. Its tendency to use its fins to walk on the seafloor is similar to that of a deep-sea tripod fish and its bioluminescence is similar to various fish like the marine hatchetfish. It also has some elements of the Siamese fighting fish, like its large long fins.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“This deep-sea Pokémon lives at the bottom of the sea. Its fins haul it over the seabed in search of its favorite food—Starmie.” - Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

Name: Finneon

Pronunciation: Finn-Nee-Yawn

Etymology: Fin + Neon

Type: Water

Design Origins:

Finneon is based on a freshwater butterflyfish, as well as having some elements of actual butterflies. Additionally, it is also inspired by the neon tetra, a type of fish known for its bright colours, as well as flying fish, shown by its tendency to leap out of the water.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“The way its two tail fins flutter while it swims has earned it the nickname “BEAUTIFLY of the Sea.”” - Pearl

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Carnivine

Pronunciation: Carr-Nih-Vye-N

Etymology: Carnivore (Meat eater) + Vine

Type: Grass

Design Origins:

Carnivine is based on a Venus Flytrap, a plant known for gaining energy from eating bugs which get caught in its mouth.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It attracts prey with its sweet-smelling saliva, then chomps down. It takes a whole day to eat its prey.” - Brilliant Diamond

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 7: ZU

National Dex: RU

VGC:

Name: Toxicroak

Pronunciation: Tocks-Ih-Croke

Etymology: Toxic + Croak

Type: Poison / Fighting

Design Origins:

Toxicroak is based on a poison dart frog, with elements of a hairy frog, a species which defends itself by breaking its toes and using sharpened bones from its skin. Conceptually, it might also draw from a ninja, especially with the prominent claws on its hands resembling the knives often worn by ninjas on their wrists.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Its crimson claws contain a virulent toxin. This toxin can be made into a tonic by diluting it, mixing it with several types of wild grass, and boiling it down over two days.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Champions: UU

VGC:

San Antonio Regional, USA (21/1/2025) - 81st

Name: Croagunk

Pronunciation: Croh-Gunck

Etymology: Croak + Gunk (grime)

Type: Poison / Fighting

Design Origins:

Croagunk is based on a poison dart frog. The white markings on its stomach resemble sarashi, a white cloth made of cotton or linen used to make various items of clothing, with the different markings between male and female Croagunk referencing the different styles worn by men and women.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Fluid squeezed from its finger, albeit poisonous, is a significant ingredient in remedies for lower-back pain.” - HeartGold

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Drapion

Pronunciation: Drah-Pee-Yawn

Etymology: Dragon or Drastic or Dracula (because of its teeth) + Scorpion

Type: Poison / Dark

Design Origins:

Drapion is based on a scorpion, with some elements of a vinegarroon, another similar arachnid. It also has some basis in sea scorpions, an ancient group of arthropods that may have evolved into modern day scorpions, which explains why it's in the Water 3 egg group.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It’s so vicious that it’s called the Sand Demon. Yet when confronted by Hippowdon, Drapion keeps a low profile and will never pick a fight.” - Shield

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: NU

National Dex: RU

VGC:

Players Cup 1 Global Finals (22/8/2020) - 13th

Name: Skorupi

Pronunciation: Skorr-Roo-Pee

Etymology: Shortening of “Scorpion”

Type: Poison / Bug

Design Origins:

Skorupi is based on a scorpion, with some elements of a vinegarroon, another similar arachnid. It also has some basis in sea scorpions, an ancient group of arthropods that may have evolved into modern day scorpions, which explains why it's in the Water 3 egg group.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It lives in arid regions and can go without food for a year while waiting for prey.” - Black 2, White 2

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

Name: Hippowdon

Pronunciation: Hih-Pow-Dawn

Etymology: Hippopotamus + Power or Powder (like sand) or Pow (onomatopoeia for a powerful hit) + Don (Spanish for “lord”) or -don (common dinosaur suffix, derived from ancient Greek word for “tooth”)

Type: Ground

Design Origins:

Hippowdon is visually based on a hippopotamus and behaviourally based on the opposite of a hippopotamus, being active during the day rather than the night and enjoying dry sandy areas instead of wetlands. Given the pours on its back that constantly spit sand, it may also be conceptually based on Bahamut, a mythical being said to have the head of a hippo and support a bed of sand.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Its huge mouth is almost seven feet across. It has enough power to completely crush a car.” - Pearl

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Champions: UU

VGC:

Oceanian International Championships 2020 (21/2/2020) - 59th

Name: Hippopotas

Pronunciation: Hih-Poh-Paw-Tass

Etymology: Derived from Hippopotamus + Potash (earthy substance used in fertiliser)

Type: Ground

Design Origins:

Hippopotas is visually based on a hippopotamus and behaviourally based on the opposite of a hippopotamus, being active during the day rather than the night and enjoying dry sandy areas instead of wetlands. Its skin pattern is described as “military camouflage” in the Pokédex. It may also be conceptually based on Bahamut, a mythical being said to have the head of a hippo and support a bed of sand.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Though large and languid, Hippopotas is difficult to detect due to its tendency to burrow into and lurk beneath the soil. When agitated or excited, it expels sand from its nostrils.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Lucario

Pronunciation: Loo-Car-Ree-Yoh

Etymology: Reverse transcription of the Japanese word for orichalcum (a mythical metal) or Oracle + Lúkos (Greek word for “wolf”) or luchar (Spanish for “to fight”)

Type: Fighting / Steel

Design Origins:

Lucario is based on a jackal, a canid native to Africa and Eurasia, as well as Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerals, who is usually depicted with a jackal head. Its ability to sense people’s auras and read their intentions from that also mirrors Anubis's role of weighing the hearts of those in the afterlife, and its bone staff may draw from the Was-sceptre that Anubis is often depicted with. The black markings on its face may be inspired by the masks worn by classic pop culture heroes, such as Zorro, and in combination with the four appendages below its ears it may resemble a khakkhara, a staff which is often depicted responding to auras in a similar way as Lucario. Additionally, Lucario may draw from the Japanese wolf, both visually and conceptually. This species once lived on the islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu, and was believed to be a protective spirit related to the mountain deities in Shintoism. This may also explain a certain number of its other traits, such as its strong sense of justice and ability to discern the true nature of a person, which are traits found in the Ōkuchi-no-Magami, a wolf deity which is based on the Japanese wolf. The concept of aura that Lucario is strongly associated with resembles various forms of vital energies such as qi or chakra. Its fighting style resembles various East Asian styles such as neijin, which incorporate qi as a concept. Its “shorts” may be inspired by those worn in the likes of boxing or MMA.

Mega Lucario seems to take the base design of Lucario and make it “edgier”, giving it additional spikes and various sections coloured in a blood-soaked red. The lines on its body also become much sharper and more aggressive.

Mega Lucario Z amplifies the connection to Egyptian mythology and iconography, with its tail now resembling a medjed fish. This fish was often worshiped at Oxyrhynchus in ancient Egyptian religion.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Lucario reads its opponent’s feelings with its aura waves. It finds out things it would rather not know, so it gets stressed out easily.” - Ultra Moon

“Black streaks all over its body show where its auras and the energy of Mega Evolution intermingled and raced through it.” - Sun (Mega Lucario)

“By completely cloaking itself in its aura, Mega Lucario Z can parry all manner of attacks, battling as if it were gracefully dancing.” - Legends ZA (Mega Lucario Z)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Champions: UU

[Mega Lucario]

Champions: Ubers

VGC:

Turin Special, Italy (6/6/2026) - 122nd

Milwaukee Regionals, USA (11/10/2025) - 25th

[Mega Lucario]

Paris Special, France (2/11/2019) - 7th

Name: Riolu

Pronunciation: Ree-Yoh-Loo

Etymology: Partial anagram of “Lucario”, its evolution.

Type: Fighting

Design Origins:

Riolu is based on a jackal, a canid native to Africa and Eurasia, as well as Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerals, who is usually depicted with a jackal head. Its black mask-like patch on its face resembles a tanooki or raccoon.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Though infantile in appearance, it has the mysterious ability to read the minds of humans. The pure of heart are met with Riolu’s approval, while those of ill nature earn only its loathing.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Munchlax

Pronunciation: Munch-Lacks

Etymology: Munch + Lax or Relax

Type: Normal

Design Origins:

Munchlax is based on a baby bear, not only in appearance but in its habits. For example, baby bears are known to eat large amounts of honey before hibernation, this is reflected in Munchlax as it was originally only obtainable by slathering honey on a tree to lure it. The yellow patch on its chest is reminiscent of a baby’s bib.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It needs to consume its own weight in food every day. As far as flavor is concerned, it’s indifferent.” - Sun

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Garchomp

Pronunciation: Garr-Chawmp

Etymology: Gaburias (Its Japanese name) + Gargantuan (very large) + Chomp

Type: Dragon / Ground

          Dragon (Mega Garchomp Z)

Design Origins:

Garchomp is based on various dinosaur-like kaijus, along with wyverns (dragons with two legs and two wings), and landsharks, specifically drawing from a hammerhead shark. It may also be somewhat inspired by theropod dinosaurs, such as the Carcharodontosaurus, a dinosaur with teeth similar to that of a great white shark, furthering the shark connection. Additionally, it also takes inspiration from fighter jets, specifically a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter jet, which popularised the shark-themed nose art on fighter jets. 

Mega Garchomp’s head is restructured to somewhat resemble a skull, with its arms now curving in a way reminiscent of scythes. These traits, in combination with the blood-like red on its arms, are possibly inspired by various depictions of the Grim Reaper, a figure associated with death. 

Mega Garchomp Z loses its ground typing to become fully airborne, and emphasises the fighter jet inspiration much more strongly. It gains larger fins and additional wings on its head to allow for better flight speed. 

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It can fly at speeds rivaling jet planes. It dives into flocks of bird Pokémon and gulps the entire flock down whole.” - Sun

“Excess energy melted its arms and wings, transforming them into giant scythes.” - Sun (Mega Garchomp) 

“Garchomp has gained a new Mega-Evolved form. It flies around foes at Mach speed and cuts them to shreds with its sinister wing claws.” - Legends ZA (Mega Garchomp Z)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Champions: OU

[Mega Garchomp]

Champions: OU by Technicality 

VGC:

North American International Championships (11/6/2026) - 155th 154th, 153rd, 152nd, 147th, 144th, 133rd, 128th, 126th, 120th, 114th, 110th, 107th, 102nd, 101st, 96th, 86th, 85th, 77th, 76th, 74th, 73rd, 69th, 68th, 67th, 64th, 63rd, 60th, 57th, 53rd, 44th, 43rd, 39th, 38th, 37th, 36th, 35th, 29th, 28th, 27th, 24th, 23rd, 22nd, 20th, 18th, 17th, 15th, 14th, 12th, 11th, 7th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 1st

Name: Gabite

Pronunciation: Gahb-Eye-T

Etymology: Gaburi (Japanese for bite) + Bite

Type: Dragon / Ground

Design Origins:

Gabite is based on various dinosaur-like kaijus, along with wyverns (dragons with two legs and two wings), and landsharks, specifically drawing from a hammerhead shark. It may also be somewhat inspired by theropod dinosaurs, such as the Carcharodontosaurus, a dinosaur with teeth similar to that of a great white shark, furthering the shark connection. Its nature of collecting gems is likely inspired by various European dragons, which were often depicted hoarding treasure, as seen in many pieces of media and literature such as Lord of the Rings.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Shiny objects are its passion. It can be found in its cave, scarcely moving, its gaze fixed on the jewels it’s amassed or Carbink it has caught.” - Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: NFE

VGC:

Name: Gible

Pronunciation: Gih-Bull

Etymology: Gobble + Nibble

Type: Dragon / Ground

Design Origins:

Gible is based on the concept of a landshark, a common fantasy trope, specifically drawing from hammerhead sharks. Its duller colour pallet and round body shape may also suggest it draws from a red-bellied piranha.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Its original home is an area much hotter than Alola. If you’re planning to live with one, your heating bill will soar.” - Ultra Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

Name: Spiritomb

Pronunciation: Speer-Rih-Toom

Etymology: Spirit + Tomb, also possibly Spiritum (Latin for “Spirit”)

Type: Ghost / Dark

Design Origins:

Spiritomb is based on a Jibakurei, a spirit which is bound to a single place, with elements of a Deildegast, a spirit from Norwegian folklore which is forced to haul around a boundary boulder as punishment for moving it in life. Its association with the number 108 may be inspired by the Japanese Buddhist New Year's Eve tradition where a bell is rung 108 times to chase away 108 temptations in order to reach Nirvana. It may also draw from the Chinese classic novel “Water Margin”, in which the first chapter sees an army marshal order the removal of a stone monument which had been guarded for generations, only for 108 demons to be released as spirits. These demons later atone for their sins and get reincarnated as the 108 outlaws, the heroes of the story.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It was formed by uniting 108 spirits. It has been bound to the Odd Keystone to keep it from doing any mischief.” - HeartGold, SoulSilver, Violet

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC: